Concept Of Industrial District Research Articles

Evolving industrial districts and changing innovation patterns: the case of Montreal

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the evolution of the phenomenon of industrial districts and explores the broader regional innovation systems that consist of multiple industrial districts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a combination of network analysis and patent analysis techniques to analyze the social structure of Montreal tech agglomeration and its innovation.FindingsThe findings indicate that the cores of modern regional innovation systems are composed of densely collaborating organizations belonging to different industrial clusters, and these organizations are responsible for the most radical innovations. The analysis also reveals the importance of brokers and international ties in generating radical innovations.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of our paper extend the initial concept of industrial district and call for the need to no longer focus exclusively on individual clusters, but to take into consideration broader competitive regional innovation systems that are composed of multiple clusters. The current trend of the core of such systems to be composed of organizations from multiple clusters indicates that the traditional understanding of industrial district confined to the borders of specific industry is no longer relevant and there is a need to revise the conceptualization of clusters and further analyze the social fabric of broader regional innovation systems. In future, such intense collaboration within the core of the regional innovation system network may give rise to new industrial and technological configurations. It is important to further investigate these structures, because they have important implications for innovation and are responsible for new innovation patterns.Practical implicationsTo boost innovation in specific localities, policymakers could encourage collaboration between different clusters and support interdisciplinary projects and programs. Those would help the local community generate radical innovations.Social implicationsUsing this research, local policymakers could help local companies understand and explore international markets, as well as focus on attracting multinational firms that are leaders in their respective fields. Finally, local policymakers could further support important cluster intermediariesOriginality/valueThis paper offers original contributions to the studies of industrial districts as it explores a competitive ecosystem composed of multiple industrial districts and analyzes how these industrial districts interact and where the most innovative solutions lie in the social fabric of this big ecosystem.

Cluster policies and cluster institutions: an opportunity to bind economic and social dimensions?

Policies to support clusters of firms and other territorially-rooted agents are as popular today as they have ever been. While contemporary cluster policy most commonly adopts a microeconomic perspective to support business competitiveness, cluster policy practice remains strongly influenced also by the social foundations that can be found in the industrial district concept. This paper critically analyses contemporary cluster policy by incorporating an institutional perspective that seeks to enable greater understanding of the relevance of local community, systems of values, and informal institutions for cluster policy practices. Supported by a brief analysis of the diversity of cluster policies that are found in seven European regions, the paper makes a first step in highlighting the potential space for cluster policies to work more explicitly on the social embeddedness of clusters in their territories. This agenda requires more research, which could build on Giacomo Becattini’s key ideas in responding to the increasing sensitivity of both academics and policy makers to the intractability of the economic and social aspects of territorial development processes.

Kurrens portéka vagy múzeumi tárgy? Növekedési pólusok és iparági körzetek a fejlesztéspolitikában

A mai fejlesztéspolitikában növekvő érdeklődés mutatkozik a neoliberális gazdaságpolitikán túlmutató, a gazdasági versenyképesség és a társadalmi igazságosság szempontjait ötvöző eszközök iránt. A területileg kiegyensúlyozott, fenntartható területi fejlődés megteremtésére irányuló fejlesztési modellek közös vonása az erőforráskoncentráció, azaz egyes iparágak, növekedési centrumok kiemelt fejlesztése. A globalizáció folyamatai azonban megkérdőjelezik a korábban bevált modellek érvényességét.
 A tanulmány két, térben értelmezett fejlesztéspolitikai koncepció, a növekedési pólusok és az iparági körzetek alkalmazhatóságát vizsgálja a külső verseny új körülményei között. Megállapítható, hogy a növekedési pólusok eredeti ágazati és ágazatközi értelmezése kitágult, a pólusok a tér bizonyos pontjaira irányuló koncentrált, tervezett és támogatott beavatkozással jönnek létre, céljuk pedig a régió és az ország térszerkezetének megváltoztatása, a fő centrumokon kívüli kritikus tömegek létrehozása. A pólusstratégiák akkor érhetnek el sikert, ha a fejlesztésekre alkalmas korszerű ágazatokat fejlesztik, ésszerű mértékű „koncentrált decentralizációt” valósítanak meg kijelölt központokban. Az iparági körzetek (a klaszterekkel erősen összefüggő) koncepciója az iparágak hálózatos térbeli szerveződésének modellje. A klasszikus, helyi kis- és középvállalatok között létrejövő extern hatásokra és agglomerálódásra építő elképzelés szélesedésével nemcsak új körzetformációkat azonosítottak, hanem az atomisztikus térértelmezést is fokozatosan felváltotta a kölcsönös függőségi viszonyok által uralt „szervezett tér” ideája. A fejlesztéspolitikában a körzetkoncepciókat nem statikus szemléletben, hanem a szerkezetváltási, intézményfejlesztési folyamatok kontextusában, azok kiemelt csomópontjaiként érdemes kezelni.

Innovation in Territorial Governance: The Case of Agricultural Districts in Lombardy Region

In recent years globalization and the economic crisis have been pressing the agricultural sector, driving farmers to adopt new tools in order to deal with the challenges put in place by a globalized market and by the actions of agricultural policies. In this sense, the Italian legislation allows them joining in organized superstructures which, referring to the concept of industrial district, involve different members of a specific production sector in a territorial context,. in a network of relationships and a higher vertical and horizontal integration. Under these drivers, agricultural rural districts, agro-food quality districts and supply chain districts are been constituted. They represent concrete examples of a new form of territorial governance that may play a role in the development and enhancement of the local area and its agro-food production. Three districts belonging to different categories operating and recognized by Lombardy region have been taken such as case studies and a set of qualitative criteria and indicators is proposed, in order to provide a framework of their characteristics and a preliminary comparison among them.

Sistemas distrituales de innovación

The innovation system approach shows growing presence in the debate about the determinants of innovation, and has relevant implications on innovation policy. This approach identifies the agents and its connexions in different contexts such as territories, sectors or technologies allowing an improved understanding on how innovation processes function. However, often that boundary may not be the appropriate unit of analysis for studying the most significant relationships regarding innovation in certain contexts such as industrial districts. The industrial district approach, on the other hand, offers the appropriate unit of analysis for studying the relevant relations. However, for this approach innovation has not been of central focus. We therefore propose the Distritual Innovation System that merges the innovation system approach, where learning by interacting is central, and the main elements of the industrial district concept. This new conceptual proposal draws various conclusions on and has implications for the debate on the processes of innovation.

Industrial Districts – methodische und konzeptionelle Überlegungen zur Industriegeschichte Süd- und Westeuropas

Abstract This article explores the concept of industrial districts and outlines how they can be applied to economic history. The methodological debate centres around Italy, Spain, France, French-speaking Switzerland and the USA, and focuses on: the impact of institutional arrangements at the beginning of industrial development; co-operation between small and medium-sized firms in joining regional networks; the existence of governance structures in place to help mitigate district-internal conflicts; the institutionalisation of conjoint vocational training; producers’ willingness to share information, thus creating a skills market; and the common marketing of goods through the introduction of regional trade marks. The theoretical framework is contrasted with neighbouring approaches, such as the cluster economies. Finally, reasons behind the concept’s poor reception in German-speaking research are discussed.

Industrial Districts – methodische und konzeptionelle Überlegungen zur Industriegeschichte Süd- und Westeuropas

This article explores the concept of industrial districts and outlines how they can be applied to economic history. The methodological debate centres around Italy, Spain, France, French-speaking Switzerland and the USA, and focuses on: the impact of institutional arrangements at the beginning of industrial development; co-operation between small and medium-sized firms in joining regional networks; the existence of governance structures in place to help mitigate district-internal conflicts; the institutionalisation of conjoint vocational training; producers’ willingness to share information, thus creating a skills market; and the common marketing of goods through the introduction of regional trade marks. The theoretical framework is contrasted with neighbouring approaches, such as the cluster economies. Finally, reasons behind the concept’s poor reception in German-speaking research are discussed.

From the Green Revolution to Industrial Dispersal: Informality and Flexibility in an Industrial District for Silk in Rural South India

This article explores social production relations in the silk economy of a rural town in South India which has experienced a major process of industrialisation in the post-Green Revolution. Being a market for agricultural products in the 1960s, the town has now become the centre of a manufacturing economy specialised in silk saris. The article argues that, since the Green Revolution, the town's silk economy has been organised as an industrial district, in which competitiveness relies on low labour costs and is enhanced by class and caste stratification and segmentation. Focusing on the relations between the economic organisation of the silk economy and the town's social structure, the analysis is carried out by means of the Marshallian concept of industrial district as theorised by Giacomo Becattini.

At the origin of the industrial district: Alfred Marshall and the Cambridge school

This paper investigates the origin and evolution of the concept of the industrial district. The idea of industrial district is quite spread in modern industrial economics and in business studies, with a variety of meanings and typologies. Indeed the true first original conceptualisation dates back to Alfred Marshall and the economists of the so-called Cambridge School. Quite often the concept of industrial district is considered as synonymous of agglomeration, localisation, and clustering. But, according to the meaning given originally by Marshall, these processes of industry “territorialisation” are quite different from the more “compound localisation” that is the Marshallian industrial district. Therefore, the aim of our contribution is focused on disentangling its original meaning from other subsequent interpretations, referring particularly to the debate on this subject arisen among the economists of the Cambridge School in the early fifties of the XX century.

Districts industriels : du concept à l'histoire

Résumé Durant les années 1970, la découverte de la Troisième Italie conduit à une réhabilitation du concept marshallien de district industriel et à un grand nombre d’études sur le système productif, dont le développement peut le mieux s’expliquer par la concentration géographique des activités. En premier lieu d’une problématique concernant exclusivement sociologues et économistes, la question des districts industriels est devenue un sujet de préoccupation des autres sciences sociales, parmi lesquelles l’Histoire. Cependant, en dépit du caractère prometteur et stimulant que cette approche peut avoir, elle demeure incomplète et floue. L’Histoire n’a pas été capable de jouer son rôle à part entière parce que l’application du concept à l’histoire soulève nombre de questions théoriques, méthodologiques et empiriques. Il est nécessaire de clarifier les contenus du concept, de décrire comment il a été élaboré, comment il s’est diffusé, et de mesurer son utilité pour la recherche historique.

‘The true potter’: identity and entrepreneurship in the North Staffordshire Potteries in the later nineteenth century

Adopting a critical perspective on the industrial district concept, this paper explores the relationship between identity and entrepreneurship in the context of regional economic development in the North Staffordshire Potteries in the later nineteenth century. Contra to the model of the ‘ideal-typical’ industrial district, both business networks and any collective ethos of economic exchange were fragile in the Potteries. In this environment, entrepreneurship became a key issue. In particular, sections of the industry attempted to redefine the scope and practice of entrepreneurship in the local context, arguing that the entry into the industry of ‘illegitimate’ small firms was damaging the trade. The issue of regional representativeness was central to the process of redefining entrepreneurship.

From the industrial district to the district group: An insight into the evolution of capitalism in italy1

Brioschi F., Brioschi M. S. and Cainelli G. (2002) From the industrial district to the district group: an insight into the evolution of local capitalism in Italy, Reg. Studies 36, 1037–1053. The aim of this paper is two-fold: to analyse the extent of corporate grouping in the main industrial districts of Emilia Romagna and the reasons for their formation and development; and to show how their evolution in recent years requires rethinking the very concept of industrial district in favour of a unit of analysis capable of grasping the role taken by ownership linkages among firms. In this respect, we suggest a taxonomy of business groups that brings out the key role played by ‘district groups‘. The choice of Emilia Romagna as our field of investigation is motivated by the fact that in a number of ways the region's industrial system represents a paradigmatic model of local capitalism, combining the large-scale presence of industrial districts with a marked entrepreneurial spirit, strong social cohesion and an exceptionally efficient system of local institutions and intermediate organizations. In this sense, even though we start from the empirical study of a case (albeit a significant one like that of Emilia Romagna), our paper has the more general purpose of depicting the forms and ways through which a special form of local capitalism characterized by the massive presence of industrial districts has evolved, while at the same time signalling the need to reconsider the theoretical concepts and methods of empirical inquiry used to analyse and interpret the new forms taken on by local capitalism in Italy. 1 Earlier versions of this paper were presented at: the 2001 conference of the Italian Association of Regional Science (AISRE) in Venice; the 2001 national meeting of L'Industria in Bologna; the 2001 meeting of the Portuguese Regional Science Association (APDR) in Villa Real; the 2000 congress of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) in Barcelona; the 1999 meeting of the Italian Economic Association (SIE) in Ancona; and workshops of the University of Bologna, University of Urbino, University of Lecce and University of Padua between 1999 and 2001.

Enterprise Clusters and Industrial Districts in Colombia's Fashion Sector†

This paper presents the theory of enterprise clusters and industrial districts, and contrasts it with the evidence of two productive agglomerations in the fashion sector in Colombia. The empirical evidence on Bucaramanga and Medellín, that host the largest groups of Colombian textile and clothing producers and exporters, is based on a survey questionnaire, carried out in November–December 1998. The results of the survey confirm the relevance of the Industrial district concept in understanding the recent developments of Colombia's textile and garments industry, and reveal the presence of some dimensions of an enterprise cluster in both Medellín and Bucaramanga, although each with different characteristics. However, both Colombian clusters are characterized by a low degree of firm–level specialization and poorly–developed enterprise networks. This is similar to what has been observed in most enterprise clusters in Latin America, and may clearly hinder the local external economies and collective efficiency. Backward linkages are poor or lacking in both clusters. The strategy prevailing in most enterprises has been the internalization of many stages of the productive process. Forward linkages are much stronger, and the retailers play a crucial role in the commercial phases. However, only Bucaramanga firms have entered global production and marketing networks, whereas Medellín firms are mainly oriented to the national market. Moreover, the two clusters have developed under very different economic policy regimes, and this had had its consequences on the clusters' performance and structure.

Tourism Destinations and the Concept of Industrial Districts

This paper identifies the main characteristics of industrial districts as interdependence of firms; flexible firm boundaries; cooperative competition; trust in sustained collaboration; and a ‘community culture’ with supportive public policies. In spite of the dominance of SMEs and local interdependence, and in spite of the spatial significance of tourism destinations, this type of firm has not been analysed systematically using the concepts and methods of industrial districts. The comparability between tourism destinations and industrial districts is less obvious, especially as regards governance structures. This is also true of the intensified vertical division of labour between regions delivering services to tourists and regions developing such services. However, new trends in consumer preferences, technological developments and environmental prerequisites make the development of some district properties more likely to emerge in tourism destinations in the future. This paper suggests a number of key issues for a research programme.

THE RISE AND FALL OF AN ENTERPRISE CLUSTER IN AFRICA: THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA

ABSTRACT The success of industrial districts in Europe has inspired a wealth of studies on enterprise clusters and networks, not only in the context of developed but also less developed countries. In the latter context, especially, the concept of industrial districts proved alluring insofar as it affirmed the capacity of small businesses to become internationally competitive and thereby act as catalysts for economic regeneration. It has more recently been acknowledged that an industrial district “model” falls short in explaining differences between clusters of firms and that a more realistic interpretation of enterprise clusters is obtained through focusing on their trajectory of development. In this paper the jewellery industry in Johannesburg is examined from its early development as an industrial cluster in the downtown area, circa late 1930s, to the present period which has been characterised by efforts to regroup the industry in town, and increase its competitiveness through the promotion of co-operation and network ties.

Industrialization and Local/Regional Development Revisited

In focusing on regional development and industrialization, this article highlights three main themes: the relevance to developing countries of the new industrial district concept; the apparent continued need to theorize agglomerated industrial growth; and the relevance of agricultural development to local and regional industrial development. It concludes that the new industrial district concept is not relevant to understanding industrialization in the peripheral regions of developing countries and that despite the introduction of decentralization policies, local industrial development will, as before, very largely depend on central government resource allocation, the stability of government and the role played by large and medium scale enterprises, including Multi‐National Corporations (MNCs). It is also argued that without special efforts to develop agriculture, local and regional industrial development are less likely to occur.

The economic importance of geographical location. Some observations in relation to Arne Isaksen's thesis on the growth of new industrial spaces and specialized areas of production

In spite of the ongoing formation of a global market, most economic activity is conducted by firms deeply rooted in national or regional structures, and fundamentally dependent on specific national or regional capabilities. The renaissance of the Marshallian concept of industrial districts emphasizes the economic role of territorial embeddedness. A new Norwegian study of three selected industrial clusters is commented on.

The Role of Large Producers in Industrial Districts: A Case Study of High Technology Systems Houses in Southern California

SCOTT A. J. (1992) The role of large producers in industrial districts: a case study of high technology systems houses in Southern California, Reg. Studies 26, 265–275. A generalized concept of industrial districts is proposed. The concept hinges on the intertwined notions of the social division of labour, external economies and locational agglomeration. It is argued that large production units often play an important part in sustaining the growth and development of industrial districts and that such districts need not be composed solely of small production units. The argument is illustrated by means of a case study of the role of large systems houses within the high technology industrial districts of Southern California. It is concluded that neither large establishments nor the internationalization of the economy necessarily threaten the continued viability of industrial districts. It is also suggested that industrial districts represent a very widely developed phenomenon in time and space. SCOTT A. J. (...