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Alliances, Networks and Competitive Strategy: Rethinking Clusters of Innovation

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  • Paul Tracey
  • Gordon L. Clark

Abstract

Networks of interaction have assumed particular significance in recent years because of their presumed importance for learning and innovation. Alliances between related firms are thought to encourage interactive learning between participating organizations through the sharing of knowledge and information, which is itself facilitated through trust, shared values and ways of working. The vast body of literature that has emerged is, however, incredibly fragmented, encompassing an array of theoretical positions and perspectives. This paper focuses upon two issues which are believed to be of particular significance and which need clarification in order to move to a clearer understanding of the ways in which networks of interaction evolve, and of their capabilities and limitations in relation to economic performance and competitiveness: (1) the importance of network structure, arguing that innovative activity requires flexibility with regard to network formation. (2) The role of geography in relation to the construction and functioning of alliances. It is the contention here that networks are likely to be increasingly international in scope.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Tracey & Gordon L. Clark, 2003. "Alliances, Networks and Competitive Strategy: Rethinking Clusters of Innovation," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(1), pages 1-16, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:growch:v:34:y:2003:i:1:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-2257.00196
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    Cited by:

    1. Bollmann, Tobias, 2018. "Unternehmensgründungen und Hochschulen: Eine Analyse der Bedeutung von universitärer Entrepreneurship-Bildung und Clustermitgliedschaften auf regionale Unternehmensgründungen," Arbeitspapiere 180, University of Münster, Institute for Cooperatives.
    2. Brian Barnard & Derrick Herbst, 2017. "A Resource-based Paradigm of Entrepreneurship: The Optimal Organization of Entrepreneurs as Resource," Business and Management Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 3(2), pages 20-46, June.
    3. Peter Mayerhofer & Oliver Fritz & Dieter Pennerstorfer, 2010. "Dritter Bericht zur internationalen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Wiens," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 42430, April.
    4. Robert Huggins & Andrew Johnston, 2009. "Knowledge Networks in an Uncompetitive Region: SME Innovation and Growth," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(2), pages 227-259, June.
    5. Rens L.J. Vandeberg & Ellen H.M. Moors, 2008. "A framework for interactive learning in emerging technologies," Innovation Studies Utrecht (ISU) working paper series 08-06, Utrecht University, Department of Innovation Studies, revised Feb 2008.
    6. Kwon, Deuksin & Lee, Ha Young & Cho, Joon Hyung & Sohn, So Young, 2023. "Effect of an open patent pool strategy on technology innovation in terms of creating shared value," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    7. Brian Ilbery & Gunjan Saxena, 2009. "Evaluating ‘Best Practice’ in Integrated Rural Tourism: Case Examples from the England-Wales Border Region," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 41(9), pages 2248-2266, September.
    8. Harald Bathelt & Armin Gräf, 2008. "Internal and External Dynamics of the Munich Film and TV Industry Cluster, and Limitations to Future Growth," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(8), pages 1944-1965, August.
    9. KAPITSINIS, Nikolaos & METAXAS, Theodore & DUQUENNE, Marie Noelle, 2013. "Exploring The Coherence And The Meaning Of Territorial Competition: Do National States Behave In The Same Way As Firms In Case Of Default?. The Cases Of Greece And Dubai," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 13(2), pages 57-72.
    10. Dogaru, Teodora & Burger, Martijn & van Oort, Frank & Karreman, Bas, 2014. "The Geography of Multinational Corporations in CEE Countries: Perspectives for Second-Tier City Regions and European Cohesion Policy," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 29, pages 193-214.
    11. Nikolaos Kapitsinis & Theodore Metaxas, 2012. "Territorial Competition: Theories, arguments, policies and lessons of the last 25 years," ERSA conference papers ersa12p947, European Regional Science Association.
    12. Fitjar, Rune Dahl & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés, 2013. "Firm collaboration and modes of innovation in Norway," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 128-138.
    13. Evert Meijers & Martijn Burger & Mark Thissen & Thomas Graaff & Frank Oort, 2016. "Competitive network positions in trade and structural economic growth: A geographically weighted regression analysis for European regions," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(1), pages 159-180, March.
    14. Elisa Salvador & Hassan El Asraoui & Mylene Akbaraly, 2019. "The difficult relationship between the consultancy market and SMEs: inspiring insights from the case of Drôme," Post-Print hal-02513526, HAL.
    15. Marcelo Royo-Vela & Jonathan Cuevas Lizama, 2022. "Creating Shared Value: Exploration in an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    16. Mark Thissen & Frank van Oort & Dario Diodato & Arjan Ruijs, 2013. "Regional Competitiveness and Smart Specialization in Europe," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 15331.
    17. Paul Tracey & Gordon Clark & Helen Lawton Smith, 2004. "Cognition, learning and European regional growth: an agent-centred perspective on the “new” economy," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18.
    18. Robert Huggins & Andrew Johnston & Rebecca Steffenson, 2008. "Universities, knowledge networks and regional policy," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 1(2), pages 321-340.

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