Clusters and intercluster spillovers: their influence on the growth and survival of Canadian information technology firms

We estimate the effects of clustering on the growth and survival of information technology (IT) firms in Canada, after controlling for firm-specific factors that might determine growth rates and survival. The results suggest that, in general, agglomeration at the regional and metropolitan levels does not influence growth rates or survival probability. However, we do find evidence that firms located in the Toronto CMA, and more specifically those located in a relatively small area within the Toronto CMA (defined by postal codes) experience faster growth. Moreover, we find that the greater the distance of other firms from these postal codes, the lower are their growth rates. In other words, the impact of clustering on growth performance is highly localized, at least for our sample period and firms. We find some limited evidence that proximity to US IT clusters has a positive effect on growth rates of Canadian IT firms. Finally, we find only very limited survivorship impacts related to location. On balance, our results suggest that the Canadian economy is too small to support many diversified clusters, and that policies directed at creating such diversity are likely to be misplaced. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.