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The old and the new: the evolution of polymer and biomedical clusters in Ohio and Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Johansson

    (Royal Institute of Technology, Industrial Organization and Management, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Dilek Cetindamar

    (Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey)

  • Bo Carlsson

    (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7206, USA)

  • Pontus Braunerhjelm

    (Center for Business and Policy Studies , 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

This paper examines the rapid growth of the polymer-based and biomedical clusters in Ohio and Sweden - two regions of similar size and with similar traditions undergoing similar industrial restructuring. Two issues are addressed: First, why has growth been so strong in these particular clusters, i.e., can we identify the sources of the growth and dynamics in these sectors? Second, why do these two clusters differ in Ohio and Sweden in terms of size, level and type of activity, number and composition of actors, size structure of firms and growth patterns over the last couple of decades? In particular, what is the role of public policies as well as cultural, historical, and geographic factors? Our main conclusions are (1) that there is strong path dependence in both clusters in both countries, and (2) that the key to rapid development is a high absorptive capacity combined with rapid diffusion to new potential users. Our policy discussion addresses these issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Johansson & Dilek Cetindamar & Bo Carlsson & Pontus Braunerhjelm, 2000. "The old and the new: the evolution of polymer and biomedical clusters in Ohio and Sweden," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 471-488.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:10:y:2000:i:5:p:471-488
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ivan-Damir Anić & Nicoletta Corrocher, 2022. "Patterns of value creation in policy-driven cluster initiatives: evidence from the croatian competitiveness clusters," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 643-672, April.
    2. Elicia Maine & Daniel Shapiro & Aidan Vining, 2010. "The role of clustering in the growth of new technology-based firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 127-146, February.
    3. Pontus Braunerhjelm, 2007. "Academic entrepreneurship: Social norms, university culture and policies," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 34(9), pages 619-631, November.
    4. Belal Fallah & Mark D. Partridge & Dan S. Rickman, 2014. "Geography and High-Tech Employment Growth in US Counties," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 683-720.
    5. Kerstin Press, 2007. "When does defection pay?," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer;Society for Economic Science with Heterogeneous Interacting Agents, vol. 2(1), pages 67-84, June.
    6. Braunerhjelm, Pontus, 2006. "Regional Specialization and Universities: The New Verus the Old," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 55, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
    7. Ron Martin & Peter Sunley, 2003. "Deconstructing clusters: chaotic concept or policy panacea?," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 3(1), pages 5-35, January.
    8. Dan Rickman & Belal Fallah & Mark Partridge, 2011. "Geographic Determinants of Hi-Tech Employment Growth in U.S. Counties," ERSA conference papers ersa11p518, European Regional Science Association.
    9. Goldfarb, Brent & Henrekson, Magnus, 2001. "Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Policies towards the Commercialization of University Intellectual Property," SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Economics and Finance 463, Stockholm School of Economics, revised 26 May 2002.
    10. Dominic Power & Mats Lundmark, 2004. "Working through Knowledge Pools: Labour Market Dynamics, the Transference of Knowledge and Ideas, and Industrial Clusters," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 41(5-6), pages 1025-1044, May.
    11. Kerstin Wolter, 2005. "Divide and Conquer? Decentralisation, Co-ordination and Cluster Survival," DRUID Working Papers 05-12, DRUID, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Industrial Economics and Strategy/Aalborg University, Department of Business Studies.
    12. Svensson, Roger, 2002. "Commercialization of Swedish Patents – A Pilot Study in the Medical and Hygiene Sector," Working Paper Series 583, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    13. Mozhdeh Taheri & Marina Van Geenhuizen, 2011. "Learning networks of academic spin-offs - A spatial perspective," ERSA conference papers ersa10p1661, European Regional Science Association.
    14. Goldfarb, Brent & Henrekson, Magnus, 2003. "Bottom-up versus top-down policies towards the commercialization of university intellectual property," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 639-658, April.
    15. Magnusson, Thomas & Berggren, Christian, 2018. "Competing innovation systems and the need for redeployment in sustainability transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 217-230.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Clusters - Evolution - Path dependence - Systems - Polymers - Biomedicine;

    JEL classification:

    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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