IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/entreg/v26y2014i3-4p313-336.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Counteracting innovative constraints: insights from four case studies of African knowledge-intensive metalworking and automotive clusters - 'the Akimacs '

Author

Listed:
  • Nasiru Daiyabu Taura
  • David Watkins

Abstract

We respond to repeated calls over the years to further develop cluster theory specifically in an African context. Our contribution is to construct a framework which integrates theories focusing on path dependency, transaction cost economics (efficiency and systemic interdependency models) and regional development (lock in models). Our focus is on the innovativeness of African clusters and constraints on such innovation. Thus, drawing on cluster literature on constraints to innovation coupled with insights from current empirical work within African automotive clusters, we examine the challenges of counteracting the multilevel constraints which hinder innovation in African clusters. We develop a model for counteracting cluster constraints focusing on the impact of variations in innovative frequency, diffusion of innovations, innovative speed and protection of innovation. The model emphasizes the opportunities that arise when new entrant and incumbent firms interact to neutralize constraints at transactional, social, ecological and knowledge levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Nasiru Daiyabu Taura & David Watkins, 2014. "Counteracting innovative constraints: insights from four case studies of African knowledge-intensive metalworking and automotive clusters - 'the Akimacs '," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(3-4), pages 313-336, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:26:y:2014:i:3-4:p:313-336
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2014.904004
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/08985626.2014.904004
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1080/08985626.2014.904004?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Knockaert, M. & Ucbasaran, D. & Wright, M. & Clarysse, B., 2009. "How does tacit knowledge transfer influence innovation speed? The case of science based entrepreneurial firms," Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School Working Paper Series 2009-07, Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.
    2. Michael Peneder, 2001. "Entrepreneurial Competition and Industrial Location," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2174.
    3. Yutaka Yoshino, 2011. "Industrial Clusters and Micro and Small Enterprises in Africa : From Survival to Growth," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2546, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Michael Peneder, 2003. "Industry Classifications: Aim, Scope and Techniques," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 109-129, March.
    2. Matthias Firgo & Peter Mayerhofer, 2015. "Wissens-Spillovers und regionale Entwicklung - welche strukturpolitische Ausrichtung optimiert des Wachstum?," Working Paper Reihe der AK Wien - Materialien zu Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft 144, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik.
    3. Özlem Onaran & Engelbert Stockhammer, 2006. "The effect of FDI and foreign trade on wages in the Central and Eastern European Countries in the post-transition era: A sectoral analysis," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp094, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    4. Xingwei Li & Jingru Li & Yicheng Huang & Jinrong He & Xiang Liu & Jiachi Dai & Qiong Shen, 2022. "Construction enterprises’ adoption of green development behaviors: an agent-based modeling approach," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Hamza El Guili, 2018. "Internationalization of African SMEs: Context, Trends and Challenges," Proceedings of the 11th International RAIS Conference, November 19-20, 2018 020HG, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    6. Yvonne Wolfmayr, 2008. "Trade Barriers in Services and Competitive Strengths in the Austrian Service Sector. An Analysis at the Detailed Sector Level," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 34223, February.
    7. Vasily Astrov, 2001. "Structure of Trade in Manufactured Products Between Southeast European Countries and the European Union," wiiw Balkan Observatory Working Papers 14, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    8. Tetsushi Sonobe & Keijiro Otsuka, 2012. "The Role of Training in Fostering Cluster-Based Micro and Small Enterprises Development," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2012-099, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    9. Dai, Ruochen & Mookherjee, Dilip & Quan, Yingyue & Zhang, Xiaobo, 2021. "Industrial clusters, networks and resilience to the Covid-19 shock in China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 433-455.
    10. Peter Mayerhofer, 2013. "Wiens Industrie in der wissensbasierten Stadtwirtschaft. Wandlungsprozesse, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, industriepolitische Ansatzpunkte," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 57934, February.
    11. Aleid E. Brouwer, 2004. "The inert firm; why old firms show a stickiness to their location," ERSA conference papers ersa04p165, European Regional Science Association.
    12. Alexandra Ferreira-Lopes & Ccndida Sousa & Helena Carvalho & Nuno Crespo, 2017. "Trade Protectionism and Intra-industry Trade: A USA - EU Comparison," Research in World Economy, Research in World Economy, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(2), pages 88-102, December.
    13. Brouwer Aleid, 2010. "The Old and the Stubborn? Firm Characteristics and Relocation in the Netherlands," European Spatial Research and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 41-60, June.
    14. Koen Frenken & Frank G. van Oort & Thijs Verburg & Ron A. Boschma, 2004. "Variety and regional economic growth in the Netherlands," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 0502, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Dec 2004.
    15. International Monetary Fund, 2006. "Republic of Slovenia: Selected Issues," IMF Staff Country Reports 2006/250, International Monetary Fund.
    16. Michael Peneder & Karl Aiginger & Gernot Hutschenreiter & Markus Marterbauer, 2001. "Structural Change and Economic Growth," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 20668, February.
    17. Susanne Sieber & Irene Langer & Gabriele Wellan, 2012. "Aktuelle Entwicklungen im österreichischen Warenaußenhandel," FIW Specials series 004, FIW.
    18. Michael A. Landesmann, 2003. "Structural features of economic integration in an enlarged Europe: patterns of catching-up and industrial specialisation," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 181, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    19. János Gács, 2003. "Transition, EU Accession and Structural Convergence," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 30(3), pages 271-303, September.
    20. Karl Aiginger & Susanne Bärenthaler-Sieber & Johanna Vogel, 2013. "Competitiveness under New Perspectives. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 44," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47019, February.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:26:y:2014:i:3-4:p:313-336. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Longhurst (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.tandfonline.com/TEPN20 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.