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Measuring structural social capital in a cluster policy network: insights from the Basque Country

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  • Igor Etxabe
  • Jesús M. Valdaliso

Abstract

Cluster Associations (CAs) attempt to promote competitiveness through inter-firm collaboration, and are generally seen as drivers of social capital formation in the region. We map in this paper, by using Social Network Analysis, the cluster policy network of the Basque Country in 2013, which may be considered a proxy of the structural dimension of social capital in the region. Besides, we identify the central agents of this network and attempt to explain the reasons for their centrality and the roles that they play. We take the affiliation of an organization to at least two CAs as a first indicator of the overall pattern of connections within the cluster policy network. Later on, we filter it with data about the Boards of Directors of CAs, and the Basque Contact Points created to concur with the Seventh Framework Programme for Research launched by the European Commission. We contend that those organizations that are present in these three networks form a ‘small world’ that numerous studies have shown to be favourable for creative output, where they might play a dual role of gatekeepers of knowledge and innovation within and between clusters and drivers of bridging social capital formation in the Basque Country.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor Etxabe & Jesús M. Valdaliso, 2016. "Measuring structural social capital in a cluster policy network: insights from the Basque Country," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(5), pages 884-903, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurpls:v:24:y:2016:i:5:p:884-903
    DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2015.1117582
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hans Westlund, 2006. "Social Capital in the Knowledge Economy," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-540-35366-9, Fall.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pablo Galaso & Adrián Rodríguez Miranda & Sebastian Goinheix, 2018. "Local development, social capital and social network analysis: evidence from Uruguay," Revista de Estudios Regionales, Universidades Públicas de Andalucía, vol. 3, pages 137-163.

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