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Knowledge governance within clusters: the case of small firms

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  • Rachel Bocquet

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Caroline Danièle Mothe

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

Abstract

Despite the vast literature on knowledge management, little research has addressed the specificities of knowledge integration at the cluster level. Moreover, the literature on clusters has not focused on the role that governance may play in knowledge management. Anchored in a knowledge-based perspective, this paper aims at bridging the two fields, filling the gap by analysing the role of cluster governance in knowledge management. An empirical study of two small French firm clusters was carried out based on 29 interviews. The data analysis consisted essentially in content analysis. The clusters studied were characterized by distinct knowledge management processes. In both cases, governance was necessary in order to support knowledge integration by member firms. Our results suggest that establishing an initial common knowledge base seems to be a prerequisite in order for the external knowledge identification and acquisition processes to take place. The activist role played by governance also seems more efficient than that of a broker. We discuss these results and their implications for policy-makers and cluster members.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Bocquet & Caroline Danièle Mothe, 2010. "Knowledge governance within clusters: the case of small firms," Post-Print hal-00920052, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00920052
    DOI: 10.1057/kmrp.2010.14
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00920052v2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Hezun Li & Siri Terjesen & Timurs Umans, 2020. "Corporate governance in entrepreneurial firms: a systematic review and research agenda," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 43-74, January.
    3. Rachel Bocquet & Caroline Mothe, 2015. "Can a governance structure foster cluster ambidexterity through knowledge management? An empirical study of two French SME clusters," Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 329-343, August.
    4. Hezam Haidar & Karine Evrard Samuel & Jean-François Boujut, 2019. "Influential factors of initiating open innovation collaboration between universities and SMEs: Systematic Literature Review," Post-Print hal-02184337, HAL.
    5. Raquel Sanchis & Maria Rosa Sanchis-Gisbert & Raul Poler, 2020. "Conceptualisation of the Three-Dimensional Matrix of Collaborative Knowledge Barriers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-24, February.
    6. Rachel Bocquet & Caroline Danièle Mothe, 2014. "Le rôle de la gouvernance des clusters dans les capacités dynamiques d’absorption des PME," Post-Print hal-01133514, HAL.
    7. Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, Pia & Nätti, Satu & Pikkarainen, Minna, 2021. "Orchestrating for lead user involvement in innovation networks," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    8. Pinget, Amandine, 2016. "Spécificités des déterminants des innovations environnementales : une approche appliquée aux PME [Specificities of determinants for environmental innovation : an approach applied to SMEs]," MPRA Paper 80108, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Bouhari, Mohamed & Khabbouchi, Rafika & Mathlouthi, Yamina, 2016. "What cluster model for the competitiveness of Tunisian companies?," MPRA Paper 79110, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Jiang Wei & Minfei Zhou & Mark Greeven & Hongyan Qu, 2016. "Economic governance, dual networks and innovative learning in five Chinese industrial clusters," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 33(4), pages 1037-1074, December.

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