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Knowledge in the Air and Cooperation among Firms: Traditions of Secrecy and the Reluctant Emergence of Specialization in the Ceramic Manufacturing District of Lampang, Thailand

Author

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  • Weeranan Kamnungwut

    (Graduate School, Srinakharinwirot University, 114 Sukhumvit 23 Road, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand)

  • Frederick Guy

    (Department of Management, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, England)

Abstract

We study interfirm relations among ceramic tableware manufacturers in the city of Lampang, Thailand. Data consist of face-to-face interviews with the principals of thirty-four manufacturers, and with representatives of supporting institutions. We find that specialization in production and knowledge sharing are complementary; that knowledge sharing is substantially discretionary, rather than taking the form of passive spillovers; and that a weak knowledge base, built on firm-based training within vertically integrated mass producers, constrains the development of flexible specialization, despite the efforts of numerous local and external actors.

Suggested Citation

  • Weeranan Kamnungwut & Frederick Guy, 2012. "Knowledge in the Air and Cooperation among Firms: Traditions of Secrecy and the Reluctant Emergence of Specialization in the Ceramic Manufacturing District of Lampang, Thailand," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(7), pages 1679-1695, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:44:y:2012:i:7:p:1679-1695
    DOI: 10.1068/a44522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Karla Paola Jiménez Almaguer. & José Melchor Medina Quintero. & Nazlhe Faride Cheín Schekaibán, 2013. "The search for the development of clusters in Tamaulipas, Mexico: A case study," Economía: teoría y práctica, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México, vol. 39(2), pages 89-117, Julio-Dic.
    2. Filippetti, Andrea & Guy, Frederick, 2020. "Labor market regulation, the diversity of knowledge and skill, and national innovation performance," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
    3. Andrea Filippetti & Frederick Guy & Simona Iammarino, 2015. "Does training help in times of crisis? Training in employment in Northern and Southern Italy," Working Papers 28, Birkbeck Centre for Innovation Management Research, revised Dec 2015.
    4. Maryann Feldman & Frederick Guy & Simona Iammarino, 2021. "Regional income disparities, monopoly and finance," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 14(1), pages 25-49.
    5. Iammarino, Simona & Guy, Frederick & Filippetti, Andrea, 2019. "Regional disparities in the effect of training on employment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 87466, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Maryann Feldman & Frederick Guy & Simona Iammarino, 2019. "Regional income disparities, monopoly & finance," Working Papers 43, Birkbeck Centre for Innovation Management Research, revised Feb 2021.

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