Gatekeepers of Knowledge versus Platforms of Knowledge: From potential to realized absorptive capacity

Lazaric N., Longhi C. and Thomas C. Gatekeepers of knowledge versus platforms of knowledge: from potential to realized absorptive capacity, Regional Studies. The development of clusters rests on geographical proximity, cognitive interactions as well as entrepreneurial initiatives. Sophia Antipolis, a multi-technology cluster in Valbonne, France, is a good illustration of the type of challenges local systems of innovation face in creating positive knowledge externalities. This paper shows that if the existence of 'gatekeepers of knowledge' can generate the potential implementation of 'absorptive capacity', its effective realization requires some additional effort regarding the transfer of knowledge into the cluster. The concept of 'platform of knowledge' defined shows how a project of knowledge codification could generate externalities by creating new opportunities for effectively combining and absorbing knowledge. [image omitted] Lazaric N., Longhi C. et Thomas C. Deux modalites opposees de diffusion des connaissances: les gardiens versus la platforme. Une illustration a travers le cas d'un cluster high tech, Regional Studies. Le developpement des clusters repose sur la proximite geographique, les interactions cognitives et les initiatives des entrepreneurs. Sophia Antipolis, un cluster fonde sur plusieurs technologies, est une bonne illustration des obstacles que les systemes locaux d'innovation doivent franchir pour creer des externalites de connaissance positives. Cet article montre que l'existence de 'relais de connaissance' ('gatekeepers of knowledge') peut engendrer des capacites d'absorption potentielles, mais que leur realisation effective implique des efforts supplementaires relatifs aux transferts de connaissance dans le cluster. Le concept de 'plate forme de connaissance' propose montre comment un projet de codification des connaissances peut generer des externalites en creant des opportunites nouvelles pour combiner et absorber des connaissances. Cluste(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)