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Cluster Initiatives and Economic Resilience: Evidence from a Technology Cluster in Argentina

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  • Díaz de Astarloa, Bernardo
  • Tacsir, Ezequiel

Abstract

In this paper, we study the role of a cluster initiative in fostering economic resilience among firms in a local technology cluster in Argentina. We focus on two aggregate shocks that hit the Argentine economy, including first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis is based on interviews with authorities and members of the cluster initiative, local firms, and policy makers, as well as on firm-level administrative tax records. We find that the cluster organization provides members with resources that could foster resilience, including access to specialized human capital, information on business opportunities, and assistance in applying for government support programs. However, while members of the cluster organization appear to be more resilient than non-members, even within the same regional cluster, after conditioning on firm characteristics we find little evidence of a positive association between belonging to the cluster organization and economic resilience. Members of the cluster organization are neither less likely to exit nor adapt by switching their main economic activity and did not show statistically significantly higher revenue growth than nonmembers. Member firms do appear to have been more able than non-members to keep up with tax obligations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Díaz de Astarloa, Bernardo & Tacsir, Ezequiel, 2022. "Cluster Initiatives and Economic Resilience: Evidence from a Technology Cluster in Argentina," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 12557, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:12557
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0004594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kristian Behrens & Brahim Boualam & Julien Martin, 2020. "Are clusters resilient? Evidence from Canadian textile industries," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 20(1), pages 1-36.
    2. Kristian Behrens, 2016. "Agglomeration and clusters: Tools and insights from coagglomeration patterns," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(4), pages 1293-1339, November.
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    4. 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.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact

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