The Evolution Dynamic of a Cluster Knowledge Network: the Role of Firms' Absorptive Capacity
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The Evolution Dynamic of a Cluster Knowledge Network: the Role of Firms' Absorptive Capacity M. Nicotra & M. Romano & M. Del Giudice
Received: 31 August 2012 / Accepted: 15 November 2012 # Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract The research provides an empirical assessment of the evolution dynamics of a cluster knowledge network and investigates the role of clustered firms' absorptive capacity in shaping the knowledge network in time and space. In the study, emphasis is put on the empirical analysis through the use of data on patent citations, needed to define the structure of knowledge flows into the cluster. Moreover, Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analysis is used to estimate the evolution models of networks. Keywords Absorptive capacity . Knowledge network . Network analysis . Cluster
Introduction Researches on interaction and aggregation processes among firms have increasingly concerned the analysis of cluster collective learning and the development of knowledge-based theories. The basic idea is that cluster long-term competition depends on the ability of embedded firms to create, spread, share, and integrate knowledge. Acquiring a knowledge-based perspective allows researchers to investigate the way a cluster “learns” and to analyze its growth and evolution dynamics. Knowledge
M. Nicotra Science and Technology Park of Sicily, Catania, Italy e-mail: [email protected] M. Romano University of Catania, Catania, Italy e-mail: [email protected] M. Del Giudice (*) Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy e-mail: [email protected]
J Knowl Econ
acquisition and transformation mechanisms are strategic for regional sustainability above all in relation to entrepreneurial activity (Carayannis 2011). Referring in particular to the cluster knowledge network, that is the map of knowledge flow among clustered firms, it is interesting to study the structure of such knowledge map in different phases of cluster life, to investigate the various firms' characteristics able to influence knowledge network, and to explore the importance of extracluster knowledge flows for agglomeration competitiveness. As noted by Ter Wal and Boschma (2011), clusters have been generally investigated from a static perspective. Actually, even for clusters, it is possible to define the introductory, expansion, and decline stages of their life cycles, each stage with its own characteristics (Tichy 1998; Swann 2002; Wolter 2003; Maskell and Kebir 2005; Lorenzen 2005; Hassink and Dong-Ho 2005; Maggioni 2005). To leave evolution dynamics out of consideration means not to interpret cluster development mechanisms in a complete and exhaustive way. Hence, a dynamic perspective on cluster and, in particular, on cluster knowledge networks is here assumed. Moreover, firms belonging to a cluster have been traditionally treated as being homogeneous and their performances have been related just to their location without any reference to firm-specific features. However, recently some authors have emphasized the rol
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