Technology clusters

Question 1

What are technology clusters? Which are their synonyms?

Answer 1

geographically concentrated high-tech activities with a high innovation level, connected both vertically and horizontally and sharing a common vision through coopetition.
Synonyms: innovative milieus, tech valleys, competitive clusters

Question 2

Which categories of technology clusters exist (5)?

Answer 2

1. horizontally integrated
2. vertically integrated
3. hierarchical (oligopolistic firm around which evolve other companies linked through contractual constraints)
4. research driven
5. Scumpeterian Silicon Valley (series of complementary innovative activities)

Question 3

What is the difference between traditional industrial districts and technology clusters?

Answer 3

1. innovation is radical, focusing on integrating scientific knowledge into new products
2. It links scientific knowledge with the business system
3. Its genesis is related to an actor who acts as a cluster engine (top-down)

Question 4

What are bridging institutions? And which role do they play?

Answer 4

Research centers and firms which promote the creation of sub-clusters or start-ups, increasing the production capacity of knowledge and attracting managers and investors.

Question 5

Anglo-Saxon model

Answer 5

1. strong private universities networks enhancing R&D
2. Federal funding to R&D in strategic areas
3. active role of venture capital

Question 6

European model

Answer 6

Based on public intervention, where policies aim to improve competitiveness in specific sectors or to support R&D activities. These policy strategies contribute to shape trajectories in cluster formation and change.

Question 7

Poles de competitivité and their goal

Answer 7

Clusters involving small and large firms in a particular sector and territory, whose goal is to build synergies and collaborative innovative projects

Question 8

Which type of activities do poles de competitivité support?

Answer 8

Sectors with a large technological component

Question 9

Which are the roles of technological clusters?

Answer 9

1. Build up international competitiveness
2. Promote cooperation among enterprises (particularly SMEs) building bridges among European IEs
3. Support SMEs internationalization process to allow them to access GVC

Question 10

Which economic theory sees the State as the actor leading the long term economic trajectories to pursue general interests?

Answer 10

Colbertism