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Cluster Innovation

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Encyclopedia of Creativity, Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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Synonyms

Innovative cluster; Innovative region; Knowledge-based cluster; Regional innovation system

Definition and Key Concepts

One of the key issues in the study of enterprise clusters has been the accumulation and diffusion of knowledge. The companies do not innovate in isolation. They need external knowledge sources. For this reason, the companies that are within a cluster enjoy some advantages. Clusters of companies are characterized because they create connections that facilitate the exchange and diffusion of knowledge while maintaining the rivalry between companies. Internal competitiveness generates the need for continuous improvement. At the same time, the proximity between the members of the cluster allows the existence of formal and informal relationships. This favors the learning and transfer of knowledge through multiple channels. The knowledge is a source of innovation and leads to the growth of business productivity. In addition, the most innovative companies usually...

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References

  • Baptista R, Swann P. Do firms in clusters innovate more? Res Policy. 1998;27(5):525–40.

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  • Kraaijenbrink J, Wijnhoven F. Managing heterogeneous knowledge: a theory of external knowledge integration. Knowl Manag Res Pract. 2008;6(4):274–86.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Business Economics Department, King Juan Carlos University, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    Francisco Diez-Martin, Alicia Blanco-González & Alberto Prado-Román

Authors
  1. Francisco Diez-Martin
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  2. Alicia Blanco-González
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  3. Alberto Prado-Román
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francisco Diez-Martin .

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Business Organization, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Marta Peris Ortiz

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Diez-Martin, F., Blanco-González, A., Prado-Román, A. (2017). Cluster Innovation. In: Encyclopedia of Creativity, Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6616-1_200018-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6616-1_200018-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6616-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6616-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Business and ManagementReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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