产业集群研究的新视角

Towards a Reconceptualization of Clusters

本文从垂直、水平、制度、外部和权力因子分析了集群的生成、成长和再生现象。笔者认为,具备可持续发展能力的集群必须与外部的供应商、市场和技术建立系统的联系,多种文化的融合、合理的权力结构、有效的调控手段是集群环境建设的重要内容。同时,在制定区域政策时,不能简单地将一地的产业集群政策移植到另外一个区域。此外,不是世界上的所有地区都具备形成产业集群的前提条件;产业集群政策也不是提升区域经济竞争力的唯一途径。

This paper begins with the paradox that industrial agglomerations still continue to grow even though globalization processes seem to operate towards their deconstruction. It is argued that this is possible due to a fundamental interdependence between ubiquitification and contextualization processes. Through this, firms in clusters obtain access to new knowledge which they recombine with existing knowledge in novel ways. To understand the importance of clusters, aspects regarding their existence, growth and reproduction are analysed in spatial perspective. It is argued that a regional approach towards clusters, viewing clusters as regional concentrations of firms in a value chain or parts of it, provides a well - suited device for the analysis of regional growth paths and the support of policy programs. To identify different organisational configurations, (potential) clusters should be analysed along multiple dimensions; i. e. their vertical, horizontal, institutional, power and external dimensions. The vertical dimension of the cluster enables producer - user cooperation, interactive learning and problem - solving, while the horizontal dimension provides stimuli for competition and product variation. The institutional dimension ( or local manufacturing culture) is key to understand why firms in clusters can communicate effectively and how the cluster' s competencies are reproduced. This is complemented by the power dimension which provides the basis for coherence and adaptability of the cluster. In this multidimensional perspective, clusters cannot exist without systematic external linkages to suppliers, markets and technologies, raising issues of inter - cultural co -ordination, power and control. Using such a conceptualization, it is suggested that there are two closely intertwined processes which enable us to understand the ongoing success of specialized clusters. First, regular interactions and all sort of information flows between cluster actors generate a great potential for the transmission of knowledge. This buzz is free, automatic and helps to distinguish valuable information from that which is less useful. Actors can benefit from this by just being there. Second, non -incremental knowledge flows are often generated, however, through trans -local linkages with partners outside the cluster. To establish such pipelines is a timely and costly process which requires complex capabilities. It is argued that both local buzz and trans - local pipelines are mutually reinforcing, generating a potential for continued innovation and growth of the cluster. In policy terms, we should be aware that clusters cannot be used as a 'one - model - fits -all' strategy. The arguments presented in this report do not imply that regional policies should always he designed as cluster policies or that policy initiatives can easily create new clusters. To be successful, it is necessary to develop contextualised cluster policies, leaving room for alternative policies if the local growth path does not depend on clusters or if clusters are not at the core of regional competitiveness. Cluster policies, if chosen, have to be multidimensional policies, sensitive to the specificities of the local economy and the embeddedness of local industry structures.