Jessica Daniela Giusti

Innovation is deeply rooted in clusters and is strongly related to knowledge exchanges. In literature, scholars have started suggesting that innovation rates are expected to be higher in dynamic networks, where there is variation in roles and knowledge exchanges. This paper contributes to this debate by studying the correlation between knowledge exchange and innovation at the cluster level, with a dynamic view. Using dynamic social network analysis as a methodological approach and the literature on Collaborative Innovation Networks (COINs) and knowledge exchanges as the theoretical framework, we investigated how varying over time cluster members' leadership role and contribution in the flow of knowledge benefit cluster-level innovation. We relied on data collected from a collaborative cluster-based platform, focusing on technological knowledge exchanges. Our findings indicate that there is a strong positive correlation between rotating leadership and innovation as well as between rotating contribution and innovation.

Clusters are a pervasive phenomenon and their importance for regional economic development and competitiveness has been acknowledge extensively (Porter, 2003; Delgado et al., 2016). Yet, clusters are continuously shaped by dynamics (Menzel, 2015) that bring to new spatial clustering processes, new industrial boundaries and interconnections and new shapes, where temporary forms of cognitive proximity complement traditional forms of geographical proximity. Such industrial cluster dynamics are investigated in relation to the maker movement (Anderson, 2012) in the present thesis. The maker movement is a growing global phenomenon, considered as the catalyst for the next industrial revolution, which has reshaped entrepreneurial ecosystems, advanced many industries and opened to a democratization of innovation and entrepreneurship (Aldrich, 2014; Browder et al., 2019). Complying with the three cluster dynamics mentioned above, first we investigate new spatial clustering processes of the maker movement, then we dig into the interconnections between the maker movement and existing high-tech clusters and finally we explore new forms of clustering through on-line collaborative communities of makers.

This paper aims at investigating the role of makers in open innovation networks by focusing on whether and how knowledge leaks occur in open innovation networks with makers. In the last years, makers have been widely recognized as conducive to innovation and growth in different fields through a novel and open approach. However, little is known about the role played by makers and, more specifically, about the flow of unintended knowledge – i.e. knowledge leaks. Data have been collected by iteratively deploying a snowball sampling technique in an Italian high-tech cluster with a dense and heterogeneous ecosystem of makers. Data analysis relied on social network analysis method and techniques. Findings shed light on a totally unexplored phenomenon and suggest intriguing implications both for theory and practice on whether and how knowledge is exchanged in innovation networks and how knowledge leaks occur.

Innovation clusters represent a concerted effort to bring together research, industry and government in line with the triple-helix framework. Clusters affect and are affected by their regional context where they are located. From this perspective, clusters are regarded as an integral part of regional innovation systems. A regional renewal based on innovation clusters may end up into incremental change, diversification or radical change and may involve the regional government, regional clusters association and cluster organisations. Nevertheless, little is known about how regions drive the implementation of renewal policies based on innovation clusters, differentiating among regional development paths and levels of regional governance. Hence, we collected data according to an embedded comparative case study research design on Lombardy region, where the regional government promoted a triple-helix inspired policy of implementing nine innovation clusters. Findings have both conceptual and policy implications with regard to triple-helix, clusters and regional innovation systems.

Clusters are increasingly seen as change agents able to influence entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness of regions and countries. The dynamic development of clusters, and hence their competitiveness, depends on the quality of their entrepreneurial ecosystems. Institutions for collaboration (IFCs) are expected to be central to the formation and the development over time of a strong cluster ecosystem. Nevertheless, cluster literature lacks in-depth studies on this topic. Thus, the goal of our research is to contribute in the broad debate on the role of IFCs in the competitiveness of a cluster, specifically offering an in-depth understanding of the role of IFCs in the formation and development of a cluster ecosystem. The discussion builds on the in-depth case study analysis of the French omega-3 agrifood cluster with a focus on the role played by an IFC, namely Bleu-Blanc-Coeur.

Despite the increasing debate in literature on both tourism clusters and medical tourism, the role played by the government in medical tourism clusters remains vastly unexplored. The aim of the present paper is to explore government initiatives in clusters where the medical and tourism industries engage in a virtuous circuit for regional competitiveness. The paper builds on the longitudinal case study of the Thailand medical tourism cluster, analysing its formation and development in time and the competitiveness policies set up by the government. In Thailand, idiosyncratic factor conditions allowed the creation of a new form of cluster, where the health and the hospitality systems are beneficially tied together in a self reinforcing mechanism of competitiveness nurtured by tourism flows. Our findings will help regional policy-makers understand the role of government in the formation and development of clusters where tourism is synergic with the medical industry for regional competitiveness.

Tourism, one of the most relevant industries worldwide, plays a key role in the development and competitiveness of many regions. Despite the increasing debate in literature on cultural heritage - and tourism - based clusters for regional competitiveness, the relation between cultural heritage and competitiveness remains vastly unexplored, especially with respect to the mediating role played by tourism. The aim of the present paper is to explore the formation and development of clusters where tourism and cultural heritage engage in a virtuous circuit for regional competitiveness. To this purpose, the paper builds on the longitudinal case study of the Motor Valley cluster (around Modena, in Italy), illustrating and analysing its formation and development from 1999 to 2011. In the selected case, the regional identity and heritage on the motor sport industry since 1800 allowed the creation of a new form of cluster, where major firms in the motor industry, artisans, tourism organisations, sport facilities, institutions and tangible and intangible cultural heritage ( corporate and industry museums, private collections, archives, expertise and practices) are beneficially tied together in a self reinforcing mechanism of competitiveness, nurtured by tourism flows. The findings of our work will help city leaders and regional policy-makers understand the formation and development of clusters where tourism is synergic with cultural heritage for regional competitiveness.