Geographies of networked industrial systems: the case of Piedmont

Abstract

From a quite commonly accepted perspective, competitiveness relies more and more on local actors’ (firms as well as research centres, public bodies and local agencies) ability in creating efficient systems of production and innovation, in order to distinguish themselves from competitors. In particular, specialisation in products and competences is considered a privileged way for firms and territories to face the challenge of Knowledge Based Economies. In the literature, great attention is paid to the concept of cluster and to the development of cluster-based policies as useful tools to steer regional economic development. In an industrial cluster, public agencies, universities, and firms form a complementary network facilitating continuous growth, upgrading, and restructuring. An industrial cluster establishes a regional competitive advantage that allows to attract investments, diffuse knowledge, absorb and create new technologies, and retain skilled workers. Nevertheless, this might not be the only successful way to organise a productive system. As demonstrated by the literature, the networked organisation of a locally embedded productive system may be conceptualised in terms of different models such as: industrial districts, new industrial spaces, supply chains, local productive systems and, of course, clusters (Moulaert and Sekia, 2003). + Despite the paper results from the work of both the authors, the writing of the introduction and paragraphs 1 3 and 4 are to be attributed to Daniele Ietri; while paragraphs 2, 5 and the concluding remarks are due to Francesca Silvia Rota.

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