Technological and Cultural Challenges in Local Innovation Support Activities—Emerging Knowledge Interactions in Charlotte's Motor Sport Cluster

Abstract

This paper examines the emergence of university–industry partnerships in the motor sports industry cluster located in the Charlotte region of North Carolina, USA. Despite little industry demand for the local engagement, the universities and community colleges started to approach the industry in the late 1990s and recently several new programmes of motor sports-related research and education have been initiated. During the past 3 years, the regional and state governments have also started to play a role in building up support for the motor sports industry. This process has largely been influenced by the ideas of knowledge economy and innovation as an interactive process, by the ideas of the wider social and economic role of universities, and by increase awareness of the relevance of the motor sports industry for the regional economy. Charlotte's motor sports industry is an interesting example of how a previously rather craft-based industry transforms into one in which technology, innovation and creativity play a key role in firm performance. However, the strategy for building up regional capabilities and relationships necessary to support the increased technological intensity of the industry has been slow to develop. This paper addresses the important question of how the universities together with other research and educational organizations can build collaboration with an industry that has traditionally prospered in the region without any links to them, but which in the face of technological challenges needs to reach out to access cutting-edge knowledge and highly qualified personnel.

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