Recent economic transformations in the world economy are progressing in two divergent directions - international production fragmentation and industrial agglomeration. Based on extensive data analysis and using models of interdependencies between key economies, this book analyses innovation systems that cross national borders. It is shown that technological complexity is an important factor in the formation of highly specific production networks, and why, for a number of production systems, fragmentation and clustering are two sides of the same coin. By outlining the picture of a world economy structured around networks of clusters and joined together through systems of linkages of components, people and knowledge flows, the author helps to promote a better understanding of recent economic transformations.
Introduction.- Systemic Innovation and Nation States.- Innovative Regions, Clusters and Milieux.- Beyond Borders: Trade and Networks.- Measuring Inter-Cluster Interdependencies.- Clustering Internationalisation.- Cluster Complexes: Auto Production.- Cluster Complexes: Civil Aerospace.- Cluster Complexes: Electronics and ICT.
From the reviews:
"The aim of the book is to contribute with new theoretical and empirical insights to the concept of innovation systems by pushing at the frontiers of this specific knowledge area and to focus on geographic space that have been rigid in the literature to separate one innovation system from another. ... The book is well structured and easy to follow. ... a good source of inspiration for entrepreneurs (or innovators), economic geographers and trade analysts." (Peter Warda, Papers in Regional Science, Vol. 91 (1), March, 2012)
