Simulating micro behaviours and structural properties of knowledge networks: toward a “one size fits one” cluster policy

Joan Crespo, Frédéric Amblard and Jérôme Vicente

No 1503, Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) from Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography

Abstract: The economic return of cluster policies has been recently called into question. Essentially based on a “one size fits all” approach consisting in boosting R&D collaborations and reinforcing network density in regions, cluster policies are suspected to have failed in reaching their objectives. The paper proposes to go back to the micro foundations of clusters in order to disentangle the links between the long run performance of clusters and their structural properties. We use a simple agent-based model to shed light on how individual motives to shape knowledge relationships can give rise to emerging structures with different properties, which imply different innovation and renewal capabilities. The simulation results are discussed in a micro-macro perspective, and the findings suggest reorienting cluster policy guidelines towards more targeted public-funded incentives for R&D collaboration.

Keywords: cluster policy; networks; micro-behaviours; structural properties; agent-based model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B52 O32 R12 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-02, Revised 2015-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp, nep-cse, nep-geo, nep-hme, nep-knm, nep-net, nep-sbm and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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