Industrial districts as open learning systems: combining emergent and deliberate knowledge structures

Fiorenza Belussi () and Silvia Rita Sedita ()
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Fiorenza Belussi: University of Padova
Silvia Rita Sedita: University of Padova

No 141, "Marco Fanno" Working Papers from Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno"

Abstract: This article deepens the theoretical understanding of learning processes in industrial districts (IDs) by analysing the emergent and deliberate structures that favour knowledge transfer at the local and distance level. An analytical framework illustrates district-learning dynamics through two mechanisms. The first is the exploitation of local knowledge structures. The second is the exploration of distant knowledge structures. We claim that a combination of the two mechanisms enhances the competitiveness of industrial districts in the global arena. We illustrate how these theoretical reflections find empirical evidence in the case of the Lake Naivasha cut-flower district in Kenya.

Keywords: industrial districts; knowledge structure; business networks; communities of practice. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O1 R0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 51 pages
Date: 2011-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-geo, nep-knm and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Industrial Districts as Open Learning Systems: Combining Emergent and Deliberate Knowledge Structures (2012)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pad:wpaper:0141

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