Gatekeepers of Knowledge versus Platforms of Knowledge: From Potential to Realized Absorptive Capacity

Nathalie Lazaric, Christian Longhi and Catherine Thomas

Regional Studies, 2008, vol. 42, issue 6, 837-852

Abstract: Lazaric N., Longhi C. and Thomas C. Gatekeepers of knowledge versus platforms of knowledge: from potential to realized absorptive capacity, Regional Studies. The development of clusters rests on geographical proximity, cognitive interactions as well as entrepreneurial initiatives. Sophia Antipolis, a multi-technology cluster in Valbonne, France, is a good illustration of the type of challenges local systems of innovation face in creating positive knowledge externalities. This paper shows that if the existence of 'gatekeepers of knowledge' can generate the potential implementation of 'absorptive capacity', its effective realization requires some additional effort regarding the transfer of knowledge into the cluster. The concept of 'platform of knowledge' defined shows how a project of knowledge codification could generate externalities by creating new opportunities for effectively combining and absorbing knowledge. [image omitted] Lazaric N., Longhi C. et Thomas C. Deux modalites opposees de diffusion des connaissances: les gardiens versus la platforme. Une illustration a travers le cas d'un cluster high tech, Regional Studies. Le developpement des clusters repose sur la proximite geographique, les interactions cognitives et les initiatives des entrepreneurs. Sophia Antipolis, un cluster fonde sur plusieurs technologies, est une bonne illustration des obstacles que les systemes locaux d'innovation doivent franchir pour creer des externalites de connaissance positives. Cet article montre que l'existence de 'relais de connaissance' ('gatekeepers of knowledge') peut engendrer des capacites d'absorption potentielles, mais que leur realisation effective implique des efforts supplementaires relatifs aux transferts de connaissance dans le cluster. Le concept de 'plate forme de connaissance' propose montre comment un projet de codification des connaissances peut generer des externalites en creant des opportunites nouvelles pour combiner et absorber des connaissances. Cluster high tech Connaissance Gatekeeper Plate forme de connaissance Sophia Antipolis Lazaric N., Longhi C. und Thomas C. Zwei gegenubergestellte Verfahren der Wissensubertragung: Die Gatekeepers versus die Plattform. Eine Illustration anhand eines Hightech clusters, Regional Studies. Die Entwicklung der Cluster hangt von der geographische Nahe, kognitiven Interaktionen und Initiativen der Unternehmer ab. Sophia Antipolis, ein Multi -Technologie Cluster, ist eine gute Illustration der Hemmnisse, die die localen Innovationssysteme uberwinden mussen,um positive Externalitaten zu schaffen. Dieser Artikel zeigt, dass die Existenz von 'Wissensrelais' ('gatekeepers of knowledge') potentielle Absorptionsfahigkeiten erzeugen konnen, aber ihre effektive Realisation zusatzliche Anstrengungen bezuglich der Wissenstransferts in dem Cluster erfordern. Das Konzept der vorgeschlagenen 'Wissensplattform' zeigt, wie ein Projekt zur Kodifizierung des Wissens Externalitaten hervorrufen kann, indem neue Gelegenheiten geschafft werden um Wissen zu kombinieren und zu absorbieren. High-technology cluster Wissen Gatekeeper Wissensplattform Sophia Antipolis Lazaric N., Longhi C. y Thomas C. Guardianes del conocimiento frente a plataformas del conocimiento: de la posible capacidad absorbente a una realidad, Regional Studies. El desarrollo de las aglomeraciones radica en la proximidad geografica, las interacciones cognitivas y las iniciativas empresariales. Sophia Antipolis, una aglomeracion multitecnologica, ilustra a la perfeccion el tipo de retos a los que se enfrentan los sistemas locales de la innovacion a la hora de crear efectos externos positivos de conocimiento. En este articulo demostramos que si la existencia de 'guardianes del conocimiento' puede generar la posible aplicacion de 'capacidad absorbente', su realizacion eficaz requiere un esfuerzo adicional con respecto a la transferencia de conocimiento en la aglomeracion. El concepto de 'plataforma del conocimiento' que se a definido muestra de que forma podria un proyecto de codificacion del conocimiento generar efectos externos al crear nuevas oportunidades para combinar y absorber eficazmente el conocimiento. Aglomeraciones de alta tecnologia Conocimiento Guardian Plataforma del conocimiento Sophia Antipolis

Keywords: High-technology clusters; Knowledge; Gatekeeper; Platform of knowledge; Sophia Antipolis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (36)

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DOI: 10.1080/00343400701827386

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