Public cluster policy and performance

The dynamics of entrepreneurial agglomeration formation: Social selection and simulation

From the facts that numerous regions with initially similar economic conditions end up with different levels of entrepreneurial agglomeration, this paper constructs a model assuming that the sequential entrants make their career choices based on existing entrepreneurial ratio and describing the dynamics of entrepreneurial agglomeration formation. After mathematical analysis and numerical simulation using NetLogo, it is found that under social selection, a nonlinear Polya process with self-reinforcing and path-dependency characters will emerge, and the repeated entrants' career choices will lead to the agglomeration of entrepreneurship; the agent's risk compensation value, the initial population of agents, the number of role models in the early stage and the initial entrepreneurial ratio are determinants to the formation of entrepreneurial agglomeration. The findings confirm that entrepreneurship has "memory" and the entrepreneurial history could have influence on the future. In order to forge the entrepreneurial agglomeration, our suggestions include exerting influence on the determinants from an early age, and improving the individual's risk-taking abilities.

Blockchain for SME Clusters: An Ideation using the Framework of Ostrom Commons Governance

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) organize themselves into clusters by sharing a set of limited resources to achieve the holistic success of the cluster. However, these SMEs often face conflicts and deadlock situations that hinder the fundamental operational dynamics of the cluster due to varied reasons, including lack of trust and transparency in interactions, lack of common consensus, and lack of accountability and non-repudiation. Blockchain technology brings trust, transparency, and traceability to systems, as demonstrated by previous research and practice. In this paper, we explore the role of blockchain technology in building a trustworthy yet collaborative environment in SME clusters through the principles of community self-governance based on the work of Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom. We develop and present a blockchain commons governance framework for the three main dimensions i.e., interaction, autonomy, and control, based on the theoretical premise of equivalence mapping and qualitative analysis. This paper examines the role of blockchain technology to act as a guiding mechanism and support the smooth functioning of SMEs for their holistic good. The study focuses on sustainability and improving productivity of SMEs operating in clusters under public and private partnership. This is the first study to address the operational challenges faced by SEMs in clusters by highlighting the dimensions of blockchain commons governance dimensions.

Cooperation University–Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

Knowledge and its transference are increasingly viewed as key factors of companies’ competitiveness. In this sense, our research aims to analyze how the knowledge transfer takes place between the higher education sector and the companies. Although there has been an increase in research related to University–Industry (U–I) cooperation, the existing literature is still relatively fragmented and lacks a comprehensive view. In this way, this study aims to fill this gap by reducing the existing gap in the literature. Thus, this study aims at identifying the different trends and themes prevailing in the literature on U–I cooperation. Through a systematic literature review, using a bibliometric analysis, we identify four themes: (1) Triple Helix, (2) Knowledge Transfer, (3) Determinants of Cooperation and (4) Strategic Alliances. This research makes several important contributions: this review helps highlight not only what the previous literature has analyzed about cooperation between U–I but also prepares the ground for the second wave of research on this topic, synthesizing the main gaps in knowledge and the emerging trends in studies. Another contribution is the challenge of several prevailing theoretical/conceptual assumptions in cooperation between U–I and offering new theoretical/conceptual perspectives that may shape future research on this topic. Last but not the least, this paper defines a roadmap for a future research agenda by proposing multiple directions that can open new avenues for future research and the construction of relevant and appropriate theories for measuring the contributions of cooperation between U–I.

Entrepreneurial ecosystems: economic, technological, and societal impacts

Despite the overwhelming use of the metaphor ‘ecosystem’ in academia, industry, policy, and management, exact definitions of what ‘ecosystems’ really comprise are scarce and often inconsistent. Existing vague descriptions in the literature do not consider the boundaries of respective agglomerations, hence, they impede the evaluation of performance and outcome measures of respective ecosystems. This special issue is a first attempt to trace the ‘ecosystem’ discussion back to its roots—the ancient oikos, coined by the Greek philosopher Hesiod (700 BC), and aims to critically reflect on the usage of the term ‘ecosystem’, briefly summarize the extant literature and grasp the main features of entrepreneurial ecosystems, namely the economic, technological, and societal dimensions of entrepreneurial ecosystems. We intend to focus on the key elements that characterize an ecosystem, and hence, untangle under what conditions entrepreneurial firms shape and influence economic, technological, and societal thinking within their ecosystem.