Shared Resources and Competitive Advantage in Clustered Firms: The Missing Link

Abstract

This study examines the mechanism by which shared resources act on clustered firms' strategic resources to impact firm performance. Results indicate that five different kinds of cluster-specific shared resources have significant and positive effects on strategic resources to various degrees. Results also show that four elements of strategic resources have significant and positive effects on competitive advantage of firms. The framework developed in this study thus suggests that internal strategic resources and capabilities of firms mediate the relationship between shared resources and competitive advantage of firms in clusters.