Industrial Districts as Open Learning Systems: Combining Emergent and Deliberate Knowledge Structures

Abstract

Belussi F. and Sedita S. R. Industrial districts as open learning systems: combining emergent and deliberate knowledge structures, Regional Studies. This article deepens the theoretical understanding of learning processes in industrial districts 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. It is claimed that a combination of the two mechanisms enhances the competitiveness of industrial districts in the global arena. How these theoretical reflections find empirical evidence in the case of the Lake Naivasha cut-flower district in Kenya is illustrated.

Belussi F. et Sedita S. R. Les districts industriels en tant que formule d'apprentissage à la carte: allier les structures de connaissance naissantes et voulues, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche à approfondir la compréhension théorique des processus d'apprentissage dans les districts industriels en analysant les structures naissantes et voulues en faveur du transfert de la connaissance sur le plan local et à distance. Un cadre analytique présente la dynamique d'apprentissage des districts en employant deux méthodes. Primo, l'exploitation des structures de connaissance locales et secundo l'exploration des structures de connaissance à distance. On prétend que allier les deux mécanismes augmente la compétitivité des districts industriels sur la scène mondiale. On présente comment l'étude de cas du district horticole du lac Naivasha au Nevada fait preuve empirique de ces réflexions théoriques-là.

Districts industriels Structure de connaissance Réseaux commerciaux Communautés de pratique

Belussi F. und Sedita S. R. Industriebezirke als offene Lernsysteme: Kombination von entstehenden und beabsichtigten Wissensstrukturen, Regional Studies. In diesem Artikel vertiefen wir das theoretische Verständnis der Lernprozesse in Industriebezirken durch eine Analyse der entstehenden und beabsichtigten Strukturen zur Förderung von Wissenstransfer auf lokaler und ferner Ebene. Anhand eines analytischen Rahmens wird die Dynamik des Lernens auf Bezirksebene durch zwei Mechanismen illustriert. Der erste ist die Nutzung von lokalen Wissensstrukturen. Der zweite ist die Nutzung von fernen Wissensstrukturen. Es wird die These aufgestellt, dass sich durch eine Kombination der beiden Mechanismen die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Industriebezirke in der globalen Arena verbessert. Ebenso wird illustriert, wie sich diese theoretischen Überlegungen im Fall des Schnittblumendistrikts von Lake Naivasha in Kenia auf empirische Weise belegen lassen.

Industriebezirke Wissensstruktur Geschäftsnetzwerke Praxisgemeinschaften

Belussi F. y Sedita S. R. Comarcas industriales como sistemas abiertos de aprendizaje: combinando estructuras de conocimiento emergentes y deliberados, Regional Studies. En este artículo profundizamos en la comprensión teórica de los procesos de aprendizaje en las comarcas industriales al analizar las estructuras emergentes y deliberadas que favorecen la transferencia de conocimiento a nivel local y distante. A partir de una estructura analítica ilustramos las dinámicas de aprendizaje de las comarcas mediante dos mecanismos. El primero es la explotación de las estructuras de conocimiento locales. El segundo es la explotación de las estructuras de conocimiento distantes. Exponemos que una combinación de los dos mecanismos mejora la competitividad de las comarcas industriales en la escena mundial. Asimismo ilustramos cómo estas ideas teóricas muestran evidencias empíricas en el caso del lago Naivasha en el distrito de flores cortadas en Kenia.

Comarcas industriales Estructura de conocimiento Redes comerciales Comunidades de práctica

Keywords:

• Industrial districts
• Knowledge structure
• Business networks
• Communities of practice

JEL classifications:

• O1
• R0

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support (225349 7th Framework programme) from the PVS project (a project for cooperation with developing countries) of the University of Padua, and ICaTSEM (Institutional Changes and Trajectories of Socio-Economic Development Models), European Union 7th Framework Programme. Thanks are due to Agnes Cherono and Loise M. Mwangi of the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), and Louise Labuschange (Real IPM Company Ltd), who provided invaluable assistance during the fieldwork. Any remaining errors are the authors' own.

Notes

See, for instance, the collective works published in Human Systems Management in 1999; and the contributions of Becattini and Rullani (1996), Belussi et al. (2003), Coe and Bunnnel (2003), Oinas (2002), Boschma and Ter Wal (2007), Humphrey and Schmitz (2002), Bathelt et al. (2004), Giuliani et al. (2005), Boschma (2005), Moodysson et al. (2008), Bathelt and Glückler (2003), Bell (2005), and Belussi and Sammarra (2010).

See, for instance, the metaphors of ‘local buzz’ and ‘global pipelines’ presented by Bathelt et al. (2004), or the ‘what if anything is localised’ perspective assumed in the paper on Swedish fashion by Hauge et al. (2009). Although the use of this metaphor has not created a large consensus (see, for instance, Cooke, 2005), it is clear that the introduction of these two concepts responds to the need of circumscribing the impact of the old ‘local learning’ perspective. But are external pipelines only generated by ‘deliberate’ firms' networks? In the perspective developed here, for instance, the participation of managers in international exhibitions allows local actors to be exposed to a distant ‘buzz’. In other words, ‘buzz’ and ‘pipelines’ pertain both to the localized and to the distant ‘dimensions’ of learning structures.

This article uses the term ‘industrial district’ to define the more precise Marshallian type, or the so-called Italianate model. The industrial district model belongs to a class of different local systems (clusters, milieus, etc.). Often in the literature, the cluster model is superficially assimilated to the industrial district model, which, on the contrary, is a much more specific territorial and social entity, bearing identity, cultural characteristics, trust and cooperation. For a discussion, see Belussi (2006).

The concept goes beyond the idea of a cluster of localized firms that considers learning and innovation occurring at a territorial level to be the result of an asymmetric but synergic interaction among private firms and public institutions, as it is assumed in the Porterian tradition, or in the ‘national innovation system’ approach.

A similar result was found by Bell (2005) in his empirical evaluation of the innovativeness of the mutual fund cluster in Canada.

Piore and Sable (1984) argued that localized networks of firms often prove to be a better organizational form than the large firm model when it comes to dealing with flexible demand and transferring knowledge, superseding the Fordist model of organization (Harrison, 1992).

Hydroponics (from the Greek words hydro, water, and ponos, labour) is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel or mineral wool. This procedure limits the pollution of the soil and of the natural water of Lake Naivasha.

The information provided here is derived from Dolan et al. (2002), along with the authors' interviews.

The Dutch auction system is a reverse auction, an on-line procurement method used to obtain quotations for commodities and services. In a reverse auction, something is purchased from the lowest quote (which is the ‘reverse’ of a normal auction, typically organized for unique artistic pieces sold for the highest quote to discerning bidders). A reverse auction is typically organized via the Internet, where in the same market there are hundreds of suppliers and wholesalers. Participants bid anonymously against each other for a specific quantity of a given item. Bidding takes place at a specified date and time, and continues for a specified time or until no more bids are received. Producers list their products first and then wholesalers express their interest.

The cooperatives are oriented towards reducing dependency on the grader – who selects the flowers to be sold/exported – and increasing the price of flowers for buyers (currently, the rule is the average price of the last week).

White Kenyans are British or Indian people who were born and/or established their businesses in Kenya.

To maintain anonymity, the names of some of these organizations and respondents will not be disclosed.

See note 7.

Integrated pest management is a sustainable way to manage pests by combining biological, cultural, and physical tactics. Frequently, two or more tactics, for example, cultural control and biological control, are combined instead of relying on only one management method. The goal is to manage rather than eliminate pests without using chemical pesticides.

Updated information is gathered from the KFC website (see http://www.kenyaflowercouncil.org).

Africa Now is an association that offers technical and financial support to farmers and small businesses. Training courses and visits abroad are organized to provide workers with better job opportunities.