Unfolding Cluster Evolution

<p>Various theories have been put forward as to why business and industry develops in clusters and despite good work being carried out on path dependence and dynamics, this is still very much an emerging topic in the social sciences. To date, no overarching theoretical framework has been developed to show how clusters evolve.</p><p>Unfolding Cluster Evolution aims to address this gap by presenting theoretical and empirical research on the geography of innovation. This contributed volume seeks to shed light on the understanding of clusters and its dynamic evolution. The book provides evidence to suggest that traditional perspectives from evolutionary economic geography need to be wedded to management thinking in order to reach this point. Bringing together thinking from a range of disciplines and countries across Europe, this book explores a wide range of topics from the capability approach, to network dynamics, to multinational corporations, to firm entry and exit and social capital.</p><p>This book will be of interest to policy makers and students of urban studies, economic geography, and planning and development. </p> <p>Table of Contents</p><p>Preface</p><p>Introduction Understanding cluster evolution: beyond life cycles</p><p>Chapter 1 Crossing economic geography and international business to understand multinationals in clusters and industrial districts</p><p>Chapter 2 Economies And Diseconomies Of Agglomeration: Financial Services In The City Of London</p><p>Chapter 3 The dual role of multinational corporations in cluster evolution: when you dance with the devil, you wait for the song to stop</p><p>Chapter 4 Multinational Corporations And Cluster Evolution: The Case Of Cosentino In The Spanish Marble-Cluster</p><p>Chapter 5 Reverse Relocation, off-shoring and back-shoring in the Arzignano tannery cluster/district: Moving Labor and Capital in the Global Economy</p><p>Chapter 6 Ethnic Entrepreneurship In The Prato Industrial District. An Analysis Of Foundings And Failures Of Italian And Chinese Firms </p><p>Chapter 7 Cluster Evolution And MNEs: Analysis Of The Interplay In The Toy Valley In Spain </p><p>Chapter 8 The Dynamics Of Inward Foreign Investments Inside An Industrial District: Using Computer Simulation To Guide Empirical Research</p><p>Chapter 9 Cluster Life Cycles And Path Dependency: An Exploratory Assessment Of Cluster Evolution In The Basque Country</p><p>Chapter 10 Driving factors of cluster evolution: A multi-scalar comparative perspective</p><p>Chapter 11 On the emergence and evolution of clusters: the role of agency and external factors in the Galician turbot industry. </p><p>Chapter 12 Cluster Evolution And Political Lock-Ins </p><p>Chapter 13 The Evolutionary Dynamics Of Creative Clusters: How Can They Best Be Captured? </p><p>Chapter 14 Understanding Cluster Evolution: A Capability-Based Approach</p><p>Chapter 15 Organizational Configurations And Development Of The Footwear Industrial Districts: Fit, Results And Location</p><p>Chapter 16 Experiences Of Cluster Evolution In The Brazilian Ceramic Tile Industry: The Capabilities Accumulation Process Among Producers In A Developing Country</p><p>Chapter 17 Understanding Cluster Evolution </p>