Description
Book SynopsisThis book, a collaborative effort by researchers from Japan, Italy and the USA, seeks to explore the reasons for industrial clustering in certain regions of Asia, Europe and North America.
The studies presented illustrate real examples of industrial clusters, adding anecdotal evidence to the emerging theory of economic geography by exemplifying the centripetal and centrifugal forces that regulate the clustering process. The authors examine clusters in a diverse set of countries including China, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the USA and Vietnam. Significantly, the book provides an interesting split between studies of IT and software-related industries, and more traditional sectors, such as steel and vehicle manufacturing.
Industrial Agglomeration and New Technologies pays attention to a varied array of factors that influence clustering, such as knowledge spillovers, tacit knowledge, communication and transport costs, and the effects of various government policies. The case studies provide useful examples for government and industry leaders, as well as a starting point for researchers seeking an ultimate answer to the question: 'Why do firms form clusters?'
Trade Review'. . . the book is an interesting collection of anecdotal evidence. . . the book makes for interesting reading, both from the point of view of case studies and in terms of empirical methodological applications.' -- Silvia Grandi, Economic Geography Research Group
'This is a valuable book. The individual chapters contain original case-study evidence and analytical insights. . . it is one that should be consulted by any scholar working in the area if industrial agglomerations and new technology.' -- Simona Iammarino, Economic Geography
Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction Masatsugu Tsuji, Emanuele Giovannetti and Mitsuhiro Kagami PART I: AGGLOMERATION IN ASIA 2. The Relationship Between Toyota and its Parts Suppliers in the Age of Information and Globalization: Concentration versus Dispersion Masatsugu Tsuji 3. Iron Town Cluster: Yawata, its Glory, Decline and Rebirth Mitsuhiro Kagami 4. Information Technology and Economic Growth: Discovering the Informational Role of Density Takuo Imagawa 5. Agglomeration of Exporting Firms in Industrial Zones in Northern Vietnam: Players and Institutions Akifumi Kuchiki 6. Industrial Agglomeration and Regional Growth in Korea: Focusing on the Software and IT Service Sector Yasushi Ueki 7. China’s Regional Industrial Disparity from the Viewpoint of Industrial Agglomeration Koichiro Kimura PART II: AGGLOMERATION IN ITALY 8. Italian Comparative Advantages, Persistence and Change in Overall Specialization Luca De Benedictis 9. Globalization, Industrial Districts and Value Chains Roberta Rabellotti 10. The Competitive Advantage of a Region: Industrial Districts In Emilia-Romagna Enrico Santarelli 11. Where is the Internet? Agglomeration in Space and Cyberspace Emanuele Giovannetti, Karsten Neuhoff and Giancarlo Spagnolo PART III: AGGLOMERATION IN THE AMERICAS 12. The Software Industry in North America: Human Capital, International Migration and Foreign Trade Andrew Schrank 13. Mexico: The Management Revolution and the Emergence of the Software Industry Clemente Ruiz Durán PART IV: CONCLUSIONS 14. Conclusions Masatsugu Tsuji, Mitsuhiro Kagami and Emanuele Giovannetti Index
