Related variety and economic development: a literature review

Since the introduction of the related variety concept in 2007, a number of studies have been undertaken to analyse its effect on economic development. Our review of 21 studies makes clear that most studies find support for the initial hypothesis that related variety supports employment growth, though some studies suggest that the growth effects of related variety may be specific to knowledge-intensive sectors only. From the review, we list a number of further research questions regarding methodology, the role of unrelated variety, different forms of relatedness and the effect of related variety on knowledge production and entrepreneurship.     

Fostering place-based innovation and internationalization – the new turn in German technology policy

Since the mid-1990s German technology policy has experienced a paradigmatic shift from standard grant schemes towards a region-oriented and competition-based R&D policy. Currently, a new policy experiment, the InterClust contest, is under way, trying to simultaneously foster place-based innovation, R&D internationalization and the internationalization of innovative places. The current paper analyses the new policy, relating it to the recent literatures on heterogeneous firms and on cluster-life cycles, and presents results from a firm survey performed in 21 winner regions of InterClust. Findings show that the new funding scheme takes insights from recent theoretical developments into account and addresses important impediments to firm and cluster internationalization. Although it is too early for an overall assessment, it is argued that the long-term impact will critically depend on the inflow of heterogeneous knowledge and the strength of intra-regional mobilization effects.     

An assessment of the technology level and knowledge intensity of regions in Turkey

The paper investigates the patterns of technology and knowledge of the regions. The first aim of the paper is to determine cluster templates at the national level. The second aim of the paper is to investigate the technology and knowledge composition of the regional highpoint clusters. The paper identifies patterns of industrial linkages to define cluster templates and regional highpoints. The second part uncovers regional distributions of technology and knowledge. The data comes from Turkey’s 2012 input–output table. The location quotients use industrial employment statistics from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The technological and knowledge intensity classification follows Eurostat. The findings reveal 10 cluster templates in Turkey. Spatial distribution of the highpoint clusters reveals that most regions contain highpoint clusters with low technology and low knowledge-intensive sectors. The results reveal that highpoint clusters in Turkey’s regions contain industries whose technologies do not demand high skills, knowledge and sophistication. Limited existence of high-tech industries and low knowledge intensity in Turkey’s industry composition is a limiting factor for transition to high value-added manufacturing. Special emphasis should be directed towards constructing regional advantage, given the current levels of technology and knowledge intensity.     

天水至郑州间仰韶文化晚期聚落群与中心聚落的初步考察

本文依据目前的考古调查、发掘等资料,以史前人类近水而居、沿河建村为原则,将仰韶文化晚期的重要分布地——天水至郑州间的聚落遗址划分为12个聚落群,并将聚落分为特大型、大型、中型与小型聚落。认为凡中型以上的聚落都可能是本聚落群的中心聚落,也可能是若干个聚落群所组成的更高一级的中心聚落。在仰韶文化晚期,联邦已开始形成,这个时期可能正处于中国古代文明因素的孕育阶段。     

Bone diagenesis in the European Holocene I: patterns and mechanisms

Diagenetic changes in archaeological bone are known to influence the data derived from such material and have thus been the subject of numerous studies. A number of general trends have been observed, but many of the processes that occur are still not fully understood. We present here the analysis of 195 bones excavated from 32 sites in five different countries from Eurasia characterized using 10 simple diagenetic parameters. The results reveal that most European Holocene archaeological bone can be categorized by only four main diagenetic states related to three distinct trajectories that describe more than 60% of the variation in these parameters. Given the potential amount of variation in the dataset the small number of diagenetic pathways is surprising, but highlights the large importance of a few key factors that influence bone diagenesis. Mercury intrusion porosimetry is a key technique for identifying modes of degradation.     

The development of competitiveness clusters in Croatia: a survey-based analysis

ABSTRACT

In order to stimulate growth and competitiveness, many EU member states have implemented cluster-based development strategies. Several works underline the benefits of policy-driven clusters, but understanding how clusters can create value for their members is still an open issue. This work contributes to the literature by investigating 13 Competitiveness Clusters in Croatia, a special type of policy-driven clusters developed within the country’s smart specialization strategy, using original data from a survey on 250 cluster members. Our results indicate the existence of very different attitudes towards the rationale for the initiative. In particular, while some members are more interested in lobbying activities, others see networking and innovation as the most important objectives of clusters. Findings also show that the evaluation of cluster management, governance and performance varies according to the desired objectives. Overall the Competitiveness Clusters initiative in Croatia did not meet members’ expectations.