TY - JOUR
T1 - Co-operative ties and the impact of external factors upon innovations in an industrial district
T2 - some insights from the North Staffordshire table and giftware sector
AU - Tomlinson, Philip R.
AU - Jackson, Ian
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Drawing upon a sample of 118 firms, this paper explores the impact of cooperative ties and the role of institutions upon innovation in the UK ceramic table and giftware sector. It is found that locational economies are important for aiding innovation, with firms in the North Staffordshire industrial district holding an inherent advantage vis-à-vis non-district firms. However, while close vertical ties enhance innovation, recent concerns have arisen that horizontal collaboration between district and Asian firms is having a detrimental impact upon innovative capacity within the district. Finally, institutions also appear to play an important role in facilitating the innovation process.
AB - Drawing upon a sample of 118 firms, this paper explores the impact of cooperative ties and the role of institutions upon innovation in the UK ceramic table and giftware sector. It is found that locational economies are important for aiding innovation, with firms in the North Staffordshire industrial district holding an inherent advantage vis-à-vis non-district firms. However, while close vertical ties enhance innovation, recent concerns have arisen that horizontal collaboration between district and Asian firms is having a detrimental impact upon innovative capacity within the district. Finally, institutions also appear to play an important role in facilitating the innovation process.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875789957&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2011.585148
U2 - 10.1080/00343404.2011.585148
DO - 10.1080/00343404.2011.585148
M3 - Article
VL - 47
SP - 580
EP - 596
JO - Regional Studies
JF - Regional Studies
SN - 0034-3404
IS - 4
ER -
