A Study On The Knowledge Diffusions In The Innovation-based Industrial Clusters

Porter (1998) notes that industrial cluster is an aggregation of all kinds of corporations and organizations, which are centered in a special district. It is well recognized that knowledge diffusion is one of the competitive advantages of innovation-based industrial clusters. The transmission of new technology works better within geographical boundaries because this kind of knowledge has a tacit and codified nature, based on this theory one can conclude that the knowledge diffusions may be accelerated in industrial clusters.This paper develops the new frameworks of knowledge diffusion within an industrial cluster and cross-border diffusion of industrial clusters. We classify the patterns and tracks of knowledge diffusion within a cluster based on different mediums. By practical analysis, we show that informal communication, new technology introduction and flow of human resources are the key factors through which knowledge is diffused throughout the enterprises in an industrial cluster, but product effect is limited. This paper analyzes the attributes of members of clusters to identify the industry clusters. We analyze the absorptive capacity of an industrial cluster by analyzing the absorptive capacities and openness of corporations in the industrial cluster, and classify the corporations into different cognitive roles based on different absorptive capacities, openness and contributions to knowledge diffusion. We classify industrial clusters into four types: Stars, Question marks, Cash cow and Dogs. Based on the cognitive roles, we describe the processes and the tracks of extra-cluster knowledge diffusions. We develop a new framework of industry upgrade at enterprises level.This paper also makes a good effort to find out the factors, which affect knowledge diffusion process in order to promote the industry clusters upgrade. We consider that knowledge diffusion has its lifecycle. In every stage of diffusion lifecycle, members of clusters have different manners to knowledge, which affects the process of diffusion. The knowledge itself and environment also have certain effects on the efficiency of knowledge diffusions. So, we propose that accelerating knowledge diffusion equals to promote industry clusters to update. At last this paper develops a new way to upgrade industry level of innovation-base industry clusters.