Innovation Networks Mechanism In The Development Of Creative Industrial Districts

Under the fat development of post-industrialization in developed countries and economic globalization, many industrial districts with sustainable innovation capabilities in certain industries have got increasing competitive advantages in the global market. Such regions induce attentions of academic research both home and abroad.Based on a comprehensive literature review on creative industrial districts from home and abroad, this dissertation mainly focuses on the mechanism in the development of creative industrial districts in terms of regional innovation networks. The dynamics of industrial agglomeration from the view of innovation networking are discussed. It would be followed by the discussion on the trend of creative industrial districts and regional innovation networks. Finally, based on the case studies of creative industrial districts abroad, a field research in M50 and Taikang Road, the well known creative industrial districts in Shanghai, is given as an empirical studies in the context of China.The dissertation will comprise eight chapters:Chapter 1, Introduction. The theoretical context and structure of this thesis are given in brief.Chapter 2, A discussion about the creative industry. The paper gave out a proper characteristic for the definition of the creative industry, which is inside Chinese development satiation.Chapter 3, A systematic discussion of general theories on regional innovation network, and an analysis on innovation capability of individual actors in regional innovation. I discuss the interactions of each actor and the synergy of the whole network. And I discussed in detail the function of the important actors such as enterprise, universities, government, intermediary service, and financial service, etc. in the evolvement of regional innovation networks.Chapter 4, A discussion on relevant theoretical fundamentals of regional innovation networks. Concepts and theories, such as economy of scale, economy of scope, transaction cost, innovation, competitive advantage of region, etc. and related theories of new economic-sociology are employed as the premises for theories of regional innovation network. Further more, analysis on industrial agglomeration and regional innovation networks in the development process of creative industrial districts is given.Chapter 5, A comparative analysis of regional innovation network in the creative industrial districts in various countries. I choose typical cases in the United States, Canada and Swiss etc., and analyze the innovation networks in these creative industrial districts to learn from the successful cases abroad.Chapter 6, An empirical study. Taking M50 and Taikang Road, Shanghai as the case, I tried to reveal the function of individual actors (enterprise, universities and research institutes, government, etc.) within this area in the innovation process, on the basis of questionnaire and in-depth interview with local entrepreneur. Finally, I discuss the present problems and challenges, and put forward some feasible suggestions regarding the future development of this area by cultivation of regional innovation network.