Exploring the Knowledge Strategies of Temporary Cluster Organizers: A Longitudinal Study of the EU Fabric Industry Trade Shows (1986–2006)

Abstract

Trade shows and other temporary clusters have recently emerged as key sites of theoretical relevance for scholars who are interested in the spatial consequences of interactive learning. Recent research has viewed these events as relational spaces in which countless actors interact and learn spontaneously without a central actor governing the process. In the case of permanent clusters, however, studies have started to unpack the practices through which key actors, such as entrepreneurial and professional associations, stimulate learning and interaction. In this article, we hold that these central subjects also have an important role in activating the benefits of colocalization with regard to temporary clusters. In an empirical study of the European Union clothing fabric trade shows between 1986 and 2006, we identified four types of practices through which trade show organizers shape learning and interaction at their events. Contrary to current views, our study found that exchanges of knowledge at these events do not always occur at the global level. Instead, the geographic scale of the processes of exchanging and acquiring knowledge in temporary clusters is socially and politically constructed at several levels—from the merely local to the truly global. We also found that organizers of trade shows facilitate vertical relationships between exhibitors and typical visitors (i.e., buyers), whereas other knowledge flows are neglected or even hindered. We conclude this article by highlighting the theoretical implications of our study for the literature on the spatial consequences of interaction and innovation.

A systematic review of the trade show marketing literature: 1980–2014

“…Nevertheless, one can also find a growing body of trade show research in other disciplines, especially in tourism (e.g., Jin & Weber, 2013;Whitfield & Webber, 2011) and economic geography (e.g., Maskell et al, 2006;Rinallo & Golfetto, 2011). While the trade show research in tourism tends to adapt ideas and concepts drawn from the wider tourism and marketing literature, the trade show research in economic geography draws on concepts such as "event-based business networks" (Hedaa & Törnroos, 2008) and "temporary spatial clusters" (Rinallo & Golfetto, 2011). Trade shows are conceived as temporary clusters that foster organized proximity among industry actors who are otherwise geographically and technologically distant (Power & Jansson, 2008).…”

A Network-based view of regional growth

“…For instance, the concept of 'temporary clusters', whereby strategic network building occurs through conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions and the like, highlights the importance of network capital and access to knowledge through global pipelines Bathelt and Schuldt, 2008;Power and Jansson, 2008;Torré, 2008;Rinallo and Golfetto, 2011;Schuldt and Bathelt, 2011).…”

Do Temporary Creative Clusters Promote Innovation in an Emerging Economy?—A Case Study of the Beijing Design Week

“…Formal and informal guidelines help target the right market segments and exclude others. Moreover, some knowledge is encouraged to be released while certain undesired knowledge flows are hindered [40]. All this guarantees to some degree, a common knowledge basis or cognitive proximity, and contributes to mutual understanding [30] as well as efficient transfers of information and knowledge [17].…”