From Growth Poles and Clusters to Business Ecosystems Dynamics: The ILDI Counterproposal

Abstract

The study of spatial socio-economic development constitutes a significant field of analysis of innovation creation and diffusion. Understanding the spatial evolution of the different socio-economic systems in the age of globalization requires a synthesizing and integrated theoretical approach to how innovation is generated and replicated. This article aims to study three significant spatial socio-economic development theories –the growth poles, the clusters, and the business ecosystems. A literature review reveals that (a) the concept of growth poles concerns mostly the analysis of spatial polarization between specific territories and regions, (b) the clusters concept addresses the issue of developed inter-industrial competition and co-operation from a meso-level perspective, and (c) the analytical field of business ecosystems provides an evolutionary approach that can be valorized for all co-evolving spatial socio-economic organizations. In this context, an eclectically interventional mechanism to strengthen innovation is suggested. The Institutes of Local Development and Innovation (ILDI) policy is proposed for all firms and business ecosystems, of every size, level of spatial development, prior knowledge, specialization, and competitive ability. The ILDI is presented as an intermediate organization capable of diagnosing and enhancing the firm’s physiology in structural Stra.Tech.Man terms (strategy-technology-management synthesis).

European Entrepreneurship Reinforcement Policies in Macro, Meso, and Micro Terms for the Post-COVID-19 Era

“…Macro-meso Macro-meso policy is primarily a traditional regional growth instrument, usually articulated in top-down terms and executed nationwide. (Falck et al, 2011;Godlewska-Majkowska et al, 2016;Hemphill & White, 2013;OECD, 2009;Vlados & Chatzinikolaou, 2020a) Macro-micro Macro-micro policy is primarily a conventional practice, suggesting that macroeconomic growth can lead to direct business development. (Basu & Mallick, 2008;Islam et al, 1992;Sowell, 2012;Watkins, 2014) Meso-micro Meso-micro policy concerns suggested and implemented supporting measures via intermediate organizations, having the aim to link all actors that could stimulate specific entrepreneurial structures at various localities and sectoral orientations.…”