Metropolitan Regions in the Knowledge Economy: Network Analysis as a Strategic Information Tool

Abstract

Since the early 1990s, regional networks have received a lot of academic and political attention as vehicles for knowledge-based economic development. However, this powerful rhetoric has been accompanied by surprisingly little concrete analysis. Economic geography is only recently waking up to the potential of network analysis for interorganisational linkages within and between regions. We discuss network analysis as a strategic information tool for regional knowledge management and apply it to the metropolitan region of Hannover-Braunschweig-Göttingen-Wolfsburg in the northern German state of Lower Saxony. Producing network diagrams and parameters of network size, density, centrality, cohesion and connectivity from a large sample of actors and linkages, our survey shows striking differences between different fields of competence that highlight the potential of network analysis as a powerful tool and a necessary basis for decision-making to propel metropolitan regions into the knowledge economy. We outline both case-specific and generic implications for the practice of regional knowledge management. However, a few methodological shortcomings still call for further research to be conducted. Copyright (c) 2009 by the Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG.

Analysis of the interplay between knowledge and performance management in industrial clusters

“…Moreover, the authors consider regional KM to be a new issue that still lacks attention from researchers working in the Management Sciences and Knowledge Management fields. This seems to be in line with Brandt et al (2009), who consider that even though clusters have received a great deal of political attention as vehicles for knowledge-based economic development, this rhetoric has been accompanied by little concrete analysis.…”

“…Henceforth, the acquisition of new knowledge may affect how work is performed within firms and collaborative networks. However, some authors claim that the links between PM and KM in the context of industrial clusters have been poorly addressed in the specialized literature (Brandt et al, 2009;Zhao & Pablos, 2011). Because the relationship between both concepts seems to be bidirectional, two propositions are put forward to analyse how performance and knowledge management relate within clusters:…”

“…Harmaakorpi & Uotila (2006) described a method for regional development that comprised the definition of a knowledge creation and management system, which would be fed into the strategy-making process. Brandt et al (2009) suggest that network managers should actively promote cooperation and bridge gaps to increase the circulation of knowledge. Zhao & Pablos (2011) urge that regional KM should be viewed from the perspective of management sciences.…”

Innovation and Knowledge Links in Metropolitan Regions: The Case of Vienna

“…They also provide access to relevant resources, inputs and customers. Given the high density and large variety of knowledge generating organisations present in metropolitan regions and the good availability of expertise and skills, these areas are acknowledged to be important nodes in the knowledge-based economy (see, for instance, Brandt et al 2009). It is still a matter of debate and of measurement whether Marshallian externalities (i.e.…”

“…As a consequence, R&D activities, patenting activities and major product innovations are usually above the country average (Brower et al 1999, Feldman and Audretsch 1999, Fischer et al 2001, Gehrke and Legler 2001, Simmie 2003. Given the good availability of crucial innovation inputs and the high density of knowledge generating and exploiting organizations, metropolitan regions are regarded as important nodes in the emerging knowledge-based economy (Brandt et al 2009). However, not all metropolitan regions are such centers of innovation.…”