Systematic literature review on innovation capabilities in clusters

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to map literature about innovation capabilities (IC) taking into consideration industrial clusters to propose a conceptual framework that synthetizes the main factors and subfactors responsible for ICs; in addition, the paper also proposes a research agenda. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed; academic papers were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings The authors provide a descriptive analysis followed by a thematic synthesis, in which we present 05 enablers and 20 critical factors (CF) of IC in clusters. The proposed framework emphasizes what needs to be done or improved to increase IC in cluster-based companies. Based on this systematic review and the framework proposed, the authors identified opportunities for future research. Research limitations/implications The enablers and CF identified through SLR were not validated empirically. Therefore, future studies on the current topic are required to validate the framework by investigating which factors are more relevant to cluster-based companies that intend to improve their innovative performance. Practical implications The present findings have important implications for the identification of the factors and subfactors that may contribute to the development of IC, which may help managers and decision-makers in recognizing which factors are the most responsible for business innovation. Originality/value The paper identifies enablers related to the development of IC in industrial cluster and presents a research agenda. The framework represents a guideline for companies to achieve better innovation performance.

Evaluating the innovation capability of cluster-based firms: a graph-theoretic approach

“…Therefore, companies rely on the integrative capability to develop and exploit their resources. This argument is in line with the other authors and the concept of collaboration and cooperation (Tavares et al, 2021). Christopherson and Clark (2007) pointed out that technological collaboration is also central to network collaboration.…”

“…Notes: [1] Finally, for network collaboration, the combinative capability is central (Tavares et al, 2021). It allows to successfully integrate and recombine diverse types of knowledge (Cappellin, 2003;Sammarra and Biggiero, 2008).…”

“…Besides, the position of a company within a cluster and its access to local spillovers increases its attractiveness to potential partners (Quintana-García and Benavides-Velasco, 2005) since the firm expands its portfolio of knowledge by having access to those of the partner companies. Tavares et al (2021) also identified collective learning as a sub-factor for knowledge creation and transmission. Capello (1999) points out that the main difference between learning and collective learning lies in the latter's social nature.…”

“…According to Sammarra and Biggiero (2008), market capability transforms new technological know-how into salable products. For that, companies need to combine and adapt technological knowhow to this end; that is, companies need to develop the "capability to adapt innovation to demanding" (Tavares et al, 2021) To develop market influence, companies also need the "capability to advertise and sell new products". This capability is based on the definition of marketing capability (Yam et al, 2004).…”

“…Step 1: Determination of evaluation factors and subfactors We considered the factors and the sub-factors proposed by Tavares et al (2021) to develop the assessment framework to evaluate companies' innovation capability in the context of industrial clusters by adopting the GTA approach. Table 2 shows a summary of the nomenclature used in the GTA representation.…”