The impact of smart specialization strategies on sub-cluster efficiency: simulation exercise for the case of Mexico

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate whether the integration of smart specialization strategies (S3) into clusters significantly impacts their efficiency for countries that still do not implement this policy. This study tests three effects: whether the kind of policies envisaged through an S3 strategy impacts cluster’s efficiency; whether this impact changes with the technological intensity of the clusters; to determine which S3 is more suitable for sub-clusters at different levels of technological intensity. Design/methodology/approach The Mexican economy is taken as case of study because it has a proper classification of its industries intro Porter’s cluster’s definition but still does not adopt the S3 policy. Through data envelopment analysis (DEA), this study evaluates the cluster’s efficiency increment when variables representing the S3 elements are included. Findings The results show that strategies following the S3 had a significant impact in all clusters, but when clusters were classified by technological intensity, the impact on efficiency is higher in clusters in the medium low-tech group. Practical implications According to the results in the DEA, it can be concluded that these S3 strategies have the potential to increase the clusters’ productivity significantly. These results make convenient the adoption of the S3 policy by countries that already count with a properly cluster definition. Originality/value These findings contribute to the lack of studies that analyze the join implementation of S3 on clusters.

Exploring Regional Industrial Growth: Does Specialization Explain It?

“…Thus, the empirical analysis results have definitely contributed to a place-based theoretical approach, involving both the cluster concept and the concept of "smart specialization" (Lis et al 2021;Zárate-Mirón and Serrano 2021;Dossoa et al 2022). The research findings are consistent with the concept of related diversification within the concept of "smart specialization".…”