Cluster Firms: You'll Never Walk Alone

Abstract

Molina-Morales F. X. and Martínez-Cháfer L. Cluster firms: you'll never walk alone, Regional Studies. The role of supporting organizations is subject to controversy. Although many studies have reported positive effects, the significance of these organizations still remains diluted among different explanatory factors. This paper uses social network analysis techniques to investigate the extent to which supporting organizations really act as intermediaries in clusters and how they may improve the structural indicators of the networks involved. Overall findings go further than the specific cluster literature, since they shed light on the role of the nodes and links in networks, and provide evidence of the potential benefits for focal actors.