Knowledge, Clusters, and Competitive Advantage

Abstract

Researchers in international strategy are increasingly investigating the role of regional clusters as features of international industry, most concerned with the competitive role of clusters and the competitive interactions among cluster firms. We look instead at knowledge sharing between firms through the medium of untraded interdependencies—knowledge exchanged informally and without explicit compensation. We specifically address knowledge development at the firm and the cluster level and examine the role of knowledge stocks and flows in establishing competitive advantage for clusters and firms.