Economic Competitiveness: A Literature Review of Clusters, Innovation and Networks

This Springer Brief offers a comprehensive synthesis of research on four domains shaping regional economic competitiveness: industry clusters, economic geography of knowledge and innovation, occupation and skill clusters, and social networks. The selection and review of literature draws on a bibliometric analysis and interdisciplinary perspectives. This volume traces the origins of the industry cluster concept, its evolution and contemporary frameworks, and definitions developed in the U.S. The review analyses knowledge and innovation through the lens of economic geography and includes case studies of industry clusters and international examples. The review further explores occupation and skills clusters and the importance of regional workforce competitiveness and labor market information, including applications for skills targeting and workforce development. This book provides a succinct but thorough review of social networks, including theory and evolution, explanation of key concepts, structural and relational flows, application of networks in industry clusters, planning, and urban development.