Alessandro Spaventa

Cluster e distretti tecnologici: modelli e politiche

Cluster and technological districts: models and policies - The aim of the paper is to examine the technological districts or clusters phenomenon as an evolution of the traditional industrial district. We analyses the case of the Cambridge technology district finding that it has much in common with the Italian manufacturing districts. We also examine a case of a proto district, i.e. an area that might or might not develop in district, the proto district of Turin, trying to assess the differences with Cambridge. The comparison highlights the relevance of the same factors that have also led to the emergence of Italian industrial districts: cultural approach, knowledge transfer, social capital and institutions (formal and informal). Parole chiave: Distretti industriali, Distretti tecnologici, Cambridge, Torino. Keywords: Industrial district, technological district, Cambridge, Torino.