Árni Sverrisson

Enterprise clusters in developing countries: mechanisms of transition and stagnation

This paper analyses the dynamics of clustered enterprise development in developing countries. It is focused on the different types of clusters that can be identified in these contexts. After a brief introduction, the cluster concept is explained and the need to understand clusters as an expression of social connectivity rather than mere spatial agglomerations is established. Next, a typology of clusters is presented. This typology is discussed on the basis of recent research on small and medium-sized enterprise clusters in different countries and continents. The types of linkages prevailing in different types of clusters are analysed, as well as their implications for technological change. It is argued that the mechanisms of enterprise growth and innovative activity are different in each type of cluster and hence the opportunity structures that entrepreneurs face are variable across cluster types. Therefore, the mechanisms of transition from one type to another are different, and these are discussed next, as well as mechanisms of stagnation and continuity. In conclusion, the implications for development research and policy are outlined and it is emphasized that support must be tailored to the actual state of existing clusters and cannot be deduced from general theory.

Flexible specialization : the dynamics of small-scale industries in the south

Preface vii 1 Introduction 1 AFRICAN CASES 2 Structural adjustment and the economy of small towns in Zimbabwe 21 POUL OVE PEDERSEN 3 Gradual diffusion of flexible techniques in small and medium-size enterprise networks 42 ARNI SVERRISSON 4 New competition and flexible specialization in Indonesia and Burkina Faso 55 MEINE PIETER VAN DIJK ASIAN EXPERIENCES 5 Lack of interaction between traders and producers in the Agra footwear cluster 71 PETER KNORRINGA 6 The impact of technological change on inter-firm linkages: A case study of clustered rural small-scale roof tile enterprises in central Java 84 HENRY SANDEE 7 Trade networks for flexible rural industry 97 HERMINE WEIJLAND 8 Weaving flexibility: Large-small firm relations, flexibility and regional clusters in South Korea 111 MYUNG-RAE CHO MEXICAN MANUFACTURERS 9 Industrial districts in Mexico: The case of the footwear industry in Guadalajara and Leon 131 ROBERTA RABELLOTTI 10 Reflections on the present predicament of the Mexican garment industry 147 FIONA WILSON Notes 159 References 163

Economic Cultures and Industrial Development in the South

A considerable and growing body of literature now exists which employs some kind of network or cluster approach to issues of entrepreneurship, industrialization and technical change in the developing countries (e.g. Nadvi and Schmitz, 1994; Pedersen et al., 1994; van Dijk and Rabellotti, 1997). However, the researchers involved come from different disciplines, economics, sociology, geography and political science. They also relate more or less critically to different substantive concerns. Some are interested in the long-term paths development can take, others are more interested in the short-term consequences of, e.g. structural adjustment, yet others are primarily focused on particular groups or forms of organization, such as small scale enterprises, or focus on some aspect of development, such as technological change.

Photographic techniques and photographers’ networks: The challenge of digital image production 1

This article discusses the introduction of digital techniques in advertising photography in Sweden. The argument is developed as follows: first the cultural aspects of technology are briefly recapitulated, and it is argued that photography can fruitfully be analyzed as a manufacturing process. Ongoing changes in photographic production networks are analyzed next in terms of hardware compatibility, changed competencies, division of labor and forms of cooperation. The issue how forms of power and control affect the diffusion of digital techniques is addressed next, and “lay” notions among photographers in this regard are presented and discussed. This leads to a discussion of variations in photographic practices and of different identities and strategies among photographers, and how these affect their relation to digital techniques. Lastly, the argument is summarized in lieu of a conclusion. It is suggested that photographic networks in this instance are characterized by strong continuities, and that the (no...

Introduction: Local Economies in Turmoil

Two processes have changed the political and economic map of the world in the 1990s and created new challenges and opportunities for enterprises in the periphery of the global economy. These are the dissolving of ‘planned economies’ in Eastern Europe (Frank, 1996; Henderson, 1998) and the forceful promotion of structural adjustment programmes in the South.

Conclusion: Research Issues after Structural Adjustment

During a long period, the local economies of the South were shaped by more or less successful attempts by national governments to isolate them from the vagaries of global competition through an array of protective measures. Meanwhile, more powerful global actors promoted free trade, mainly among themselves but also in and with the South. Simultaneously, heated debates have taken place among development researchers over free trade policies vs. protectionism. This impasse has now definitely been resolved in favour of free trade and the result is what we can call permanent structural adjustment.