Growth through diversification: regional development and potential technological complementarities

Abstract

The article addresses “Crescere diversificando: regional development and potential technological complementarity”, placing the theme in the economic, social and territorial framework discussed by the authors. We talk about “related variety” (Frenken and colleagues, 2007; Boschma and Iammarino, 2009; Bishop and Gripaios, 2010; Boschma, Minodo, Navarro, 2010) that we can try to translate with “continuous diversity” and brings attention to the contiguous and complementary skills and knowledge present on a territory. Applications of this perspective were analysed for the Netherlands (Frenken et al., 2007), Italy (Boshma e Iammarino, 2009) and recently for Spain (Boshma et al., 2010). How to measure potential complementarities In this perspective, there is the need for field research that deliver mappings on skills for the type of complementarity you want to investigate. The analysis of potential complementarities was carried out at several stages, first working on administrative archives to identify areas of interest with regard to the aeronautical industry. This passage has allowed to identify 11 areas of expertise that could also be distributed on a scale of greater-minor complexity: nanotechnologies, fluid dynamics, pneumatics, thermotechnics, chemistry, software, electronics, mechanics, metal materials.

Keywords

innovation; Regional development; human capital; economy of sharing; Industrial policy; governance

JEL codes

O31; O32; O33