Accounting for the resilience of the machine-tool industry in Spain (c. 1960-2015)

摘要

This article examines the evolution of the machine-tool industry in Spain between 1960 and 2015, its international competitiveness and its adaptability to the changes that have taken place in this industry worldwide as regards markets, technology and competitors. Drawing on the theoretical literature on the resilience of regions, cities and production systems, the article offers an exploratory analysis of the three main factors that account for the resilience of this industry in Spain: business size, flexibility and production specialisation; absorptive and innovative capacity; and geographical concentration in a region with an ecosystem that is highly supportive of skilled human capital training and innovation.