Regional industrial identity: Cluster configurations and economic development

摘要

This paper examines the concept of regional identity as a social code. The regional industrial identities, the authors argue, are grounded in the configuration of industry cultures that populate a region. Two constructs developed regarding regional identity strength and focus are proposed as two important dimensions that affect observers' perceptions about regions and their decisions to invest in the regions. Several propositions are presented about characteristics of cluster configurations, cluster dominance and cluster interrelatedness, as the key features of regions' industrial identities that drive understandings about identity strength and focus. The cluster dominance and interrelatedness are linked to predictions about the amount and heterogeneity of resources that regions will attract and retain. Finally, the authors examine how cluster configurations influence long-term evolutionary change in regions, especially innovation and the emergence of new industry clusters. The main focus of the paper is on the industrial identities of metropolitan regions.