<p>A major challenge facing the South African wine industry has been the economic repositioning of the sector, which since 1994 has moved away from a highly regulated domestic environment. The increasing integration of the local industry into international markets and global value chains has been accompanied by the industry&rsquo / s deregulation and restructuring. From the production focus&nbsp / on a limited range of low value-added varieties produced for domestic tastes and to meet monopoly quotas, producers have shifted to planting noble cultivars suited to various international&nbsp / tastes. Despite the lack of growth in traditional Western European markets, new world producers like South Africa have successfully competed and secured new market share. The Western Cape&nbsp / ine industry is ranked as the second-largest contributor to the Western Cape economy. The thesis explores the effect of cluster governance and the coordination of strategic collective&nbsp / actions on the Western Cape wine cluster&rsquo / s competitiveness. The data has been gathered through a combination of documentary analysis and interviews conducted with the leadership and/or&nbsp / management of various industry organisations. A qualitative approach has been adopted in the data analysis and interpretation of the findings, with information gathered via a combination of&nbsp / documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with key representatives of established industry bodies and key role-players in the Western Cape wine cluster. </p>

<p>A major challenge facing the South African wine industry has been the economic repositioning of the sector, which since 1994 has moved away from a highly regulated domestic environment. The increasing integration of the local industry into international markets and global value chains has been accompanied by the industry&rsquo / s deregulation and restructuring. From the production focus&nbsp / on a limited range of low value-added varieties produced for domestic tastes and to meet monopoly quotas, producers have shifted to planting noble cultivars suited to various international&nbsp / tastes. Despite the lack of growth in traditional Western European markets, new world producers like South Africa have successfully competed and secured new market share. The Western Cape&nbsp / ine industry is ranked as the second-largest contributor to the Western Cape economy. The thesis explores the effect of cluster governance and the coordination of strategic collective&nbsp / actions on the Western Cape wine cluster&rsquo / s competitiveness. The data has been gathered through a combination of documentary analysis and interviews conducted with the leadership and/or&nbsp / management of various industry organisations. A qualitative approach has been adopted in the data analysis and interpretation of the findings, with information gathered via a combination of&nbsp / documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with key representatives of established industry bodies and key role-players in the Western Cape wine cluster. </p>

Magister Commercii - MCom / A major challenge facing the South African wine industry has been the economic repositioning of the sector, which since 1994 has moved away from a highly regulated domestic environment. The increasing integration of the local industry into international markets and global value chains has been accompanied by the industry’s deregulation and restructuring. From the production focus on a limited range of low value-added varieties produced for domestic tastes and to meet monopoly quotas, producers have shifted to planting noble cultivars suited to various international tastes. Despite the lack of growth in traditional Western European markets, new world producers like South Africa have successfully competed and secured new market share. The Western Cape ine industry is ranked as the second-largest contributor to the Western Cape economy. The thesis explores the effect of cluster governance and the coordination of strategic collective actions on the Western Cape wine cluster’s competitiveness. The data has been gathered through a combination of documentary analysis and interviews conducted with the leadership and/or management of various industry organisations. A qualitative approach has been adopted in the data analysis and interpretation of the findings, with information gathered via a combination of documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with key representatives of established industry bodies and key role-players in the Western Cape wine cluster. / South Africa

Esta tese propõe um quadro referencial abrangente para analisar os elementos envolvidos na criação de conhecimento em clusters (CCC), tema não completamente abordado pela literatura. A CCC é um processo que visa ampliar a base de conhecimento, compreendendo o cluster, a governança do cluster e/ou a coletividade dos membros. O quadro proposto contempla os diferentes atores que operam em clusters (empresas, instituições de ensino e pesquisa, governo, instituições de cooperação e instituições para financiamento), os níveis onde o conhecimento é criado (nas organizações, na governança e no cluster) e as diferentes dimensões do conhecimento (tecnológica, gerencial, relacional e estratégica). A estratégia da pesquisa previu a realização de quatro estudos de caso: no cluster de desenvolvimento de software em Manaus – AM – Brasil (Amazonsoft), no cluster de ciências da vida com foco em biotecnologia na região de Marseille – França (Bioméditerranée), no cluster de móveis na região de Bento Gonçalves – RS – Brasil (Pólo Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha) e no cluster têxtil na região de Caxias do Sul – RS – Brasil (Pólo de Moda da Serra Gaúcha). Os principais resultados apontam para: a) a importância do conhecimento criado no nível do cluster para o desenvolvimento coletivo; b) a importância do conhecimento criado pelos membros decorrente de sua participação no cluster; c) a influência do setor industrial; do estágio de desenvolvimento e da composição do cluster na CCC; d) o papel da governança na potencialização da CCC; e) a relevância dos spillovers como um dos impulsionadores do conhecimento no cluster; f) a ligação entre a capacidade absortiva dos membros e a CCC; g) a necessidade de envolvimento dos membros na expansão do conhecimento no cluster; h) a consideração das diferentes dimensões do conhecimento para o desenvolvimento e a sustentabilidade dos clusters. Estes resultados podem orientar o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas sobre a CCC e podem auxiliar a tomada de decisão de gestores de clusters, de membros de clusters e de agências governamentais para impulsionarem a CCC nos clusters, os quais estão envolvidos. / This dissertation proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework to analyze the factors involved in the Clusters Knowledge Creation (CKC), a subject that still is not totally covered by the literature. CKC is a process designed to increase the knowledge base, comprising the cluster, the cluster governance and/or its member‘s community. The proposed framework contemplates the different parties that operate in clusters (companies, educational and research institutions, government, cooperation agencies, and financial institutions), the levels where knowledge creation takes place (in the organizations, in the governance structure and in the cluster) and the different knowledge dimensions (technological, managerial, strategic, and relational). The research strategy relied on the performance of four case studies: the software development cluster in Manaus - AM - Brazil (AmazonSoft), the life sciences cluster focused on biotechnology in the region of Marseille - France (Bioméditerranée), the furniture cluster in the region of Bento Gonçalves - RS - Brazil (Pólo Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha), and the textile cluster in the region of Caxias do Sul - RS - Brazil (Pólo de Moda da Serra Gaúcha). The main results highlight: a) the importance of the knowledge created at the cluster level for the collective development; b) the importance of the knowledge created by members due to their participation in the cluster; c) the influence of industrial sector, development stage and cluster composition in the CKC; d) the governance role to increase the CKC; e) the spillovers relevance as one of the drivers of the cluster knowledge; f) the link between members absorptive capacity and CKC; g) the need of members‘ embeddedness for the expansion of cluster‘s knowledge; and h) the consideration of different knowledge dimensions for the cluster‘s development and sustainability. These results can guide the development of new researches about CKC. Moreover, it may assist the decision-making process of clusters‘ managers, cluster members and government entities to propel the CKC in the clusters to which they are associated.

Esta tese propõe um quadro referencial abrangente para analisar os elementos envolvidos na criação de conhecimento em clusters (CCC), tema não completamente abordado pela literatura. A CCC é um processo que visa ampliar a base de conhecimento, compreendendo o cluster, a governança do cluster e/ou a coletividade dos membros. O quadro proposto contempla os diferentes atores que operam em clusters (empresas, instituições de ensino e pesquisa, governo, instituições de cooperação e instituições para financiamento), os níveis onde o conhecimento é criado (nas organizações, na governança e no cluster) e as diferentes dimensões do conhecimento (tecnológica, gerencial, relacional e estratégica). A estratégia da pesquisa previu a realização de quatro estudos de caso: no cluster de desenvolvimento de software em Manaus – AM – Brasil (Amazonsoft), no cluster de ciências da vida com foco em biotecnologia na região de Marseille – França (Bioméditerranée), no cluster de móveis na região de Bento Gonçalves – RS – Brasil (Pólo Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha) e no cluster têxtil na região de Caxias do Sul – RS – Brasil (Pólo de Moda da Serra Gaúcha). Os principais resultados apontam para: a) a importância do conhecimento criado no nível do cluster para o desenvolvimento coletivo; b) a importância do conhecimento criado pelos membros decorrente de sua participação no cluster; c) a influência do setor industrial; do estágio de desenvolvimento e da composição do cluster na CCC; d) o papel da governança na potencialização da CCC; e) a relevância dos spillovers como um dos impulsionadores do conhecimento no cluster; f) a ligação entre a capacidade absortiva dos membros e a CCC; g) a necessidade de envolvimento dos membros na expansão do conhecimento no cluster; h) a consideração das diferentes dimensões do conhecimento para o desenvolvimento e a sustentabilidade dos clusters. Estes resultados podem orientar o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas sobre a CCC e podem auxiliar a tomada de decisão de gestores de clusters, de membros de clusters e de agências governamentais para impulsionarem a CCC nos clusters, os quais estão envolvidos. / This dissertation proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework to analyze the factors involved in the Clusters Knowledge Creation (CKC), a subject that still is not totally covered by the literature. CKC is a process designed to increase the knowledge base, comprising the cluster, the cluster governance and/or its member‘s community. The proposed framework contemplates the different parties that operate in clusters (companies, educational and research institutions, government, cooperation agencies, and financial institutions), the levels where knowledge creation takes place (in the organizations, in the governance structure and in the cluster) and the different knowledge dimensions (technological, managerial, strategic, and relational). The research strategy relied on the performance of four case studies: the software development cluster in Manaus - AM - Brazil (AmazonSoft), the life sciences cluster focused on biotechnology in the region of Marseille - France (Bioméditerranée), the furniture cluster in the region of Bento Gonçalves - RS - Brazil (Pólo Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha), and the textile cluster in the region of Caxias do Sul - RS - Brazil (Pólo de Moda da Serra Gaúcha). The main results highlight: a) the importance of the knowledge created at the cluster level for the collective development; b) the importance of the knowledge created by members due to their participation in the cluster; c) the influence of industrial sector, development stage and cluster composition in the CKC; d) the governance role to increase the CKC; e) the spillovers relevance as one of the drivers of the cluster knowledge; f) the link between members absorptive capacity and CKC; g) the need of members‘ embeddedness for the expansion of cluster‘s knowledge; and h) the consideration of different knowledge dimensions for the cluster‘s development and sustainability. These results can guide the development of new researches about CKC. Moreover, it may assist the decision-making process of clusters‘ managers, cluster members and government entities to propel the CKC in the clusters to which they are associated.

Esta tese propõe um quadro referencial abrangente para analisar os elementos envolvidos na criação de conhecimento em clusters (CCC), tema não completamente abordado pela literatura. A CCC é um processo que visa ampliar a base de conhecimento, compreendendo o cluster, a governança do cluster e/ou a coletividade dos membros. O quadro proposto contempla os diferentes atores que operam em clusters (empresas, instituições de ensino e pesquisa, governo, instituições de cooperação e instituições para financiamento), os níveis onde o conhecimento é criado (nas organizações, na governança e no cluster) e as diferentes dimensões do conhecimento (tecnológica, gerencial, relacional e estratégica). A estratégia da pesquisa previu a realização de quatro estudos de caso: no cluster de desenvolvimento de software em Manaus – AM – Brasil (Amazonsoft), no cluster de ciências da vida com foco em biotecnologia na região de Marseille – França (Bioméditerranée), no cluster de móveis na região de Bento Gonçalves – RS – Brasil (Pólo Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha) e no cluster têxtil na região de Caxias do Sul – RS – Brasil (Pólo de Moda da Serra Gaúcha). Os principais resultados apontam para: a) a importância do conhecimento criado no nível do cluster para o desenvolvimento coletivo; b) a importância do conhecimento criado pelos membros decorrente de sua participação no cluster; c) a influência do setor industrial; do estágio de desenvolvimento e da composição do cluster na CCC; d) o papel da governança na potencialização da CCC; e) a relevância dos spillovers como um dos impulsionadores do conhecimento no cluster; f) a ligação entre a capacidade absortiva dos membros e a CCC; g) a necessidade de envolvimento dos membros na expansão do conhecimento no cluster; h) a consideração das diferentes dimensões do conhecimento para o desenvolvimento e a sustentabilidade dos clusters. Estes resultados podem orientar o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas sobre a CCC e podem auxiliar a tomada de decisão de gestores de clusters, de membros de clusters e de agências governamentais para impulsionarem a CCC nos clusters, os quais estão envolvidos. / This dissertation proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework to analyze the factors involved in the Clusters Knowledge Creation (CKC), a subject that still is not totally covered by the literature. CKC is a process designed to increase the knowledge base, comprising the cluster, the cluster governance and/or its member‘s community. The proposed framework contemplates the different parties that operate in clusters (companies, educational and research institutions, government, cooperation agencies, and financial institutions), the levels where knowledge creation takes place (in the organizations, in the governance structure and in the cluster) and the different knowledge dimensions (technological, managerial, strategic, and relational). The research strategy relied on the performance of four case studies: the software development cluster in Manaus - AM - Brazil (AmazonSoft), the life sciences cluster focused on biotechnology in the region of Marseille - France (Bioméditerranée), the furniture cluster in the region of Bento Gonçalves - RS - Brazil (Pólo Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha), and the textile cluster in the region of Caxias do Sul - RS - Brazil (Pólo de Moda da Serra Gaúcha). The main results highlight: a) the importance of the knowledge created at the cluster level for the collective development; b) the importance of the knowledge created by members due to their participation in the cluster; c) the influence of industrial sector, development stage and cluster composition in the CKC; d) the governance role to increase the CKC; e) the spillovers relevance as one of the drivers of the cluster knowledge; f) the link between members absorptive capacity and CKC; g) the need of members‘ embeddedness for the expansion of cluster‘s knowledge; and h) the consideration of different knowledge dimensions for the cluster‘s development and sustainability. These results can guide the development of new researches about CKC. Moreover, it may assist the decision-making process of clusters‘ managers, cluster members and government entities to propel the CKC in the clusters to which they are associated.

L'objectif de la thèse est d'étudier le rôle de la structure de gouvernance des « clusters à la française » (pôles de compétitivité, technopoles) sur l'innovation des entreprises membres. Le modèle proposé, d'inspiration néo-institutionnaliste, enrichit les travaux existants sur les déterminants de l'innovation dans les clusters. Il permet d'identifier les pratiques concrètes mises en œuvre par la structure de gouvernance, qui restent largement ignorées dans la littérature, ainsi que leurs effets sur l'innovation. Ces pratiques s'organisent autour de trois principaux leviers : politique, normatif et cognitif. Une analyse comparative est menée sur un technopôle et deux pôles de compétitivité de la région Rhône-Alpes. La méthodologie empirique est basée sur une étude qualitative couplée à une analyse quantitative auprès des membres de la gouvernance et des entreprises des clusters. Les résultats confirment l'impact positif des pratiques de la gouvernance sur l'innovation des entreprises, et ce, quel que soit le type de cluster étudié (pôle de compétitivité et technopole) ». Cet effet varie selon l'intensité de la mobilisation des pratiques et de leur combinaison. Les résultats débouchent sur des indicateurs précis pour un meilleur pilotage « des clusters à la française ». / The aim of this thesis is to study the role of cluster governance in the innovation of firms belonging to French clusters (technopole and competitiveness cluster). The proposed conceptual model, based on a neo-institutional approach, refines existing works on the determinants of innovation in clusters. It enables the precise identification of concrete practices implemented by cluster governance, largely ignored in current literature on clusters, as well as their effects on innovation. These practices are organised around three main levers: political, normative and cognitive. A comparative analysis is carried out on three French clusters of the Rhône-Alpes region: one technopole and two competitiveness clusters. The empirical methodology is based on a qualitative study combined with a quantitative analysis of members of cluster governance and firms. Our main results confirm the positive impact of cluster governance practices on firms' innovation, irrespective of the type of French cluster (technopole or competitiveness cluster). This effect varies according to the intensity of the practices' mobilisation as well as their combination. These results have main implications in terms of public policy: in particular, they provide key monitoring indicators for a better management of French clusters.