This study investigates the impacts of regional characteristics on the early-stage performance of New Technology-Based Firms (NTBFs) in catch-up regions where a mature industrial cluster has yet to be formed. It hypothesized that the average NTBF performance in a region is a function of its scientist job market conditions, cultural diversity, venture capital, academic research, industrial structure, and local entrepreneurial climate. Using the events of Initial Public Offerings (IPO) and Merger & Acquisitions (M&A) as an indicator of early-stage success of NTBFs, this study constructs a set of Zero-Inflated-Negative-Binomial (ZINB) models to predict the spatial distribution of such events in the U.S. biopharmaceutical and Information Technology (IT) service industries during the period from 1996 to 2005. Several empirical findings emerge from this study. First, the local entrepreneurial climate plays a significant and positive role on NTBF performance in both industries. Second, the positive impact of cultural diversity is more significant in the IT service industry than in the biopharmaceutical industry. Third, the scientist job market size and absolute salary level have positive impacts on NTBF performance, but the effect of relative salary level is negative. Fourth, proximity to venture capital firms has positive but non-linear effects, but the adverse effect of excess venture capital is stronger in the IT service industry. Fifth, there is little evidence of the direct effects of academic research in determining the NTBF performance in both industries. Finally, industrial specialization is significant and positive only in the IT service industry. The results suggest that promoting local entrepreneurial climate and cultural diversity are two effective policy instruments for catch-up regions to foster their NTBF growth.

More than a decade since the democratic transition in 1994, South Africa still grapples with incredibly high levels of unemployment. An underperforming manufacturing sector has hampered economic growth and job creation in a country with a large pool of low and semi-skilled labour. In response to these challenges the South African government has initiated a guiding framework (NIPF) and action plan (IPAP) spearheaded by a sectoral and geographic focus to place the country on a more labour-intensive industrial growth path. Given this context, it is instructive to note that industrial clustering has been identified as critical to the sustainable development of industry in both developed and developing economies. Whilst the role of industrial clustering in assisting industrial development is well documented, this paper aims to further interrogate the impact of industrial clustering on another critical developmental issue, employment. Using the Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC) as a case study, the primary objective of this research is to interrogate the impact of industrial clustering on firm-level employment. A mixed-method methodology is utilised in the study, collecting both primary and secondary data from face-to-face interviews conducted with nineteen firm-level representatives and two DAC representatives. The research findings and analysis conclude that on average, the impact of the DAC on firm-level employment is positive, although largely indirect. In particular, small or firms with low degrees of production-related technological intensity on their production perceive the impact of the DAC on their firm-level employment most positively. The majority of member firms believe the DAC has either helped sustain or in some cases grow their firms’ employment levels. The only variable that has had a more positive impact on firm-level employment is the MIDP, with labour market policies perceived to have had the most negative impact on employment. The study suggests that greater communication between the DAC and local and national governments to ensure each stakeholder’s objectives are better aligned to ensure growth of the industry (to stimulate job creation). This process will not be simple and will depend heavily on the country’s ability to address critical macro-constraints that the study has shown to hinder employment growth amongst the DAC firms. Whilst the findings relate specifically to the automotive industry in KwaZulu-Natal, the relevance of the findings extends well beyond the automotive sector. The study provides key lessons for South Africa’s sectoral and geographically focused industrial policy focus that aims to achieve industrial development and employment growth in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Clustering has emerged as one of the drivers for economic growth and improved competitiveness for specific industries. In order for cluster initiatives to be successful, they need to be managed in a certain way. The importance of excellent cluster management has been increasingly realised in the past years. Certain factors of cluster management are considered to lead to success in the management of cluster initiatives as identified in published research. In the same vain, certain aspects of cluster program management are considered to lead to success. A cluster program run by the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCPG) in South Africa is analysed and compared to the generic success factors in cluster program management. Selected cluster initiatives in the Western Cape are analysed and compared with each other as well as to these success factors in cluster management. The Western Cape Tooling Initiative (WCTI), a cluster initiative in the tool, die and mould making industry, is analysed in more detail, and compared to the other cluster initiatives, all of which but one are part of the cluster program. WCTI is found to not have been following success factors in cluster management, and the rate of progress of the WCTI from when it was started supports that fact. However, recent changes in the leadership of the cluster initiative have brought about changes in WCTI’s cluster management emphasis and signs of increased success can be noticed, even though the full effect will not be felt until after some years as success in cluster management takes years to be realised. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Trosvervaardiging het in die onlangse verlede ontwikkel tot een van die drywers vir ekonomiese groei en verhoogde kompeterendheid in spefifieke industrië. Tros inisiatiewe vereis ‘n spesifieke bestuursraamwerk om hulle potensiaal te bereik, en die belangrikheid van uitstekende bestuurspraktyke word al hoe meer beklemtoon. Sekere faktore, beskryf in literatuur, van bestuur bleik te lei na sukses in die bestuur van sulke inisiatiewe. Op ‘n soortgelyke basis is daar aspekte van trosprogram bestuur wat voorvereistes vir sukses is. ‘n Trosprogram onder leiding van die Wes Kaapse Provinsiale Regering in Suid Afrika word analiseer en vergelyk met die generiese sukses faktore van trosprogrambestuur. Verskeie trosinisiatiewe in die Wes Kaap word ondersoek en met mekaar vergelyk asook gemeet aan hierdie suksesfaktore. Meer spesifiek word die “Western Cape Tooling Initiative” (WCTI) in meer detail analiseer, en vergelyk met die ander inisiatiewe wat almal, met een uitsondering, deel is van die trosprogram self. Daar is gevind dat die WCTI nie streng volgens die riglyne en/of binne die raamwerk van suksesvolle trosbestuur opgetree het nie, en dit word gestaaf deur die relatief lae sukseskoers tot dusver. Met die onlangse veranderinge aan die leierskap van die inisiatief bleik dit egter dat meer aandag aan hierdie praktyke gegee word, en daar is tekens van ‘n verbetering in die prestasie van die program. Die volle effek van hierdie veranderinge sal egter ‘n rukkie neem om volledig tot uitwerking te kom.

A sociedade mundial está vivenciando transformações desencadeadas principalmente a partir de meados do século XX, incluindo as esferas econômica, social, ambiental, cultural, espacial, política e institucional. Na literatura são apontados fatores como a globalização, os avanços tecnológicos e a reestruturação dos sistemas produtivos, como principais responsáveis por essas mudanças. Neste contexto, observa-se uma orientação do processo de desenvolvimento a partir das questões territoriais, como ocorre na articulação dos agentes locais para a formação dos clusters ou arranjos produtivos locais. Logo, APLs encontram-se no centro do debate contemporâneo sobre planejamento regional e políticas públicas de desenvolvimento regional. Diante do exposto, o objetivo geral desta tese é construir uma proposição metodológica para analisar a contribuição do arranjo produtivo local para o processo de desenvolvimento sustentável regional. Assim, inicialmente é apresentada uma proposta de configuração de matriz para este cenário, incluindo os principais componentes do APL e suas relações com as dimensões territoriais. Na sequencia, é construída a proposição metodológica de análise, com a sua aplicação em quatro etapas: seleção do APL, mensuração da eficiência coletiva (IEC), mensuração do impacto territorial (IIT), e a integração destes resultados em um painel denominado APL-DSR. Com relação aos aspectos metodológicos, a pesquisa está classificada como explicativa, com a aplicação do método de estudo de caso. A coleta de dados baseou-se em fontes primárias e secundárias, incluindo pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e pesquisa de campo. O estudo de caso foi realizado no APL de Confecção do Sudoeste do Paraná, com a pesquisa de campo envolvendo os agentes locais deste arranjo produtivo, a partir de entrevistas estruturadas. Os resultados da coleta de dados foram analisados e interpretados em uma abordagem quanti-qualitativa, seguindo três encaminhamentos: análise qualitativa das respostas da pesquisa de campo, análise baseada na proposta metodológica APL-DSR, análise temporal baseada em simulações. Como principais resultados ressalta-se que o APL de Confecção do Sudoeste do Paraná alcançou uma boa avaliação na mensuração da eficiência coletiva, atingindo dois terços da escala IEC. Porém, apesar de positivo, o impacto territorial na região analisada foi discreto, atingindo um terço da faixa positiva normalizada da escala IIT. Para finalizar, evidencia-se a contribuição desta tese, a partir da construção da proposta metodológica de análise para avaliar a relação do APL no contexto do desenvolvimento sustentável regional, o que poderá auxiliar tanto na tomada de decisão para as políticas públicas, bem como no processo de autoavaliação do APL. / The world society is experiencing transformations triggered mainly from mid-twentieth century, including the economic, social, environmental, cultural, spatial, political and institutional. The literature pointed to factors such as globalization, technological advances and the restructuring of production systems as the main responsible for these changes. In this context, there is an orientation of the development process from territorial issues, as occurs in the articulation of local agents for the formation of clusters. Thus, clusters are at the center of contemporary debate on regional planning and regional development policies. Given the above, the general objective of this thesis is to build a methodological proposition to analyze the contribution of clusters to the process of regional sustainable development. Thus, is initially presented a framework configuration for this scenario, including the main components of cluster and its relations with the territorial dimensions. In sequence, is built a methodology of analysis with its application in four steps: selection of cluster, measurement of collective efficiency (IEC), measurement of regional impact (IIT), and the integration of these results on a panel called APL-DSR. Considering the methodological aspects, the research is classified as explanatory, with the method of case study. The data collection procedure was based on primary and secondary sources, including literature, documentary and field research. The case study was conducted at Clothing Cluster in Southwest of Paraná, with field research involving local actors of this productive arrangement, from the application of structured interviews. The results of the data collection were analyzed and interpreted in a quantitative and qualitative approach, following three referrals: a qualitative analysis of the responses of field research, analysis based on methodological proposal APL-DSR, temporal analysis based on simulations. The main results emphasizes that the Clothing Cluster in Southwest of Paraná achieved a good rating in the measurement of collective efficiency, reaching two thirds of the scale IEC. However, although positive, the territorial impact in the region analyzed was low, reaching a third of the positive range of the scale normalized IIT. Finally, highlights the contribution of this thesis, from the construction of the proposed methodology of analysis to assess the relation of cluster in the context of sustainable regional development, which could help both in decision making for public policy, as well as in the process of self-evaluation of cluster. / 5000

Capes / Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um modelo teórico de Inovação Tecnológica para Clusters Industriais para contribuir com o planejamento e desenvolvimento regional. Para isso, buscaram-se fatores de inovação tecnológica e indicadores de planejamento e desenvolvimento regional através de dados de artigos científicos de estudos relevantes. Para o referencial teórico de modelos de inovação e clusters, utilizou-se uma metodologia adaptada para revisão bibliográfica, a qual se definiu como período de corte de 2003 a 2013. Essa revisão bibliográfica fundamentou a criação do novo modelo teórico de Inovação que após a construção do modelo proposto, foi possível mensurar o nível de contribuição em um Cluster de 22 empresas de Malhas da cidade de Imbituva, Paraná. Para mensuração do modelo, utilizou a fórmula do Ranking Médio, a qual se pôde numerar a pontuação de cada empresa inserida no Cluster Industrial, além de identificar através de níveis (crítico, alerta, aceitável e ideal) a sua pontuação para cada indicador, analisando os pontos fracos das empresas individualmente. Em termos de resultados, foi possível sugerir as principais atividades de Inovação Tecnológica que deve ser praticadas a fim de estimular a melhoria da pontuação de cada indicador e consequentemente aumentar a pontuação da contribuição do Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Regional. Podemos concluir que o caráter flexível do método a ser aplicado, fornece alternativas para gestores e promotores de políticas e ações interessados em planejar o desenvolvimento local através de clusters industriais. Além disso, a flexibilidade do sistema também permite alterar facilmente os pesos atribuídos a cada um dos cinco indicadores e ter uma interessante análise de sensibilidade do Ranking Médio (Rm). / This study aimed to develop a theoretical model of Technological Innovation for Industrial Clusters to contribute to the planning and regional development. For this, sought to technological innovation factors and indicators of planning and regional development through scientific articles relevant trial data. For the theoretical framework of innovation and clusters models, we used a methodology adapted to literature review, which is defined as 2003 cut to 2013. This literature review based the creation of the new theoretical model of Innovation that after construction the proposed model, it was possible to measure the level of contribution to a cluster of 22 Mesh city businesses Imbituva, Paraná. To measure model, used the formula the Middle Ranking, which is able to number the score of each company included in the Industrial Cluster, and identify through levels (critical, alert, acceptable and ideal) your score for each indicator, analyzing the weaknesses of individual companies. In terms of results, we can suggest the main activities of technological innovation that should be practiced in order to stimulate the improvement of the score for each indicator and consequently increase the score of the contribution of Planning and Regional Development. We can conclude that the flexible character of the method to be applied, provides alternatives to managers and policy developers and interested actions to plan local development through industrial clusters. Furthermore, the flexibility of the system also allows to easily change the weights assigned to each of the five indicators and have an interesting Medium sensitivity analysis ranking (RM).

A sociedade mundial está vivenciando transformações desencadeadas principalmente a partir de meados do século XX, incluindo as esferas econômica, social, ambiental, cultural, espacial, política e institucional. Na literatura são apontados fatores como a globalização, os avanços tecnológicos e a reestruturação dos sistemas produtivos, como principais responsáveis por essas mudanças. Neste contexto, observa-se uma orientação do processo de desenvolvimento a partir das questões territoriais, como ocorre na articulação dos agentes locais para a formação dos clusters ou arranjos produtivos locais. Logo, APLs encontram-se no centro do debate contemporâneo sobre planejamento regional e políticas públicas de desenvolvimento regional. Diante do exposto, o objetivo geral desta tese é construir uma proposição metodológica para analisar a contribuição do arranjo produtivo local para o processo de desenvolvimento sustentável regional. Assim, inicialmente é apresentada uma proposta de configuração de matriz para este cenário, incluindo os principais componentes do APL e suas relações com as dimensões territoriais. Na sequencia, é construída a proposição metodológica de análise, com a sua aplicação em quatro etapas: seleção do APL, mensuração da eficiência coletiva (IEC), mensuração do impacto territorial (IIT), e a integração destes resultados em um painel denominado APL-DSR. Com relação aos aspectos metodológicos, a pesquisa está classificada como explicativa, com a aplicação do método de estudo de caso. A coleta de dados baseou-se em fontes primárias e secundárias, incluindo pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e pesquisa de campo. O estudo de caso foi realizado no APL de Confecção do Sudoeste do Paraná, com a pesquisa de campo envolvendo os agentes locais deste arranjo produtivo, a partir de entrevistas estruturadas. Os resultados da coleta de dados foram analisados e interpretados em uma abordagem quanti-qualitativa, seguindo três encaminhamentos: análise qualitativa das respostas da pesquisa de campo, análise baseada na proposta metodológica APL-DSR, análise temporal baseada em simulações. Como principais resultados ressalta-se que o APL de Confecção do Sudoeste do Paraná alcançou uma boa avaliação na mensuração da eficiência coletiva, atingindo dois terços da escala IEC. Porém, apesar de positivo, o impacto territorial na região analisada foi discreto, atingindo um terço da faixa positiva normalizada da escala IIT. Para finalizar, evidencia-se a contribuição desta tese, a partir da construção da proposta metodológica de análise para avaliar a relação do APL no contexto do desenvolvimento sustentável regional, o que poderá auxiliar tanto na tomada de decisão para as políticas públicas, bem como no processo de autoavaliação do APL. / The world society is experiencing transformations triggered mainly from mid-twentieth century, including the economic, social, environmental, cultural, spatial, political and institutional. The literature pointed to factors such as globalization, technological advances and the restructuring of production systems as the main responsible for these changes. In this context, there is an orientation of the development process from territorial issues, as occurs in the articulation of local agents for the formation of clusters. Thus, clusters are at the center of contemporary debate on regional planning and regional development policies. Given the above, the general objective of this thesis is to build a methodological proposition to analyze the contribution of clusters to the process of regional sustainable development. Thus, is initially presented a framework configuration for this scenario, including the main components of cluster and its relations with the territorial dimensions. In sequence, is built a methodology of analysis with its application in four steps: selection of cluster, measurement of collective efficiency (IEC), measurement of regional impact (IIT), and the integration of these results on a panel called APL-DSR. Considering the methodological aspects, the research is classified as explanatory, with the method of case study. The data collection procedure was based on primary and secondary sources, including literature, documentary and field research. The case study was conducted at Clothing Cluster in Southwest of Paraná, with field research involving local actors of this productive arrangement, from the application of structured interviews. The results of the data collection were analyzed and interpreted in a quantitative and qualitative approach, following three referrals: a qualitative analysis of the responses of field research, analysis based on methodological proposal APL-DSR, temporal analysis based on simulations. The main results emphasizes that the Clothing Cluster in Southwest of Paraná achieved a good rating in the measurement of collective efficiency, reaching two thirds of the scale IEC. However, although positive, the territorial impact in the region analyzed was low, reaching a third of the positive range of the scale normalized IIT. Finally, highlights the contribution of this thesis, from the construction of the proposed methodology of analysis to assess the relation of cluster in the context of sustainable regional development, which could help both in decision making for public policy, as well as in the process of self-evaluation of cluster. / 5000

Capes / Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um modelo teórico de Inovação Tecnológica para Clusters Industriais para contribuir com o planejamento e desenvolvimento regional. Para isso, buscaram-se fatores de inovação tecnológica e indicadores de planejamento e desenvolvimento regional através de dados de artigos científicos de estudos relevantes. Para o referencial teórico de modelos de inovação e clusters, utilizou-se uma metodologia adaptada para revisão bibliográfica, a qual se definiu como período de corte de 2003 a 2013. Essa revisão bibliográfica fundamentou a criação do novo modelo teórico de Inovação que após a construção do modelo proposto, foi possível mensurar o nível de contribuição em um Cluster de 22 empresas de Malhas da cidade de Imbituva, Paraná. Para mensuração do modelo, utilizou a fórmula do Ranking Médio, a qual se pôde numerar a pontuação de cada empresa inserida no Cluster Industrial, além de identificar através de níveis (crítico, alerta, aceitável e ideal) a sua pontuação para cada indicador, analisando os pontos fracos das empresas individualmente. Em termos de resultados, foi possível sugerir as principais atividades de Inovação Tecnológica que deve ser praticadas a fim de estimular a melhoria da pontuação de cada indicador e consequentemente aumentar a pontuação da contribuição do Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Regional. Podemos concluir que o caráter flexível do método a ser aplicado, fornece alternativas para gestores e promotores de políticas e ações interessados em planejar o desenvolvimento local através de clusters industriais. Além disso, a flexibilidade do sistema também permite alterar facilmente os pesos atribuídos a cada um dos cinco indicadores e ter uma interessante análise de sensibilidade do Ranking Médio (Rm). / This study aimed to develop a theoretical model of Technological Innovation for Industrial Clusters to contribute to the planning and regional development. For this, sought to technological innovation factors and indicators of planning and regional development through scientific articles relevant trial data. For the theoretical framework of innovation and clusters models, we used a methodology adapted to literature review, which is defined as 2003 cut to 2013. This literature review based the creation of the new theoretical model of Innovation that after construction the proposed model, it was possible to measure the level of contribution to a cluster of 22 Mesh city businesses Imbituva, Paraná. To measure model, used the formula the Middle Ranking, which is able to number the score of each company included in the Industrial Cluster, and identify through levels (critical, alert, acceptable and ideal) your score for each indicator, analyzing the weaknesses of individual companies. In terms of results, we can suggest the main activities of technological innovation that should be practiced in order to stimulate the improvement of the score for each indicator and consequently increase the score of the contribution of Planning and Regional Development. We can conclude that the flexible character of the method to be applied, provides alternatives to managers and policy developers and interested actions to plan local development through industrial clusters. Furthermore, the flexibility of the system also allows to easily change the weights assigned to each of the five indicators and have an interesting Medium sensitivity analysis ranking (RM).

[ES] La eco-innovación se define como el desarrollo de productos y procesos que contribuyen al respeto y avance en ámbito medioambiental, aplicando estrategias hacia la búsqueda de soluciones de diferenciación y posicionamiento en el mercado de manera sostenible. La eco-innovación en clústers industriales tiene como objetivo unir competitividad y sostenibilidad, convirtiendo a los agentes del clúster en unidades vivas de la economía. Entre las ventajas del clúster se denota la especialización y efecto derrame que, al introducir la eco-innovación, logra mucho más rápido la expansión de ventajas ambientales y beneficios a todas las empresas integradas en este, logrando un equilibrio entre la competencia y la colaboración de actividades eco-innovadoras. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar cuáles son esos determinantes o factores que generar eco-innovación en los clústers industriales. Para el estudio empírico, se escogió el clúster metalmecánico de la ciudad de Barranquilla en Colombia, considerado un clúster artificial o iniciativa clúster, siendo su reto principal mejorar la integración, especialización y competitividad por su carácter único y su importancia en la región. Para desarrollar esta tesis doctoral, tras una detallada revisión de la bibliografía, se plantearon 15 hipótesis, que se analizaron a través de la regresión multivariante y de productos cruzados. Se diseñó y aplicó un cuestionario a 40 empresas del clúster industrial metalmecánico compuesto por 44 preguntas, divididas a su vez en 8 factores. La aplicación de los modelos de regresión permitió comprobar la fiabilidad y validez de los constructos establecidos, pero no la comprobación de las hipótesis propuestas, ya que la consistencia era muy débil; es decir se contaba con resultados asimétricos. Se recurrió entonces al análisis de productos cruzados hacia delante para intentar mejorar la asimetría en el análisis de variables, aunque los resultados seguían siendo poco significativos. Finalmente, se aplicó el análisis cualitativo comparativo FsQCA, que trabaja datos asimétricos y relaciones causales. La aplicación de la técnica FsQCA, permitió establecer un conjunto de combinaciones causales que logran generar altos niveles de eco-innovación. Utilizando el Análisis Cualitativo Comparativo de Conjuntos Difusos (FsQCA), se persigue identificar si existe algún factor que sea condición necesaria para la eco-innovación, así como combinaciones de antecedentes causales capaces de explicar la eco-innovación en clúster industriales. Los resultados conducen a que no existe una condición necesaria por sí misma y que existen diversos conjuntos de soluciones suficientes que conducen a niveles altos y bajos de eco-innovación y varían conforme a lograr resultados de tipo económico, ambiental y de acceso a nuevos mercados para las empresas del clúster. Así, los resultados indican que: demanda, presión competitiva y las políticas, son ingredientes importantes para lograr efectos de innovación ambiental en el clúster, atendiendo al nivel de consistencia en los resultados (90%). Entre los resultados más destacables se observa que, al combinar los factores de capacidad, presión competitiva y desarrollo e implementación de políticas y regulaciones ambientales, se constata una influencia positiva para las empresas del clúster en los aspectos relativos al acceso a nuevos mercados, siendo esta la combinación con mayor consistencia (con un 91% de las cuatro configuraciones suficientes para lograr acceder a nuevos mercados). Por otra parte, para lograr altos niveles de resultados económicos en el clúster se destaca la combinación causal de ausencia de capacidades, cooperación y ausencia de presión competitiva como factores importantes en esta receta. El análisis arroja una consistencia del 87% y es de notar que, aunque existan niveles bajos de capacidades, y competitividad y poca presión competitiva, basta con que exista alto nivel de cooperación entre las empresa / [CA] L'ecoinnovació es defineix com el desenvolupament de productes i processos que contribueixen al respecte i avanç en l'àmbit mediambiental, aplicant estratègies cap a la cerca de solucions de diferenciació i posicionament en el mercat de manera sostenible. L'ecoinnovació en clústers industrials té com objectiu unir competitivitat i sostenibilitat, convertint als agents del clúster en unitats vives de l'economia. Entre els avantatges del clúster es denota l'especialització i efecte vesse que, en introduir l'ecoinnovació, aconsegueix molt més ràpid l'expansió d'avantatges ambientals i beneficis a totes les empreses integrades en aquest, aconseguint un equilibri entre la competència i la col·laboració d'activitats eco-innovadores. L'objectiu d'aquest estudi és determinar quins són aqueixos determinants o factors que generar ecoinnovació en els clústers industrials. Per a l'estudi empíric, es va triar el clúster metalmecánico de la ciutat de Barranquilla a Colòmbia, considerat un clúster artificial o iniciativa clúster, sent el seu repte principal millorar la integració, especialització i competitivitat pel seu caràcter únic i la seua importància a la regió. Per a desenvolupar aquesta tesi doctoral, després d¿una detallada revisió de la bibliografia, es van plantejar 15 hipòtesi, que es van analitzar a través de la regressió multivariant i de productes creuats. Es va dissenyar i va aplicar un qüestionari a 40 empreses del clúster industrial metalmecánico compost per 44 preguntes, dividides al seu torn en 8 factors. L'aplicació dels models de regressió va permetre comprovar la fiabilitat i validesa dels constructes establits, però no la comprovació de les hipòtesis proposades, ja que la consistència era molt feble; és a dir es comptava amb resultats asimètrics. Es va recórrer llavors a l'anàlisi de productes creuats cap avant per a intentar millorar l'asimetria en l'anàlisi de variables, encara que els resultats continuaven sent poc significatius. Finalment, es va aplicar l'anàlisi qualitativa comparativa FsQCA, que treballa dades asimètriques i relacions causals. L'aplicació de la tècnica FsQCA, va permetre establir un conjunt de combinacions causals que aconsegueixen generar alts nivells d'ecoinnovació. Utilitzant l'Anàlisi Qualitativa Comparativa de Conjunts Difusos (FsQCA), es persegueix identificar si existeix algun factor que siga condició necessària per a l'ecoinnovació, així com combinacions d'antecedents causals capaços d'explicar l'ecoinnovació en clúster industrials. Els resultats condueixen al fet que no existeix una condició necessària per si mateixa i que existeixen diversos conjunts de solucions suficients que condueixen a nivells alts i baixos d'ecoinnovació i varien conforme a aconseguir resultats de tipus econòmic, ambiental i d'accés a nous mercats per a les empreses del clúster. Així, els resultats indiquen que: demanda, pressió competitiva i les polítiques, són ingredients importants per a aconseguir efectes d'innovació ambiental en el clúster, atés el nivell de consistència en els resultats (90%). Entre els resultats més destacables s'observa que, en combinar els factors de capacitat, pressió competitiva i desenvolupament i implementació de polítiques i regulacions ambientals, es constata una influència positiva per a les empreses del clúster en els aspectes relatius a l'accés a nous mercats, sent aquesta la combinació amb major consistència (amb un 91% de les quatre configuracions suficients per a aconseguir accedir a nous mercats). D'altra banda, per a aconseguir alts nivells de resultats econòmics en el clúster es destaca la combinació causal d'absència de capacitats, cooperació i absència de pressió competitiva com a factors importants en aquesta recepta. / [EN] Eco-innovation is defined as the development of products and processes that contribute to respect and progress in the environmental field, applying strategies towards the search for differentiation solutions and positioning in the market in a sustainable way. Eco-innovation in industrial clusters has the objective of uniting competitiveness and sustainability, of converting the agents of the cluster into living units of the economy. Among the advantages of the cluster is the specialization and spillover effect, which by introducing eco-innovation achieves much faster the expansion of environmental advantages and benefits to all the companies attached to it, achieving a balance between competition and a high collaboration of eco-innovative activities. The objective of this study is to determine which are those determinants or factors that generate eco-innovation in industrial clusters. For the empirical study, the metal-mechanical cluster of the city of Barranquilla in Colombia was chosen. This cluster is considered an artificial cluster or cluster initiative, its main challenge being to improve integration, specialization and competitiveness due to its unique nature and its importance in the region. To develop this study, an eco-innovation model in industrial clusters was proposed, consisting of 15 hypotheses analyzed by multivariate regression and cross products, a questionnaire was designed and applied to 40 companies of the metal-mechanical industrial cluster with 44 questions, divided into 8 factors. The application of the regression models allowed to verify the reliability and validity of the established constructs, but not the verification (acceptance or rejection) of the proposed hypotheses, since the consistency was very weak. In other words, there were asymmetric results, so forward cross-product analysis was used to try to improve the asymmetry in the analysis of variables, but it was still not very significant. Finally, the FsQCA comparative qualitative analysis was used, which works with asymmetric data and causal relationships. The application of FsQCA allowed to establish a set of causal combinations that in combination manage to generate high levels of eco-innovation. Using the Fuzzy Sets Comparative Qualitative Analysis (FsQCA) an attempt was made to identify whether there is any factor that is a necessary condition for cluster eco-innovation, as well as combinations of causal antecedents capable of explaining industrial clustering eco-innovation. The results lead to the fact that there is no necessary condition by itself and that there are several sets of sufficient solutions that lead to high and low levels of eco-innovation and vary according to achieving economic, environmental and access to new markets results for the cluster companies.The results indicate that demand, competitive pressure, and policies due to their level of consistency in results (90%) are important ingredients to achieve environmental innovation effects in the cluster. By combining the factors of capacity, competitive pressure and the development and implementation of environmental policies and regulations, a positive influence is presented for the cluster companies to access new markets; This being the most consistent combination with 91% of the four configurations sufficient to gain access to new markets. On the other hand, to achieve high levels of economic results in the cluster, the causal combination of the absence of capacities, cooperation and the absence of competitive pressure stands out as important factors in this recipe. The analysis shows a consistency of 87% and it is noteworthy that, although there are low levels of skills and competitiveness and little competitive pressure, it is enough that there is a high level of cooperation between the cluster companies to be able to generate economic results. / Mercado Caruso, NN. (2022). Determinantes de eco-innovación en clústers industriales. Una aplicación empírica en el departamento del Atlántico [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/181583

The use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems by small enterprises is proliferating. Traditionally used by large enterprises, ERP systems are now considered important enterprise management aids, which may contribute to the sustainability and growth of small enterprises. Although varying acceptance factors may impact on the acceptance of ERP systems, there is no consolidated list of ERP system acceptance factors specific to small enterprises. In this study, the strategic, business, technical and human factors that influence the acceptance of ERP systems in small manufacturing enterprises in South Africa is presented. These influencing factors may guide future initiatives aiming to ensure the acceptance of ERP systems by small manufacturing enterprise. A combined quantitative and qualitative data analysis approach was used as an analytical lens to interpret responses gathered from small manufacturing enterprises. Recommendations are made for future research on ERP system acceptance and adoption within the broader spectrum of small enterprises. / Information Systems / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

在十九世紀早期工業革命時期，工業國家的主要城市如倫敦、紐約與巴黎，都經歷了快速的都市成長。大量的勞工湧入城市，後來都經歷了由政府主導的大規模都市更新。透過區域、經濟與產業發展，與都市更新、都市再生策略緊密結合，城市競爭力將建立在城市空間的再生之上。 區域與城市經濟結構的重組，使得原本城市車站做為製造業中心或集散中心的功能漸漸消失或沒落。老舊城市的車站周邊出現大量公有/私有閒置建築和土地，或是商圈產業的沒落與凌亂，還有空間上的無組織與去中心化，艋舺商圈正是處在如此的時空之中。 今萬華車站的新建與捷運的連結，以及商圈再造計畫，似乎將為艋舺地區注入一線希望；然而夕陽產業除了觀光資源之外，是否能迎接大量觀光客的衝擊，或是能否承受新產業的入駐；產業聚落的轉型是必然的過程，其須成為能支撐城市發展、創造就業機會的新產業，且城市空間也需要尋求新的意義定位與吸引新住民的進入，都市再生的過程進而能透過中心車站的重新發展，逐步轉為重視歷史文化、街區紋理、文化創意、引進投資與創業機會等等，讓老舊的街區重新轉型。 透過產業群聚理論及地方經濟發展體系架構，以都市再生策略研究艋舺商圈區內產業聚落與空間連結關係，進而分析艋舺商圈產業與未來經濟發展之網絡與空間樣貌；以中萬華的艋舺商圈，從歷史地理脈絡、傳統/創意產業、基地空間特性、規劃政策與實施框架等面向，梳理台北市如何從老舊街區串連多元空間/產業網絡而讓都市再生成為永續發展的城市。