An Exploration Of Geographic Scope: The Cluster Of Grenoble

Abstract

This article examines the high-tech cluster of Grenoble in the light of regional studies. In particular, we explore the geographic scope of organizations, knowledge flows and risk perceptions. Using a large quantitative dataset, we observe that trial-driven synthetic knowledge-flow dynamics are generally based on the engineering sciences and develop over large distances, posing a challenge to well-established clusters. Our results emphasize significant differences across organization types (firms, research centers, universities, and public bodies) and organization sizes (small, medium, and large). We find that large firms develop knowledge-flows dynamics over greater distances than small firms and that research centers, universities and medium-sized firms perceive greater knowledge anchoring than do small and large firms. In addition, we find that theory-driven analytical and branding-driven symbolic knowledge are more anchored than synthetic knowledge, which is the type of knowledge of greatest value in information and communication technologies (ICT). Finally, we argue that the increase of geographical distance between knowledge senders and receivers increases the perception of the risk of unintended knowledge spillovers.