The ambiguous role of ICT in regional inter-firm clusters: Towards a better empirical knowledge base for theorizing
A workshop at the International Conference on Communities and Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 19, 2003
Objectives of Workshop
The importance of inter-firm networks continues to grow, and many researchers have noted that these networks are often regionally or geographically based. Much attention has been given to the need to provide adequate information infrastructures so that such regional inter-firm clusters can flourish. The evidence regarding ICT usage and benefits in such clusters, both for internal coordination in the cluster (e.g. CSCW and collaborative commerce) and for contact with external markets (e.g. B2B and B2C e-commerce) is mixed at best. In this workshop, we want to explore the role of ICTs in such networks. The focus on research questions concerning ICT is driven by the theme of the overall conference, which is about "communities and technology."
There are a growing number of studies of such networks, but it is difficult to generalize or aggregate the results of this work. We believe that a workshop such as this provides an important opportunity for researchers to share ideas and possibly coordinate their efforts. In this way, it may be possible to gain insights that would otherwise be beyond reach.
Workshop Participants
Note: The following people are involved in the workshop and plan to participate. There are several other researchers listed on submitted abstracts who may also be attending. Please let us know if you plan to attend but are not listed, and we will be happy to add you to our participant list!
Thomas Adelaar, Michigan State University, email: adelaar@msu.eduVarghese George, Rutgers University, email: vgeorge@andromeda.rutgers.edu
Stefan Gaertner, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, email: gaertner@iatge.de
Dagmar Grote Westrickr, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, email: grote@iatge.de
Ileana Hamburg, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, email: hamburg@iatge.de
Ernst Helmstaedter, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, email: 520027883279-0001@T-Online.de
Marleen Huysman, Free University Amsterdam, email: mhuysman@feweb.vu.nl
Cooper H. Langford, University of Calgary, email: chlangfo@ucalgary.ca
Brian Pentland, Michigan State University, email: pentlan2@msu.edu
A. M. von Raesfeld Meijer, University of Twente, email: A.M.vonRaesfeldMeijer@sms.utwente.nl
Ada Scupola, Roskilde University, email: ada@ruc.dk
Charles Steinfield, Michigan State University, email: steinfie@msu.edu
Judith Terstriep, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, email: terstriep@iatge.de
Chris Turner, King Alfred's College, Winchester, UK, email: Chris.Turner@wkac.ac.uk
Jesse Weltevreden, University of Utrecht, email: J.Weltevreden@geog.uu.nl
Britta Widmaier, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, email: widmaier@iatge.de
Kou Yukawa, Fujitsu Research Institute, email: yukawak@fri.fujitsu.com
Co-authors and others interested in the workshop who cannot attend
Petra Ahrweiler, University of Hamburg, Germany, email: ahrweiler@sozwi.sozialwiss.uni-hamburg.de
O. Atzema, University of Utrecht, email: O.Atzema@geog.uu.nl
Liam Bannon, University of Limerick, Ireland, email: liam.bannon@ul.ie
Paul Hart, Florida Atlantic University, email: hart@fau.edu
Jaap van Rooijen, Free University Amsterdam, email: jrooijen@hotmail.com
Nilesh Saraf, Florida Atlantic University, email: nsaraf@fau.edu
Erik Stam, Free University Amsterdam, email: estam@feweb.vu.nl
E. J. Visser, University of Utrecht, email: E.Visser@geog.uu.nl
Tentative Workshop Schedule
9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Friday, September 19, at De Rode Hoed, Keizersgracht, Amsterdam
| 9:00 - 9:30 am | Welcome session, coffee, and introductions | |
| 9:30 - 10:00 am | Workshop goals, framing issues and questions | Varghese George, What are regional clusters and why are they important? Charles Steinfield, What is the role of ICT in clusters? Brian Pentland, What methods can we use to study cluster phenomena? |
| 10:00 - 11:00 am | Participant case studies | Four fifteen minute presentations, order of presentation to be determined |
| 11:00 - 11:15 am | coffee break | |
| 11:15 - 12:30 pm | Particpant case studies | Five fifteen minute presentations, order of presentation to be determined |
| 12:30 - 1:30 pm | lunch break | |
| 1:30 - 2:00 pm | Participant case studies | Two fifteen minute presentations, order of presentation to be determined |
| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Synthesis, towards a common knowledge base | Charles Steinfield, Brian Pentland, Varghese George lead an interactive discussion with participants |
Abstracts and Papers Submitted to the Workshop
| Title | Authors | Paper/Abstract |
| Research on knowledge sharing and the role of ICT in the Dutch greenhouse region | Marleen Huysman, Erik Stam, Jaap Rooijen,Alexander van der Flier, Tanja Krauze , Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands | abstract |
| A cluster of Internet companies in Tokyo: Review of Bit Valley | Kou Yukawa, Senior Associate, Economic Research Center, Fujitsu Research Institute, Japan | abstract paper |
| Development of interfirm ICT infrastructure. A case study in the Dutch construction industry | Ariane von Raesfeld, University of Twente, The Netherlands | abstract |
| The evolutionary nature of b2c e-commerce in inner cities in The Netherlands | R.A. Boschma & J.W.J. Weltevreden, Utrecht University, The Netherlands | abstract project home page |
| Connectivity & Community: Improving information linkages in a technology park | L. J. Bannon, University of Limerick, Ireland, P. Byrne, National Technological Park, Limerick, Ireland | abstract |
| Building Internet infrastructure on Florida's Internet coast: The role of social capital | Paul Hart and Nilesh Saraf, Florida Atlantic University, USA | abstract |
| Cause and effects of clusters and networks in new industries | Prof. dr. O.A.L.C. Atzema, Dr. E.J. Visser, University Utrecht, The Netherlands | abstract |
| Networking in clusters – aspects of successful cluster management | Dagmar Grote Westrick, Institute for Work and Technology, Germany | abstract |
| The place has a space in the WWW: The regional-wide-web as a driving system for sustainable development of regions | Stefan Gartner, Judith Terstriep, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany | abstract |
| ICT-supported interorganisational business networks and knowledge management and network building for the support of regional development | Dieter Rehfeld, Ileana Hamburg and Brigitta Widmaier, Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Marian Krsko, SYNERGY-VCG, Bratislava, Slovakia | abstract |
| New media industries: a quantitative research study | Chris Turner, King Alfred's College, Winchester, UK | abstract paper |
| The community as a center of knowledge sharing | Ernst Helmstaedter, Institute for Work and Technology, Germany | abstract |
| Knowledge management and network building for the support of regional development | Brigitta Widmaier, Institute for Work and Technology, Germany | abstract |
| Regional business clusters in Denmark | Ada Scupola, Roskilde University, Denmark | abstract |
| Other contributed papers | ||
| Underutilization of B2B e-commerce in geographically defined business clusters | Charles Steinfield, Michigan State University | paper |
| A Case Study of a Community of Practice in the New Media Industries – Wired Wessex | Chris Turner, King Alfred's College, Winchester, UK | paper |
Organizers
Charles Steinfield, Michigan State University (steinfie@msu.edu)
Brian Pentland, Michigan State University (pentlan2@msu.edu)
Varghese George, Rutgers University (vgeorge@andromeda.rutgers.edu)