The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Implications of the Internet for knowledge creation and dissemination in clusters of high-technology firms

Implications of the Internet for knowledge creation and dissemination in clusters of high-technology firms
Implications of the Internet for knowledge creation and dissemination in clusters of high-technology firms
Recent advances in Internet-based telecommunication technologies have enabled firms to compete across their own regional and national borders regardless of physical presence, location and size. While studies on regional economics stress the importance of localized specialization for the creation and dissemination of knowledge, the Internet is introducing a new competitive landscape for the conduct of business through virtual networks. However, there is little research on the influence of the Internet on regional development of clusters particularly concepts and theories for explaining the role of the Internet in the creation and dissemination of knowledge — as a source of regional competence. This paper draws on cases of Cambridge’s high-tech firms in the United Kingdom to examine and develop concepts pertaining to drivers of Internet technology that facilitate the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The data analysis suggests the presence of four Internet drivers: open systems, virtual channels, multi-user engagement and extended customizability. The Internet facilitates communications, extends customization capabilities and presents new virtual channels that further strengthen the close and intensive interactions of spatial localization of firms for production and innovation.
0263-2373
87-98
Eng, T.Y.
349165eb-272c-4a7a-93b4-e2416ed4a537
Eng, T.Y.
349165eb-272c-4a7a-93b4-e2416ed4a537

Eng, T.Y. (2004) Implications of the Internet for knowledge creation and dissemination in clusters of high-technology firms. European Management Journal, 22 (1), 87-98. (doi:10.1016/j.emj.2003.11.011).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Recent advances in Internet-based telecommunication technologies have enabled firms to compete across their own regional and national borders regardless of physical presence, location and size. While studies on regional economics stress the importance of localized specialization for the creation and dissemination of knowledge, the Internet is introducing a new competitive landscape for the conduct of business through virtual networks. However, there is little research on the influence of the Internet on regional development of clusters particularly concepts and theories for explaining the role of the Internet in the creation and dissemination of knowledge — as a source of regional competence. This paper draws on cases of Cambridge’s high-tech firms in the United Kingdom to examine and develop concepts pertaining to drivers of Internet technology that facilitate the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The data analysis suggests the presence of four Internet drivers: open systems, virtual channels, multi-user engagement and extended customizability. The Internet facilitates communications, extends customization capabilities and presents new virtual channels that further strengthen the close and intensive interactions of spatial localization of firms for production and innovation.

Text
Eng04_EMJ22[1].pdf - Version of Record
Restricted to Repository staff only

More information

Published date: February 2004
Organisations: Centre for Digital, Interactive & Data Driven Marketing

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 391513
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/391513
ISSN: 0263-2373
PURE UUID: 644f9fd1-91d0-4e14-84e8-18e4a9428370

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 21 Apr 2016 15:07
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 23:30

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: T.Y. Eng

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×