Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2009

Abstract

Although bioscience industrial clusters have been widely researched in the last decade, the role of knowledge creation, management, and transfer as driving forces for industrial cluster competitiveness remains unclear. A better appreciation of knowledge creation and retention as determinants of industrial cluster success, and the role of foreign direct investment may be of value to industry decision makers, policy makers, and researchers worldwide. Our research revealed a paradox regarding the intensity of foreign direct investment (FDI) by multinational companies (MNCs) and the limited development of a local entrepreneurial ecosystem in an emergent bioscience cluster. While cluster development seems a logical outcome of MNC investment, our study demonstrated it is not a foregone conclusion. Our research of Puerto Rico's bioscience cluster experience sheds light on a key theoretical and policy issue: to what extent can the development strategy of attracting FDI from global multinationals be leveraged to transfer knowledge and develop indigenous innovation capabilities? The paper draws upon national innovation systems knowledge management, and social network theory to examine these issues.

Keywords

economic development, bioscience clusters, competitiveness, entrepreneurial ecosystem, foreign direct investment, knowledge transfer, innovation systems.

Rights

© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

Department/Center

Design & Innovation

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