Cross-specialisation policy

Rationales and options for linking unrelated industries

Bibliographic Data

ID12913751
AuthorsM J Janssen (0000-0002-6788-511X, Utrecht University, corresponding author), Koen Frenken (0000-0003-4731-0201, Utrecht University)
Year2019
Volume12
Issue2
Pages195-212
Publication date2019-03-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCambridge Journal of Regions Economy and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1752-1386 • E-ISSN: 1752-1378
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/cjres/rsz001
OpenAlexW2945991829
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited44

In this article, we discuss how economies’ established stronghold industries can form a basis for sustaining competitiveness. As changing market circumstances demand economic strongholds to stay adaptive, their knowledge bases need to be enriched continuously. Previous research has shown that experimentation based on bridging rich knowledge bases provides important opportunities for diversification. Inspired by insights from evolutionary economic geography, we argue why, rather than (only) focusing on related variety, economies should ‘cross-specialise’ by creating linkages between strong but unrelated industries. We discuss how policy makers can facilitate uncommon interactions by targeting cross-over industries or creating platform-like interfaces

Bridging (networking · Business · Diversification (marketing strategy · Economic geography · Economics · Industrial organization · Variety (cybernetics · Business Strategy and Innovation · Computer Science · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Innovation and Knowledge Management · Marketing

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Open DOISci-HubOpen Access