Clusters in a Cold Climate: Innovation Dynamics in a Diverse Economy (Volume 88) (Queen’s Policy Studies Series)

As Canada emerges from the recent economic downturn, firms in industrial clusters face a series of unique challenges. From established clusters in auto parts and wine, to emerging clusters in biotechnology, photonics and multimedia, firms must adapt to rapidly changing demand and cost conditions, cope with increased competition at home and abroad, and finance an accelerating pace of innovation. The papers in this volume examine how firms in eight clusters are meeting these challenges by accessing resources and markets, managing economic uncertainty, and adapting to market changes. Representing the latest research findings from members of the Innovation Systems Research Network, the papers highlight a number of key themes: the contribution of both local and global sources of knowledge to innovation within the clusters, the powerful draw of external markets that can act as the primary stimulus to innovative behaviour, the interaction between key elements of the research infrastructure and innovative firms, and the complex, but essential, influence of public policy on cluster dynamics.