Forging connections: The role of ‘boundary spanners’ in globalising clusters and shaping cluster evolution
- 14 September 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Progress in Human Geography
- Vol. 46 (2), 484-506
- https://doi.org/10.1177/03091325211038714
Abstract
Synthesising the endogenous-centred evolutionary economic geography perspective, and the globally oriented ‘global pipelines’ and global production networks frameworks, this article develops the ‘boundary spanner’ concept to propose a theoretical framework to illustrate how resourceful actors, as boundary spanners, globalise clusters and in turn drive cluster evolution. This framework comprises four interrelated cluster boundary-spanning functions, namely, discursive construction, innovation promotion, production coordination and market reach. This article aims to advance the cluster literature by unpacking how clusters’ global connections are constructed and maintained, conceptualising the multidimensional role of the agency of boundary spanners and demonstrating boundary spanners’ contributions to cluster evolution.Keywords
Funding Information
- National University of Singapore (GRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP)
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