Abstract

JIMENEZ ALMAGUER, Karla Paola; MEDINA QUINTERO, José Melchor  and  CHEIN SCHEKAIBAN, Nazlhe Faride. The search for the development of clusters in Tamaulipas, Mexico: A case study. Econ: teor. práct [online]. 2013, n.39, pp.89-117. ISSN 2448-7481.

The advantages of industrial clusters as propenners of development have been widely noted. These advantages have prompted various administrations to propose the creation of clusters as a development policy. The state of Tamaulipas, Mexico has not been an exception. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of environmental factors, cluster characteristics, and on the performance of cluster companies, particularly, in four industrial clusters in Tamaulipas (petrochemical, auto parts, electric-electronic, and information technology). Based on in-depth interviews with members and participants, our findings suggest that the performance of these cluster comes from geographical location advantages, sociocultural identity, internal networks, specialization, and human capital training; that knowledge sharing is discretionary, and that the region still needs research support (research institutions and government agencies). However, the case studies show that policy makers, firms and knowledge institutions should work in mutual understanding to improve clusters absorptive capacity in order to increase innovative capacity.

Keywords : industrial clusters; regional development; public policies; cluster performance.

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