This study focuses on the relationship between industrial clustering and innovation. It contributes to this literature by showing two empirical properties of the cluster learning process: first, that the structure of the knowledge network in a cluster is related with the heterogeneous distribution of firm knowledge bases and, second, that business interactions and inter-firm knowledge flows are not highly co-occurring phenomena. In particular, this paper highlights how the heterogeneity of firms’ knowledge bases generates uneven distribution of knowledge and selective inter-firm learning. This study has been based on empirical evidence collected at firm level in three wine clusters in Italy and Chile. Methods of social network analysis have been applied to process the data.

INTRODUCTION established a European Council of Competitiveness, There is now widespread agreement that we are witnessing the ‘resurgence ’ of regions as key loci in the organization and governance of economic growth and wealth creation. A previous special issue of this journal

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number: 5/2004 series: research and training network urban europe Research and Training Network Urban EuropeThe Research and Training Network on Urban Europe UrbEUROPE is a research and training network funded by the European Union (2002-2006) aimed at linking the outputs of recent and/or ongoing research in different disciplines involving the urban dimension of Europe. The flourishing of research projects and networks carrying out empirical fieldwork on European cities signals the recognition of the crucial character of this dimension, even though, little effort has been devoted in building a solid interdis ciplinary knowledge basis integrated with a highly structured training programme. Filling this gap is our main objective. The network provides at the premises of the partners (see below) 368 person/months fellowships (pre and post doc for candidates under 35 years old) for research in the following areas: 1. The analysis of how global changes and local impacts are conceptualised in theories and through which methods they are investigated; 2. The analysis of how changes impacted on the built environment (gentrification, suburbanization

management and its influence on competitiveness

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Abstract- Place branding relies on the assumption of inter-territorial competition which seems to be the overall approach to place management. Competition involves not only cities but also provinces, nations, states, villages and supra-national regions. However, there is room for sustaining that competition is not an exhaustive key for understanding regional development and, consequently, for interpreting place marketing and branding. Within the general frame of competition, regions and local areas may seek interterritorial cooperation in order to enrich their offer and enhance their competitiveness. In this regard, a gap in place branding and marketing literature is identified and this paper contributes to filling it, by proposing a conceptualization of the “network brand”. Assuming cooperation/co-opetition as a way to face inter-territorial competition, this research is in charge of answering to the following research questions. Firstly, to what extent network and network brand building is a pragmatic process i.e. inspired by market principles, rather than being a political process i.e. highly related to power game emerging within and among the involved territories? Secondly, to what extent the network brand is a “post-modern ” brand? A secondary research was carried out by reviewing 12 inter-territorial networking experiences in Europe and US. Concerning the first research question, evidence suggests that, beyond a surface of pragmatism, there might be a political process leading to the emergence of a network brand. Moreover, there is a chance that in some cases a pragmatic approach to networking tends to turn into a political process by means of institutional spillovers, turning the network into a political arena. Concerning the second research question, the cases highlight two different strategies shaping network brand identity-building. While in some cases the network brand does take the shape of a postmodern

Under a pervasive competitive environment is commonplace that governments at various territorial levels, in addition to other public and private institutions, concern about providing the conditions that make attractive their territories. They want to attract resources of various kinds, production and consumption in order to foster economic growth and development. Such competition involves the actions of multiple actors but it is through by local public administrations and policy makers that other actors will try to establish strategies and take action for the development of competitive attractiveness. This paper is concerned with developing an integrated framework for territorial competition analysis emphasising the fundamental role of government policies as well as the collective character of strategic action on the competition results. Competitive results will depend on the kind of strategies, the efficiency in implementation and their collective character. On the one hand, competition may lead to a ‘race to the bottom ’ or there can be strategic planning within territories. Finally we propose a case study to analyse in a specific context the significance of local governments ’ financial capacity. The methodology employed examines the literature on various approaches to territorial competition. The key contribution of this review is to put forward a logic structure for addressing territorial competition.