{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,27]],"date-time":"2026-03-27T08:42:16Z","timestamp":1774600936713,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":58,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2013,3,29]],"date-time":"2013-03-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1364515200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2013,3,29]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>This paper aims to examine how \u2013 and whether \u2013 members of an industry cluster share knowledge through networking as a means to improving competitive advantage and, in particular, whether trust is present in the knowledge\u2010sharing process.<\/jats:italic><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>The research involved three surveys utilizing a relationship marketing orientation (RMO) that were conducted at intervals (in 2004, 2008 and 2010) in addition to interviews with key cluster members, which were also conducted over a seven\u2010year period.<\/jats:italic><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Knowledge sharing and integration were found to mediate the relationship between RMO and competitive advantage in 2004 and 2010 but not in 2008. Lower mean scores for trust were also found in 2008.<\/jats:italic><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/ implications<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>The limitations are that the respondent numbers were small. It is recommended that one more survey is conducted in 2013 to determine whether the interventions reported here, the recruitment of new cluster staff and the continuing growth of the cluster, influence the comparative results over time.<\/jats:italic><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Knowledge sharing and collaboration within industry clusters requires active and discerning facilitation, particularly where new members are concerned.<\/jats:italic><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>The paper adds value to the current research on industry clusters and knowledge sharing as surveys were conducted over a seven\u2010year period that tracked changes as the cluster grew. The findings highlight the necessity of focusing on member relationships\/collaboration during times of growth and change.<\/jats:italic><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/13673271311315178","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2013,3,20]],"date-time":"2013-03-20T13:14:19Z","timestamp":1363785259000},"page":"208-225","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":43,"title":["Knowledge integration and competitiveness: a longitudinal study of an industry cluster"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Julia","family":"Connell","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Ranjit","family":"Voola","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b1","unstructured":"Albers, J. and Brewer, S. (2003), \u201cKnowledge management and the innovation process: the eco\u2010innovation model\u201d, Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, available at: www.tlainc.com\/articl52.htm."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b2","unstructured":"Anderson, E. and Schmitz, H. (1997), \u201cCollective efficiency: a way forward for small firms\u201d, IDS Policy Briefing, Issue 10, available at: www.unido.org\/fileadmin\/user_media\/Services\/PSD\/Clusters_and_Networks\/publications\/IDS_policy_briefing_collectve_eff.pdf."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b3","unstructured":"Arino, A., Torre, J. and Ring, P.S. (2001), \u201cRoles played by relational trust in strategic alliances\u201d, Research Paper No. 432, IESE Business School, Barcelona."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b4","unstructured":"Arzeni, S. and Pelligrin, J.P. (1997), \u201cEntrepreneurship and local development\u201d, The OECD Observer, No. 204, available at: www.oecdobserver.org\/news\/get_file.php3\/id\/61\/file\/Entrepreneurship (accessed 30 September 2011)."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b5","unstructured":"Bain, J.S. (1959), Barriers to New Competition, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barney, J. (1991), \u201cFirm resources and sustained competitive advantage\u201d, Journal of Management, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 99\u2010120.","DOI":"10.1177\/014920639101700108"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barney, J.B. (2001), \u201cIs the resource based \u2018view\u2019 a useful perspective for strategic management research? Yes\u201d, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 41\u201056.","DOI":"10.5465\/amr.2001.4011938"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barrett, R. (2006), \u201cSmall business learning through mentoring: evaluating a project\u201d, Education+Training, Vol. 48 Nos 8\/9, pp. 614\u201026.","DOI":"10.1108\/00400910610710047"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b9","unstructured":"Bessant, J. (2004), \u201cGetting the tail to wag: Enabling innovation in small and medium\u2010sized enterprises\u201d, in Heitor, M. (Ed.), Learning and Knowledge for the Network Society, Purdue University Press, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bisk, L. (2002), \u201cFormal entrepreneurial mentoring: the efficacy of third party managed programs\u201d, Career Development International, Vol. 7 No. 5, pp. 262\u201070.","DOI":"10.1108\/13620430210440082"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cavusgil, E., Seggie, S.H. and Taly, M.B. (2007), \u201cDynamic capabilities view: foundations and research agenda\u201d, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 159\u201066.","DOI":"10.2753\/MTP1069-6679150205"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b12","unstructured":"Chin, W.W. and Newsted, P.R. (1999), \u201cStructural equation modeling analysis with small samples using partial least squares\u201d, in Hoyle, R. (Ed.), Statistical Strategies for Small Sample Research, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 307\u201041."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b13","unstructured":"Clegg, S. (2000), \u201cTrust as networking knowledge\u201d, paper presented at the Trust in the Workplace Conference, University of Newcastle, November."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cohen, W. and Levinthal, D. (1990), \u201cAbsorptive capacity: a new perspective on learning and innovation\u201d, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 35, pp. 128\u201052.","DOI":"10.2307\/2393553"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Connell, J. and Voola, R. (2007), \u201cStrategic alliances and knowledge sharing: synergies or silos\u201d, Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 52\u201066.","DOI":"10.1108\/13673270710752108"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Connell, J. and Voola, R. (2010), \u201cSize does matter: collaboration and competitive advantage within a manufacturing and engineering cluster\u201d, International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 61\u201072.","DOI":"10.1504\/IJGSB.2010.035331"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b17","unstructured":"Cortright, J. (2006), Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, Making sense of clusters: regional competitiveness and economic development."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cummings, J.C. (2003), \u201cKnowledge sharing: a review of the literature\u201d, Operations Evaluation Department, World Bank, Washington, DC.","DOI":"10.1596\/19060"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b20","unstructured":"Department of Trade and Industry (2008), \u201cA practical guide to cluster development\u201d, available at: www.dti.gov.uk\/files\/file14008.pdf (accessed September 30, 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Doz, Y.L. (1996), \u201cThe evolution of cooperation in strategic alliances: initial conditions or learning processes?\u201d, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 17, Summer, pp. 55\u201083.","DOI":"10.1002\/smj.4250171006"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b22","unstructured":"Duffy, J. (2000), \u201cThe KM technology infrastructure\u201d, Information Management Journal, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 62\u20106."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Eisenhardt, K.M. and Martin, J.A. (2000), \u201cDynamic capabilities: what are they?\u201d, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 21, pp. 1105\u201022.","DOI":"10.1002\/1097-0266(200010\/11)21:10\/11<1105::AID-SMJ133>3.0.CO;2-E"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b24","unstructured":"Enright, M. and Flowcs\u2010Williams, I. (2001), \u201cLocal partnership, clusters and SME globalization\u201d, Organisation for Economic Co\u2010operation and Development, Paris."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fafchamps, M. (2001), \u201cNetworks, communities and markets in Sub\u2010Saharan Africa: implications for firm growth and investment\u201d, Journal of African Economies, Vol. 10, pp. 109\u201042.","DOI":"10.1093\/jae\/10.Suppl2.109"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b26","unstructured":"Fahy, J. and Smithee, A. (1999), \u201cStrategic marketing and the resource\u2010based view of the firm\u201d, Academy of Marketing Science Review, Vol. 99 No. 10, available at: www.amsreview.org\/amsrev\/theory\/fahy10\u201099.html."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b27","unstructured":"Fukuyama, F. (1995), Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity, The Free Press, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gordon, I.R. and McCann, P. (2000), \u201cIndustrial clusters: complexes, agglomeration and\/or social networks?\u201d, Urban Studies, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 513\u201032.","DOI":"10.1080\/0042098002096"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gronroos, C. (1994), \u201cFrom marketing mix to relationship marketing\u201d, Management Decision, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 4\u201020.","DOI":"10.1108\/00251749410054774"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hudson\u2010Davis, R., Parker, C. and Byrom, J. (2002), \u201cTowards a healthy high street: developing mentoring schemes for smaller retailers\u201d, Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 34 No. 7, pp. 248\u201055.","DOI":"10.1108\/00197850210447237"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ionescu, D. (2005), \u201cSocial capital: a key ingredient for clusters in post\u2010Communist societies\u201d, Business Clusters, Promoting Enterprise in Central and Eastern Europe, Organisation for Economic Co\u2010operation and Development, Paris, pp. 9\u201041.","DOI":"10.1787\/9789264007116-4-en"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jap, S.D. (1999), \u201c\u2018Pie\u2010expansion\u2019 efforts: collaboration processes in buyer\u2010supplier relationships\u201d, Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 461\u201075.","DOI":"10.1177\/002224379903600405"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jerez\u2010Gomez, P., Cespedes\u2010Lorente, J. and Valle\u2010Cabrera, R. (2005), \u201cOrganizational learning capability: a proposal of measurement\u201d, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 58, pp. 715\u201025.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbusres.2003.11.002"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Luo, Y. (2002), \u201cBuilding trust in cross\u2010cultural collaborations: toward a contingency perspective\u201d, Journal of Management, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 669\u201094.","DOI":"10.1177\/014920630202800506"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McCormick, D. (1999), \u201cAfrican enterprise clusters and industrialization: theory and reality\u201d, World Development, Vol. 27 No. 9, pp. 1531\u201052.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0305-750X(99)00074-1"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Madhok, A. (1997), \u201cCost, value and for\u2010seeing market entry model: the transaction and the firm\u201d, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 18, pp. 39\u201061.","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0266(199701)18:1<39::AID-SMJ841>3.0.CO;2-J"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Medcof, J.W. (1997), \u201cWhy too many alliances end in divorce\u201d, Long Range Planning, Vol. 30 No. 5, pp. 718\u201032.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0024-6301(97)00050-2"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Merrett, F. (2006), \u201cReflections on the Hawthorne effect\u201d, Educational Psychology, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 143\u20106.","DOI":"10.1080\/01443410500341080"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Montana, J.P. and Nenide, B. (2008), \u201cThe evolution of regional industry clusters and their implications for sustainable economic development: two case illustrations\u201d, Economic Development Quarterly, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 290\u2010302.","DOI":"10.1177\/0891242408324084"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Murphy, J.T. (2006), \u201cBuilding trust in economic space\u201d, Progress in Human Geography, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 427\u201050.","DOI":"10.1191\/0309132506ph617oa"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Niu, K.\u2010H. (2010), \u201cOrganizational trust and knowledge obtaining in industrial clusters\u201d, Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 141\u201055.","DOI":"10.1108\/13673271011015624"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nooteboom, B. (1996), \u201cTrust, opportunism and governance: a process and control model\u201d, Organization Studies, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 985\u20101010.","DOI":"10.1177\/017084069601700605"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"O'Cass, A. (2001), \u201cConsumer self\u2010monitoring, materialism and involvement in fashion clothing\u201d, Australasian Marketing Journal, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 46\u201060.","DOI":"10.1016\/S1441-3582(01)70166-8"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b44","unstructured":"Organisation for Economic Co\u2010operation and Development (2001), Innovative Clusters. Drivers of National Innovative Systems, Enterprise, Industry and Services, Organisation for Economic Co\u2010operation and Development, Paris."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b45","unstructured":"Organisation for Economic Co\u2010operation and Development (2005), Business Clusters, Promoting Enterprise in Central and Eastern Europe, Organisation for Economic Co\u2010operation and Development, Paris."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b46","unstructured":"Persson, M., Sabanovic, A. and Wester, H. (2007), \u201cIs cluster theory in need of renewal? \u2013 Porter's diamond revised\u201d, Bachelor's thesis, Department of Business Studies, Kristianstad University, available at: www.essays.se\/essay\/ef726a54e9\/."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b48","unstructured":"Porter, M.E. (1998), \u201cClusters and the new economics of competition\u201d, Harvard Business Review, November\/December, pp. 77\u201090."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Porter, M.E. (2003), \u201cThe economic performance of regions\u201d, Regional Studies, Vol. 37 Nos 6\/7, pp. 549\u201078.","DOI":"10.1080\/0034340032000108688"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sin, L.Y.M., Tse, A., Oliver, H.M., Chow, R.P., Lee, J.S. and Lau, B.Y. (2005), \u201cRelationship marketing orientation: scale development and cross\u2010cultural validation\u201d, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 58, pp. 185\u201094.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0148-2963(02)00493-9"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b51","unstructured":"Solvell, O., Lindqvist, G. and Ketels, C. (2003), The Cluster Initiative Greenbook, Vinnova, Gothenburg."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b52","unstructured":"Storper, M. (1997), The Regional World: Territorial Development in a Global Economy, Guilford Press, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tallman, S., Jenkins, M., Henry, N. and Pinch, S. (2004), \u201cKnowledge, clusters, and competitive advantage\u201d, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 258\u201071.","DOI":"10.5465\/amr.2004.12736089"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Teece, D. (2007), \u201cExplicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and micro\u2010foundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance\u201d, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 28, pp. 1319\u201050.","DOI":"10.1002\/smj.640"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Teece, D.J., Pisano, G. and Shuen, A. (1997), \u201cDynamic capabilities and strategic management\u201d, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 18 No. 7, pp. 509\u201033.","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b56","unstructured":"United Nations Industrial Development Organization (2001), \u201cDevelopment of clusters and networks of SMEs\u201d, available at: www.unido.org\/fileadmin\/user_media\/Services\/PSD\/Clusters_and_Networks\/SMEbrochure_UNIDO.pdf (accessed September 30, 2011)."},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_b58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yusuf, S. (2008), \u201cCan clusters be made to order?\u201d, in Yusuf, S., Nabeshima, K. and Yamashita, S. (Eds), Growing Industrial Clusters in Asia: Serendipity and Science, The World Bank, Washington, DC.","DOI":"10.1596\/978-0-8213-7213-5"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_frg19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Day, G.S. (1995), \u201cAdvantageous alliances\u201d, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 297\u2010300.","DOI":"10.1177\/009207039502300409"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_frg47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Porter, M.E. (1990), Competitive Advantage of Nations, Macmillan, London.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-349-11336-1"},{"key":"key2022021919565418600_frg57","unstructured":"World Bank (2009), World Development Report, World Bank, Washington, DC."}],"container-title":["Journal of Knowledge Management"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emeraldinsight.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1108\/13673271311315178","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/13673271311315178\/full\/xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/13673271311315178\/full\/html","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,25]],"date-time":"2025-07-25T00:12:07Z","timestamp":1753402327000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emerald.com\/jkm\/article\/17\/2\/208-225\/261724"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2013,3,29]]},"references-count":58,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2013,3,29]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1108\/13673271311315178"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/13673271311315178","relation":{},"ISSN":["1367-3270"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1367-3270","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2013,3,29]]}}}