Title: The emergence of a competitiveness cluster: from embeddedness to ambidexterity

Authors: Karim Messeghem; Agnès Paradas

Addresses: University of Montpellier, UFR AES – Labex Entreprendre, Avenue Raymond Dugrand, CS 59640, 34960 Montpellier Cedex 2, France ' University of Avignon, UAPV DEG Case 20, 74 rue Louis Pasteur, 84029 Avignon Cedex 1, France; University of Montpellier, LabEx Entreprendre, Université Montpellier 1, UFR AES – Avenue Raymond Dugrand, CS 59640 – 34960 Montpellier Cedex 2, France

Abstract: This study explores the emergence process of a competitiveness cluster. It shows how the new structure builds its legitimacy and succeeds in engaging the dynamics of embeddedness as a source of innovation. An empirical study was carried out on the fruit and vegetable innovation cluster. The results indicate that the cluster succeeds in combining various forms of innovation logic. In this sense, it can be qualified as an ambidextrous cluster.

Keywords: competitiveness clusters; embeddedness; legitimacy; innovation; networks; ambidexterity; fruit and vegetable clusters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2015.067873

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2015 Vol.7 No.1, pp.65 - 83

Received: 29 Jan 2013
Accepted: 05 Nov 2013

Published online: 08 Mar 2015 *

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