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  • Summer 2020
  • Article
  • Journal of Economic Perspectives

Tech Clusters

By: William R. Kerr and Frederic Robert-Nicoud
  • Format:Print
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Abstract

Tech clusters like Silicon Valley play a central role for modern innovation, business competitiveness, and economic performance. This paper reviews what constitutes a tech cluster, how they function internally, and the degree to which policy makers can purposefully foster them. We describe the growing influence of advanced technologies for businesses outside of traditional tech fields, the strains and backlash that tech clusters are experiencing, and emerging research questions for theory and empirical work.

Keywords

Clusters; Agglomeration; Innovation; Industry Clusters; Innovation and Invention; Entrepreneurship; Patents

Citation

Kerr, William R., and Frederic Robert-Nicoud. "Tech Clusters." Journal of Economic Perspectives 34, no. 3 (Summer 2020): 50–76.
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About The Author

William R. Kerr

Entrepreneurial Management
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More from the Authors
  • Migration Fear and Minority Crowd-Funding Success: Evidence from Kickstarter By: John (Jianqui) Bai, William R. Kerr, Chi Wan and Alptug Yorulmaz
  • Clay Ridge Capital By: Martin A. Sinozich and William R. Kerr
  • ELCA's Series A By: Anke Becker, Ray Kluender and William R. Kerr
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