Learning objectives
a. Knowledge acquisition: the student will acquire knowledge on the interpretative models that are used to evaluate the transformations of industrial clusters and industrial districts in response to globalization.
b. Ability to apply knowledge: the student will learn how to interpret the theoretical models aimed at describing the interactions between clusters/industrial districts and the different global actors. In addition, the student will learn how to identify and interpret the main centrifugal and centripetal forces associated with the globalization process.
c. Autonomy of judgment: the student will learn how to apply the interpretative frameworks to explain the transformation of industrial clusters and industrial districts in a global context.
d. Communication skills: at the end of the course, the student will acquire a wide range of skills related to problem solving, interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate the topics covered in class to different types of audience.
e. Ability to Learn: the student will benefit from a combination of individual study and classroom learning, using case studies on specific industrial clusters/industrial districts.
Prerequisites
No.
Course unit content
This course aims to explain how industrial clusters and industrial districts are being reshaped by the globalization process. This course is divided into two main parts: the first part aims to introduce the conceptual framework used to classify industrial clusters and industrial districts, illustrating the main similarities and the main differences between the two concepts. In the second part of the course, the focus moves to the main transformations occurred within industrial clusters and industrial districts in response to the globalization process. The discussion will be centered around the main centrifugal and centripetal forces that are reshaping the boundaries of the two local economic systems.
Full programme
The first part of the course covers the following topics:
1) Definition of industrial cluster and industrial district and similarities and differences between the two concepts;
2) Factors and mechanisms explaining the emergence of an industrial cluster/industrial district;
3) Subcontracting relationships and shock transmission mechanisms within industrial clusters and industrial districts.
The second part of the course covers the following topics:
1) the transition from local to global production systems;
2) internationalization activities and their effects on industrial clusters and industrial districts;
3) active internationalization: outward Foreign Direct Investment and offshore outsourcing;
4) passive internationalization: immigrant entrepreneurs and foreign Multinational Enterprises.
Bibliography
Reference readings will be uploaded on a weekly basis on Elly.
Teaching methods
Acquisition of knowledge: lectures.
Acquisition of the ability to apply knowledge: examples.
Acquisition of autonomy of judgment: guest lectures and classroom discussions.
Acquisition of learning skills: presentation of case studies in class.
Acquisition of technical language: the meaning of commonly used terms will be explained.
The teaching material will be enriched with video recordings of the lessons that will be made available on the Elly page of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
The learning process will be tested with a written exam. The exam questions will cover the course material discussed during the lectures.
Knowledge acquisition will be assessed through:
- open questions, aimed at assessing the knowledge of the main topics and the ability to critically discuss the material presented during the course;
- multiple choice questions designed to test the knowledge of the main topics illustrated during the course. The results of the exams will be communicated through the Esse3 platform.
Any further information will be provided at the beginning of the course through the Elly platform.
Other information
No.
