Learning and Agglomeration in Industrial Networks

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the nature and the dynamics of agglomeration forces inside specific network structures like industrial districts. Firms seem to be attracted in these locations by the opportunity of exploiting the advantages of an inter-firm coordinating structure. This structure enables them to share the cumulated know-how available in a district. This is the real and inner agglomerating force. An original feature rises in correspondence of it: it is not so evident that a district, which has an initial advantage (in knowledge) over the others, will keep that advantage and be always the most attractive one.