Regional Clusters in a Global Industry : The Development of the ICT Industry in Canada Matthew Lucas & Anita Sands Vancouver, May 2004
ISRN Project: Phase III Compare clusters across industries and regions. Identify key factors in the creation and growth of clusters. Recommend policy initiatives and management strategies to support cluster development.
ICT Case Studies 1.Ottawa – Tyler Chamberline & John de la Moth 2.Calgary (Wireless) – Cooper Langford 3.Quebec (Photonics ) – Réjean Landry 4.Waterloo – David Wolfe 5.New Brunswick – Charles Davis & Norm Schaefer 6.Cape Breton – Harvey Johnstone & Rod Haddow
Paper – Core Questions What do these case studies tell us about ICT cluster development in Canada? What lessons can we learn about how to assist cluster development?
Integrative Paper Outline 1.Introduction 2.ICT Industry Description/Definition 3.Theoretical Framework 4.Factors in Cluster Formation 5.Present Conditions & Constraints 6.Implications for Public Policy 7.Conclusion
ICT Employment (2000)
Factors in Cluster Formation Ottawa 1.Research infrastructure 2.Anchor firm 3.Gov efforts to attract MNCs 4.Intentional linkage building Calgary 1.Local market demands for wireless technology 2.Anchor firm
Factors in Cluster Formation Quebec 1.R&D & training institutes 2.Strong record of start-up firms 3.Ongoing links between Research Inst & Industry Waterloo 1.Historic Industrial Strengths 2.Strong Institutional Linkages 3.Strong educational - research Institutions 4.Labour Pool
Factors in Cluster Formation New Brunswick 1.Upgrading of local ICT capabilities & infrastructure 2.Strategic public- private partnership 3.Anchor firm 4.Low labour costs Cape Breton 1.Government intervention 2.Low labour costs & low cost of doing business
Cluster Formation: Conclusions 1.There are a variety of triggers. 2.Triggers may be intentional or unintentional. 3.Clusters often build on existing strengths. 4.Local markets may be important. 5.Strong public/private linkages 6.Research institutes can be drivers, but often play a supporting role.
Present Conditions & Constraints on Growth 1.Labour/Talent 2.Local Knowledge Base 3.Commercializing Activities 4.Firm Formation & Growth 5.Financing
Present Conditions & Constraints on Growth 6.Industry Diversity 7.Local Institutional Linkages 8.Non-local Institutional Linkages 9.Business Expertise 10.Public Policy
Public Policy Considerations 1.Create & Attract Talent Labour Force 2.Gov: Facilitate, Enable, Compliment 3.Support Educational Institutions 4.Develop Knowledge Base – R&D 5.Foster Anchor Institutions 6.Create Institutional Linkages
Emergent Themes Local v. Non Local Private v. Public Sector Roles