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Innovation policy and strategic value for building a cross-border cluster in Denmark and Sweden

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Abstract

In a knowledge-based economy, the role of regions is regarded as very significant for creating and dispersing knowledge. Particularly, geographical clusters of firms in a single sub-national region and cross-border regions may contribute to transmitting certain kinds of knowledge between and among firms. In addition, markets prefer to favor specialized firms with a coherent body of knowledge when knowledge creation and the use of new knowledge become increasingly important for maintaining and improving a firm’s competitiveness. This means that regional policy makers may not interfere directly with markets and firms when the process of globalization pushes national economies into a world of learning and innovation because the institutional framework for market exchange favors knowledge exchange in a globalizing economic system. This paper argues how a cross-border cluster in the Öresund region between Denmark and Sweden has been created, and which strategies it focuses on in order to strengthen its competitiveness and to generate a further development that aims to become a global innovative cluster. Moreover, it discuses whether the Nordic cross-border cluster, the Medicon Valley is a unique approach in the EU context or not. Finally, it argues how it has created technology innovation as well as contributed to the regional economic growth.

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Notes

  1. Malmö is located only in 25 km away from Copenhagen. Therefore, it is easier for Malmo to cooperate with the Danish side than to cooperate with the Swedish side particularly in Stockholm.

  2. Astra Zeneca has been merged by Swedish Astra and British Zeneca, while Pharmacia Upjohn was merged by Swedish Pharmacia and American Upjohn in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Knowledge Based Technology and Energy, Korea Polytechnic University, Siheung-City, Korea

    Sang-Chul Park

  2. School of Business, Economics and Law, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden

    Sang-Chul Park

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Park, SC. Innovation policy and strategic value for building a cross-border cluster in Denmark and Sweden. AI & Soc 29, 363–375 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-013-0460-4

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