Flexible Specialization The dynamics of small-scale industries in the South

About this book

Flexible Specialization discusses how the concept of flexible specialization and innovation networks could facilitate the development of small and medium enterprises in developing countries. The book concludes that the potential for development through small and intermediate enterprises exists in many cases, despite severe obstacles which have so far prevented development from taking place. Many groups of enterprises seem to be caught in a vicious circle of stagnation. The studies in this volume will assist entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators and small businessmen and women to find the means to escape from this situation. These essays are written by contributors from a variety of academic disciplines, and draw in actual experience from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Contents

Part 1 African cases: structural adjustment and the economy of small towns in Zimbabwe, Poul Ove Pedersen; gradual diffusion of flexible techniques in small and medium-size enterprise networks, Arni Sverrisson; new competition and flexible specialization in Indonesia and Burkina Faso, Meine Pieter van Dijk. Part 2 Asian experiences: lack of interaction between traders and producers in the Agra footwear cluster, Peter Knorringa; the impact of technological change on inter-firm lingkages - a case study of clustered rural small-scale roof tiles enterprises in central Java, Henry Sandee; trade networks for flexible rural industry, Hermine Weijland; weaving flexibility - large-small firm relations, flexibility and regional clusters in South Korea, Myung-Rae Cho. Part 3 Mexican manufacturers: industrial districts in Mexico - the case of the footwear industry on Guadalajara and Leon, Roberta Rabellotti; reflections on the present predicament of the Mexican garment industry, Fiona Wilson.

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