Clusters and Knowledge Management: Competing and Cooperating

The objective of this research was to show how clusters and communities of practice (CPs) generate knowledge, competitive advantages and create value by developing the intangible assets located within the different players of the cluster. A state of the art in knowledge management and CPs is also developed, and it is explained how knowledge and innovation are involved in the economic theories supporting these types of associations. The clusters and CPs from four countries were studied: the Research Triangle Park (RTP) of North Carolina (USA); the GAIA clusters in the Basque Country (Spain); the atomic sciences research cluster in Bariloche (Argentina), and the footwear cluster in Sinos River Valley (Brazil). A descriptive and qualitative research methodology with a case study was used, including surveys in each country’s cluster and CP members. The instrument used in the surveys consisted of four parts and 23 indicators built upon more dynamic variables and included dimensions of the intellectual capital model of knowledge management, which allowed measuring the results of the analysis in each cluster and determining how collective efficiency improved the clusters’ value chain. The empirical study was completed with an analysis of documents and interviews with experts. The findings show that RTP and GAIA are the most dynamic clusters in generating collective knowledge, followed by Bariloche. It was also found that CPs are structures that encourage socialization and trust. It is concluded that joint action in clusters improves intellectual capital and structural capital.