The networked innovation process, speed and performance within industrial clusters: An empirical study in China

As a particular spatial organizational form, the industrial cluster has exhibited extraordinary energy in the economic systems throughout the world nowadays and has attracted increasing attentions from both researchers and decision-makers in many fields. Nevertheless, many clusters in China are confronted with the problems of incomprehensive external networking, inefficient internal innovation process and shortage of technological innovation capability, all of which impede the cultivation of the innovative advantage of clusters. This paper focuses on the evolution of innovative networks of clusters and discusses the relationship between networking of innovation process, innovation speed and innovation performance within the industrial clusters in China. It selects 6 industrial clusters located in Eastern China and samples 112 member enterprises to investigate the innovation process and performance by questionnaires. Statistical analysis are proceeded on 76 enterprises from different industrial clusters in order to verify the impact of networking innovation on the speed and performance of innovation in industrial clusters.