Research on Knowledge Sharing Behavior in Hub-and-spoke Industrial Cluster Based on Evolutionary Game Theory

Hub-and-spoke industrial cluster refers to the collaborative enterprises network consisted of leader firms and small and medium enterprises based on specialization division. Owing to strong ties and vertical division, hub-and-spoke clusters have advantage on cooperative innovation, knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. Our aim is to propose an analytical framework on the knowledge sharing behavior in hub-and-spoke industrial clusters based on evolutionary game theory. Firstly, this paper establishes an evolutionary game model of knowledge sharing behavior of clustering firms. Secondly, it analyzes how the evolution and the evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) are influenced by the characteristics and the network structure of hub-and-spoke industrial clusters. Finally, this paper focuses on factors affecting the choice of knowledge sharing strategy in hub-and-spoke industrial clusters, such as: absorptive capabilities, knowledge gaps, organizational distance, uncertainy, trust and so on.