Glocal: The Influence of Global Knowledge Networks and Local Cluster Characteristics on the Innovation Performance of Photovoltaics Clusters

The innovation output of the photovoltaics (PV) sector has rapidly expanded during recent decades thanks tothe overall increase of investment in sustainable energy production and storage. This research provides insightinto the development o f t he PV sector during the 2006-2010 period at the global and cluster level based onbibliometric data sources (patents and scientific publications). Using a novel cluster identification method, 56photovoltaic clusters are identified around the world and bibliometric innovation and knowledge networkindicators are extracted for each of the clusters. These indicators ore based on, or adopted from, the existingliterature. These indicators make it possible to quantitatively explore a number of current theories aboutagglomeration, spatial and relational proximity. The results and analysis suggest that agglomeration effectsand the diversity of patent co-invention and co-assignment networks hove a positive influence on clusterinnovation performance. Small clusters appear to ploy a more active role in knowledge networks relative totheir size; inter-cluster networking may therefore be a way to overcome the lock of agglomeration advantagesof clusters. An in-depth analysis of six clusters, including their main innovation producers and the inter-clusterknowledge network, provide further insight into the diversity of individual cluster structures and networks.Jelcodes:031,