The management of knowledge and the learning process in smes clusters: a study case

Résumé 0

"Learning is a process of production and appropriation of knowledge that occurs in interaction with others. In this interaction, several studies consider the critical role developed by territory. However, the mere proximity and complementariness in the value chain is not sufficient for associativity among smes: the involvement of other actors (government, universities, institutions, chambers, among other) is also required. The process of interaction between them led to the development of different concepts: innovation systems, industrial districts and clusters. This paper presents guidelines and results of an investigation carried out in a metallurgical cluster integrated by ten smes in the Olavarría Partido in Argentina. The enquiring is focused on the processes of knowledge management in the cluster. Through an exhaustive review of the literature concerning the concepts of organizational learning and clusters, we designed a methodology analyzing the learning ability of the group."