Knowledge transfer within clusters : the catalyst role of private collective support structures

International audienceIn a context of market globalization leading firms to focus on their core competences, companies need to increasingly cooperate with other firms to innovate and rejuvenate their resources. Based on an exploratory case study, this research aims at understanding the dynamics leading firms in the same pole of competitiveness to share their knowledge and know-how so as to commonly develop innovative solutions. It analyzes in particular the roles of local governance in this cooperation and knowledge transfer. It concludes on the role of private associations structured in epistemic communities in territorial animation.