Markusen’s Typology with a “European” Twist, the Examples of the French Aerospace Valley Cluster and the Andalucia Aerospace Cluster

Abstract

The phenomenon of firms grouping together has been extensively researched and is commonly known as industrial clusters. There are various ways to categorize these clusters, and in this paper, we adopt Markusen’s classification, which identifies four distinct types of industrial districts: the Marshallian/Italianate type, the hub-and-spoke type, the satellite industrial platforms, and the state-anchored clusters. Adding to Markusen’s typology, we will also try to delineate these two clusters’ “European Aspects”. We will examine if they have developed any “inter-European” synergy/ies with other entities (clusters, companies, E.U. institutions, etc.) of the E.U. ecosystem. The creation of such synergies includes the creation of technology innovation and interpersonal networks to serve as conduits for the diffusion of knowledge and exchange of information, the development of innovation initiatives between the entities of the technological ecosystem of the E.U. defense industry, and the creation of tangible “knowledge links”. The aim of this study is to investigate which of the four types of industrial clusters described by Markusen the French Aerospace Valley cluster of the Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine regions and the Andalucia Aerospace cluster belong to.