Hierarchical Clusters: Emergence and Success of the Automotive Districts of Barcelona and São Paulo

This article analyzes the causes for the long-term success of the Barcelona (Spain) and São Paulo (Brazil) automobile industry clusters. Comparative evidence suggests that both clusters emerged in the early twentieth century through the formation of Marshallian external economies. Nevertheless, neit...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Catalán, Jordi, Fernández-de-Sevilla, Tomàs
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/169216
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/169216
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Creixement econòmic
Industrialització
Indústria auxiliar d'automoció
Barcelona (Catalunya)
São Paulo (Brasil)
Economic growth
Industrialization
Automobile supplies industry
Barcelona (Catalonia)
São Paulo (Brazil)
Descripción
Sumario:This article analyzes the causes for the long-term success of the Barcelona (Spain) and São Paulo (Brazil) automobile industry clusters. Comparative evidence suggests that both clusters emerged in the early twentieth century through the formation of Marshallian external economies. Nevertheless, neither Barcelona nor São Paulo reached mass automobile production before 1950. The consolidation of the clusters required the adoption of strategic industrial policy during the golden age of capitalism. This policy succeeded in encouraging a few hub firms to undertake mass production by using domestic parts. The strategic policy also favored these leading corporations transferring their technical, organizational, and distribution capabilities, which in turn amplified the advantages of the clusters. Local institutions did not make a significant contribution.