Engineering Networks: University-Industry Networks in Southern Ontario Automotive Industry Clusters

Posted: 17 Mar 2009

Date Written: July 2008

Abstract

In this paper we examine relationships between university engineering programmes at the Universities of Waterloo and Windsor and the automobile industry in Southern Ontario which reflect TNC strategies and state innovation policies which place greater emphasis on universities developing networks with automotive manufacturers. We argue firstly that there are tensions within the academy as university based researcher becomes more applied and as issues of intellectual property (IP) rights ownership arise. Secondly knowledge flows are principally directed towards OEM global pipelines and to a much less extent to the regional clusters of small and medium sized (SME) producers. We conclude by considering the implications of intensifying networks between universities and OEMs in Southern Ontario on innovation and cluster policy.

Keywords: Innovation, universities, automobile industry

JEL Classification: D210, D230

Suggested Citation

Rutherford, Tod and Holmes, John, Engineering Networks: University-Industry Networks in Southern Ontario Automotive Industry Clusters (July 2008). Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 1, Issue 2, pp. 247-264, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1361415 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsn001

Tod Rutherford (Contact Author)

Syracuse University ( email )

900 S. Crouse Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2130
United States

John Holmes

Queen's University ( email )

Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6
Canada

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