112 International Journal of Information Technology Project Management, 4(4), 112-114, October-December 2013
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Comparing High Technology
Firms in Developed and
Developing Countries:
Cluster Growth Initiatives
Reviewed by Adedeji Badiru, Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH, USA
Comparing High Technology Firms in Devel-
oped and Developing Countries: Cluster
Growth Initiatives
Tomas Gabriel Bas and Jingyuan Zhao
© 2012 by IGI Global
286pp.
$180.00
ISBN: 978-1466-616-46-2
Technology is the cornerstone of national de-
velopment. The presence and wide-spread use
of high technology marks the distinguishing
characteristics between developed and devel-
oping countries. It is, thus, important to have a
comparative analysis of high technology firms in
developed and developing countries. This edited
book does exactly that. The editors assembled
a wide array of world-renowned experts, who
provided a wide coverage of various topics deal-
ing with high technology. The 16 chapters of the
book cover 286 pages. The diversity of views
and techniques presented in the book contribute
to the intended theme of the book. Chapter 1
presents dynamic competitive geographic clus-
ters in the generation of innovative capabilities.
The chapter reiterates the theory of the “Triple
Helix” which, in terms of industrial policy,
denotes the three-way relationship between
government, industry and researchers. Such a
tripartite alliance does drive innovation to create
a comparative basis among firms. The chapter
also talks about the importance of innovation
for development and growth. In this respect, the
chapter emphasizes the “Theory of Economic
Development” as a distinguishing characteristic
of regional development. Chapter 2 addresses
the issue of “innovation by imitation” in the
sense that benchmarking and emulation can
provide the impetus for self-directed innovation
in regional development competition. Citing
a 1993 publication, the author’s list seven
contingencies through which public-policy
lessons can be drawn. These include, unique-
ness, resources, institutions, complexity, scale
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