Strategic Regional Advantage: Role of Regions in Emergence and Sustenance of Firms and Industries

Geography matters and there are striking differences across regions in the nature and extent of economic activity. While the field of strategic management has been primarily interested in differences in firm profitability and often emphasized on internal drivers of firm competitive advantage such as resources, capabilities, and routines, it is notable that geography has played a pivotal role in the rise of entire industries. In this symposium, we have five papers drawn from various regions namely Milan, Bangalore, Tel Aviv, Detroit, and the various states within the United States. Given their spread across continents, they naturally bring out regional variations to the fore. In addition, given that the papers focus on fashion, software, food, auto, and high tech, the symposium shall also provide an opportunity to scholars to understand and appreciate various nuances in agglomeration studies set in heterogeneous industries and settings, increasing the potential for raising newer and interesting questions within and across the streams of strategy, international business, and entrepreneurship. Why did Milan emerge as the hub of the Italian Fashion Industry? Author: Sandeep Pillai; Department of Management and Technology, Bocconi U. Bangalore as the Software Capital: Dynamic Location Choices Among Domestic Start-Ups. Author: Anna Lamin; Northeastern U. The emergence of Tel Aviv as the Vegan Capital: The Role of Social Movements. Author: Sonal Nayak; Doctoral Student at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Detroit’s emergence as the hub of the early American automobile industry: Was there too little entry Author: Aneesh Datar; NEOMA Business School Economic Downturns and Exploration: New Technological Trajectories in Regions. Author: Amit Kumar; Warwick Business School