Top-down and bottom-up legitimization of emerging industries. Evidence from two Italian Mechatronics clusters

Forrer, Valentina; Plechero, Monica; Rossi, Alessandro; Santini, Erica

Abstract

The paper investigates legitimization of emerging industries in traditional manufacturing areas by focussing on two inner structures: the cognitive and institutional structure. These structures and their interplay inform about the heterogeneity of routes and capabilities to enter legitimization trajectories. We compare two mechatronics clusters, both located in the North-East Italian area, namely in the provinces of Vicenza and Trento. The cases reveal how the evolution and legitimation of emerging industries might surface from bottom-up dynamics related to the technological upgrading of local historical industrial specializations, and from top-down institutional strategies, when the business community remains fragmented.

Citation

Forrer, V., Plechero, M., Rossi, A., & Santini, E. (2022). Top-down and bottom-up legitimization of emerging industries. Evidence from two Italian Mechatronics clusters. Regional Studies, 56(4), 656-667. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2021.1962839

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 8, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2025
• Print ISSN: 0034-3404
• Electronic ISSN: 1360-0591
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 656-667
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2021.1962839
• Keywords: mechatronics; emerging industry; cognitive structure; legitimization trajectories; clusters; institutions
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/48352612
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00343404.2021.1962839