Information and knowledge flows for innovation in the local productive arrangements of coutures in salvador, ba

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research project focused on information flow and knowledge transfer of a wide range of interactions within an enterprise network structure. The social networks analysis method was then applied to identify the structural proprieties of the enterprises belonging to a local productive arrangement of couture in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. To carry on this research, it has been taken into account either information and knowledge flows related to a variety of actions seeking to improve its competitiveness either collectively or individually in that particular enterprise network. The overall outcome of this survey gives a clear picture of the effectiveness of those interactions as far as the competitiveness goal is concern. The outcome of this work has pointed out some indicators that can be used to describe the interactions intensity as well as the level of cooperation among the firms belonging to the productive arrangement. The main contribution of this work consists of a structural diagnostic of the local productive arragement of couture in Salvador.