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Abstract - Quest for Global Competitiveness - Universidad de Puerto ...

Abstract - Quest for Global Competitiveness - Universidad de Puerto ...

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social network mo<strong>de</strong>l has been viewed as largely applicable to particular observations ofspatial industrial clustering in Northern Italy, Cali<strong>for</strong>nia and Massachusetts (Scott, 1988;Rogers & Larsen, 1984; Saxenian, 2005).METHODSMethodologyAn exploratory approach was adopted <strong>for</strong> building a theory using Glaser and Strauss's(1967) groun<strong>de</strong>d theory framework. This research approach involves the simultaneouscollection, analysis, and interpretation of data. We used semi-structured interviews as theprincipal means of data collection, asking open en<strong>de</strong>d questions and encouraging respon<strong>de</strong>ntsto narrate experiences rather than utilizing a rigid protocol. The process we employed, in linewith the recommendations of Glaser and Strauss (1967) was reflexive and iterative, requiringmovement between data, literature and theory.This method is “an inductive approach to the study of social life that attempts togenerate a theory from the constant comparing of unfolding observations” (Babbie, 2007) −one that stresses rigorous research procedures. Key characteristics of groun<strong>de</strong>d theory aretheoretical sampling and constant comparison. Rather than <strong>de</strong>fining our sample a priori, itssize and composition evolved, as recommen<strong>de</strong>d by Strauss & Corbin (1998), over the courseof simultaneous data collection and analysis.SampleOur research compared and contrasted two bioscience clusters: a <strong>de</strong>velopedbiomedical cluster in Northeast Ohio, and an emergent biotechnical cluster in <strong>Puerto</strong> Rico.Twenty two practitioners ─ nineteen males and three females aged 35 to 63 ─frombiotechnology “anchor” firms, research and <strong>de</strong>velopment institutions, local public policy11

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