The Researches On Endogenous Advantages Of Clusters Of Medium-sized And Small Enterprises

Since 1960s, the average scale of enterprises hi many countries has been cutting down, as a result, the role of medium-sized and small enterprises has been getting more and more important. In the world, the medium-sized and small enterprises are characterized by clustering together. This kind of cluster is not only in the sense of space distribution, but also hi the sense of internal connection between the medium-sized and small enterprises. However, related researches are mainly confined to individual-enterprise-analysis and more attention has been given to the effect of exogenous factors instead of the inter-firm linkages and the natural law of the development of clusters.For that reason, this thesis probes into the endogenous advantages of clusters of medium-sized and small enterprises from the angle of inter-firm linkage and analyzes the mechanism by which it promotes the development of regional economy.In this thesis there are five chapters. In the first chapter, based on the relevant researches home and abroad, the author roughly defines the clusters of medium-sized and small enterprises. In the second chapter, the author analyzes the endogenous advantages of clusters of medium-sized and small enterprises in three aspects as follow: informal institution, innovation, agglomeration. And he also analyzes the law of their development. In the third chapter, from the dimension of the clusters' effect on the industrial surroundings, influence on the industrial structure and application to industry policy, the author delves into their effect on the regional economy. In the fourth chapter the author applies the method of positive analysis to probe into the two typical cases in Italy and in Zhejiang province in China. In the fifth chapter, on the basis of studies above, the author draws his own conclusion and poses some measures for the growth of clusters of medium-sized and small enterprises.By the theoretical and positive analysis, it arrives at such conclusions as: (1) The dynamics of clusters of medium-sized and small enterprises arise fromendogenous advantages, which are mainly caused by division of labor, informal institution, innovation, and agglomeration;(2) And these advantages have great external effect, that is, great impetus to the development of regional economy;(3) Therefore, it should be an important way for local government to develop special industries and improve competitive advantage through fostering clusters of medium-sized and small enterprises.