Social Dynamics of Economic Performance: Innovation and Creativity in City-Regions

1. Meric S. Gertler University of Toronto ISRN Eighth Annual Meeting Kingbridge Centre King City May 4, 2006 Social Dynamics of Economic Performance: Innovation and Creativity in City-Regions

2. From Clusters to City-Regions:Primary Research Question How do local social characteristics and processes in city-regions shape their economic vitality and dynamism as centres of innovation and creativity?

3. 3 Dimensions • Social learning dynamics & knowledge flows between economic actors • Social dimensions of talent attraction and retention (quality of place, including diversity, openness, inclusion) • Social nature of civic engagement and governance processes

4. Theme I: Social Dynamics of Innovation • Primary H: the economic and creativity performance (ECP) of city-regions depends on • Strength of local knowledge circulation within clusters • Strength of local knowledge circulation between clusters (local knowledge diversity) • Strength of knowledge-based linkages between local and non-local actors (geographical knowledge diversity)

5. Theme I: Quantitative Analysis • Use Indicators database to explore relationship between ECP and • Diversity of internal economic structure • Relative strength of local K linkages • Relative strength of external K linkages • [K in disembodied and embodied forms] • Use StatCan (SIEID) innovation survey data for similar analysis

6. Theme I: Qualitative Analysis • Structured interviews with: • Managers, entrepreneurs • Economic development organizations • Educational/research organizations • Deeper understanding of processes by which K is circulated • Mobility of skilled workers, managers, entrepreneurs • Role of economic diversity, mix • Alternative ways of organizing production (e.g. projects) • Formal and informal modes of interaction

7. Theme I: Network Analysis? • H: ECP of city-regions depends on structure (density, diversity) of local networks (strong/weak ties; local/non-local ties; heterogeneity/diversity of actors belonging to networks) • Objectives: • Compare strength, structure of social network ties w/in and b/w local industry clusters • Identify key actors who link multiple clusters within the city-region • Identify, understand role played by key intermediary organizations: local tech associations, research alliances, chamber of commerce, social service agencies, unions • Link network structure, diversity to ECP? • Challenge: • how to characterize social networks in LARGE cities? • qualitative alternatives to quantitative (SNA) approach?

8. Theme II: Social Foundations of Talent Attraction and Retention • Primary H: ECP of city-regions depends on quality of place characteristics: • Cultural dynamism • Social diversity • Openness/tolerance • Social inclusion/cohesion

9. Theme II: Quantitative Analysis • Use Indicators database to explore relationship between ECP and QoP, with some new wrinkles: • Measures of social inclusion/exclusion • New measures of diversity (beyond foreign-born) • Large vs. mid-size, smaller urban centres? • Objectives: • Is it possible to pursue a talent-based ED strategy while enhancing social inclusion? • Do ‘big city’ relationships hold in S, M cities?

10. Theme II: Qualitative Analysis • Structured interviews with: • creative &/or highly educated workers • employers of creative &/or highly educated workers • intermediary organizations • Objectives: • to substantiate, deepen quantitative analysis (impact of key local social characteristics on talent A&R) • explore motivations of creative &/or highly educated workers, their employers • identify institutions, policies, practices that facilitate/discourage integration of talented newcomers, enable full participation by socially disadvantaged

11. Theme III: Inclusive Communities and Civic Engagement • Primary H: ECP of city-regions depends on: • Their ability to generate effective new forms of associative governance, collaborative leadership • Social inclusiveness of new governance forms

12. Theme III: Qualitative Analysis • Structured interviews with: • Civic leaders (in business, government, CBOs) • Reps of key minority groups, socially disadvantaged • Employers in K-intensive, creative industries • Objectives: • To determine effectiveness of local governance mechanisms in promoting economic success of the city-region • To document degree of openness of governance structures to newcomers, outsiders • Identify factors that differentiate between ‘successful’ and ‘less successful’ city-regions

13. Methodology • Quantitative: cluster/city-region database (140 CMAs and CAs in Canada) • Qualitative: 15 project study city-regions • Minimum number of interviews (target): • 25 per theme per city-region

14. Project Study City-Regions

15. Strategy for selecting K-intensive, creative sectors: 4-step plan • Identify sectors with LQ>>1 (employment, estab) • Co-specialization patterns? (identify parallel specializations; compare to national cluster models; judgement) • Identify sectors with high K-intensity, creativity-intensity • % K occupations, % creative occupations • % high educational attainment • Identify fast-growing sectors • employment, establishment data (new firm formation)

16. Project Milestones • SSHRC requires us to specify these for each co-investigator • Typical forms: • # interviews completed • Papers presented, published • Events (e.g. local conferences)

17. Contracts • Individual agreements between project directors and each co-investigator • Specify milestones for each project study on a quarterly basis • Subsequent instalments of $ depend on adherence to milestones (with appropriate allowances for ‘surprises’, unforeseen circumstances)

18. Questions?