Evolutionary cycles and dimensions of change. A longitudinal and extensive study of Castel Goffredo industrial district

Abstract

Given the increasing recognition that clusters are essentially the results of an historical and path-dependent process, scholars have developed various conceptual frameworks of evolutionary cycle for their analysis. However, although appealing, such concepts need further empirical research, which should be either able to refine their theoretical bases and prove further their explanatory power. The present work is therefore an investigation of the hosieries industrial district of Castel Goffedo, conducted through a longitudinal perspective as well as an extensive use of different data sources. After having outlined the type of evolutionary cycle and development in stages followed by the cluster we also focussed on the different dimensions of change. The study attempts therefore to give a dynamic explanation of the causes which brought the district toward its recent crisis.