Vancouver: Globalizing Technology-Intensive Knowledge Clusters

The studies carried out by the Innovation Systems Research Network in Canada, have demonstrated that there are substantial regional differences across the country in the development and management of technology-based industries. While Vancouver has a substantial research community, it has no real manufacturing base to use the intellectual property developed. Its history, geography and high cost of labour all mitigate against conventional models of high-tech manufacturing driven by research and development. Thus the region’s real output, in high technology industries, is intellectual property. These industries and technology-based services, retain a competitive position in global markets, due to the stickiness of its labour market and its pivotal position on the Pacific Rim.

The presentation will discuss a number of cases, which include not only industrial clusters that develop and use advanced technologies, but clusters such as the motion picture industry that require high levels of technical skills but which are not usually thought of as being knowledge-intensive.

 While Vancouver’s situation is not unique, it does differ markedly from the conventional innovation systems models based on the innovation systems models developed in eastern North America and Europe. The consequence of this is that national, provincial and local policy makers need to understand these differences, and devise policies and programs that support and enhance Vancouver’s knowledge-based industries. Some policies may fall into the conventional ambit of high-tech industrial promotion, but others will be unique, reflecting more on Vancouver’s competitive “space” for innovation and its ability to attract talent and human capital.