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This paper explains the effects originated by the massive entrance of foreign capital in the ceramic tile district of Castellon (Spain). Cross-fertilizing multinational acquisitions and industrial districts' literature, and using mix-methods on a focal case study, our article explores the effects that those multinationals have on districts, and whether the type of multinationals (financially-oriented vs industrial) presents different impacts on a focal industrial district. Our results point out that the massive entrance of foreign capital alters the local system. Overall, positive perceived attitudes are evidenced, along with negative attitudes associated with potential risks of lack of local-embedded ownership and the reduction of local cooperative ties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse whether regionally embedded or firm-level capabilities drive regional diversification in industrial districts, examining the relationship between relatedness and Marshallian agglomerations. We argue that regional diversification lacks an explicit mechanism to explain branching into new products, positing that the origin of regional product branching is based on firm-level heterogeneity of capabilities and diversification, which is overlooked. Using mixed methods and patent analysis (1895–2019; 3592 patents and utility models), product diversification in the Toy Valley district in Alicante (Spain) is analysed, showing that firm-level related diversification with extensive local search explains the mechanism of the regional relatedness diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positioned in the study of firm heterogeneity in industrial districts (IDs), this study analyses how mergers and acquisitions (M&A) differ between local and non-local acquirers, impacting district evolution. Focusing on the Castellon ceramic tile district transformation, from acquisitions over 2012–2022, M&A and their implication for the local district are discussed, cross-fertilizing strategy and IDs literatures. Findings, from using mixed-methods, reveal that in IDs, the M&A process remarkably differs between local and non-local firms. While local firms tend to specialize in the related focal business, targeting local acquisitions to achieve internal synergies from a better valuation and integration of acquisitions, foreign firms seek access to tacit knowledge through relational and network synergies through diversification. Effects on the territory from M&A are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry 4.0 threatens established lock-in paradigms in some districts. In this study, we compare different innovation policies aimed at facilitating Industry 4.0 awareness and its adoption in three Marshallian Industrial Districts (MIDs), asking: 'What' types of innovation policies work for Industry 4.0 in industrial districts? And, where they do, 'how' are those innovation initiatives designed, developed and implemented for digitizing districts? Using qualitative evidence based on 24 interviews and the review of existing literature concerning Industry 4.0 in three MIDs, results show different mechanisms and approaches for creating awareness and maximizing the diffusion of Industry 4.0 in each district, as a result of each local 'cognitive structure'. One size-fits-all policies are not realistic for digitization: collective actors leading place-based collective actions that are bottom-up and co-designed with public and private local actors is what works best. For policymakers, this study presents guidance for developing Industry 4.0 in MID settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]