An Exploratory Study of Clusters, Knowledge Exchange and the Climate Change Issue

Abstract

This paper discusses an exploratory study of the climate change issue in the Tasmanian wine cluster. Following cluster theory, we predict knowledge exchange about climate change is widespread in clusters and, further, that it is more widespread within sub-clusters than between them. Finally, we posit that component knowledge about climate change is exchanged more readily than architectural knowledge. Using network analysis and a quantitative approach, all three hypotheses, surprisingly, are rejected. A discussion of the findings and their implications is presented along with future research directions.