• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.65-91
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• 2016

Although the success of industrial clusters largely depends on whether clustering firms can achieve economic performance, there has been less attention on investigating factors and conditions contributing to the performance enhancement for clustering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Along this vein, we adopt the theories of social capital and organizational learning as those success factors for clustering SMEs. This study thus aims at examining what effect social capital accrued in the relationships among actors within clusters has on firm performance of clustering SMEs and what role organizational learning plays in the linkage between social capital and firm performance. For the empirical analysis, we operationalized the variables and their measures to develop questionnaires through the theoretical reviews on literatures. As a sample of 227 clustering SMEs, our collected data was analyzed by hierarchical regression analysis. The results confirmed that a high level of social capital, represented by network, trust, and norm, has positive effect on firm performance of clustering SMEs. We also found that clustering firms presenting high organizational learning, represented by absorptive and transformative capability, achieve better performance than those placing less value on organizational learning. Furthermore the significant relationship between social capital and firm performance is mediated partially through organizational learning. These findings imply not only that the territorial agglomeration of industrial cluster does not guarantee the performance creation of clustering SMEs but that they need to develop social capital among various actors within clusters, facilitating their knowledge diffusion. In order to absorb and mobilize the shared knowledge and information into strategic resources, the firms should improve their capability associated with organizational learning. These expand our understanding on the importance of social capital and organizational learning for the performance enhancement of clustering firms. Differentiating from major studies addressing benefits and advantages of industrial cluster, this study based on the perspective of firm-internal business process contributes to the literature advancement. Strategic and policy implications of this study are discussed in detail.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2017

this study, the problem of the quality is analyzed by questionnaire analysis of the current quality managers, and the German meister system, the Japanese name deduction system, the functional manager, and the quality manager system. First, we set up a quality guide selection classification guide model. Secondly, we set up a model for combining experience and expertise with theory. Third, we set up a quality brand application model to enhance competitiveness of SMEs. Fourth, The basic model is presented. The expected effects of these models are that, in the knowledge-based economy, in terms of identifying, fostering, and utilizing superior talents, quality experts combine academic theories and experience in each field to provide core expertise and knowledge, As a transformative leader and expert, we will become a leader of innovation activities by enhancing corporate competitiveness, developing younger leaders, and cooperating with suppliers. In order to strengthen competitiveness of SMEs, It will be possible to scale and cultivate the technology of SMEs.