Evaluation of competitiveness in ceramic industrial districts in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the competitiveness of the Brazilian ceramic tile industry using a conceptual model that the authors developed which integrates two contemporary approaches: industrial districts and the resource-based view.

Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative study was carried out, using a survey with firm CEOs.

Findings – The results indicate that companies present in industrial districts have greater access to the strategic resources they share, such as knowledge transfer, access to information, and collective reputation. This fact results in higher levels of competitiveness, from the resource-based view, since companies outside the district do not have the same resources available to them.

Research limitations/implications – Idiosyncratic characteristics of the industry can limit our results. For further discussion, we suggest studies with other industries and local players and the positive effect of the social capital.

Originality/value – One contribution from our work is linking the resource-based view to industrial district dynamics, which can help to develop local industrial policies.