The Dynamics of Communication Patterns within a Biotech Cluster: A Simple Method for Studying a Complex Relationship

Abstract

In a study currently underway, we measure communication patterns among firms in the Cambridge/Boston Biotech Cluster. We refined tools and techniques once used to measure patterns of communication among scientists and engineers within companies, and adapted them to analyze the patterns of real-time scientific communication among the Biotech firms. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the inter-organizational dynamics through which universities, firms and other institutions come together to create vibrant and successful industrial communities. We believe that this study will enable us to follow the diffusion of knowledge by both formal and particularly informal means through this communication network and, over the time, to match specific structure of communication networks with research effectiveness and economic success – in both firm level/ industry level and national level.