In recent years, efforts have been directed towards understanding how innovation is achieved, with special emphasis to the role of networks for the interaction between scientific and technological environments with the productive environment. In this paper a revision of the main theoretical contributions on the analysis of the role of social networks and interactions for innovation is presented. The theoretical examination is illustrated with the analysis of the ceramic tile industrial district of Castellon in Spain and the role of social relations as mediators between the different agents that form its innovation system. Specifically, the analysis is directed towards the understanding of how, within the structure of a given district, these relations articulate the interaction of those agents that actively participate in the development, diffusion or adoption of innovations, for the purpose of better illustrating the example, some references to its counterpart district at Sassuolo in Italy are brought about.

1. Human and Social Capital in
District Innovation Systems
An Effective Case of University-Industry Interaction
D. Gabaldón-Estevan
Daniel Gabaldón-Estevan | Valencia 29/05/2015
Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social
Sciences,
University of Valencia- Valencia (ES) - daniel.gabaldon@uv.es

2. Index0.
Introduction and motivation1.
Theoretical framework2.
Methods3.
Results4.
Discussion5.
Epilog6.

3. Introduction and motivation1.
[Istituto per la Promozione Industriale 2002,
(based on ISTAT)]
[El mapa dels districtes industrials d’España
Conference by Joan Trullén,
Castellón 28/06/2005]

4. Theoretical framework: Human Capital2.a
Human Capital
(Mincer, 1958; Schultz,1960; Becker, 1962)
Expands the production possibility frontier
The better educated choose better options
The better educated is better prepared for good
performance at the productive system
Pecuniary None pecuniary
Increased altruism
Reduced crime and social conflict
Democracy and Human Rights respect
Participation and social cohesion
Increased social capital
Extended networking
Higher capacity to absorb knowledge
What at DIS?

5. Theoretical framework:
Social Capital
2.b
Analysis of the relationship between human and social capital (Coleman, 1988) differentiates three forms:
-Obligations and expectations are dependent on the trustworthiness of the social structures and require
closure of the network system to ensure its functioning
-Channels of information, as information is a basis for action the need for closure is less clear as the value of
the relationship is dependent on the information provided
-Norms and effective sanctions, that inhibit crime or provide rewards for conducts valuable to the community,
where dense networks are also required
“[social capital is] the aggregate of the actual potential
resources which are linked to possession of a durable
network of more or less institutionalized relationships of
mutual acquaintance or recognition”.
(Bourdieu, 1985: 248).
(Bourdieu, 1972; Coleman, 1988;
Putnam, 1995)
Social Capital
Social capital is made up of two components (Portes, 1998):
-The social relationship itself, which allows individuals to claim access to resources possessed by their
associates;
-The amount and quality of these resources.
“[...] It is not a single entity but a variety of entities with
two elements in common: they all consist of some
aspect of social structures, and they facilitate certain
actions for actors - whether persons or corporate actors-
within the structure”.
(Coleman, 1988: 98).
Structural holes
(Burt, 2001)
Social capital as a source of benefits through
extra familiar networks, like assets gained through
membership in networks, access to employment,
occupational mobility and entrepreneur success
(Loury, 1977).
Behavioural institutions (trust, reciprocity,
honesty) and institutional quality measures
(rule of law, contract enforceability, civil
liberties) (Woolcock, 2001)

6. […] “all important economic, social, political,
organizational, institutional and other factors that
influence the development, diffusion and use of
innovations” (Edquist, 2004, pp. 182)
Sectoral system
of innovation
Technological systems
(Breschi and Malerba, 1997;
Malerba, 2002)
(Carlsson and Stankiewitz, 1995;
Huges, 1984; Callon, 1992)
Knowledge Heterogeneity InstitutionsLearning Interrelations
National system
of innovation
Regional system
of innovation
(Freeman, 1987;
Lundvall, 1988, 1992; Nelson, 1993)
(Cooke, 1993 and 2001;
Saxenian, 1985; Jaffe et al., 1993)
Evolutionist
perspective
(Nelson and Winter, 1977 and 1982)
Functional approach
(Bergek et al., 2008;
Jacobsson and Johnson, 2000;
Edquist, 1997)
District
Innovation system
(Gabaldon-Estevan et al., 2011)
Theoretical framework: Innovation Systems
[Gabaldón-Estevan, D. (2011) El sistema distritual de innovación cerámico de Castellón. Universitat de València.
Servei de Publicacions]
2.c

7. Population of companies centred on a productive activity (Bellandi, 2006; Coro & Micelli, 2007)
Human resources available and specialized (Sforzi, 2006; Sabel, 1982)
Tension and dynamism at the aglomeration (Brusco, 1990; Dei Ottati, 1994)
Easiness of both technological change and credit (Pyke y Sengenberger, 1992; Brusco, 1994)
[…] “socioterritorial entity characterised by the
active presence of both a community of people and
a group of companies on a natural and historically
determined area .
At the district […] the community and the companies
tend to melt together”.
(Becattini, 1992, pp. 62-63).
Marshallian Industrial district
Cluster
Industrial district
(Marshall, 1890)
(Becattini, 1979, 1986, 1992)
Feeling of
belonging
Concentration &
specialization
Competence &
cooperation
Difficulties of
appropriation
External
economies
Theoretical framework: Marshallian Industrial district
[Gabaldón-Estevan, D. (2011) El sistema distritual de innovación cerámico de Castellón. Universitat de València.
Servei de Publicacions]
2.d

8. 5.
FilièreLearning
(know how, learning by
doing)
Knowledge
networks
Institutional
framework
Innovation
system
District
Innovation
System
Productive
specialization
Community &
feeling of
belonging
Interrelation &
proximity
Theoretical framework: Applying the systemic approach to industrial districts
[Gabaldón-Estevan, D.; Fernández de Lucio, I. and Molina Morales, FX. (2012) Distritual Innovation Systems.
ARBOR-Ciencia pensamiento y cultura, 188 (753), pp. 63-73 ]
2.e
Evolutionary
economics
District effect
economies

9. Format design
Texture design
Silk-screen printing design
Catalogue design
Clay, silica, etc.
extraction
Store and logistics
Clay grind
Firing (2nd
firing if double firing)*
Press
Draying & 1st
firing if double firing*
Glazing and silk-screen printing
Selection and packing
Construction firms
Final user (consumer & institutions)
Tilelayrs and reformArchitectures and decorators
Department Stores Retailers
Frits, glazes and ceramic
colours production
Hornos
Grinding and spray-draying
Presses
Dryers
Glazing
Porcelain tiles
Kilns
Frits and glazes
preparation
Auxiliary machines
Environment
Method: The tile value chain [Gabaldón-Estevan, D. (2011) El sistema distritual de innovación
cerámico de Castellón. Universitat de València. Servei de Publicacions]
3.a

10. Legal &
Institutional
environment
IPC
Technological&advanced
servicesenvironment
University departments, CSIC & ITC - ALICER
Scientific environment
Productive environment
Diverse semi elaborates
producers:
ITC - ALICER
Public administrations: EU, state, regional and local governments and legislations
Producers associations: ASCER, ANFFECC, ASEBEC, AFPE
Other associations: ATC, ANDIMAC, SECV, professional colleges
Fairs and promoting instruments: CEVISAMA & QUALICER
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Sailing of Castellón
Frits, glaze and ceramic colours
producers
Machinery and equipments fabrication
and repairs
Design, CAD/CAM & printing systems
companies
Other services for companies: consulting,
informatics,…
Ceramic tiles producers
Atomizers producers
Precooked tiles producers
Special pieces
Distribution
Adaptación de Fernández, I., et al. (1996)
Method: The tile district innovation system [Gabaldón-Estevan, D. (2011) El sistema distritual
de innovación cerámico de Castellón. Universitat de València. Servei de Publicacions]
3.b

11. Results: ATC associates by level and area of education
[Own elaboration from ATC primary data.]
4.a

12. Results: University graduates by specialty (1992 - 2012)
[University Jaume I annual reports, 2008-2009 not available]
4.b

13. Results: Degrees
INE INEBASE Censos de
Población y Viviendas 2011
4.c
Activity of the establishment (3-
digit CNAE09 )
12 Castellón / Castelló
Educational level (detail )
203 -
Manufacture
of paints ,
varnishes and
similar
coatings,
printing ink
and mastics
205 -
Manufacture
of other
chemicals
232 -
Manufacture
of refractory
ceramic
products
233 -
Manufacture of
ceramic
products for
construction
234 -
Manufacture
of other
ceramic
products
289 -
Manufacture
of other
special
purpose
machinery
331 - Repair
of fabricated
metal
products,
machinery
and
equipment
332 -
Installation of
industrial
machinery
and
equipment
Total
province
Illiterate * * * * * * * * 0,07
Uneducated * * * 1,24 * * * * 1,13
Attended school five years or more but did not reach the
last course of EGB, ESO or Bachiller Elemental
9,95 * * 8,67 10,66 * 10,34 * 9,45
Reached the final year of EGB, ESO or Bachiller
Elemental or has the Certificado de Escolaridad or
Estudios Primarios
33,33 28,00 83,10 47,61 41,80 28,29 36,95 16,42 36,68
Bachiller, BUP, Bachiller Superior, COU, PREU 16,92 20,00 * 12,26 12,30 11,18 13,18 32,84 12,97
Medium grade FP, FP I, Industrial Official or equivalent,
Intermediate Music and Dance, Certificates of Official
Language Schools
5,97 8,00 * 8,41 12,02 17,11 14,21 28,36 7,85
Superior grade FP, FPII , Industrial Mastery or equivalent 14,93 * * 10,09 11,20 21,71 13,44 22,39 8,62
University diploma (3 years), Technical Architecture,
Technical Engineering or equivalent
* 4,67 * 4,82 4,37 3,29 3,88 * 9,65
University Grado (4 years),or equivalent * * * 0,53 * * * * 0,84
University Licenciatura (4-5 years), Architecture,
Engineering or equivalent
18,91 39,33 16,90 5,75 7,65 18,42 8,01 * 11,11
University official masters ( from 2006 ) Medical
Specialties or similar
* * * 0,62 * * * * 0,90
Doctorate * * * * * * * * 0,73
Total (n) 1.005 750 355 11.300 1.830 760 1.935 335 199.465
Under the mean Around the mean Over the mean
Frits, glazes and
ceramic colours
production
Ceramic tiles and
semi elaborates
producers
Machinery and
equipment fabrication
and repairs

14. Discussion: Proximity vs complementarity?industry5.a
[Istituto per la Promozione Industriale 2002, (based on ISTAT)]

15. Discussion: Proximity vs isolation?industry5.b [El mapa dels districtes industrials d’España
Conference by Joan Trullén,
Castellón 28/06/2005]

16. Gabaldón-Estevan, D.; Mezquita, A.; Ferrer, S.: Monfort, E. (2014) Is European Union Environmental Policy Efficient at
Promoting a Post-carbon Industry? The Case of Energy in the European Ceramic Tile Sector. Proceedings of the 11th ICIM
2014, Vaasa (Finland) 104-113 http://icim.vamk.fi/2014/uploads/UploadPaperDir/11thICIM2014.pdf
Monfort, E.; Mezquita, A.; Vaquer, E.; Gabaldón-Estevan, D. (2014) La evolución energética del sector español de baldosas
cerámicas Bol. Soc. Esp. Ceram. V. 53 (3) 111-120
http://boletines.secv.es/upload/2014070792201.201453111.pdf
Gabaldón-Estevan, D.; Criado, E.; Monfort, E. (2014) The Green Factor in European Manufacturing: A case study of the
Spanish ceramic tile industry. Journal of Cleaner Production 70, 242-250
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652614001620
Gabaldón-Estevan, D.; Hekkert M.P. (2013) How Does the Innovation System in the Spanish Tile Sector Function? Bol. Soc.
Esp. Ceram. V. 52 (3) 151-158 http://ceramicayvidrio.revistas.csic.es/index.php/ceramicayvidrio/article/download/1205/1239
Gabaldón-Estevan, D.; Fernández de Lucio, I. and Molina Morales, FX. (2012) Distritual Innovation Systems. ARBOR-
Ciencia pensamiento y cultura, 188 (753), pp. 63-73 http://arbor.revistas.csic.es/index.php/arbor/article/download/1448/1457
Gabaldón-Estevan, D. (2011) El sistema distritual de innovación cerámico de Castellón. Universitat de València. Servei de
Publicacions. http://rodrigo.uv.es/bitstream/handle/10550/23431/gabaldon.pdf?sequence=1
Tortajada Esparza, E.; Gabaldón-Estevan, D. and Fernández de Lucio I. (2008) La evolución tecnológica del distrito
cerámico de Castellón: la contribución de la industria de fritas, colores y esmaltes. Bol. Soc. Esp. Ceram. V. 47 (2) pp. 57-
80 http://boletines.secv.es/upload/20080512114901.47[2]57-80.pdf
Epilog: Previous work6.a

17. Thank you for your attention!!!
Daniel Gabaldón-Estevan | Valencia 29/05/2015
Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social
Sciences,
University of Valencia- Valencia (ES) - daniel.gabaldon@uv.es
https://uv.academia.edu/DanielGabald%C3%B3nEstevan
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel_Gabaldon-Estevan
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/daniel-gabad%C3%B3n-estevan/23/722/aaa
http://www.slideshare.net/DanielGabaldnEstevan
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2086-5012
http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-5195-2011
Epilog: The end6.b