Divergence or Convergence? Sketching the Cross-Path between Science Technology Parks and Cultural and Creative Industrial Parks in Taiwan

The purpose of this paper is to explore and project the network relationships between the two major forms of industrial cluster of modern economy- Science Technology Parks (STPs) and the Cultural and Creative Industrial Parks (CCIPs), which might pave the ground for fostering the competitive advantages for STPs. Four major steps are taken to establish this initial and literature-based research.

Firstly, the paper starts with the research background including the literature review and an introduction to the current issues associated with the instrumental approach of developing STPs and CCIPs in Taiwan, which resulted in taking the ‗parks‘ as the panacea to drive the regional as to national competiveness, and more importantly, a widening divide and misunderstanding between the two types of industrial cluster.Secondly, a brief overview on the STPs in Taiwan will be provided, yet the focus is given to the emergence growth of CCIPs in Taiwan. Significantly, by looking at the CCIPs‘ developing yet various forms and dimensions, implications derived from its network characteristics are structured as the foundation, from which to start weaving the probable network relationship between STPs and CCIPs. Such a review is to introduce an alternative kind and its network dynamics of CCIPs, yet the existing models of STPs and CCIPs in Taiwan both highlight the importance for their wider network openness and connections, both inwardly and outwardly, and commercially and creatively.

Thirdly, the four recognized theoretical themes of the co-evolution framework (Adaptation and Selection, Cooperation and Competition, Connectivity and Interdependence, and Heterogeneity and Catalysts) are taken metaphorically, in drawing out the distinctive network condition and characteristics of STPs and CCIPs, and the co-evolutionary network implications between the two industrial clusters.

Finally, the management and development implications for STPS are provided in the concluding discussion. Together, it is an initial and conceptual inquiry into one of the most promising yet neglected area -the network synergy that might be generated between the two major forms of industrial cluster, which involves more than a combination of their network resources, but a co-existing and co-evolving ecosystem. The main contributions of this paper are therefore firstly to have taken a cross-boundary and cross-industry perspective by

integrating the network landscape of the growing CCIPS into the future roadmap of STPS, an expanding network model which enriches the STPS‘s people and competence is thus outlined; and secondly, to have put forward the wider social, cultural and creative values and intangible human capital that STPS might generate and contribute to more significantly and timely at the centre of the network study.

Thirdly, the four recognized theoretical themes of the co-evolution framework (Adaptation and Selection, Cooperation and Competition, Connectivity and Interdependence, and Heterogeneity and Catalysts) are taken metaphorically, in drawing out the distinctive network condition and characteristics of STPs and CCIPs, and the co-evolutionary network implications between the two industrial clusters.

Finally, the management and development implications for STPS are provided in the concluding discussion. Together, it is an initial and conceptual inquiry into one of the most promising yet neglected area -the network synergy that might be generated between the two major forms of industrial cluster, which involves more than a combination of their network resources, but a co-existing and co-evolving ecosystem. The main contributions of this paper are therefore firstly to have taken a cross-boundary and cross-industry perspective by

integrating the network landscape of the growing CCIPS into the future roadmap of STPS, an expanding network model which enriches the STPS‘s people and competence is thus outlined; and secondly, to have put forward the wider social, cultural and creative values and intangible human capital that STPS might generate and contribute to more significantly and timely at the centre of the network study.