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Aerospace Clusters and Competitiveness Poles: A France-Quebec Comparison



Author(s)

Nathalie Gardes, Isabelle Dostaler, Céline Barredy and Corinne Gourmel-Rouger

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2142/2015.01.006

Aerospace product development and manufacturing are key components of the air transport system. At national levels in developed countries, the aerospace industry is considered as a highly strategic sector. A solid national aerospace industry is therefore a symbol of strength. Countries are pragmatic: the positive impact of a well-developed transportation network on economic growth is indubitable and civil aircraft production is a key element of this network. Countries may also assert their sovereignty by being recognized players in the defence segment of aerospace. This paper will look at the cases of France and Quebec where local governments have invested significant public funding in poles of competitiveness (in the case of France) and clusters (in the case of Quebec). While our examination of the France and Quebec aerospace scenes reveals a surprisingly large number of groupings, it does not indicate that all their members, large and small, equally benefit from participating in them. In this thick institutional environment, aerospace clusters and poles of competitiveness may compete against each other and become self-serving rather than representing and promoting their members.

Competitiveness, clusters, aerospace industry, network