Technology change in industrial districts: how do firms respond to change? Lessons for policymakers

The processes and mechanisms driving technology change in industrial districts (IDs) overlook how firms respond to changes, i.e. firm choices and strategies confronting discontinuities. We study leading firms’ strategies and processes responding to technological discontinuities in IDs. Using mixed methods, we revisit a technology change (digital decoration) in the Castellon ceramic tile ID. Results show heterogeneous responses to change through firms’ strategies investing (or not) in new technology, local networks orchestration towards (against) change and the generation (maintenance) of new sub-identities for legitimization. Results guide policymakers to activate and support technology change in IDs by showing firms’ heterogeneous strategies for coping with change.