Resumo

In order to better understand the phenomenon of industrial agglomeration in specific geographic territories, it is essential to introduce the topic by reflecting about some correlated elements. Industrial policies, migration of labor forces, the formation of cities and the development of geographic spaces play an important role on the agglomeration processes, being essential features, as the literature explains.

The literature about industrial agglomeration is vast, since the concept has a strong interdisciplinary characteristic, being studied by economists, sociologists and even political scientists; it is, also, very rich, since it is always associated with parallel concepts, as industrial policies, labor markets, territorial development and so on. Hence, a question emerges: What the recent literature discusses about industrial agglomeration? To answer this question, the present article aims to deepen the discussion about the economic phenomenon of industrial agglomeration, bringing many authors.

To study about the concept of industrial agglomeration, it is important to understand, at least, five main approaches. The first one highlights the main characteristics of the industrial agglomeration. The second one, the importance of the territorial and socioeconomic frameworks was discussed. The third main approach explains the precise differences, according to the literature, about agglomeration, cluster and territorial network. The fourth approach is about the synergy between economic and social players. Finally, the last main approach discusses about the literature’s criticism.

To study about the concept of industrial agglomeration, it is important to understand, at least, five main approaches. The first one highlights the main characteristics of the industrial agglomeration. The second one, the importance of the territorial and socioeconomic frameworks was discussed. The third main approach explains the precise differences, according to the literature, about agglomeration, cluster and territorial network. The fourth approach is about the synergy between economic and social players. Finally, the last main approach discusses about the literature’s criticism.

Literature has discussed deeply and in a longitudinal perspective industrial agglomeration, and it is a topic studied globally. Agglomeration can be seen in many ways: as being part of learning-innovative-knowledge process; as a competitive strategy; by its dynamics of the labor markets. There is a tendency to industrial agglomeration to be more successful in some specific regions, situations and industries. • Even though a group of benefits can be seen from the processes of industrial agglomeration, many challenges are discussed in those processes.

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