Why Querétaro? The Development of an Aeronautical Manufacturing Cluster in Central Mexico

• Date: 01 May 2018
• Author: Rodrigo Garza Burgos,Jim Johnson
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/tie.21844
• Published date: 01 May 2018

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Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com)

© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. • DOI: 10.1002/tie.21844

Correspondence to: Jim Johnson, Crummer Graduate School of Business, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Avenue, #2722, Winter Park, FL 32789, +1-407-646-2486

(phone), +1-407-646-1550 (fax), jpjohnson@rollins.edu

Why Querétaro?

The Development

of an Aeronautical

Manufacturing Cluster

in Central Mexico

By

Rodrigo Garza Burgos

Jim Johnson

In recent years, an aeronautical manufacturing cluster has emerged in Querétaro state, Mexico. In

2013, the aeronautical industry in Querétaro state represented 10% of the state ’ s gross product and

employed more than 5,000 people, and further private investments of over US $160 million related

to the aeronautical industry were expected (Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable, 2014 ). This article

investigates the causes for the development of such a cluster, drawing upon Brenner and Mühlig ’ s

( 2013 ) study of 159 industrial clusters, and identi es both the key factors in the development of the

cluster and what makes Querétaro attractive to foreign direct investment. The  ndings indicate areas

for further research for potential cluster development in other regions of Mexico. The article concludes

with the challenge facing the aeronautical cluster in Querétaro if it is to create a sustainable competi-

tive advantage and compete on a global scale. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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