Journal of the Korean Geographical Society ISSN:1225-6633(Print) 대한지리학회지

The main aim of this research is to draw some characteristics of firm networks in the Dandong border economic cooperation zone(BECZ) located in a border region between North Korea and China by investigating backward and forward firm linkages in accordance with the type of firms. More specifically, it has attempted to focus on instrument industrial cluster among 10 industrial clusters comprised of the Dandong BECZ. 10 industrial clusters in the Dandong BECZ could be classified into three types; 1) traditional major industrial-oriented clusters, 2) traditional major industrial-derived clusters, 3) new industrial clusters. Among those clusters only traditional major industrial-oriented clusters has played a significant role as a cluster in the Dandong BECZ. The cluster which is well evolved and enable us to identify characteristics of cross border region between North Korea and China in traditional major industrial-oriented clusters has been the instrument industrial cluster. Therefore, it has attempted to classify the type of firms located in the instrument industrial cluster, and then analyze some characteristics of their networks. The type of firms located in the cluster could be divided into three; 1) local spin-off firms from state-owned firms, 2) local new firms, 3) non-local firms. The characteristics of their networks are as follows. Firstly, the main characteristic of local spin-off firms is local leading firms-centered networks. Secondly, the main feature of local new firms is that networks among local firms have not been developed, as the main reason for locating in the cluster is to use North Korea workers. Finally, the main characteristic of non-local firms is the headquarter of non-local firms centered networks.