THE ADAPTATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT MODEL IN WENZHOU A CASE STUDY OF THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

Abstract: This case study aims to dissect the world famous Wenzhou footwear manufacturing industry in order to discover how, if at all, the case complies with an industrial organisation framework, namely the industrial district model, which is becoming more and more prevalent in less developed countries (LDCs). In order to examine the extent to which the industrial district model may have developed and advanced in Wenzhou's footwear industry, I aim to explore whether the typical features of the international model are present in the industry's structure, and if so, to what extent. I also aim to discover whether Wenzhou's footwear industry has any peculiar characteristics, which do not pertain to the international model. In order to do so, this case study aims to extend a similar study conducted by Professor Khalid Nadvi and Professor Hubert Schmitz entitled "Industrial Clusters in Less Developed Countries: Review of Experiences and Research Agenda", using it as a tool to investigate the extent of Wenzhou's compliance with the industrial district framework. I attempt to add the example of the Wenzhou footwear industry to this discourse, which examines the Brazilian, Indian, Peruvian, Mexican and Italian footwear industries? adaptation of the industrial district model.