discovering regional competitive advantage massachusetts high tech by michael best albert paquin and hao xie university of lowell july 12 2004 in recent times has surprised many commentators its ability to continuously reinvent itself as a successful economy this paper seeks penetrate the region s surprising resilience better understand specialization growth decline we deploy historical database companies designed conduct technology mapping exercises seek advance both theoretical empirical knowledge related set concepts these include marshallian externalities technological capabilities self sustaining clusters innovation systems previously have presented results from an investigation mini sub interrogate with indicators extend our focus state for comparison purposes california silicon valley introduction surprise amorphous defies explanation narratives use terms such is presumed default condition economic center that once enjoyed leadership
