Manufacturing Practices of Medical Instruments in Innovation Clusters: A Comparative Study of Tuttlingen, Sialkot and Samsun (MediCluster)

• Applicant: Dr. Melike Sahinol
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 551920228

Medical innovations result from socio-technical processes embedded in socio-technical imaginaries, and historically shaped states of science and technology, as well as accumulated knowledge, expertise and craftsmanship of innovating companies situated in specific clusters. For example, the development of clusters of medical instrument manufacturing are not only dependent on historical trajectories of innovation and specific craftsmanship of metal and skilled handwork, but also on collective (craft) knowledge. The purpose of this study is to examine manufacturing practices of medical instruments as part of regional innovation cultures in geographically distributed but interconnected international innovation clusters. The study will use a comparative analysis based on a multi-sited ethnography completed by extensive qualitative interviews to explore the historical roots and traditions of medical instrument clusters and their impact on the evolution of knowledge in craft-based manufacturing. The study will primarily focus on the relationship between international innovation clusters and their impact on craft-based manufacturing practices in the medical instrument industry. In doing so, it will also answer the question of how the global division of labor, value chain, and political economy shape and influence the development of medical instrument manufacturing and innovation practices. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between these factors and their impact on medical instrument manufacturing and innovation. To capture these interdependent levels, we will conduct a comparative study in three different geographies: Samsun (Türkiye), Tuttlingen (Germany) and Sialkot (Pakistan) as these are the worldwide leading hubs for manufacturing surgical instruments – collaborating with each other. The study will answer how each of these three clusters interact with each other despite their heterogeneity. The productive collaboration between these three clusters involved in the medical instrument production and innovation process is crucial, as their production chains exhibit a high degree of interdependence. Failure to establish and maintain such collaboration may lead to an interruption or disruption of the innovation chain for medical instruments. Understanding the mechanisms of innovation transfer between these clusters will be essential for collaboration and driving innovation in the medical instrument industry. While delicate handwork and highly skilled craftsmanship are required in manual stages of instrument making, the use of high technology in advanced production stages requires a combination of different kinds of craftsmanship and technologies. The study has the potential to contribute to the development of the concept of regional innovation cultures by providing insights into materialization of the multiplicity of innovative pathways through diverse practices and the diffusion of expertise thru innovation chains.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants