Figure 4.2 Mapping out private ownership

Source: author own elaboration based on Markusen (1996) and fieldwork 2011

The expansion of briquetting sector seems to be associated with further development of competitive advantages created in previous stage, notably, access to skilled labour, specialized inputs and technology spillovers. As seen in preceding chapter, voluntary co-operation emerged during this stage, somewhat suggesting a connection between private ownership and the expected source of qualitative advantages that accrue to industrial districts according to the literature.

The third stage will be known as state ownership and workers’ self-management. It comprises the years from 2008 to the present. From 2008 onwards the state through MIBAM, progressively has been taken over the former private-owned firms and has been claiming its dominance over the district business structure. All I&S producers in the district are now state-owned firms. A new dimension: workers’ self-management is added this time which colours differently the district from the first stage of SOS.