A theoretical and empirical approach to non-linear processes of learning and knowledge creation in micro and small enterprises: Evidence from Mexico's central region

Both the use of knowledge embodied in cutting-edge products, sophisticated processes or other innovative and commercial assets and its origins, sources or environment of creation ought to matter to local production systems and their territories? development. The relationship between both categories of analysis (creation and transformation of knowledge) is central to this paper mostly in localities where its agents such as governmental agencies, educational and research institutions and firms seem to be isolated from each other, generating on the one the hand, a kind of partial learning and knowledge about local production conditions in appearance, and on the other hand, effects which contribute little significance both socially and economically. Nevertheless, the main objective of this work is to offer some alternative observations to the hypothesis of Lundvall and Lorenz (2010), which establishes that those economic sectors and territories highly based on tacit knowledge might be those same localities which experience difficulties in developing practices which are more efficient and codified. This paper looks to theoretically and empirically approach the particular ways or manners in which micro and small entrepreneurs in Mexico?s central region learn from an environment where local institutions work separately. Our interest is focused on the ?how? and ?where? previous entrepreneurship learning took place, and if it was converted into knowledge expressed in organizational, productive and economic assets.