Projects
Manufacturing Practices of Medical Instruments in Innovation Clusters: A Comparative Study of Tuttlingen, Sialkot, and Samsun
Since 02/2025
Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), Project Number 551920228 https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/551920228
Principal Investigator: Dr. Melike Şahinol
Research Associates: Dr. Gülşah Başkavak, Dr. Ayşe Berna Uçarol
Student Assistant: Uğur Kocager
Project blog: https://medicluster.hypotheses.org/
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, which play a key role in the production and innovation of medical instruments, is crucial, as their production chains are highly interdependent. Failure to establish and maintain such collaboration could lead to interruptions or disruptions in the innovation chain for medical instruments. Understanding the mechanisms of innovation transfer between these clusters is therefore essential for fostering collaboration and driving technological advancement in the medical instrument industry.
While delicate handwork and highly skilled craftsmanship remain essential in the manual stages of instrument manufacturing, the integration of high technology in advanced production phases requires a synergy of various artisanal skills and modern technologies. Moreover, digital technologies and automation are becoming increasingly important, particularly through computer-assisted manufacturing techniques, robotics, and data-driven innovation processes, which are further transforming production chains.
This study has the potential to contribute to the development of the concept of regional innovation cultures by providing insights into the materialization of diverse innovation pathways and the diffusion of expertise through interconnected innovation networks.
