Abstract
Recently, the idea of the "region" in which knowledge and technology are created has become a hot topic. The purpose of this paper is to argue that the learning region with a "shared theme" has the potential to foster regional learning, by which a region produces competitive superiority. First, on the basis of a survey of medium-sized and small manufacturers in Higashi-Osaka, a leading industry agglomeration region of Japan, this paper demonstrates that, in addition to the conventional elements, the "shared theme" element also affects the learning region. Second, through a case study of the Higashi-Osaka satellite production project, which is an advanced learning region case with a "shared theme", this paper shows how the "shared theme" element promotes regional learning by clarifying their roles in region, improving number of chances for participation and motivations, and screening participants through the process of natural selection.
