The networks producing television programmes in the Cologne media cluster: new firm foundation, flexible specialization and efficient decision‐making structures

Based on the example of the production network of TV programmes in Cologne´s media cluster, this paper will examine two aspects in order to obtain a deeper understanding of how localized production networks arise and how they function. First of all, the role of the founding of new firms within a localized production network will be analysed in detail. As a second step, the decision structures within the production network will be discussed. In this context the question arises as to how the parts of a particular production chain are linked together and how a smooth production flow can be guaranteed. The theoretical findings will be verified by an empirical study of the networks producing TV programmes in Cologne.