Beyond Clusters: Rethinking Innovation Sustainability in Quito’s ICT Sector

Traditional innovation studies frequently highlight the role of geographic clustering in fostering competitive advantages. However, the sustainability of innovation cannot be understood solely through spatial proximity and requires a broader, multidisciplinary perspective. This study examines the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Quito by applying the CRI (Capabilities, Results, and Impacts) model of innovation potential, adapted to the local organisational and institutional context. By combining normalised CRI data with georeferenced firm information, spatial autocorrelation was assessed using Moran’s Index and local indicators of spatial association (LISA). The results reveal random spatial patterns and no statistically significant evidence of innovation clustering among firms, academia, and the public sector. Notably, the few high-concentration clusters identified lie outside the traditional economic and institutional hubs of the Quito Innovation System. These findings demonstrate that innovation capacities, outputs, and impacts in Quito’s ICT sector are driven more by organisational capabilities, institutional linkages, and sectoral dynamics than by geographic location. This study contributes to the debate on sustainable innovation systems by challenging the assumption of spatial dependence and emphasising the need for policies and managerial practices that strengthen resilient innovation networks beyond clusters.