Abstract
Consistent with Marshallian/Porterian theories, the Norwegian cluster policy has been linked to the development of specialized regional industry environments. Cluster projects are relatively sector-specific entities often supporting (already) strong regional industries and sectors. Following a review of the current literature on clusters and innovation, and informed by evolutionary thought, we argue that such constellations of specialized clusters may hamper the long-term innovation ability of regions. In a conceptual discussion of cluster evolution and its links to innovation and regional path renewal, we argue that special emphasis – both theoretical and political – has been placed on the geographical scale of clusters, but there has been less emphasis on scope. Accordingly, we present three theory-based strategies for cluster evolution and link these to regional development and innovation by assessing their impact on regional path renewal. We illustrate our argument empirically using examples from the Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE) cluster programme.
Highlights
Industrial clusters are considered to be core entities of economic growth and innovation in the modern world
In a conceptual discussion of cluster evolution and its links to innovation and regional path renewal, we argue that special emphasis – both theoretical and political – has been placed on the geographical scale of clusters, but there has been less emphasis on scope
The idea of related variety implies that innovations in clusters grow from a variety of knowledge shared between actors both within and between industry sectors and value chains, while at the same time knowledge shared between related actors should not be too different (Boschma & Iammarino, 2009)
Summary
Industrial clusters are considered to be core entities of economic growth and innovation in the modern world. It is believed that targeted policy efforts can contribute to the growth of clusters and regions, a field of particular interest to evolutionary economic geographers (Cooke, 2012a; Fosse & Normann, forthcoming; Fløysand, Jakobsen, & Bjarnar, 2012; Malmberg & Power, 2006). This paper begins presentation with a discussion of the scale and scope dimension of cluster evolution and it links this to the question of regional development in general and regional path renewal in particular. This is followed by a conceptualization of cluster development strategies. We believe that the conclusions merit interest in settings outside Norway, and have theoretical and political implications
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