Promoting innovative clusters and cooperation networks: the European Commission observatories of SMEs and the context of Berlin-Brandenburg

Abstract

This paper presents recent studies on clusters and cooperation networks of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) carried out by the European Commission as well as a description of Germany, focusing on Berlin-Brandenburg. The main goal of this paper is to analyse the experience of the European and German initiatives and to define important alternatives to develop clusters and cooperation networks. As the main result, it can be observed that SMEs in clusters perform better than other SMEs. An approach is provided in Germany with the promotion of competence networks for innovation (Kompetenznetze Deutschland). The region Berlin-Brandenburg shows on a regional level what a local strategy could be like. It could be said that possible alternatives would be a more direct support by the government, a stronger focus on innovation, and the definition of management processes for cooperation networks, all of them oriented under a perspective of a sustainable development.