The Impact of Industrial Clusters on the Innovativeness of Business Firms in Poland

Abstract

The paper focuses on the concept of clusters, which have become an important element of innovation systems at the regional and national level. After joining the European Union in 2004, the process of dynamic creation of cluster initiatives in Poland has started, both in traditional and modern sectors. The aim of the research is to verify the hypothesis that cluster membership impacts the level of innovativeness of the enterprises. The possible explanation is that clustering stimulates co-operation between companies, as well as between business and science, encourages knowledge flows, information exchange, technology transfer, and learning processes, as well as contributes to the development of relational capital and trust. The evidence collected in 2012 from 350 firms belonging to cluster initiatives shows that industrial clusters play a positive, but limited role in influencing the innovativeness of business activity. The limitation factors may be attributed to the initial stage of clustering in Poland and relatively low level of innovativeness of its economy. Nevertheless, clusters positively influence implementation of new solutions by Polish firms, especially non-technological innovations.