Development Of Cluster Policy Research Articles

Instruments of Development of Cluster Policy: Stages, Models, International Practice

Abstract Research paper is devoted to the issue - instruments of development of cluster policy: stages, models, international practice. The purpose of this paper is researching aspects of the development of cluster initiatives of territorial economic systems and government management of cluster policy to increase the competitiveness of territories. In this paper theoretical and empirical research methods are used, e.g. literature review and the survey of industrial clusters representatives, arrangement of economic objects. The findings suggest that analysis of industry directions in the international practice of clustering leads to the conclusion that the national characteristics of the existing cluster policy determine the direction of cluster initiatives and cluster strategic alternatives depending on national conditions and the adopted cluster concept.

Understanding and addressing business needs and sustainability challenges: lessons from Devens eco-industrial park

Abstract Attracting and retaining companies is critical for successful development of eco-industrial parks. By examining and addressing the main business needs and sustainability challenges, policy makers, developers and other champions, can promote both business value and social value creation. This paper provides valuable lessons from Devens, Massachusetts, an eco-industrial park established in 1993. Based on 29 interviews with local organizations (30% participation rate) the study reports on key business needs and sustainability challenges of local organizations and how Devens Enterprise Commission has worked to address these as part of its vision for Sustainable Devens. The study found that access to infrastructure – such as rail, green buildings and roads – was the most important factor for companies to locate to Devens, followed by the lower cost of real estate (59%) and tax benefits (52%). Top two sustainability challenges for Devens companies included improving energy efficiency and improving materials efficiency. Eighty six percent of Devens organizations reported partnering with others locally, and 79% said their organizations could benefit from such partnerships in the future. Companies were most interested in partnering around joint sourcing, infrastructure and knowledge sharing. The study confirmed that local government efforts to develop Devens infrastructure and establish supportive sustainability policies and programs were in line with business needs and a key factor for Devens' success. It confirmed earlier research on the role of industrial ecology as a cluster development policy and the importance of diversity of firms, trust, sustainability policies, and supporting network development as key to creating both business and social value.

The cluster development policy in Poland

The cluster development policy in Poland

Specificities of EU cluster policies

PurposeDuring the 1990s, most European countries have increased their interest in the direction of industrial districts, clusters and local production systems as an integral part of their industrial policy. At the same time, there have been significant changes in the consideration of industrial policy in Europe. The aim of this paper is to analyze two basic approaches in the development of cluster initiatives in the formation of cluster policy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzes two basic approaches in the development of cluster initiatives in the formation of cluster policy: top‐down and bottom‐up approach. The analysis also points to the diversity of national approaches in terms of policy clusters, but in the same time at some common trends.FindingsThe development of cluster policy is still at an early stage in most countries. There are also significant differences among the countries of Eastern and Western Europe. Among those countries that have adopted the policy of the cluster after 2000, are mostly small countries in terms of population and/or geographical size of countries in Eastern Europe.Originality/valuePolicies that encourage cluster formation have to be developed, particularly in developing countries and countries in transition that are seeking their place in the international market.

Engineering agro-food development: The cluster model in China

The concept of industrial clusters has been around for some time. For many national and regional authorities, particularly in the United States and Europe, cluster development policies became the core for the new development paradigm based on the agglomeration economy. The potential of clusters for the development of a new model for the agro-food industry was recognized at an early stage. Both the United States and Europehave developed a strong base of agro-food clusters. Also in developing countries, where agriculture is the main economical source, a strong ally to change their economy has been found in clusters.Latin Americahas many good examples of agro-based clusters. The Asian region is now starting to include the agro-foodclusters into the mainstream of changes inagriculture, farming and food industry. The case in China is very relevant, as the potential it holds for agro-food development is enormous. In this communication, the state of agro-based clusters inChinais described together with two examples of clusters, one specialized in vegetables and other in flowers.

University Linkages in Technology Clusters of Emerging Economies - Exploratory Case Studies from Cyberjaya, Malaysia - a Greenfield Development and Cyberabad, India - a Brownfield Development

This paper is concerned with the linkages between universities and industry in the information and communications technology (ICT) in Cyberjaya, Malaysia and Cyberabad, India. In the case of the ICT cluster of Cyberjaya, the context can be termed as greenfield cluster development as the whole project is developed from scratch. In the case of Cyberabad, India, the context can be seen as a brownfield development, where the cluster developed based on existing and new organisations in a region. There is extant literature in research, be it from an Innovation systems or a Triple Helix perspective that has given significant attention to the importance of universities as engines of growth and also about the significance of their linkages with industry innovation in regions. But as argued by scholars like Chaminade et al, most of these papers tend to ignore the specific context in which this interaction between the university and the industry takes place - this study aims to fill this gap through an exploratory study from emerging economies and in a greenfield and brownfield contexts. The findings from the two cases point towards (1) the role of intermediary organisations in developing the linkages, (2) the issue of capabilities of universities for supporting industry development and (3) university-industry linkages are different in greenfield and brown field developments. The paper presents the cases and discusses the findings and provides insights to cluster development officials and policy makers and implications to researchers for developing studies of university-industry from a capabilities and context perspectives.

Towards Urban High-technolgy Clusters: An International Comparison

This paper presents the results of a comparative study of 23 urban or regional high-technology clusters (media, ICT, energy, biotechnology) all over the world, analyzing how they were created, how they are managed and how they operate, and the strategies followed to improve and excel in their fields of action. Special attention is given to issues related to descriptive aspects, R&D, performance of the clusters, location factors and incentives to attract companies. The empirical analysis applied to the identified clusters was done through a questionnaire sent to the representatives of the cluster’s management. When analyzing the data, the study has combined quantitative and qualitative methods, depending on the information to be processed. The data collection was done through a selection of indicators chosen in order to cover the different elements that cluster literature coincide in consider essential to develop a competitive economic cluster in urban regions. The main obstacle we find with the information available to carry out this study has been its heterogeneity and different quality of the data. 22@Barcelona appears to be in a good position to compete with other excelling clusters, but it still needs to improve in areas such as financial supply for R&D and start-ups and coordination between the different actors involved in urban economic development. Our research also contributes to the discussion on the role of public institutions in the cluster development policies. In the clusters studied here, especially in 22@Barcelona, we have seen that a capable and resourceful public administration can determine the success of the cluster initiative.

Az üzleti hálózatok és a klaszterek matematikai vizsgálatának lehetőségei

My goal with this survey is to discover the opportunities of business networks' and clusters' mathematical examination. Nowadays it can be experienced that more and more countries use business networks and regional clusters as important tools to the development of the economy on the national and on the regional level too because they contribute to the enhancement of competitiveness. To the successful cluster-development policy it is essen-tial, that the clusters get organized in those industrial branches, which play a determining role in an area's life and which can be considered as a key sector in the region. Confirming the identity of potential clusters needs exhaustive excursions which cover more projections of the economical structure in a region, and these audits lean on indices constituted with different mathematical methods, on analyses leaning on the statistical datas and on the qualitative case studies summarizing the experiences of development programs realized in foreign countries.

Developing a framework for network and cluster identification for use in economic development policy-making

Drawing on extensive academic research concerning clusters and networks, this paper seeks to create a framework capable of reviewing and monitoring different aspects of clusters and networks on an ongoing basis. The nine-element framework allows evaluation of the structures and processes for the eight basic cluster types identified from the literature. The use of this framework as a complimentary tool to the Multi-sectoral Qualitative Analysis (MSQA) methodology is then demonstrated using three examples (the construction, hardwood timber and higher education sectors). The data was gathered from three sets of key stakeholders (government, institutions and industry) provided from a recent study funded by the Welsh Assembly Government's Small Grants Research Programme. These cases illustrate the use of the framework in helping to generate the initial information necessary for subsequent cluster development policy (within overall regional economic development) by government to occur. The framework provides tools for reviewing and monitoring individual sectors. Information captured within the framework can also help in ameliorating problems in sectors likely to decline further. The need for further development research is also identified. Specifically at the level of the firm and network, there is a need to generate a more detailed framework of analysis of factors that contribute to successful processes of network management, learning and innovation, from which more detailed policy could be enacted in future.