Innovation Clusters Research Articles

Will technological innovation uncertainty affect the distribution of benefits from low‐carbon innovation activities in industrial clusters?—A study based on gray Shapley values

AbstractTechnological innovation of industrial cluster is an important measure to realize low‐carbon development. However, the uncertainty associated with new technologies can have a significant impact on the earnings of enterprises. This paper examines the benefit distribution of collaborative technological innovation in industrial clusters through the gray Shapley value, which makes up for the problem that existing research ignores the impact of the uncertainty of technological innovation on the distribution of benefits and provides a new research perspective. In addition, this paper also provides some countermeasures for the Chinese government to encourage enterprises in industrial clusters carry out low‐carbon innovation activities.

The Forest Sector in EU Member States' National Recovery and Resilience Plans: a preliminary analysis

The role of forests in reaching the environmental policies targets of the European Union (EU) is being increasingly recognised. Consequently, investing in the forest sector takes on a fundamental role. Different funding opportunities are already in place in the EU, but there are some limitations in accessing them. New funding opportunities arose more recently. To support the recovery process of Member States (MS) after the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU is making significant efforts through NextGenerationEU, funding MS after the European Commission (EC) approval of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). No specific guidelines are present to finance the forest sector. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the forest sector has been taken into account in the NRRPs through an analysis of the contents of 26 NRRPs. Financial investments in the sector by action types have also been analysed. Finally, commonalities and differences between MS have been extracted by means of a cluster analysis.Results show that the majority of MS dedicate a portion of their funds to the forest sector and there were no investments in the sector in only four countries. One-third of MS have foreseen a dedicated portion of the funds to the sector. The forest-related themes most represented in the NRRPs are: biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, forest-based ecosystem services management, climate mitigation, rural development and innovation. The cluster analysis identifies three MS clusters, giving evidence about the MS behaviour in a non-ordinary funding situation. The first one is characterised by more traditional countries, while in the other two clusters innovation plays an important role. The second cluster orients innovation towards wood-related products, while innovation in the third cluster is addressed to support forest multifunctionality.Results can support national and European decision-makers to plan national strategies, funds allocation, or to act at European level knowing which are the priorities given by the different MS.

A good neighbor, a found treasure: Do local neighbors affect corporate innovation?

AbstractThis study examines whether local neighbors operating in different industries affect corporate innovation engagement. Based on mimetic isomorphism theory, we find that innovative local neighbors can serve as a social reference group for corporations to build legitimacy and guide corporations' mimetic innovation behavior. Our results remain robust after controlling for endogeneity by employing various methods. More importantly, our mechanism analysis indicates that local government activism is crucial to promote mimetic innovation behavior in a region. Our study provides a valid mechanism to explain the emergence of highly innovative cities that agglomerate across industry boundaries. Our research makes two key contributions to the literature. First, our study contributes to the literature on corporate innovation clustering by adding new evidence of the mimetic effects in corporate innovation across industries. Different from the industrial peer effects in innovation, which address the industrial peer effects through the lenses of competitiveness and information dissemination, our results highlight that mimetic isomorphism explains the regional effects of mimicry on corporate innovation. We find strong evidence indicating that firms imitate the innovation behaviors of their local neighbors, and this tendency is most plausibly explained by the incentives associated with acquiring legitimacy. Second, our findings clarify the mimetic behaviors in corporate innovation by extending the theory of mimetic isomorphism. We link local government activism to mimetic isomorphism from the psychological and sociological perspectives. In particular, our results indicate that local governments can implement activism through the psychological and sociological mechanisms illustrated in this study. Those “soft” mechanisms initiated by government contribute to a better understanding of the regional effects of mimicry on corporate innovation.

Public Service Innovation in Indonesia 2013-2023: Combination Analysis of Open Knowledge Map and VOSViewer

Public service innovation is important to overcome the imbalance between human resources and the high level of demand for services by the community. However, this is still not understood by public sector organizations in general. This study is here to examine the dynamics of implementing innovation in Indonesia in the last 10 years. The study was carried out using the literature review search method which combines the Open Knowledge Map (OKM) and Vos Viewer (VV) applications. The data were processed by following the application procedures used, then analyzed by adopting some of the principles of qualitative methods. OKM is used to map public service innovation clusters, while VV’s role is to look at public service innovation clusters with different analyses and sources. The results of the analysis show that innovation in Indonesia is dependent on leadership, which can be an obstacle to the long-term sustainability of innovation. The level of participation and competitiveness of public service innovations has not been evenly distributed throughout Indonesia. There is still a need for strategies and policy directions for collaboration and involvement of the private sector in public service innovation. The combination of digitalization and administration innovations is an innovation that has been carried out in the last 10 years. Barriers to the implementation of public service innovations are generally a problem that often occurs in other public organizations.
 Keywords: innovation, public service, public organization

Coordination matters –Territorial governance in innovation clusters: Comparison of Cité Biotech (Canada) and Polepharma (France)

This paper investigates the territorial governance mechanisms of proximity-based cluster agglomerations and organized proximity-based cluster communities. We argue that the territorial governance mechanisms of clusters consist of the locations of members, the organizational logics, and the roles of institutional intermediaries. Based on the compared case studies of Cité Biotech (Canada) and Polepharma (France), we address the similarities of both types of clusters in terms of local agglomeration, diversity of cluster members, and institutional intermediaries’ roles as brokers and facilitators. We also highlight their differences in external pipelines, logic of belonging, and intermediaries’ roles as mediators, orchestrators, and innovators in the cluster community. Finally, we conclude with the strategic implications for innovation cluster territorial governance.

Економічний розвиток прибережних територій у контексті сталої «блакитної» економіки

The aim of the article is to study the conceptual foundations and global significance of the blue economy and provide recommendations for ensuring the economic development of the coastal areas of Ukraine in the context of the sustainable blue economy of the EU. The article examines the conceptual foundations of the blue economy and analyzes the global significance of its sustainable development in international declarations and legal documents. The main problems on which international attention in this area is focused are identified as follows: the complexity of approaches and methods for assessing the economic, social and environmental impacts of the blue economy on the development of coastal areas; defining a clear standard of regional and local governance necessary for the blue growth of territories; different degrees of institutional involvement of countries in the blue economy. With this in mind, the article proposes approaches to stimulating a sustainable blue economy in coastal areas. The article examines the regulatory framework of Ukraine and academic developments on the formation of the foundations of the domestic blue economy in recent years. It is emphasized that initiatives for a sustainable blue economy in Ukraine have appeared, first of all, at the local level, the stakeholders of which are local governments, technological business communities, representatives of academia and higher education, innovation clusters and civil society organizations. The sustainable blue economy reflects the process of coastal and maritime governance through debatable and substantive regionalization, in which new partnerships between public and private sector actors build networks, boundaries, and management methods. Of course, today we are talking about the unoccupied sea and coastal spaces of Ukraine, so we have outlined the challenges that our country faces in this area in the current conditions. In the context of the European integration movement, taking into account the legal conditions of martial law and post-war expectations, we see the vectors of modernization of the economic development of the coastal areas of Ukraine as follows: the development of a transparent framework policy for the development of a sustainable blue economy in Ukraine; institutional and innovative approach to coastal developmental management; economic development and security; local approach; stimulating the innovation ecosystem; inclusive blue economy; digital technologies in support of coastal development initiatives; ensuring the protection and restoration of the coastal and maritime environment; use of the cultural and historical heritage of coastal regions; proper democratic governance.

Construction and Implementation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education System in Higher Vocational Colleges in the New Era Based on VAR Modeling

Abstract This study is dedicated to exploring the construction and implementation of innovation and entrepreneurship education system in higher vocational colleges. By analyzing the relationship between education investment and industrial employment, it further enhances the innovation and entrepreneurship ability of students in higher vocational colleges. It promotes the synergistic development of education and economy. First, the relationship between higher education investment and industrial employment is analyzed by VAR model, which reveals the influence of education on the structural adjustment of industrial jobs. Second, the evaluation indexes and quality clustering of innovation and entrepreneurship education are refined through fuzzy cluster analysis and K-means clustering method based on seagull optimization algorithm. The research results show that the improved innovation and entrepreneurship education system can significantly improve students’ innovation and entrepreneurship satisfaction and self-evaluation, in which the indicators of entrepreneurial spirit and psychological quality are considerably enhanced. In addition, students’ innovation and entrepreneurship ability showed significant differences in multiple dimensions. This study confirms the effectiveness of the construction of innovation and entrepreneurship education system in higher vocational colleges, which is substantial in improving students’ innovation and entrepreneurship ability.

Powering Up Korea's Defense Industry: A Blueprint for Building World-class Innovation Clusters

Powering Up Korea's Defense Industry: A Blueprint for Building World-class Innovation Clusters

Research on Capacity Fostering of STEAM Education’s Cluster Innovation Ecology for Students in New Business Specialties

Research on Capacity Fostering of STEAM Education’s Cluster Innovation Ecology for Students in New Business Specialties

Intrusion Detection System Fog Security Model for the Smart Cities and Urban Sensing

In smart cities, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) play a critical role in enhancing cybersecurity and safeguarding the interconnected network of devices and systems. Smart cities leverage various technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, and communication networks, to optimize urban services and improve overall efficiency. However, this increased connectivity also introduces vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. This paper presents a thorough exploration of contemporary developments in the domains of security and optimization within the context of smart cities. The rapid integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and technologies in urban environments necessitates robust security frameworks and efficient resource management strategies. The paper begins by scrutinizing Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) tailored for smart city networks, evaluating their efficacy in mitigating diverse cyber threats. Novel approaches, such as Anomaly Detection and Firewall systems, are analyzed alongside traditional IDS, providing a comprehensive overview of the security landscape. In parallel, the paper introduces innovative clustering techniques, with a focus on the proposed Flora Optimization Weighted Clustering (FOWC) model. Inspired by biological growth mechanisms, FOWC presents a unique paradigm for optimizing sensor placements in smart cities. A comparative analysis with existing clustering algorithms like LEACH and Genetic Algorithm underscores FOWC’s superior performance in terms of Detection Rate, Precision, Recall, and F1 Score, positioning it as a promising solution for urban sensor network optimization. Beyond security and optimization, the paper addresses broader challenges in the realm of smart cities, including secure IoT applications, intrusion detection for IoT-enabled environments, and the integration of artificial intelligence for enhanced cyber defense. The research studies presented collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of smart cities, offering insights with practical implications for policymakers, urban planners, and technologists. Keywords: Smart cities; internet of things (iot); intrusion detection system (ids); fog computing; security

ІНСТРУМЕНТИ ФІНАНСОВОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ІННОВАЦІЙНОЇ ВІДБУДОВИ ЕКОНОМІКИ КРАЇНИ

The relevance of the study lies in the need to develop and improve effective financial instruments for the innovative reconstruction of the country's economy. In the current conditions of rapid technological changes and global competition, the effective implementation of innovations becomes a key factor in sustainable economic development. One of the main obstacles to innovation development is limited financial resources. The research is aimed at identifying effective mechanisms for attracting and allocating funding to support innovative initiatives. Investors often have limited interest in innovative projects due to their high risk. The research aims to develop mechanisms to incentivize investors to participate in innovative initiatives. Determining the optimal balance between public and private funding to support innovation, as well as developing partnership mechanisms between them, also encourages seeking solutions to these issues and developing effective financial strategies for innovation to achieve sustainable economic development in the country. The goal of the research is to study, analyze, and determine optimal financial instruments that contribute to stimulating and supporting innovative development in the economy of Ukraine. During the research, general scientific theoretical methods were used, including systemic analysis to disclose key research categories, abstract-logical method for formulating theoretical generalizations and conclusions about the essence of the synergistic effect and its assessment, and graphical method for illustrating theoretical and analytical material related to the main characteristics of the synergistic effect in innovative clusters. The research included an analysis of various instruments used to provide financial support for the innovative sector of the economy. The primary focus was on mechanisms that determine the success of the country's innovative development. The analysis allowed assessing the effectiveness of different financial instruments and their impact on economic progress. It identified mechanisms that contribute to the growth of innovative potential and those that may be less successful. Key issues and challenges facing the financial system in implementing innovative projects were also identified. Their potential impacts on overall economic development were revealed, and directions for further research were determined. The article serves as a crucial tool for increasing understanding, developing strategic approaches, and promoting innovative reconstruction of the country's economy. It can be valuable for scholars and professionals studying or working in the fields of economics, finance, and innovation, providing them with knowledge and tools for further research and professional development. Further investigation into specific financial instruments, such as grants and financing, considering the impact of the political and social environment on the effectiveness of innovative financial instruments, can enrich understanding and help contextualize decisionmaking. Analyzing the interaction between innovative financial instruments and other areas, such as education, science, and entrepreneurship, may reveal additional opportunities for creating synergy.

Formation of the innovative pole of Atyrau region development

Concepts such as growth poles and growth centres used to be interpreted as aggregate concentrations of population, natural resources, industries and services, and geographically as cities and development centres, but are now also referred to as free economic zones and technopoles. Despite the fact that the largest companies in the oilgas industry are located in Atyrau region, the manufacturing industry is not developed. There is a need to identify the growth poles and the formation of organisational and economic forms of their development in increasing the share of innovative production and activities in the oilgas chemical industry in the Atyrau region economy, occupying such unique resources as hydrocarbon raw materials. The formation of clusters in the regions will contribute to attracting investments in priority areas, activation of innovation activity, increasing export potential, making structural changes in the region. A relevant issue is the effectiveness of creating cluster structures in Atyrau region. Kazakhstan can become a real subject on innovative cluster development, offering products both on domestic and foreign markets in the raw materials direction. The prerequisites for the creation of innovation clusters on the study of economic and innovation potential in Atyrau region are considered. This article is devoted to the identification of theoretical and methodological aspects of the formation of growth poles in the development of the region's economy. The main purpose of this study is to substantiate the formation of innovation growth poles in Atyrau region. The authors conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis, assessment of economic, as well as Atyrau region innovation potential, determined the innovation activity of Atyrau region economic entities.

Innovative cluster development across Europe compared to silicon valley

Methods. In order to reach the results of the conducted research it was necessary to apply the ensuing scientific methods: abstraction – which was employed to define the essence of the innovative clusters; induction and deduction – which were used to identify the root causes of European innovative clusters lagging behind Silicon Valley; generalization and specification – which om distinguishing between various approaches to evolvement of start-up economy. Results. The study has enabled one to put forward some of the recommendations concerning the remedies to the visible lagging behind of innovative clusters across Europe compared to Silicon Valley. For instance, it is recommended to increase cross-border cooperation and coordinate regulatory actions to promote venture development and scaling throughout Europe. The first step for this is to create a common corporate rulebook, specifically for fast-growing businesses. Another crucial recommendation is to establish fair competition throughout Europe. It will help new start-ups in their goals to rise up alongside giant corporations and compete worldwide. Monitoring competition with foreign businesses will also be essential for providing a safe haven for European start-ups to establish a worldwide presence and lessen the strain of intense fragmentation and rivalry within Europe. Novelty lies in broadening of the term innovative cluster in order to put an emphasis on the factors that exercise influence on evolvement of start-up economy under modern circumstances. Practical value is enshrined in establishing the factors that can have impact on evolvement of the innovative clusters across Europe. This may serve as a foundation for implementation of government policies aimed at ramping up economic growth through start-up economy.

Unlocking the Dynamics of Innovation Clusters Sectoral Impacts and Organisational Capabilities

Purpose: This article provides insights into how innovation clusters operate, how sectoral factors and organisational capabilities influence them, and how they contribute to economic growth and innovation in specific regions and industries. It provides insights into how sectoral effects, organisational capabilities, and collaboration dynamics intersect within these clusters, offering valuable information for policymakers and businesses seeking to leverage the potential of innovation clusters for regional and industry-specific development.
 Methodology/Approach: The research methodology involves a literature review, quantitative survey, factor analysis, cluster analysis, and correlation analysis to explore the relationships between sectoral effects, organisational capabilities, and collaboration within innovation clusters.
 Findings: The findings suggest that sector-specific effects influence cluster members' strategic and innovation capabilities. Technological complexity is predominant, impacting market orientation and product development capabilities. The article also identifies four distinct groups of organisations based on sectoral impacts and export activities within clusters.
 Research Limitation/implication: While the methodology provides valuable insights, there is potential sampling bias as non-random sampling via cluster manager recommendations may introduce selection bias. The findings are specific to Hungarian innovation clusters and may not be generalised universally.
 Originality/Value of paper: The uniqueness of this study lies in its holistic and data-driven exploration of innovation clusters, considering a wide range of factors and their practical implications for fostering collaboration and innovation in different industries.

УПРАВЛІННЯ ТА РЕАЛІЗАЦІЯ БІОТЕХНОЛОГІЙ В АГРАРНІЙ СФЕРІ (МІЖНАРОДНИЙ ДОСВІД)

The article examines the objective contradictions of innovative development, analyzes the international experience of solving them by creating such modern organizational forms as clusters. Modern innovative development policy, which is based on the creation of high-tech clusters, is gaining wide recognition in the world as the main way of developing the competitiveness of the state, regions and enterprises, stimulating innovations, attracting investments, and creating new technologies. In this aspect, the study of the formation of biotechnological clusters and their specifics plays the role of a leading link in learning the patterns and solving problems of innovative development not only of the branches of the national economy, but also of the state as a whole. A modern innovation cluster is a union of various organizations (industrial companies, research centers, state administration bodies, universities, public organizations, etc.), which allows you to use the advantages of the main methods of coordination of the economic system - state regulation of the inter-firm hierarchy and the market mechanism, which makes it possible to spread new knowledge, scientific discoveries and inventions more quickly and efficiently. The main system-forming contradictions of innovative development are the contradictions between economic and social interests and the principles of innovative development; between national and global interests of innovative development; between the cost of developing a new innovative technology and the economic effect of its implementation; between the interests of producers and consumers of innovative products; between the available scientific potential and its implementation in specific innovations; between individual and public interests in the process of creating innovations and contradictions in the interaction of factors in the process of innovative renewal. The modern organizational form of solving them is the clustering of innovative development of enterprises. Based on the international experience of creating biotechnological clusters, a similar organizational scheme has been developed for Ukrainian biotechnological enterprises. A basic diagram of a biotechnological cluster is proposed

Trends and hotspots related to traditional and modern approaches on acupuncture for stroke: A bibliometric and visualization analysis.

Acupuncture role in stroke treatment and post-stroke rehabilitation has garnered significant attention. However, there is a noticeable gap in bibliometric studies on this topic. Additionally, the precision and comprehensive methodology of cluster analysis remain underexplored. This research sought to introduce an innovative cluster analysis technique (called follower-leading clustering algorithm, FLCA) to evaluate global publications and trends related to acupuncture for stroke in the recent decade. Publications pertaining to acupuncture for stroke from 2013 to 2022 were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. For the assessment of publication attributes-including contributing countries/regions (e.g., US states, provinces, and major cities in China) in comparison to others, institutions, departments, authors, journals, and keywords-we employed bibliometric visualization tools combined with the FLCA algorithm. The analysis findings, inclusive of present research status, prospective trends, and 3 influential articles, were presented through bibliometrics with visualizations. We identified 1050 publications from 92 countries/regions. An initial gradual rise in publication numbers was observed until 2019, marking a pivotal juncture. Prominent contributors in research, based on criteria such as regions, institutions, departments, and authors, were Beijing (China), Beijing Univ Chinese Med (China), the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and Lidian Chen (Fujian). The journal "Evid.-based Complement Altern" emerged as the most productive. The FLCA algorithm was effectively employed for co-word and author collaboration analyses. Furthermore, we detail the prevailing research status, anticipated trends, and 3 standout articles via bibliometrics. Acupuncture for stroke presents a vast research avenue. It is imperative for scholars from various global regions and institutions to transcend academic boundaries to foster dialogue and cooperation. For forthcoming bibliometric investigations, the application of the FLCA algorithm for cluster analysis is advocated.

THE ROLE OF INVESTMENT FINANCING IN THE OPERATION OF A OIL REFINERY

This paper analyses the comprehensive investment framework for the restructuring of the oil refining sector in Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to identify priority areas, strategies and policies to facilitate structural transformation, increase competitiveness and promote economic growth in the sector. Methodology. The research is based on a comprehensive review of national and international literature on investment strategies in the oil refining industry. It uses a qualitative approach to analyse the critical components of an effective investment framework, including technological, financial, institutional and policy aspects. In addition, the study considers case studies and empirical evidence to validate the proposed strategies. Results. The study outlines a multifaceted approach to investment in the oil refining complex, based on a unified classification of high-tech goods and an industrial development strategy aligned with national interests. It advocates public-private partnerships and the implementation of national projects as key mechanisms for promoting industrial restructuring. Furthermore, the study emphasises the importance of reducing investment risks and optimising depreciation funds by introducing higher depreciation rates and incentives for high-tech enterprises. It recommends preferential financing tailored to the specific characteristics of the industry and structural modernisation. The research also examines alternative sources of investment, such as joint investment institutions and venture funds, and stresses the need for an enabling legal environment and investor protection. It emphasises the role of the foreign trade aspect of government policy in reducing tariffs on high-tech products and providing political and economic support for industry exports. The paper recognises the importance of regional policies in creating a favourable investment climate and advocates the establishment of industrial parks and innovation clusters tailored to regional specificities. This study provides a comprehensive investment framework to support the structural transformation of Ukraine's oil refining complex. By implementing the strategies and principles outlined here, Ukraine can facilitate economic growth, enhance its competitiveness in the global market and ensure the sustainable development of its oil refining industry.

Cluster Strategy: Features of Sectoral and Intersectoral Legal Institutions Implementation

The paper discusses the processes of creation and functioning of cluster structures. Cluster approaches are very promising today: they allow for both creating new development institutions and managing the existing ones. The economic entities included in the cluster are also participants in the investment agreement at the same time. The author shows which subjective rights, absolute duties they have when united in an industrial-type cluster. The implementation of investment projects is mediated by the renewal of fixed assets. The innovation cluster then promises self-sufficiency, self-financing, but the creation of loan capital seems to be an extremely costly procedure. The institutions of the contract system that are able to stem the risks arising in this regard are considered. Various aspects of substitution transactions, in general, the interaction of investment and management contracts are summarized. The author notes that within the cluster, its beneficiaries by their actions contribute to both the accumulation of profits and the accumulation of losses. The more chances they have to pay off accounts receivable, the sooner they will turn their assets into liquid ones at full value. The functionality of cluster objects is brought to the fore, which outlines the shortest path to monetization of their development. The development of the Arctic resource potential (due to the cluster presumption) in this regard seems significant. The interaction of legal institutions is considered according to the concept of the so-called Triple helix, as far as it simplifies the creation of property complexes.

Inter-firm coopetition and innovation in industrial clusters: the role of institutional support

PurposeInnovativeness is crucial for industrial cluster firms to gain sustained competitive advantage. This study aims to investigate the effects of inter-firm coopetition on firm innovativeness within a cluster and examines the moderating role of institutional support.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts an empirical survey method using multi-source data from 181 industrial cluster firms. Regression is used to test the hypotheses of this study.FindingsThe results show that cooperation and constructive conflict promote firm innovativeness, while destructive conflict is detrimental to firm innovativeness. Moreover, the study also finds that cooperation interacts with both types of conflict to affect firm innovativeness, where cooperation and constructive conflict interact negatively on firm innovativeness, while cooperation and destructive conflict interact positively on firm innovativeness. In addition, institutional support weakens the effects of cooperation and destructive conflict on innovativeness, respectively, but has no significant moderating effect on the relationship between constructive conflict and innovativeness.Originality/valueThese findings enrich the current research on coopetition. The interaction effects of cooperation and both types of conflict on innovativeness deepen the concept of coopetition and responds to the call to further explore the interaction effects within coopetition. The moderating role of institutional support fills a gap in the empirical research on the role of institutional factors affecting coopetition on innovation and also provides valuable suggestions for firm managers and governments in industrial clusters.

A Novel Curve Clustering Method for Functional Data: Applications to COVID-19 and Financial Data

Functional data analysis has significantly enriched the landscape of existing data analysis methodologies, providing a new framework for comprehending data structures and extracting valuable insights. This paper is dedicated to addressing functional data clustering—a pivotal challenge within functional data analysis. Our contribution to this field manifests through the introduction of innovative clustering methodologies tailored specifically to functional curves. Initially, we present a proximity measure algorithm designed for functional curve clustering. This innovative clustering approach offers the flexibility to redefine measurement points on continuous functions, adapting to either equidistant or nonuniform arrangements, as dictated by the demands of the proximity measure. Central to this method is the “proximity threshold”, a critical parameter that governs the cluster count, and its selection is thoroughly explored. Subsequently, we propose a time-shift clustering algorithm designed for time-series data. This approach identifies historical data segments that share patterns similar to those observed in the present. To evaluate the effectiveness of our methodologies, we conduct comparisons with the classic K-means clustering method and apply them to simulated data, yielding encouraging simulation results. Moving beyond simulation, we apply the proposed proximity measure algorithm to COVID-19 data, yielding notable clustering accuracy. Additionally, the time-shift clustering algorithm is employed to analyse NASDAQ Composite data, successfully revealing underlying economic cycles.