Innovation Clusters and Public Policy—The Case of a Research-Driven Cluster in Germany (original) (raw)

Why are there so few hard facts about the impact of cluster policies in Germany? A critical review of evaluation studies

Review of Evolutionary Political Economy

Based on empirical findings on the effects of cluster policies in Germany, this paper scrutinises the available knowledge on cluster policies impact. There is a growing body of insights on direct effects of policy measures on cluster actors, cluster organisations and innovation networks of the promoted clusters. For some industries such as biotechnology, there are indications that cluster policies had a substantial influence on the formation of new firms and emerging sectoral structures. While the available information seems to support the hypothesis that cluster policies can provide positive impulses for the development of clusters, the actual knowledge on far-reaching impacts of cluster policies on economic structures and processes is still rather limited. The paper asks for the reasons of this knowledge gap between expectations placed in cluster policies and the available evidence on their impact. We identify five reasons: (i) problems in addressing the systemic nature of cluster...

In pursuit of innovative clusters

OECD (Ed.), Innovative Clusters: Drivers of …, 2001

Innovation seldom occurs in isolation. This is reflected in the rise of a 'family' of innovation system approaches. The cluster approach is part of this growing family and can be interpreted as a reducedform National Innovation System (NIS). A cluster can be defined as chains of suppliers, customers and knowledge centres (universities, research institutes, knowledge-intensive services, intermediary organisations) that: i) have at their disposal complementary competencies; ii) are interconnected through production chains or value chains; iii) improve joint industrial processes and end products; and iv) (possibly) participate in networks focused on innovation and technology development. Apart from reflecting the systemic character of modern innovation and interactive innovation processes and being an analytical tool, clusters have also proven to be a useful framework for developing and applying new forms of governance. In fact the cluster approach can be seen as a tool for knowledge and innovation management at the meso-level. It can pinpoint those actions that are most needed to overcome barriers to innovation and to customise these actions to a specific cluster. This paper summarises the results (analysis of clusters, cluster innovation policies) of a joint research effort performed within the framework of the OECD Cluster Focus Group, part of the OECD NIS project.

Cluster policy: insights from the German leading edge cluster competition

Journal of open innovation, 2017

With its Leading-Edge Cluster Competition (in German: Spitzencluster-Wettbewerb; LECC), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) is supporting innovation clusters in a nationwide contest for the first time. In three waves, 15 cluster initiatives were selected and provided with funds to support them on their way to becoming international leaders in their field of technology. This paper presents the results of empirical studies regarding several important aspects of the LECC. The analysis of network relations shows that the LECC's short-term goal of intensifying or enhancing networking between innovative stakeholders in the cluster regions has been achieved. At the same time, certain types of regional impulses of the LECC can already be observed, primarily an improved visibility of the Leading-Edge Cluster regions and enhanced regional R&D activity. When looking at causal programme effects, we find that the programme increases firm-level R&D expenditure, but also that the programme design influences the programme impulse, e.g. by promoting additional activities of SMEs.

Innovation Cluster Policies of the European Union: Current Initiatives and Policy Recommendations

2022

Research on the topic of innovation clusters shows us that the support of these clusters must be of particular priority for any state wishing to spur innovation activities and enhance the competitiveness of its private sector. The EU has several policy initiatives aimed at supporting clusters. They address several issues such as intra-European cluster collaborations, internationalization of clusters, development of the workforce, enhancement of managerial skills within cluster organizations, and cooperation between the industry and knowledge institutions. Yet, as we argue, a number of important issues are not being addressed. Not enough attention is paid to the need for the engagement of clusters from laggard parts of Europe, or support of VC and start-ups. In order to minimize regional differences and make European clusters more competitive in light of ever-increasing global competition, it is critical that these issues are addressed.

Economic issues of innovation clusters-based industrial policy: a critical overview

Global Business and Economics Review, 2018

Criticisms vis-à-vis cluster policy are numerous, often confusing and really unhelpful ; while some authors systematically question the merits, others on the contrary play a genuine role of counsel in his favour. This paper attempts to refocus the debate and analyses the economic issues, impacts and implications of the innovation clusters policy. To do this, we take a critical view of the literature on clusters, focusing on analysis of the effects of three industrial dynamics in perpetual movement within clusters, especially research and development, industrial location and technology cooperation. We assume that innovation cluster "potentiates", by a synergistic action, the beneficial effect of each of these three industrial dynamics in favour of localised firms. However, it appears from the analysis that the hopes and expectations invested in cluster policy must be reconsidered and relativised. So the reasons for the rising power of cluster policies must be sought elsewhere than in a necessarily consensual and tangible evidence of positive impacts of clusters.

Building research clusters: exploring public policy options for supporting regional innovation

Governments at all levels are showing great interest-and some are spending lots of money-in developing research clusters that they hope will benefit their local and national economies. Clusters are complex, however, and this chapter aims to help policy-makers maximize their benefits. The chapter offers a taxonomy of countries and their potential for cluster development and explains a five-stage process for realistic cluster building. Stage one assesses capacities, resources, and opportunities. Stage two involves choosing an anchor strategy. In stage three, organizational and institutional leaders are identified to take the lead in developing the cluster. In stage four, proactive tactics are chosen. Stage five identifies the cluster's lifecycle and the strategies needed to sustain it. Cluster building is knowledge-based development, which is inherently different from traditional industrial development. For one thing, cluster building requires global links. Companies and skilled employees are less interested in fiscal incentives, public infrastructure, or other government support than in the innovation community and its networks.

Competitive regional clusters: international experience

E3S Web of Conferences

Many countries is developing in the context of a multitude of global trends and challenges that noticeably change the “picture” of the world, positions, interests and opportunities of various players. An important role in the formation and change of this “picture” belongs to the sphere of science, technology, and innovation. Over the past 20 years, the European Commission has paid attention to the development of cluster policy. Today stands out several trends in the development of European cluster policy. In our opinion, economic activity in clusters tends to concentrate in certain areas, thus, clusters contribute to regional development and overcoming economic imbalances. Studying the accumulated European experience in the field of cluster initiatives and current trends allows us to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the existing mechanisms for the formation of Russian clusters. The article analyzes the Russian experience in the implementation of programs for the developm...