Variety in Innovation Clusters: The Case of Europe

• In Event: Poster Session: Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy 2 & Comparative Education Reform
  In Poster Session: Poster Session 2: Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy

Abstract

Economic clusters have increasingly captured the attention of governments and industries as tools to increase economic and innovative output. Following this interest, we should look to understand how clusters are structured in different social, political, and cultural contexts – and thus the different types that exist. This paper asks the question, what factors contribute to economic cluster structure? To answer this question, this paper develops a typology of different cluster types. Methodologically this paper takes an inductive approach, by applying a density-based clustering method to determine what patterns emerge naturally among clusters and understand what factors result in a specific cluster type. To do this, 20 European clusters that ranked on WIPO’s 2022 Top 100 Global S&T Cluster Ranking will be investigated. This paper hypothesizes that cluster types are primarily determined by the level of government management, the intensity of innovation networks (defined as the linkages between researchers, firms, global knowledge flows, and research support institutions) within the cluster, and in some cases industry specific characteristics. Once cluster types are determined, multiple case study analyses will be performed to better understand the characteristics of each cluster type and how these types interface with policy, governance, and institutions. This information will hopefully be useful to policymakers, government officials, and industry organizations interested in economic clusters and development.

Author

• Caroline Frances Wesson, George Mason University