ABOUT CLUSTERS
Clusters and cluster initiatives have in the past 20 years become a key component in utilizing the strengths of national and regional competitiveness strategies. Cluster programs and initiatives are today established in all developed and in many developing countries.
WHAT IS A CLUSTER?
Organizations and scholars have developed several definitions of what a cluster is. In general, most theories agree that a cluster should be composed of organizations covering the “triple helix”, within a geographical defined area. Professor Michael E. Porter offers the following definition of a cluster:
"A cluster is a geographical proximate group of interconnected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, linked by commonalities and externalities." (Michael E. Porter, On Competition)
The cluster theory is based on the notion that clusters have certain characteristics, which contribute to enhance innovation, growth and competitiveness of regions and the companies which are part of clusters. However, some of the synergies within a cluster are latent, and in order to fulfill and exploit these synergies, a cluster initiative can be established.
"Cluster initiatives are organized efforts to increase the growth and competitiveness of a cluster within a region, involving cluster firms, government and/or the research community." (Örjan Sölvell, Göran Lindqvist and Christian Ketels, The Cluster Initiative Greenbook, Ivory Tower AB, 2003)
A cluster initiative is led by a cluster organization, which initiates and strengthens joint activities among its members related to:
The cluster approach has made a difference in the economic development performance of many of our members in TCI. Gathering and disseminating world-class, practice-based knowledge on clusters and competitiveness is one of our main areas of activities . That is why we are pleased to publish a series of cluster success stories.
New Zealand
Ifor Ffowcs-Williams
TCI members from different countries and continents summarize the main benefits they experienced so far specifically from their cluster work. Find here all testimonials published so far on the TCI YouTube channel.
The TCI Network seeks to develop tighter bridges between the practitioners in our network and the academic community working on clusters. In this line, we regularly post listings of new academic articles on clusters and competitiveness on our website. The selection is also sent through our Newsletter. Sign up for it (at the bottom of this page), so as not to miss any selection.
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There is an increasing demand for professionals who possess the special qualifications needed for the competent management of a cluster initiative or a programme. In order to cover this need, various courses are offered around the world. TCI is pleased to present a selection of it.
CLUSTER ACADEMY 2019 by Business Upper Austria
Linz, Austria, 5-8 November, 2019. Тhe CLUSTER ACADEMY 2019 is organized by TCI member Business Upper Austria and will take place on November 8-5 in Linz. It will give the opportunity to practioners to keep on developing in the area of innovative eco systems and local best practices that could be later applied and adapted to regional specifics. It will help the participants to feel like a start up and pitche ideas. Registration is now open with deadline September 1.
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 17-21 June 2019. The wonderful city of Barcelona will host again the Competitiveness Summer School. Set-up by the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence and hosted by IESE Business School ,this edition focuses on learning about competitiveness Economics, Implementation Management, Strategy Foundations for Cluster Management, Digital Transformation etc. This year's special - Blue Economy. A case study of high value nautical tourism cluster.
International Cluster Course by Quercus Group
Copenhagen, Denmark, 26-27 October 2017. Quercus Group and Oxford Research have teamed up - for a second year in a row - to organize the international cluster course. The course will cover cluster analysis, stakeholder management & partnerships, Cluster services & activities, cluster economy and financial models, cluster leadership & organization, SME growth & internationalization and so forth.
The Cluster as a Brand – the Master Class
Brussels, Belgium, 26-27 April 2017. The purpose of this Master Class is to provide the participants with knowledge on and inspiration for how cluster managers and investment promotion professionals can work with strategies and tools for cluster marketing and branding in order to create recognition and attractiveness for the cluster and its firms.
Mesopartner Summer Academy 2017
Berlin, Germany, 3 - 7 July 2017. At the Summer Academy, the specific emphasis will be on emergence and adaptation of meso organisations and their central role in the Territorial Economic Development process. These organisations aim to promote the private sector, address persistent market underperformance, and promote territorial and sectoral competitiveness.
Copenhagen, Denmark, 26-27 October 2017. The course is organized by Quercus Group and Oxford Research, and will focus on practical tools and knowledge in different aspects of a cluster such as cluster leadership &organization, SME growth & internationalization, cluster economy & financial models and so forth.
Master in Competitiveness and Innovation
TCI member Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness is working closely with Deusto Business School in running their Masters Degree in Competitiveness and Innovation, led by TCI Board member James Wilson . The Masters is a full-time one-year academic course, starting in September. It is taught in English in Donostia-San Sebastian (Basque Country-Spain).
Microeconomics of Competitiveness, MOC
In 2002, the Microeconomics of Competitiveness (MOC) course was created by Professor Michael Porter and colleagues at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness. The MOC course explores the determinants of competitiveness and successful economic development viewed from a bottom-up, microeconomic perspective. The course is offered at Harvard as well as at more than 100 partner universities around the globe.
Training the trainers: The European Foundation for Cluster Excellence
The European Foundation for Cluster Excellence offers training programmes: The Essence of Cluster Excellence Management and Gold Cluster Excellence Manager. With the support of the European Commission, these programmes address the need for a more streamlined training format in addressing the training needs of cluster managers. Both programmes push for further creativity, innovation and growth in economic clusters.
Cluster Development capitalizes on its extensive field-based experience to develop a system of online and offline training to provide cluster managers and cluster policy makers with the tools to enhance competitiveness of cluster companies, as well as strengthening the governance and operation of cluster organizations and main cluster stakeholders. In other words, setting the bases to define high impact services and projects for companies to reinforce their competitive position in the business
German-French master’s program in Management of Clusters and Regional Networks
The University of Applied Science Kehl and the University of Strasbourg have implemented this joint master, where students are taught modern communication techniques as well as the basics of conflict management and intercultural management. The master also focuses on the topics of business and competitive intelligence, project, personnel and innovation management, marketing, public relations and European administrative cultures.
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