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Clusters: A Mesmerising Mantra

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  • MICHAEL TAYLOR

Abstract

This paper argues that the cluster model of local economic growth is model that became a message that is now a mantra. It is an approach that has extended its explanatory reach through the accretion of layers of contingency. The paper suggests seven major limitations that undermine the explanatory power of what is now a mesmeric policy prescription for local economic development. It neglects the imperatives of capitalism, underestimates of the impact of unequal power relations on business relationships, fails to incorporate time, fetishises proximity, treats entrepreneurship simplistically, promotes the chaotic concept of institutional thickness, and is limited by the chaotic concept of social capital. It is concluded that a more nuanced and empirically grounded approach to agglomerated local growth is needed and a set of research questions is suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Taylor, 2010. "Clusters: A Mesmerising Mantra," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 101(3), pages 276-286, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:tvecsg:v:101:y:2010:i:3:p:276-286
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9663.2009.00583.x
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    2. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Fabrice Comptour, 2010. "Do clusters generate greater innovation and growth? An analysis of European regions," Working Papers 2010-15, Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados (IMDEA) Ciencias Sociales.
    3. Wenying Fu & Javier Revilla Diez & Daniel Schiller, 2017. "Determinants of Networking Practices in the Chinese Transition Context: Empirical Insights from the Pearl River Delta," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 108(2), pages 205-219, April.
    4. Lindile L Ndabeni & Christian M Rogerson & Irma Booyens, 2016. "Innovation and Local Economic Development Policy in the global South: New South African perspectives," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 31(1-2), pages 299-311, February.
    5. Booyens Irma & Rogerson Christian M., 2016. "Unpacking the geography of tourism innovation in Western Cape Province, South Africa," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 31(31), pages 19-36, March.
    6. Jon Swords, 2013. "Michael Porter’s cluster theory as a local and regional development tool: The rise and fall of cluster policy in the UK," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 28(4), pages 369-383, June.
    7. Nefs, Merten & van Haaren, Jeroen & van Oort, Frank, 2023. "The limited regional employment benefits of XXL-logistics centres in the Netherlands," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    8. Hugo Pinto & Jorge André Guerreiro & Manuel Fernández-Esquinas, 2023. "Sources of knowledge in the firm: a review on influential, internal and contextual factors in innovation dynamics," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 1-32, February.
    9. Lutz Eigenhüller & Nicole Litzel & Stefan Fuchs, 2015. "Who with whom: Co-operation activities in a cluster region," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(3), pages 469-497, August.
    10. Pinto, Hugo & Cruz, Ana Rita & Combe, Colin, 2015. "Cooperation and the emergence of maritime clusters in the Atlantic: Analysis and implications of innovation and human capital for blue growth," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 167-177.

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