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Internal and External Dynamics of the Munich Film and TV Industry Cluster, and Limitations to Future Growth

Author

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  • Harald Bathelt

    (Department of Political Science, University of Toronto and Department of Geography, Sidney Smith Hall, 100 St George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada)

  • Armin Gräf

    (Faculty of Geography, University of Marburg, Deutschhausstrasse 10, 35032 Marburg, Germany)

Abstract

This analysis uses the case of a seemingly successful industry cluster (ie the film and TV industry in Munich) to demonstrate that deficits in the structure of social relations can impact a cluster's growth potential. In the period after World War II, Munich grew into a national centre of media industries in Germany due to the introduction of private/commercial TV, national entry barriers, and a supportive institutional infrastructure. The recent advertising crisis and the dissolution of the Kirch Group have, however, reinforced already existing internal dilemmas and contradictions. We suggest that the growth prospects of this industry are limited due to a lack of reflexive, interconnected communication and interaction patterns. In conceptual terms, we apply a model which emphasizes that local interaction or ‘buzz’ in clusters and interaction with external firms and markets through translocal or global ‘pipelines’ create reflexive dynamics. Based on this conception, participatory observation and semistructured interviews were conducted with sixty-five Munich firms, as well as with planners and media experts from the region. The results indicate that the regional, national, and occasional international project networks have had a smaller impact on the Munich film and TV industry than expected. Our investigation provides evidence that the cluster's structure of social relations is relatively weak. Internal networks which could drive creative recombination and innovation are underdeveloped, and linkages with external markets which could provide substantial growth impulses to the region are lacking. We argue that this structural weakness limits the potential for future growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Harald Bathelt & Armin Gräf, 2008. "Internal and External Dynamics of the Munich Film and TV Industry Cluster, and Limitations to Future Growth," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(8), pages 1944-1965, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:40:y:2008:i:8:p:1944-1965
    DOI: 10.1068/a39391
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Warland, 2016. "What kinds of regional innovation systems occur around federal agencies?," Diskussionsschriften credresearchpaper10, Universitaet Bern, Departement Volkswirtschaft - CRED.
    2. Harold Bathelt, 2011. "Munich’s Media Cluster at the Crossroads," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Robert G. Picard (ed.), Media Clusters, chapter 7, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Leona Achtenhagen & Robert G. Picard, 2011. "Media Clusters: Development Paths and Core Issues," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Robert G. Picard (ed.), Media Clusters, chapter 3, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Andrea Caragliu & Camilla Lenzi & Selyf Morgan, 2013. "Development dynamics within creative media industries: the case of television and digital media in Wales," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(4), pages 385-400, November.

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