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Cluster Policies in the US and Germany: Varieties of Capitalism Perspective on Two High-Tech States

Author

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  • Rolf Sternberg

    (Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, Leibniz University of Hannover, Schneiderberg 50, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Matthias Kiese

    (Institute for Competitiveness and Communication, School of Business, University of Applied Sciences Northwest Switzerland, Riggenbachstrasse 16, 4600 Olten, Switzerland)

  • Dennis Stockinger

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research 151, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany)

Abstract

Despite the diffusion of cluster policies across time and space, the universal applicability of the underlying concept or its otherwise necessary adaptation to national, regional, and local peculiarities are rarely questioned. Drawing on the varieties of capitalism approach, we adopt an institutional perspective to compare the cluster policies of North Carolina and Bavaria, situated in their countries' multilevel governance frameworks in which the state level interacts with federal and local policies. Contrasting North Carolina and Bavaria, we link the differences in the design and implementation of cluster policies to characteristics of the national institutional environment, as well as to regional specifics and path dependencies. Our findings highlight the importance of institutional contexts that needs to be considered when adapting cluster policies to specific circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • Rolf Sternberg & Matthias Kiese & Dennis Stockinger, 2010. "Cluster Policies in the US and Germany: Varieties of Capitalism Perspective on Two High-Tech States," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 28(6), pages 1063-1082, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:28:y:2010:i:6:p:1063-1082
    DOI: 10.1068/c1019b
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    2. Nils Grashof, 2019. "Firm-specific cluster effects - A meta-analysis," Bremen Papers on Economics & Innovation 1906, University of Bremen, Faculty of Business Studies and Economics.
    3. Nils Grashof, 2020. "Firm‐specific cluster effects: A meta‐analysis," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 99(5), pages 1237-1260, October.
    4. Stefano Basilico & Uwe Cantner & Holger Graf, 2023. "Policy influence in the knowledge space: a regional application," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 591-622, April.
    5. Markku Sotarauta & Nina Mustikkamäki, 2015. "Institutional Entrepreneurship, Power, and Knowledge in Innovation Systems: Institutionalization of Regenerative Medicine in Tampere, Finland," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 33(2), pages 342-357, April.
    6. Ferasso, Marcos & Grenier, Corinne, 2021. "Fostering SME's co-development of innovative projects in biotech clusters: Extending the sets of enablers for the knowledge creation process," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    7. Graf, Holger & Broekel, Tom, 2020. "A shot in the dark? Policy influence on cluster networks," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).
    8. Matthias Kiese, 2019. "Regional cluster policies in Germany: challenges, impacts and evaluation practices," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(6), pages 1698-1719, December.
    9. Elvira Uyarra & Kieron Flanagan & Edurne Magro & James R Wilson & Markku Sotarauta, 2017. "Understanding regional innovation policy dynamics: Actors, agency and learning," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(4), pages 559-568, June.
    10. Jean-Marc Trouille, 2014. "Industrial Nationalism versus European Partnerships: An Analysis of State-Led Franco—German Interfirm Linkages," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 32(6), pages 1059-1082, December.
    11. Burger, Peter & Baumohl, Eduard & Vyrostova, Eva, 2017. "Funding Structure of the European and North American Clusters: Results from an Independent Questionnaire," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 65(6), pages 485-504.
    12. Bas Karreman & Martijn J. Burger & Fred van Eenennaam, 2019. "Revealed competition between cluster organizations: An exploratory analysis of the European life sciences sector," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 51(3), pages 705-723, May.
    13. María José Aranguren Querejeta & James R. Wilson, 2013. "What can experience with clusters teach us about fostering regional smart specialisation?," EKONOMIAZ. Revista vasca de Economía, Gobierno Vasco / Eusko Jaurlaritza / Basque Government, vol. 83(02), pages 127-174.
    14. Anastasiia Konstantynova & Tine Lehmann, 2017. "Cluster Activities in Different Institutional Environments. Case Studies of ICT-Clusters from Austria, Germany, Ukraine and Serbia," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-15, May.
    15. Okamuro, Hiroyuki & Nishimura, Junichi, 2018. "Whose business is your project? A comparative study of different subsidy policy schemes for collaborative R&D," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 85-96.
    16. Claire Champenois, 2012. "How Can a Cluster Policy Enhance Entrepreneurship? Evidence from the German ‘Bioregio’ Case," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 30(5), pages 796-815, October.
    17. Shengjun Zhu & Canfei He, 2016. "Global and local governance, industrial and geographical dynamics: A tale of two clusters," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 34(8), pages 1453-1473, December.
    18. Sabine Menu, 2012. "The Role of Cluster Policy on Leadership: Evidence from Two Pôles De Compétitivité," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 30(5), pages 816-834, October.
    19. Gornig, Martin & Schiersch, Alexander, 2019. "Agglomeration economies and firm TFP: different effects across industries," VfS Annual Conference 2019 (Leipzig): 30 Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall - Democracy and Market Economy 203597, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    20. 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.

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