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Can the government create a vibrant cluster? Understanding the impact of cluster policy on the development of a cluster

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  • Anne-Lorène Vernay
  • Beatrice D’Ippolito
  • Jonatan Pinkse

Abstract

Research has debated to what extent policy measures can facilitate or contribute to the development of clusters. This article contributes to this debate by questioning how the government can create a cluster that is self-organizing and vibrant but also maintain sufficient influence to continue using the cluster as a policy instrument. Taking the perspective of cluster members, the article investigates how members perceive the ambiguous role of the government in a government-supported cluster. It analyses to what extent cluster members value a government-supported cluster and whether they perceive the government as one that facilitates or hinders them in self-organizing the cluster. Empirical evidence is derived from a case study of a French cluster established as a result of a cluster policy initiative and which has recently been required to fulfil a new set of objectives by the same government. The findings suggest that government-supported clusters can self-organize if members are given the opportunity, but with the consequence that it becomes difficult for the government to fully control such clusters. To continue steering the cluster’s development, the government would have to leverage the technology gatekeepers’ power by designing policies that allow gatekeepers to translate government objectives into meaningful objectives for themselves.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne-Lorène Vernay & Beatrice D’Ippolito & Jonatan Pinkse, 2018. "Can the government create a vibrant cluster? Understanding the impact of cluster policy on the development of a cluster," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(7-8), pages 901-919, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:30:y:2018:i:7-8:p:901-919
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2018.1501611
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    Cited by:

    1. Manning, Stephan, 2022. "From mainstream to niche: How value regimes shift in emerging economy upgrading," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    2. Vitaly L. Tambovtsev, 2022. "Clusters: Coordination, inter-firm relationships and competitive advantages," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 13(1), pages 20-36, March.
    3. Liping Fu & Fan Wu & Shan Zhang, 2022. "Evolutionary Path and Innovative Development of Pharmaceutical Industrial Cluster—A Case Study of Shijiazhuang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Niki Derlukiewicz & Anna Mempel-Śnieżyk & Dominika Mankowska & Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Stanisław Minta & Tomasz Pilawka, 2020. "How do Clusters Foster Sustainable Development? An Analysis of EU Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    5. Qingshan Ma & Yuanmeng Zhang & Kexin Yang & Lingyun He, 2021. "Have China’s Pilot Free Trade Zones Improved Green Total Factor Productivity?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-20, November.

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