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Perspectives on Cluster Evolution : Critical Review and Future Research Issues

Trippl, Michaela LU ; Grillitsch, Markus LU ; Isaksen, Arne and Sinozic, Tanja (2015) In European Planning Studies 23(10). p.2028-2044
Abstract

Abstract: The past two decades have witnessed an ever-growing scholarly interest in regional clusters. The focus of research has mainly been on exploring why clusters exist and what characteristics “functioning” clusters possess. Although the interest in more dynamic views on clusters is not new, in recent years, however, greater attention has been paid to providing better explanations of how clusters change and develop over time, giving rise to an increasing popularity of the cluster life-cycle approach. This paper discusses the key ideas and arguments put forward by the main protagonists of this approach and identifies several missing elements, such as indifference to place-specific factors, neglect of multi-scalar impacts and... (More)

Abstract: The past two decades have witnessed an ever-growing scholarly interest in regional clusters. The focus of research has mainly been on exploring why clusters exist and what characteristics “functioning” clusters possess. Although the interest in more dynamic views on clusters is not new, in recent years, however, greater attention has been paid to providing better explanations of how clusters change and develop over time, giving rise to an increasing popularity of the cluster life-cycle approach. This paper discusses the key ideas and arguments put forward by the main protagonists of this approach and identifies several missing elements, such as indifference to place-specific factors, neglect of multi-scalar impacts and underappreciation of the role of human agency. Based on this critical assessment, a number of suggestions for future research are made. We argue that there is a need to study the influence of the wider regional environment on cluster evolution and to explore how cluster development paths are influenced by a multiplicity of factors and processes at various spatial scales. Finally, it is claimed that future research should pay more attention to the role of human agents and the ways they shape the long-term development of regional clusters. We outline how future studies can tackle these issues.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European Planning Studies
volume
23
issue
10
pages
17 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:84938952731
ISSN
0965-4313
DOI
10.1080/09654313.2014.999450
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
42086217-bb31-4a24-b207-0f6170f6774e
date added to LUP
2018-10-09 19:48:39
date last changed
2024-01-15 03:14:51
@article{42086217-bb31-4a24-b207-0f6170f6774e,
  abstract     = {{<p>Abstract: The past two decades have witnessed an ever-growing scholarly interest in regional clusters. The focus of research has mainly been on exploring why clusters exist and what characteristics “functioning” clusters possess. Although the interest in more dynamic views on clusters is not new, in recent years, however, greater attention has been paid to providing better explanations of how clusters change and develop over time, giving rise to an increasing popularity of the cluster life-cycle approach. This paper discusses the key ideas and arguments put forward by the main protagonists of this approach and identifies several missing elements, such as indifference to place-specific factors, neglect of multi-scalar impacts and underappreciation of the role of human agency. Based on this critical assessment, a number of suggestions for future research are made. We argue that there is a need to study the influence of the wider regional environment on cluster evolution and to explore how cluster development paths are influenced by a multiplicity of factors and processes at various spatial scales. Finally, it is claimed that future research should pay more attention to the role of human agents and the ways they shape the long-term development of regional clusters. We outline how future studies can tackle these issues.</p>}},
  author       = {{Trippl, Michaela and Grillitsch, Markus and Isaksen, Arne and Sinozic, Tanja}},
  issn         = {{0965-4313}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{10}},
  pages        = {{2028--2044}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{European Planning Studies}},
  title        = {{Perspectives on Cluster Evolution : Critical Review and Future Research Issues}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2014.999450}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/09654313.2014.999450}},
  volume       = {{23}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}