FOSTERING A 'CLUSTER' OR A 'CLUSTERING PROCESS': The role of the organisational make-up of a region in extending the life cycle of a cluster

This paper seeks to understand the appropriate organisational make-up through public intervention for extending the life cycle of an internationally competitive regional cluster. In doing so, the paper uses as its primary... [ view full abstract ]

This paper seeks to understand the appropriate organisational make-up through public intervention for extending the life cycle of an internationally competitive regional cluster. In doing so, the paper uses as its primary case, a medical technology cluster in the West of Ireland that can be considered to be a growing cluster. How the cluster has evolved and the challenges facing the cluster are investigated from the perspective of various stakeholders. Evidence is also drawn from a mature and internationally competitive medical technology cluster in Massachusetts (US); employed as a secondary case study in this research. An analysis of the key elements underlying the clustering processes in Massachusetts is investigated with a particular emphasis placed on the role of public and private organisations in support of the cluster’s development. Qualitative data was collected from eighteen semi-structured personal interviews with various cluster members in Massachusetts, whilst twenty interviews combined with a panel discussion consisting of five key stakeholders in the Irish medical technology cluster was also conducted. By combining the findings from these two studies as well as assessing the predominantly European-based highly structured and publicly-driven approach to organisational support for cluster development, the paper identifies key learning points on what role cluster-oriented public and private organisations should play in technology cluster evolution.

Industrial clusters, public policy, medical technology cluster in Massachusetts and Ireland [ view full abstract ]

Industrial clusters, public policy, medical technology cluster in Massachusetts and Ireland