Clusteransätze in der regionalen wirtschaftsförderung theoretische überlegungen und empirische beispiele aus wolfsburg und hannover

authored by: Rolf Sternberg, Matthias Kiesel, Ludwig Schätzl
Abstract: Since the 1990s, cluster approaches have become highly fashionable among scholars in economic geography and regional economics, and policy-makers alike. This paper explores the theoretical foundations of the cluster concept, which eclectically draws on various schools of thought. Clusters can be either conducive or harmful to local economic development, depending on a set of framework conditions and the cluster life cycle. A number of preconditions can be derived that will eventually determine the success or failure of a cluster-based strategy of local economic development. Theoretical propositions are then tested against case studies situated in German city regions where McKinsey & Co. have devised such clusterbased concepts, launched between 1998 and 2002. Despite a uniform approach, local starting conditions and specific constellations of actors have led to distinct interpretations of the cluster approach. Preliminary conclusions suggest that policy can foster the development of local industry clusters if certain building blocks are already in place, but independent in-depth evaluations have yet to be made.
Organisation(s): Institute of Economic and Human Geography
Economic Geography Section
Type: Article
Journal: Zeitschrift fur Wirtschaftsgeographie
Volume: 48
Pages: 164-181
No. of pages: 18
ISSN: 0044-3751
Publication date: 2004
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Geography, Planning and Development, Economics and Econometrics
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1515/zfw.2004.0012 (Access: Closed)