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Intra-Cluster Cooperation Enhancing SMEs’ Competitiveness - The Role of Cluster Organisations in Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Jankowska, Barbara

    (Poznan University of Economics and Business)

  • Götz, Marta

    (Vistula University, Warszawa)

  • Główka, Cezary

    (Leszno Printing and Advertising Cluster)

Abstract

The determinants of SMEs’ competitiveness and, in particular, the constraints faced by SMEs, as well as the implications of the barriers for a firm’s growth have been investigated by a great number of researchers. Despite the popularity of the studies focused on SMEs competitiveness this topic is not losing its relevance, since SMEs are backbone of national economies. The issue is of even greater importance for post-transition economies. In this paper, we argue that intracluster cooperation, which should epitomise the genuine and fully fledged cluster, provides cluster firms, in particular SMEs, with advantages and thus can assist SMEs in upgrading their competitiveness. Special role play in this respect also dedicated cluster organisations. The conceptual part of the paper is accompanied by empirical considerations. Best practices from selected Polish clusters dominated by micro, small and medium enterprises are presented

Suggested Citation

  • Jankowska, Barbara & Götz, Marta & Główka, Cezary, 2017. "Intra-Cluster Cooperation Enhancing SMEs’ Competitiveness - The Role of Cluster Organisations in Poland," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 39, pages 195-214.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:invreg:0362
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cluster; cooperation; competitiveness; cluster organisation; SME; Poland;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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