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Local Management of National Cluster Policies: Comparative Case Studies of Japanese, German, and French Biotechnology Clusters

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  • Hiroyuki Okamuro

    (Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, Naka 2-1, Kunitachi Tokyo 186-8601, Japan)

  • Junichi Nishimura

    (Faculty of Economics, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima Tokyo 171-8588, Japan)

Abstract

Cluster policies have attracted increasing attention worldwide, but only a few studies have focused on their management by local cluster organizations. We investigate the relationship between national cluster policies and their management by local cluster organizations from a comparative perspective. For this purpose, we provide a detailed comparison of national cluster policies in Japan, Germany, and France as well as six prominent biotechnology clusters in these countries. Information on the focal clusters and on the management of cluster policies was obtained using semi-structured interviews with cluster managers. We find that national cluster policies considerably differ among these countries according to basic conditions of clusters and that the patterns of national cluster policy are closely related to those of local cluster management, despite some differences between clusters in the same country caused by various regional characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiroyuki Okamuro & Junichi Nishimura, 2015. "Local Management of National Cluster Policies: Comparative Case Studies of Japanese, German, and French Biotechnology Clusters," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:5:y:2015:i:4:p:213-239:d:58214
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    Cited by:

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    2. Takano, Keisuke & Okamuro, Hiroyuki, 2019. "Local R&D support as a driver of network diversification? A comparative evaluation of innovation policies in neighboring prefectures in Japan," TDB-CAREE Discussion Paper Series E-2019-02, Teikoku Databank Center for Advanced Empirical Research on Enterprise and Economy, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.
    3. Hiroyuki Okamuro & Junichi Nishimura, 2020. "What Shapes Local Innovation Policies? Empirical Evidence from Japanese Cities," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-22, February.
    4. Vlaisavljevic, Vesna & Medina, Carmen Cabello & Van Looy, Bart, 2020. "The role of policies and the contribution of cluster agency in the development of biotech open innovation ecosystem," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    5. Okamuro, Hiroyuki & Nishimura, Junichi, 2018. "Whose business is your project? A comparative study of different subsidy policy schemes for collaborative R&D," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 85-96.
    6. Antonio Oswaldo Ortega-Reyes & Eva Selene Hernández Gress & Carlos Robles-Acosta, 2018. "Case Study Based Model to Propose the Integration of Suppliers in a Central State in Mexico," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-20, April.
    7. Ferasso, Marcos & Grenier, Corinne, 2021. "Fostering SME's co-development of innovative projects in biotech clusters: Extending the sets of enablers for the knowledge creation process," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Jaime de Pablo Valenciano & Juan Uribe-Toril & Juan Milán-García & José Luis Ruiz-Real & José Antonio Torres Arriaza, 2019. "Auxiliary Companies of the Horticultural Sector as a Competitiveness Element: The Case of Almeria (Spain)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.
    9. 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.
    10. Burger, Peter & Baumohl, Eduard & Vyrostova, Eva, 2017. "Funding Structure of the European and North American Clusters: Results from an Independent Questionnaire," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 65(6), pages 485-504.

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