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What Was New About the Cluster Theory?

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  • Yasuyuki Motoyama

    (University of California, Irvine)

Abstract

Michael Porter's cluster theory became popular at both the academic and policy levels as well as received a series of critiques. This article provides a synthetic view of those critiques. In addition, it reveals two new fundamental limitations of the theory. First, the descriptive and static nature of the theory limits the ability to replicate a successful cluster in practice. In other words, the current theory is more focused on describing how a cluster is organized today rather than how a cluster emerged. Incorporating historical process can strengthen the practical application. Second, the interconnectedness of a cluster is hard to measure empirically, and moreover, the theory does not explain how exactly the public sector can strengthen this aspect. A dialogue with networking theories can potentially improve the application.

Suggested Citation

  • Yasuyuki Motoyama, 2008. "What Was New About the Cluster Theory?," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 22(4), pages 353-363, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:22:y:2008:i:4:p:353-363
    DOI: 10.1177/0891242408324373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Daniel A. Skog, 2016. "Local game, global rules: exploring technological heterogeneity exploitation in digital creative cluster evolution," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(6), pages 531-550, August.

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