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Das Konzept regionaler Cluster: zwischen Schein und Sein?

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  • Martin Wrobel

Abstract

For two decades now the cluster and network concept has been associated with economic growth and an upgrade of the local economic structure by many regional political actors. At the same time, although this concept is an extremely popular instrument of regional structural development among experts, a series of recently published articles critical of the cluster approach have shown that the concept largely relies on findings which so far have not been adequately scientifically proven. They show that the concept is in large parts based on findings lacking a proper amount of empirical evidence. Following this tradition the article thoroughly discusses the basic structures of the cluster concept. The article aims at questioning the current approach towards the concept in regional politics and sensitizing for future research needs. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2009

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Wrobel, 2009. "Das Konzept regionaler Cluster: zwischen Schein und Sein?," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 29(1), pages 85-103, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jahrfr:v:29:y:2009:i:1:p:85-103
    DOI: 10.1007/s10037-008-0030-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Strina, Giuseppe & Lehmann, Stephanie & Heinen, Ewald & Müller, Klaus & Harms, Dirk, 2013. "Nutzung von Clusterpotenzialen für das Handwerk," Göttinger Handwerkswirtschaftliche Studien, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh), volume 93, number 93.
    2. Lehmann, Stephanie & Müller, Klaus, 2010. "Cluster im Handwerk - Eine Analyse hinsichtlich deren Vorkommen und Bedeutung," Göttinger Handwerkswirtschaftliche Studien, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh), volume 80, number 80.
    3. Benner, Maximilian, 2012. "Cluster Policy: Principles and a Toolbox," MPRA Paper 43847, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Hans-Friedrich Eckey & Reinhold Kosfeld & Alexander Werner, 2012. "Bivariate K functions as instruments to analyze inter-industrial concentration processes," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 32(2), pages 133-157, September.
    5. Matthias Böttcher, 2010. "Global and local networks in the Solar Energy Industry - The case of the San Francisco Bay Area," NEURUS papers neurusp143, NEURUS - Network of European and US Regional and Urban Studies.
    6. Maximilian Benner, 2012. "Cluster Policy as a Development Strategy. Case Studies from the Middle East and North Africa," Working Paper Series in Economics 255, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    7. Charles H. Davis, 2011. "Media Industry Clusters and Public Policy," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Robert G. Picard (ed.), Media Clusters, chapter 4, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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