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Reflections on cluster policies

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  • Steven Brakman
  • Charles van Marrewijk

Abstract

Economic activity tends to cluster. This results in productivity gains. For policy makers this offers an opportunity to formulate and promote policies that foster clustering of economic activity. Paradoxically, although agglomeration rents are often found in empirical research, a rationale for cluster policies does not exist. A brief tour through the literature shows that cluster policies face more problems than is often assumed in policy circles. We reflect on the main issues at stake and conclude that, if not carefully applied, cluster policy may do more harm than good. Copyright 2013, Oxford University Press.

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  • Steven Brakman & Charles van Marrewijk, 2013. "Reflections on cluster policies," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 6(2), pages 217-231.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cjrecs:v:6:y:2013:i:2:p:217-231
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Lehmann, 2016. "Economic Growth and Business Cycle Forecasting at the Regional Level," ifo Beiträge zur Wirtschaftsforschung, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 65.
    2. Uwe Cantner & Holger Graf & Michael Rothgang, 2019. "Geographical clustering and the evaluation of cluster policies: introduction," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(6), pages 1665-1672, December.
    3. Matthias Firgo & Peter Mayerhofer, 2015. "Wissens-Spillovers und regionale Entwicklung - welche strukturpolitische Ausrichtung optimiert des Wachstum?," Working Paper Reihe der AK Wien - Materialien zu Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft 144, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik.
    4. Steven Brakman & Charles Marrewijk & Mark Partridge, 2015. "Local Consequences Of Global Production Processes," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 1-9, January.
    5. Turgel, I. D. & Bozhko, L. L. & Pandzhiyeva, V. T., 2020. "Cluster policies of large cities in Russia and Kazakhstan," R-Economy, Ural Federal University, Graduate School of Economics and Management, vol. 6(1), pages 28-39.
    6. Joan Crespo & Jérôme Vicente & Frédéric Amblard, 2016. "Micro-behaviors and structural properties of knowledge networks: toward a ‘one size fits one’ cluster policy," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 533-552, September.
    7. Grashof, Nils, 2020. "Putting the watering can away Towards a targeted (problem-oriented) cluster policy framework," Papers in Innovation Studies 2020/4, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    8. Grashof, Nils, 2021. "Putting the watering can away –Towards a targeted (problem-oriented) cluster policy framework," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
    9. Cappenberg, Christina, 2013. "Staatliche Förderung regionaler Unternehmensnetzwerke: Legitimation nationaler Clusterpolitik," Arbeitspapiere 140, University of Münster, Institute for Cooperatives.
    10. Matthias Firgo & Peter Mayerhofer, 2015. "Wissensintensive Unternehmensdienste, Wissens-Spillovers und regionales Wachstum. Teilprojekt 1: Wissens-Spillovers und regionale Entwicklung – Welche strukturpolitische Ausrichtung optimiert das Wach," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 58342, February.
    11. Miranda Ebbekink, 2017. "Cluster governance: A practical way out of a congested state of governance plurality," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(4), pages 621-639, June.
    12. Samarth Gupta, 2023. "Model-Selection Inference for Causal Impact of Clusters and Collaboration on MSMEs in India," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 21(3), pages 641-662, September.
    13. Peirong Chen & Ruhe Xie & Mingxuan Lu, 2020. "“Resource Conservation” or “Environmental Friendliness”: How do Urban Clusters Affect Total-Factor Ecological Performance in China?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-28, June.
    14. David Ayrapetyan & Frans Hermans, 2020. "Introducing a Multiscalar Framework for Biocluster Research: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-23, May.
    15. Jérôme Vicente, 2014. "“Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”. Network failures and policy challenges for cluster long run dynamics," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1420, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Oct 2014.
    16. Tobechi F. Agbanike & Augustine C. Osigwe & Denis N. Yuni & Thank-God C. Onoja & Sunday A. Okwor, 2019. "Cluster Development in a Transforming Economy: The Case of Motorcycle Spare Parts Firms in Nnewi, Anambra State of Nigeria," Economy, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 6(1), pages 13-24.
    17. Joan Crespo & Frédéric Amblard & Jérôme Vicente, 2015. "Simulating micro behaviours and structural properties of knowledge networks: toward a “one size fits one” cluster policy," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1503, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Feb 2015.
    18. Jan Kluge & Robert Lehmann, 2013. "Marshall or Jacobs? New insights from an interaction model," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 33(2), pages 107-133, October.

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    JEL classification:

    • F40 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - General
    • F50 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - General
    • R50 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - General

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