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Zooming In: A Practical Manual for Identifying Geographic Clusters

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Alcácer

    (Harvard Business School, Strategy Unit)

  • Minyuan Zhao

    (Ross School of Business – University of Michigan)

Abstract

This paper takes a close look at the reasons, procedures, and results of cluster identification methods. Despite being a popular research topic in strategy, economics, and sociology, geographic clusters are often studied with little consideration given to the underlying economic activities, the unique cluster boundaries, or the appropriate benchmark of economic concentration. Our goal is to increase awareness of the complexities behind cluster identification, and to provide concrete insights and methodologies applicable to various empirical settings. The organic cluster identification methodology we propose is especially useful when researchers work in global settings, where data available at different geographic units complicates comparisons across countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Alcácer & Minyuan Zhao, 2013. "Zooming In: A Practical Manual for Identifying Geographic Clusters," Harvard Business School Working Papers 14-042, Harvard Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:hbs:wpaper:14-042
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    File URL: http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/pages/download.aspx?name=14-042.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mercedes Delgado & Michael E. Porter & Scott Stern, 2016. "Defining clusters of related industries," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 16(1), pages 1-38.

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