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A shot in the dark? Policy influence on cluster networks

Author

Listed:
  • Holger Graf

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Economics Department)

  • Tom Broekel

    (University of Stavanger, Business School, Stavanger, Norway, and Centre for Regional and Innovation Economics, University of Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

Cluster policies are often intended and designed to promote interaction in R&D among co-located organisations, as local knowledge interactions are perceived to be underdeveloped. In contrast to the popularity of the policy measure little is known about its impact on knowledge networks, because most scientific evaluations focus on impacts at the firm level. Using the example of the BioRegio contest, we explore cluster policy effects on local patent co-application and co-invention networks observed from 1985 to 2013, in 13 German regions. We find that the initiative increases network size and innovation activities during the funding period but not afterwards. The impact of the BioRegio contest on network cohesion is moderate. In contrast, general project-based R&D subsidisation is found to support cohesion more robustly.

Suggested Citation

  • Holger Graf & Tom Broekel, 2019. "A shot in the dark? Policy influence on cluster networks," Jena Economics Research Papers 2019-007, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2019-007
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    2. Carlos Bianchi & Pablo Galaso & Sergio Palomeque, 2020. "Invention and Collaboration Networks in Latin America: Evidence from Patent Data," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 20-04, Instituto de Economía - IECON.
    3. İbrahim Semih & Umut Yılmaz & Erkan Erdil & Müge Özman, 2023. "What drives network evolution? Comparing R&D project and patent networks in the EU," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 32(5), pages 1109-1134.
    4. James Wilson & Emily Wise & Madeline Smith, 2022. "Evidencing the benefits of cluster policies: towards a generalised framework of effects," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 55(2), pages 369-391, June.
    5. Stefano Basilico & Holger Graf, 2023. "Bridging technologies in the regional knowledge space: measurement and evolution," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 33(4), pages 1085-1124, September.
    6. Nathan, Max, 2022. "Does light touch cluster policy work? Evaluating the tech city programme," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(9).
    7. Anderson, Guy & Luiz, John M., 2025. "The development of emerging market defence enterprises: late industrialisation, catching-up, and the challenge of moving beyond linking and leveraging11We thank the editor Prof Keun Lee and anonymous ," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(8).
    8. Milad Abbasiharofteh & Amir Maghssudipour, 2024. "Driving Forces Behind Relational Knowledge Sourcing in Clusters: Single- and Multilevel Approaches," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 15761-15787, December.
    9. Li Li & Haifen Lin & Yibo Lyu, 2022. "Technology cluster coupling and invulnerability of industrial innovation networks: the role of centralized structure and technological turbulence," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(3), pages 1209-1231, March.
    10. Stefano Basilico & Uwe Cantner & Holger Graf, 2023. "Policy influence in the knowledge space: a regional application," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 591-622, April.
    11. Feldman, Maryann & Fleming, Lee & Heaton, Sohvi & Desai, Sameeksha & Teece, David, 2022. "Uncommon methods and metrics for local entrepreneurial ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(9).
    12. Madeline Smith & James R. Wilson & Emily Wise, 2020. "Evaluating clusters: Where theory collides with practice," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(3), pages 413-430, June.
    13. Zhao, Yang & Yongquan, Yang & Jian, Ma & Lu, Angela & Xuanhua, Xu, 2024. "Policy-induced cooperative knowledge network, university-industry collaboration and firm innovation: Evidence from the Greater Bay Area," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    14. Yu, Hong & Zhang, Muyang & Zhu, Ruolu, 2025. "A reevaluation on the effectiveness of subsidies on firm's innovation: Evidence from newly categorized subsidy data," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    15. Marta Ferrer-Serrano & M. Pilar Latorre-Martínez & Lucio Fuentelsaz, 2025. "Regional knowledge asymmetries and innovation performance from collaborations across European regions," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 1491-1523, August.
    16. Tahi, Sofiane & Khlif, Wafa & Belghoul, Khaled & Casadella, Vanessa, 2022. "Public-private innovation networks in services: Revisiting PPPs with servitization," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    17. Adem Sakarya, 2023. "Clustering potential of organized industrial zones in Türkiye," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 255-276, March.
    18. Michael Rothgang & Bernhard Lageman & Anne-Marie Scholz, 2021. "Why are there so few hard facts about the impact of cluster policies in Germany? A critical review of evaluation studies," Review of Evolutionary Political Economy, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 105-139, April.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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