Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1 Introduction
During the past two decades, the concept of clusters has gained enormous popu-
larity to the extent that policymakers, practitioners, and academics increasingly
make reference to the term. Notable publications on the concept include: Michael
E. Porter's, The Competitive advantage of Nations in 1990 and Clusters and
Competition—New Agendas for Companies, Government and Institution in 1998.
Porter (
1998
) defined that a cluster is a geographically proximate group of inter-
connected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, linked by
commonalities and complementarities. Clusters also often include firms in
downstream industries (that is, channels or customers); producers of comple-
mentary products; specialized infrastructure providers; government and other
institutions providing specialized training, education, information, research, and
technical support (such as universities, think tanks, vocational training providers);
and standard setting agencies. Government agencies that significantly influence a
cluster can be considered a part of it.
The main argument supporting clustering is that individual firms cannot
become competitive and stay competitive in the global market on their own. So, to
build on and maintain competitiveness, one has to incorporate continuous changes
throughout the value chain. The close interplay between firms, their suppliers, and
the business environment is why competitiveness theorists and practitioners focus
on clusters as the locus of action, as opposed to individual firms or broad sectors
(USAID
2003
). Cluster initiatives can contribute to comprehensive national
competitiveness efforts that include policy reform, trade capacity building, pri-
vate-public dialogue, regional economic development, workforce development,
etc. At times, they become a catalyst, generating broad public understanding and
support for the economic reform agenda by working with the media, universities
and think tanks, knowledge and technology foundations, industry leaders, gov-
ernment officials, etc. When designed carefully and implemented efficiently,
cluster initiatives may well be one of the most effective tools in a broader context
of policy reform and other private sector development initiatives (World Bank
2009
).
Following to the Report of Christian Blanc (
2004
)—analyzing the origin of and
proposing the solution to the slowing down of the French economic—in 2004, the
French government launched the competitiveness clusters (pˆ les de compétitivité)
policy. The ''competitiveness cluster'' is the French equivalent for what Porter
calls a ''cluster'', by definition competitiveness cluster brings together large and
small firms, research laboratories, and educational establishments with support of
the national and regional government, to work together in a specific region to
develop synergies and cooperative efforts. The primary objective of this initiative
is to develop the competitiveness of the French economy by boosting local
technological and creative industries, attracting business to France (thanks to a
higher international profile) and stimulating growth and job creation in key mar-
kets. The policy intends to encourage and support projects initiated by the
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