Clusters
 We have just come across an article on ‘clusters’ by Professor William Webb in Ingenia Online which raises an interesting distinction allied with the concept of clusters.
Webb states that:
“There is no precise definition of exactly what constitutes a cluster, although most would agree that it means companies working in the same or related fields of science and technology and grouped in the same geographical area.”
Unlike some other definitions considered in one of our previous blog posts, Webb does not talk about collaboration.
It seems therefore that the term ‘cluster’ can be used in at least 2 different contexts:
1. Webb’s situation where companies in the same or related fields spontaneously arise in the same geographic region without any collaboration; and
2. The situation recognised in our previous post where specific steps are taken to generate collaborative action amongst those businesses. (This aspect of collaboration is also recognised in definitions provided by the French Government and the UK Government.)
What is the importance of this?
Our view (and that shared by some others) is that the important thing to keep in mind is not so much the actual definition of 'clusters' but the question in any given circumstance of 'Will it benefit us to collaborate with other businesses in our region' - and then 'How should we proceed'.
Allied Information on Clusters:
Business Cluster & Economic Development Examples and Case Studies
Our Process for Business Cluster Development
Definition & Benefits of Business Clusters
The First Step in Cluster Development The Evolution of Business Clusters
 |
“I have never seen an approach produce such positive outcomes, goodwill and energy.” 
“It has been a real enlightenment to go through the City Edge process. The identification of ‘common ground’ was an absolute success.”
“Brilliant.”