Cluster life cycles - the role of actors, networks and institutions in emerging, growing, and transforming clusters in Germany

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Robert Hassink
• Subject Area: Human Geography
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 184385147

Ample research has been done on functioning clusters. In contrast, the way how clusters evolve over time, i.e. how clusters actually become clusters, how and why they decline, how they shift into new fields, as well as the analysis of factors and processes that distinguish the life cycle of the cluster from that of the respective technology or industry is largely disregarded. The research project aims to analyze the dynamics that drive the cluster life cycle. In doing so, the project analyses the role of actors, network and institutions during the cluster life cycles and distinguishes between endogenous drivers through the cluster life cycle and those which are exogenous, but nevertheless influence the cluster life cycle. Upon this research framework, the project will investigate three clusters in different phases of their life cycle: the micro systems technology cluster in Southwest Baden-Württemberg as example of cluster emergence, the food industry cluster around Vechta in Western Lower Saxony as an example of a growing cluster in a declining industry and the automotive cluster in Southwest Saxony as an example of cluster evolution due to economic transformation. The project will lead to a deeper understanding about the properties of different stages of the cluster life cycle as well as the transition between the stages. Knowledge about these processes is crucial in order to develop policy measures that go beyond reinforcing existing cluster structures and intend to actively change clusters to support their emergence, prevent their decline, or utilize declining clusters as basis for new one.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Bjorn Asheim; Professor Dr. Jiri Blazek; Professor Dr. Arne Isaksen; Professor Dr. Matthias Kiese; Professor Dr. Danny MacKinnon; Professor Dr. Max-Peter Menzel; Professor Dr. Franz Tödtling