This handbook chapter seeks to address the evidence gap between the widespread presence of clusters and the question of whether public support of clusters is effective.

Find here: https://ideas.repec.org/h/elg/eechap/16121_7.html

The central question of the paper is how can cluster-based economic policy help countries - in this case, Sweden - succeed in global competition. Three steps are taken to answer this: lessons learned from academic research; conclusions drawn from the ongoing cluster debate; implications for Sweden.

The paper compares the governance regimes of top-down and bottom-up cluster initiatives by using a classic principal-agent framework comprising task setting, assignment of decision rights, performance evaluation, and incentive system. The Bavarian Cluster Initiative, a top-down initiative, is used as a reference point and compared with the governance regimes of German and Austrian bottom-up clusters. The paper shows that differences in task setting and other elements of the principal-agent framework can lower the effectiveness of top-down clusters.

The paper first reviews the main arguments underpinning cluster policy. It subsequently focuses on a number of recent experiences in supporting clusters across the OECD, and further highlights the challenges associated with the evaluation of these initiatives and available evidence on their outcomes. It then focuses on the evidence of a number of programmes (16) that are selected for closer scrutiny. The report draws on available cluster policy evaluation exercises and related academic literature to report on the impacts and outcomes, both soft and substantive, of cluster policy.

"There is need for more integrated approaches that explores different facets of clusters in their development. The cluster strategy toolkit supports strategy development from a deeper understanding of principles and patterns in cluster dynamics. The cluster strategy

Report whose purpose is to help regional leaders focused on economic development confidently and knowledgeably embrace cluster initiatives where they make sense, and, where they do not make sense, recognize that there are potentially equally powerful alternatives. The paper draws on a literature review, interviews with cluster experts, and five in-depth case studies that reflect successful, if not exceptional, cluster initiatives.

The article defines the concept of innovation cluster and describes dynamics of cluster transformation.

Find here: https://quantumbusinessnetwork.de/build-your-cluster-strategy-1-3-the-p…

The aim of this paper is to explore and investigate the notion of cluster strategies and smart specialisation strategy as a twin perspective: knowledge & innovation-driven regional growth and regional economic development theoretical approach along with the policy perspective.

Find here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09537325.2018.1444747?scrol…

For the purpose of increasing and sustaining business and regional long-term competitiveness, information and training modules were