Links & Resources
This area gathers a wide range of documents, presentations, articles and links to cluster portals and relevant organizations active in cluster and regional development.
We hope that these suggestions will further your knowledge on clusters!
Contact TCI Secretariat if you want to send us a contribution.
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Industrial Clusters and Micro and Small Enterprises in Africa: From Survival to Growth (Reports and Studies)
In Africa, there are stark performance gaps between domestically owned enterprises and foreign-owned enterprises in terms of sales performance, productivity, and ability to reach distant markets. Among others, size appears to be a dominant factor in explaining the gap. Against this background, the study analyzes how naturally formed industrial clusters—concentrations of enterprises engaged in same or closely related industrial activities in specific locations—could potentially mitigate constraints Africa’s micro and small enterprises face and enhance their business performance.
World Bank Publications -
The Competitiveness Roadmap: 2009-2050 (On Competitiveness)
The “Competitiveness Roadmap” is an attempt to describe and assess the main issues that will affect the world competitiveness landscape over the next four decades. Issues are shown along two axes - degree of impact and timescale - to provide a clear “mental map” of the environment in which nations and companies will operate. This is a subjective assessment which aims to bring some coherence to the multitude of issues that are said to be having an impact – sooner or later – on the competitiveness landscape
Author: Stéphane Garelli -
European Cluster Policy Group - Final recommendations (Cluster Policy)
The European Cluster Policy Group (ECPG) was formed by a Commission Decision in 2008 as one important element in the quest to strengthen the quality of cluster programmes across Europe. The group of twenty independent experts was tasked “to improve the Commission’s and Member States’ understanding of modern policy responses in support of cluster excellence” and “make recommendations on how to better design cluster policies in the Community”. This final report puts these suggestions and the discussion that led to them into a broader context.
ECPG Final Report -
Cluster Management Excellence (Reports and Studies)
In the last few years numerous, very good services have been realized in networks and clusters. Analyses of the different services clearly show: However heterogeneous the individual approaches may be when clusters characteristics are considered, there are still common super ordinate service categories in substance, which are mainly translated into supportive measures. That means, many networks and clusters face similar problems or needs. But in view of a great variety of aspects, such as a lack of creative ideas or possible solutions, scarce financial or human resources and not clearly defined demands, there are frequently difficulties in translating identifiable needs into suitable need-oriented services. Therefore, the aim of this publication is to present, on the one hand, the theoretical foundations of the very complex subject of “network services” in a practical way and, on the other hand, introduce ideas for successful and innovative problem solutions, services or possibilities of support. The publication points out network services in the form of “best practice examples” developed by all networks and their offices, which are among the most efficient networks of Germany.
Cluster Management Excellence -
Top industry clusters in 2040 revealed (Reports and Studies)
This report highlights the geographical locations that will host the largest clusters in five industries: pharmaceuticals, automobile, assembly, asset management, filmed entertainment, and tertiary education. The expected top locations in 2025 and 2040 are disclosed for each of these sectors highlighting key trends for the industry and how the new economic order will influence future geographical winners. The old economic order is shifting. As the global economy recovers some emerging markets are likely to grow faster than traditional economic powers. At the industry level, these shifts are even more apparent with accelerating capital flows, fundamental demographic changes, and the rise of state capitalism reshaping the world map for many sectors.
Top industry clusters in 2040 revealed -
Building Engines for Growth and Competitiveness in China: Experience with Special Economic Zones and Industrial Clusters (Reports and Studies)
In the past 30 years, China has achieved an unprecedented development “miracle” in human history. How did China achieve this? What are the key drivers for such a rapid growth? And mostly importantly, what can be learned from China’s success? While many factors could be identified to explain China’s success, it is no doubt that the numerous Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial clusters that emerged after the country’s reforms are two important engines that have been driving China’s rapid development. The key experiences of China’s SEZs and industrial clusters could be best summarized as: gradualism with experimental approach; strong commitment; and an active facilitating state with strong pragmatism. The volume is intended to review the development experiences of China’s SEZs and industrial clusters through extensive research, field visits and case studies, in an attempt to benefit the policy-makers, development practitioners, scholars from developing countries and the global development community in general.
Building Engines for Growth and Competitiveness in China: Experience with Special Economic Zones and Industrial Clusters -
Cluster Community, Medellín, Colombia “Knowledge transfer: best practices in clusters” (On Cluster Initiatives)
This publication by the Medellin Chamber of Commerce and Medellin City Hall, seeks to share the best practices and experiences of 9 companies which are part of the Clusters: Electrical Energy, Construction and Textile/Clothing, Design and Fashion from Medellin and Antioquia. Over the years, they have implemented innovative and successful practices in the market which can serve as a model for other entrepreneurs concerned about increasing their competitiveness.
Documentos Comunidad Cluster No.3. "Transferencia de conocimiento: buenas prácticas de cluster" -
Cluster Community, Medellín, Colombia “Inexmoda -the Institute for Export and Fashion Industry- as a successful example of leadership” (On Cluster Initiatives)
This paper by the Medellin Chamber of Commerce, systematizes the experience of Inexmoda over the past 20 years as an important contributor in strengthening the fibers, textiles and clothing value chain of Medellin and Antioquia (Colombia). It describes the key strategies and methodologies that contributed to its successful performance.
Documentos Comunidad Cluster No.2. "Inexmoda, un caso exitoso de liderazgo" -
Cluster Community, Medellín, Colombia “Cluster Initiatives, a strategy to create competitive advantage” (On Cluster Initiatives)
This publication by the Medellin Chamber of Commerce, presents the executive summaries of the studies that were conclusive in the genesis and development of the Cluster Strategy in Medellin and Antioquia (Colombia). The cluster approach is seen as a powerful tool for business networking and new market identification.
Documentos Comunidad Cluster No.1. "Cluster, una estrategia para crear ventaja competitiva" -
Fomentando los Sistemas Nacionales de Innovación en Centroamérica (Reports and Studies)
In industrialized countries, innovation is a key factor in maintaining and increasing the competitiveness of the economy and welfare of the population. For decades, national innovation systems have been formed, which include not only creative and competitive companies, but also a suitable environment to promote it. This environment includes an efficient education system, university infrastructure and appropriate public and private research, all articulated in a stable political and financial framework. However, when analyzing developing countries, innovation is not a priority for national policy yet. This study analyzes opportunities to promote innovation systems in Honduras and Guatemala. Since the production of raw materials is not an option with great future for Central America, the pressure for countries for including value added in their economies through innovation has increased, so as to achieve better sustainable development for their citizens.
Fomentando los Sistemas Nacionales de Innovación en Centroamérica
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