Cluster management: a strategic knowledge centred perspective

The case of Metropolitan Food Clusters

Alwin Gerritsen, Alterra Wageningen University and Research Centre

Parallel Session 3.1: Cluster dynamic research. Implications on Cluster Performance and Business Competitiveness

Cluster management: a strategic knowledge centred perspective

The case of Metropolitan Food Clusters

Alwin Gerritsen, Remco Kranendonk, Mirte Cofino, Arnoud Lagendijk

Common approach to clustering

Focus on specific cluster or region; Proximity, spatial embedding, absorptive

capacity, knowledge spill overs, local buzz, etc.;

Automatically leading to competitive economies, growth and employment;

Largely ignores context; Little attention to the world outside of

the cluster.

New approaches are emerging

Strategic relational approaches Shaped by relations between clusters actors (Bathelt; Solvell)

and their co-developed strategies (Ebbekink & Lagendijk)●Reflexive

Fed by strategic intelligence enabling entrepreneurship and fitting policies and institutions (Ebbekink & Lagendijk)

Clustering as a contextualized practice

Territorial knowledge dynamics (TKD)

Anchoring of knowledge as key to economic development (Crevoisier & Jeannerat, 2009)

● In specific practices● Focus on knowledge from outside of a territory

Focus on significant next to substantive knowledge (Crevoisier, 2011)

● Beyond tacit and codified knowledge● Beyond technology, products, etc.

Knowledge governance Organizing knowledge processes as a mode of governance

Knowledge governance:● ‘... is about purposefully organizing the development of

knowledge in order to deal with societal problems.

● Is aimed at creating new insights, and innovative solutions which tempt actors to leave traditional insights and practices

● ... and get away from inert interaction patterns, stalemate negotiations, and interest conflicts’ (Van Buuren & Eshuis, 2010: 284).

Core activities1. Continuously developing a collectively shared understanding

of a clusters strategic needs and priorities in collaboration between stakeholders;

2. Building on existing capabilities and regional characteristics;

3. Purposefully and collaboratively constructing and executing knowledge activities. Types and locations of knowledge are combined, integrated and anchored in actual projects and other practices;

4. (Re-)designing of institutions and strategies in view of identified cluster needs.

Development of shared understanding

Construction of knowledge processes

Building on existing characteristics

(Re-)design of institutions

Nellore Top level South-India discussions

Network of Agro Business Parks

Limited commitment actors

MFC concept Knowledge

consortium Engaging in

collaborative co-design

Innovation services

Agro cluster Diversification

strategy of cooperative

Ambitious renewal

SEZ status Obstacles:1. National

regulations 2. Business culture

Venlo Regional Dialogue

Using Floriade 2012 for increasing welfare

Greenport status

Streamlining initiatives

Clustering of knowledge

Exploring concepts

Innovation services

Knowledge valorisation

Horticulture and logistics clusters

Sustainability and market innovations

Exploring crossovers

Incorporation in National research and innovation programs

5-O community

Agrosfera National and state actors

More sustainable and competitive

National agro network

Finding locations

MFC conceptConsortium

Engaging in collaborative co-design

Innovation services

Agro cluster Environmental

and economic issues

Ambitious renewal

Input for National Agro Plan

New collaborations

A selection of findings The shared understanding of the cluster needs and

objectives was primarily developed in selective network(s)

Innovative solutions were intensively envisaged and studied, but sometimes in isolation and with much focus on project infrastructure development

● Coordination issues

Setting the ambitions high can become an obstacle

Institutional redesign received relatively little attention, but was of major importance (in 2 cases)

Conclusions

The strategic and knowledge centred approach is very relevant to optimising cluster management

Not an easy job... Especially the institutional re-design It requires a lot of coordination

Thank you for your attention!

Questions / comments?

alwin.gerritsen@wur.nl