A cluster is a tool for fostering innovation and a vehicle for boosting regional economic development. At least that is the theory. The reality has been somewhat different in Hungary. My organization, Pannon Business Network (PBN), aims to play a role in cleaning up the mess that is our current situation. But first, let me offer you some background on how we got here.
Clusters were first established in our region in 2001, following American and Western European examples. With four strategic branch focuses, typically top-down methods, fully publicly sponsored. The first two to three years were promising, then everything slowed down. The feeling of ’getting together’, the willingness to do something was very strong and stirring but real, business-oriented actions were missing. Than came the period of smaller, local-territorial clusters. However, this just meant an increase in quantity, rather than quality. The economy policy was very laissez-faire, resulting in dilution.
Continue reading ‘Clusters: Engines for innovation or money cemeteries?’
