nowEurope

In recent years, various cluster organisations in many different sectors have been created in Austria. Especially for Austrian SMEs, those clusters have been a great help and local businesses have profited from the exchange of knowledge, cooperation and opening to the international market. In my last post I talked about a bottom-up approach through which Austrian IT clusters formed a common network by their own initiative. Today I will take a look at an Austrian cluster platform that is organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth.

Clusterplatform Austria is an initiative to create a common platform for existing clusters and networks across all sectors in Austria. Its purpose is to bring together separated clusters, which often work relatively independently from each other. One of their activities consists of organising workgroups for various topics such as “clusters and their role in the Austrian innovation policy” or “Connecting the Austrian cluster policy to Europe”. The platform thereby aims to strengthen the innovation and international competitiveness of Austrian enterprises, especially SMEs. Another focus is establishing a connection with R&D institutions as well as increasing supra-regional cooperation of cluster initiatives and federal and provincial cooperation. The platform wants to contribute to the development and realisation of Austrian research-, technology and innovation policy as well as create a link to EU cluster activities.

Continue reading ‘Introducing Clusterplatform Austria’

I think that at least three different kinds of clusters exist but in most cases it is difficult to combine them:

1. Cluster 1 is a commercially oriented cluster. The core goal is to make as much profit as possible and as soon as possible. A cluster of this kind often does not consist of more than 20 – 25 partners who consequently have to pay high member fees. This cluster does not aim at strongly contributing to the sector or the region (no events, PR for the sector, workshops etc.). An example for this kind of cluster would be in my opinion BITERAP.
2. Cluster 2 focuses on public aspects: in this case a positive statement of a public authority is a prerequisite, also with respect to financial support. The number of members is significantly higher, member fees are lower. Furthermore, PR work to promote the sector and the region, political lobbying, events, workshops but also company cooperation and networking are of great importance. The main goal of this cluster is not immediate profit. An example of this cluster is Vienna IT Enterprises. (I am strongly convinced that a cluster of this kind can only function properly if supported by public co-financing because their cluster activities will also support the whole region.)
3. A combination of these two cluster forms could be as follows: A part of Cluster 2 builds a separate group corresponding to the interests of Cluster 1. This new group would still be integrated in the whole cluster, but would build a strong separate group with a stronger financial role. This would lead to further benefits, such as additional profit. An example for this kind of cluster would be the GoVITE activities (sales support) initiated by Vienna IT Enterprises. (Cluster 3 is a not directly planned or supported cluster like shopping malls, technology parks etc.)

What is your opinion? Do you know of further examples of these kinds of clusters?

The EC just launched a website that is dedicated to the regional aspects of FP 7 and therefore, as well, to our (CITT’s) programme Regions of Knowledge. What does this have to do with CITT, the blog and clusters?

Well, first of all the website contains information about the programme, an interactive map of related projects all over Europe and useful links and publications such as ‘Practical Guide to EU funding opportunities for Research and Innovation’ and ‘Regional Research Intensive Clusters and science Parks’.

All non CITT partners can learn about the focus of the programme: “…to promote regional economic development in order to strengthen the research potential of European regions and increase their participation in the European Research Area, in particular by supporting the cooperation, across Europe, of regional ‘research-driven clusters’…”

And finally we can use it to get in contact with similiar projects in order to exchange experiences regarding e.g. regional economic development, technology transfer or formalities of the programme.

This is the title of a conference that took place in Berlin in September last year. The conference was organized by the European Academy for Taxes, Economics & Law, with the support of European Commission. Speakers and participants were from all over Europe. It was demonstrated that in the vast majority of EU countries governments – both national and regional – recognized the potential of clusters as drivers of the innovation process and they are strongly supporting them. Importance of clusters is even more valuated by European Commission, which is supporting and financing different programs, initiatives and events related to clusters.

Why am I writing about this conference?

It was source of many interesting and useful information for anybody who participates in the work and/or management of some cluster. Unfortunately there is not a web page, where one could find all conference presentations. I will mention some of them, who drew my attention and where a web page was presented.

Continue reading ‘Cluster Policy and Management – European and Regional Initiatives for Innovation’

A cluster is definitely not just a heap of companies piled upon each other in one spot under the motto “collaborate!”

Clusters are complex networks with different points of departure and different operative practices, depending on sector and target.

Continue reading ‘Cluster Discussion & Speak Brusselese: Details Outwit Strategies’

Clusters are a very popular topic in the EU at the moment. The Commission statement “Towards world-class clusters in the European Union“ was released on 17th October and this communication will be further discussed at the EU Council of Competition in December this year. Here’s a brief overview of concrete applications of EU cluster policy.

The EU envisions clusters as regional, industry-specific consortia, mainly comprised of SMEs with the perceived potential to compete with big global companies. The EU supports cluster development, as does the Czech Republic.

Continue reading ‘Cluster development has mixed results in the Czech Republic’

the CEE-ClusterNetwork is one of several initiatives concerning cluster development within Europe, an FP6 project focused mainly on future innovation and cluster policy. One aim is also the mobilisation and support of regional innovation policy actors to carry out and design co-operation activities together with other competent public authorities.

Thus, certain correlation with the CITT project is clearly visible. Another connection is the geographical focus, as the consortium of Central and Eastern Europe cover parts of Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland and Italy.

I participated at the cross-border workshop for cluster managers of this project in Vienna in September last year. During this interesting meeting I had the possibilities to get familiar with the project and for example participate at the brain storming sessions on project ideas, such as for example cluster academy, strategy for twin cluster, joint marketing activities related to cluster building.

Continue reading ‘Survey on skills and training needs of European cluster managers’