Zeszyt naukowy - całość - Wydział ZarzÄ dzania i Ekonomiki Usług

Tourism clusters as a benefit… 49
Cluster competitive advantages
Table 3
Characteristic
Geographic density
Cooperation network
Core industries
Institutions
Main indicators
Location, distance, size, character
Forms, sustainability, formality
Number of industries and size, turnover
Tourism information centres, NGOs
Source: own elaboration.
Taking into account statistic peculiarities and information available in enterprises,
there will be necessary through qualitative and quantitative data gathering.
Choosing a study method, certainly, it is important to take into account which data
is available, but no less important is the purpose of the study – results which scientist
trying to acquire. In quantitative studies, the emphasis is placed on the explanation
of the reasons, assuming other factors remain unchanged, but in the qualitative
studies – the complex mutual interconnections.
For evaluation of networking within cluster, in-depth interviews will be carried
out. Attitudes, opinions and experience studies as main method will be used in
the following case studies. Quantitative research methods will be used to analyze
and evaluate quantitatively measurable magnitudes, such as distance, size, turnover
etc. As etalon cluster author will use Sigulda and its surroundings, as it is set up by
A. Klepers 28 as one of the biggest and more visible cluster in Latvia. Sigulda is
a tourism centre with a high level of economic activity. In 2007, 34 286 tourists
spent the night in Sigulda. In 2008 – 36 093 29 , which is approximately 5% increase
in a time, when mostly tourism enterprises in Latvia had decrease of visitors. Cooperation
among enterprises is indicated by the establishment of an NGO (non governmental
organizations) in 2000 that is called the Sigulda Region Tourism Association.
There are 48 members, most of whom are businesspeople; others are representatives
of local governments.
28
A. Klepers, M. Rozīte, op.cit., pp. 24–37.
29
Data from Sigulda Tourism Information Center, http://www.tourism.sigulda.lv/ public/lat/jaunumi/535.