Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8
1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................10
1.1 Why does cluster excellence matters................................................................................................. 11
1.2 Focus of the Report: Excellence of Cluster Management Organizations and its
Promotion of Cluster Programs.............................................................................................................. 12
1.3 Methodology 13
2. RESULTS OF THE BENCHMARKING OF CLUSTER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS 16
2.1 Comparative Portfolio 16
2.2 Characteristics of Cluster Management Organizations and their Clusters 18
2.2.1 Age of the Cluster Management Organizations 18
2.2.2 Size of Clusters 19
2.2.3 Composition of Membership 20
2.2.4 Regional Concentration of Clusters 21
2.2.5 Financing of Cluster Management Organizations 22
2.3 Key Findings 23
2.3.1 Research-driven Clusters are much more similar to Industry-driven Clusters than Expected 23
2.3.2 Clusters with a Small or High Share of Public Funding are Similar in Terms of Structure and
Governance, but Different in Terms of Impact 25
2.3.3 The Visibility and Attractiveness of a Cluster and the Impact of the Cluster Management
Organization on SME Development Depends on Certain Determinants 26
2.3.4 The Characteristics of a Cluster Depend on the Technology Field it Is Operating In 28
2.3.5 Clusters with a High Impact on Business Activities of SME Feature an Active Cluster Management 28
2.4 Key Determinants for the Impact of a Cluster on Business Activities of Cluster Members 30
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