Clusters and competitiveness - PRO INNO Europe

The term “cluster” is used to refer to a socio-economic concept first described at the end
of the nineteenth century by the English economist Alfred Marshall, who observed that
enterprises belonging to the same sector tend to group together in the same geographical
area in order to optimise their business activities. Marshall’s concept of the crucial role of
industrial zones in regional and economic development was further developed in 1979
by the Italian professor Giacomo Becattini, in his work Dal settore industriale al distretto
industriale. Alcune considerazione sull’unità d’indagine dell’economia industriale. Cluster
theory later gained widespread acceptance among those responsible for industrial policy
and regional development around the world as a result of American professor Michael
Porter’s work at Harvard University, in particular his 1990 book The Competitive Advantage of
Nations, and this led to the concept’s use as a public policy tool to reinforce competitiveness.
Alongside his theory of clusters as geographical concentrations of interconnected
companies, specialist suppliers, service companies, and various institutions, Porter
developed a methodology for competitive analysis which emphasizes the socio-economic
conditions of the geographical area where companies formulate strategy. The importance
of Porter’s work lies in a new understanding of competitiveness. He emphasized the key role
of companies in a competitive economy, because of their need to react to the challenges
facing them, but added that they exist as part of interrelated industrial sectors, and must
work within a certain physical, social, economic and political context which conditions the
way they operate.
Withinthisconceptualframework,Cataloniawasoneofthefirstregionsintheworldtoadopt
a methodology aimed at boosting competitiveness in a geographical area by improving
the strategy and working environment of its companies. The project began in 1992 with
the publication of Els avantatges competitius de Catalunya (The competitive advantages
of Catalonia), which analysed the Catalan economy through eight clusters, important
not only in terms of wealth creation, but also for their growth potential. These were:
design manufacturers (textiles, furniture, jewellery, etc.); industrial systems (automotive,
components, household appliances, etc.); tourism; fast moving consumer goods (food,
detergents, etc.); health (hospitals, pharmaceuticals, etc.); raw chemicals; knowledge
(education, publishing, etc.); and finance. The study provided a competitive analysis of
all these clusters as well as establishing priorities to improve each one’s competitiveness.
Most importantly, it led the way to the creation of an industrial and business policy which
rejects the concept of good or bad sectors in favour of one focused on the appropriateness
12 CLUSTERS AND COMPETITIVENESS: THE CASE OF CATALONIA (1993-2010)