CLUSTER COMPETITIVENESS PLATFORM
CLUSTER COMPETITIVENESS PLATFORM

Summary/Abstract: Clusters are regional agglomerations of enterprises (industry), universities and research organisations (RDI), regional/local public authorities and other catalyst institutions gathered around common objectives and goals. Cluster models are strictly linked to measuring their competitiveness based on innovation and internationalisation, as they are regional development instruments in the first place. Several platforms are currently in use at international level measuring cluster competitiveness, created and focused on the very objective they have been defined for. The Cluster Modelling Platform proposes an integrated approach harmonising theoretic considerations and practical aspects of utility aiming at becoming an useful tool for the generation of competitive clusters based on innovation and internationalisation (1); an instrument to measure cluster competitiveness and a consultancy tool (2); a way to evaluate performance of the cluster management team (3); a flexible method allowing assessments both at cluster level and at the level of each member. The evaluation methodology considers both quantitative and qualitative aspects, taking into considerations various indicators such as turnover, exports, employment, innovation (quantitative) and geographical concentration, labour force, strategy, internationalisation and cooperation (qualitative).Qualitative aspects play a validation role, after answers given by peers are being digitalised. In the end, an analogical cluster function is being calculated. As data flow in, the function autocorrects itself in order to give accurate results. Results are being interpreted and recommendations are being provided. The tool is embedded in a user-friendly web-platform. The end beneficiaries are mainly clusters and their members but policy makers can also make a good use of it.

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