Assessing Integrated Back and Forth Relationship in Bulgarian Cluster Supply Chains
Assessing Integrated Back and Forth Relationship in Bulgarian Cluster Supply Chains

Summary/Abstract: Cluster supply chain is enterprise network with a feature of cluster and supply chain and is an important channel for enterprises close to the knowledge, resources, markets, and technologies. The research into cluster supply chains focuses on the theory of industrial clusters and plays an important role in their development and competitiveness. The aim is to study the relations along the supply chain – both back and forth, which will boost the development of clusters. The idea for the present research emerged from the conference "China and Central & Eastern Europe", International Scientific Forum in 2020, where the author presented a report on strengthening the cooperation between Bulgaria and China by building back and forth supply chain relationships.The methods of research analysis are: method for analysing the strength of the back and forth relations along the supply chain; questionnaire method; statistical method for research of relations and dependencies. The total number of clusters included in the questionnaire are 42 and they are the main performing clusters in Bulgaria. Of the clusters under consideration, those with the highest share are the ones whose business is in the field of electrical engineering – 12% and ICT – 11.8% of the total number. Almost 5% is the share of the clusters in the field of machine building, textile and sewing industry – 4.8%, tourism and health industry – 4.5%. The Likert scale is used to assess the results from the questionnaire study. The study was conducted in the period between 2018 and 2020.In conclusion, it can be stated that clusters in Bulgaria have not built well developed back and forth relations along the supply chain because the results from the analysis of the strength of the inner-cluster relations in terms of sales, back and forth along the supply chain illustrate low importance and insufficient development. A statistically significant relation exists between the availability of a logistics company and the general evaluation of the cluster related to the degree of development of the relations back and forth along the supply chain. The use of modern digital technologies (cloud technology, big data, multichannels, omnichannels, blockchain etc.) is not at a high level and can further be developed, which will push development back and forth along the supply chain in the clusters in Bulgaria.This study explores and uncovers, for the first time, back and forth cluster supply chain relationship in Bulgaria. This study provides insights to clusters managers and for their strategies.

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