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TCI Cluster Dynamics Work Group

Madeline Smith from Scottish Entreprise (SE) presented at the 2008 TCI Global Annual Conference (Day 3 Wednesday 29th October) the results of the Cluster Dynamics International Study, based on the cases of California, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Since this session, a lot of interest has raised. This project is keen to widen its scope of study and apply the cluster dynamics analysis to other regions.

One of the issues encountered by many public sector bodies when developing a clusters strategy is that much analysis of the industry sectors only gives a “snap shot” of how the cluster operates. Often it is the system dynamics that have a bigger influence on success or otherwise on the sector, i.e. How organisations and individuals work together.

Scottish Enterprise worked with system thinking experts to bring this methodology into an understanding of clusters development. The outcome of this work was a five stage theoretical model that helped explain how a successful cluster might develop and the changes in behaviour and company interaction that might be seen at each stage. This has been turned into a practical tool for cluster managers to assess where they are in the process.

More on Cluster Dynamics International Study

If you are interested in joining this work group, participating in this study or you want to learn more about it please contact:

Madeline Smith at Madeline.smith @ scotent.co.uk

Mireia Tarradell at mtarradell @ competitiveness.org