Max-Peter Menzel

Broadening Our Knowledge on Cluster Evolution

The study of regional clusters is a core research topic in economic geography (Markusen, 1996; Martin & Sunley, 2003; Maskell, 2001). Starting from research on industrial districts (Becattini, 2002), the focus has been on the factors that make clusters distinct from spatially dispersed economic activities (Porter, 1998). These studies described the prerequisites of clusters, how particular clusters function at a particular point in time, and how the institutional setting of one place leads to differences in the functioning of clusters at another place (Saxenian, 1994). Although clusters are regarded as important elements in economic development (Asheim et al., 2006; Martin & Sunley, 2003; Porter, 1998), the strong focus on the way clusters function is contrasted with a disregard for their evolutionary development: how clusters actually become clusters, how and why they decline, and how they shift into new fields and transform over time (Lorenzen, 2005). As a reaction to this gap, and inspired by recent developments in evolutionary economic geography, new life cycle approaches emerged (Staber & Sautter, 2011; Suire & Vicente, 2009; Ter Wal & Boschma, 2011). This strand connects the quantitative development of clusters with underlying qualitative changes and transformations (Bergman, 2008; Menzel & Fornahl, 2010). In doing so, this strand elaborates which dynamics, prerequisites and qualities are connected to the emergence, growth and decline of clusters and in doing so, finds out the patterns of cluster evolution. The literature mostly differs between the emergence, growth or expansion, decline or transformation of the cluster (Bergman, 2008; Enright, 2003). It has elaborated three different dynamics that drive the cluster through different states of their developments: actors, networks and institutions (Maskell & Malmberg, 2007; Menzel & Fornahl, 2010; Ter Wal & Boschma, 2011). Yet, empirical evidence on these factors from a life European Planning Studies, 2015 Vol. 23, No. 10, 1921–1931, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2015.1016654

Interrelating Dynamic Proximities by Bridging, Reducing and Producing Distances

Menzel M.-P. Interrelating dynamic proximities by bridging, reducing and producing distances, Regional Studies. The proximity concept explains the spatiality of relations and innovations with various dimensions of proximity. The paper adapts this framework to the processes of change. It integrates the interrelations between different dynamics into the nomenclature of proximity and distance. Three dynamics are proposed that both interfere with and enable interaction: learning, connecting and moving. These dynamics cause changes in cognitive, network and spatial proximity. Using these dynamics, two arguments are introduced as the basis for a concept of dynamic proximity: (1) proximity in one dimension enables interaction despite distance in other dimensions; and (2) reducing distance at the dyadic level produces distance as externality.

Emerging Clusters: A Conceptual Overview

This book rigorously explores the critical, initial stage of cluster emergence in which the seeds for further growth are sown. Whether economic growth actually occurs, however, ultimately depends on various regional conditions and the processes in place.

Zufälle und Agglomerationseffekte bei der Clusterentstehung

Chance and economies of agglomeration during cluster emergence. Concepts like the window of locational opportunity, the core-periphery-model and stochastic approaches consider the emergence of regional clusters as a process of firm formation by chance and subsequent economies of agglomeration. This paper compares the different notions of chance and economies of agglomeration used by these concepts in view of the emergence of clusters. It argues that an ex ante perspective should be applied to analyse the emergence of firm formations and economies of agglomerations. The paper concludes with statements regarding firm formation and economies of agglomeration during cluster emergence.

Industrial Cluster Dynamics

Regional clusters are a pervasive phenomenon. Yet, clusters evolve and exhibit different forms in different places. Clusters are defined by interconnections of geographically concentrated firms in a particular field. This article will describe how these interconnections affect the propensity and shape of clusters. First, it describes the particularity of interconnections between geographically clustered firms and shows how firms substitute permanent colocation by temporarily generated proximity. Second, the article describes how these processes are connected to the emergence and decline of clusters. Third, the article analyzes how socioeconomic contexts affect these interconnections, resulting in variegated clusters.