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Article | Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society

Recent Research on Competitiveness and Clusters: What Are the Implications for Regional Policy?

by Christian Ketels

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Abstract

This paper reviews implications of recent research on competitiveness and clusters for regions and regional policy. A new framing of competitiveness clarifies the role of regions. Its empirical findings align well with the literature on drivers of regional performance, but there are opportunities for mutual learning. A step-change in the availability of data on clusters and cluster policies has enabled new research approaches. Clusters are shown to have a close association with regional economic performance and evolution. Cluster policies are largely focused on strengthening existing agglomerations, not creating new ones. The paper discusses several practical insights for regional policy makers.

Keywords: Competition; Industry Clusters; Policy;

Format: Print Purchase

Citation:

Ketels, Christian. "Recent Research on Competitiveness and Clusters: What Are the Implications for Regional Policy? ." Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 6, no. 2 (July 2013).

More from these Authors

  • Case | HBS Case Collection | April 2018 (Revised September 2019)

    Growing a Cluster: The Singapore Biomedical Sciences Initiative

    Michael Porter and Christian H.M. Ketels

    Citation:

    Porter, Michael, and Christian H.M. Ketels. "Growing a Cluster: The Singapore Biomedical Sciences Initiative." Harvard Business School Case 718-428, April 2018. (Revised September 2019.)  View Details
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  • Chapter | Swedish Economic Forum Report 2017: Svensk konkurrenskraft | 2017

    The Swedish Competitiveness Scorecard 2017

    Christian H.M. Ketels

    The Swedish Competitiveness Scorecard assesses Sweden's current competitiveness across a broad range of indicators, applying an impact logic from competitiveness fundamentals to productivity and prosperity outcomes. On these indicators Sweden is compared to a peer group of other advanced EU and OECD countries. The Scorecard finds Sweden's competitiveness to be solid overall, supporting the current state of the country's prosperity. Issues are identified in the education and skill system, labor market incentives and flexibility, the ability to translate R&D outcomes into economic value creation, and in preparing the economy for the new realities of globalization. Maybe most worryingly, it finds that Swedish public policy, long a strength of the country, is increasingly failing to provide stable policy decisions addressing the issues Sweden is facing.

    Keywords: competitiveness; Sweden; economic policy; Economy; Policy; Competition; Sweden;

    Citation:

    Ketels, Christian H.M. "The Swedish Competitiveness Scorecard 2017." Chap. 2 in Swedish Economic Forum Report 2017: Svensk konkurrenskraft, edited by Johan Eklund and Per Thulin, 18–46. Sweden: Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum, 2017, Swedish ed.  View Details
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  • Chapter | Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development | 2017

    Upgrading Regional Competitiveness: What Role for Regional Governments?

    Christian H.M. Ketels

    The literature on the competitiveness of locations has traditionally focused on countries. Over the last decade, however, subnational regions have gained increasing attention both as a level of analysis and as a level for policy making. This chapter aims to explore what this new context implies for the role of regional governments. It is motivated by a concern that regional policy is facing an “implementation gap.” There is much thinking on the importance of regions and the policies that should be designed towards them. But there is comparatively little work on what regional governments’ role should be in implementing these policies relative to that of other levels of government as well as what implications this has on the capabilities they need.

    Keywords: competitiveness; regions; economic policy; Competition; Geographic Scope; Governance; Economy; Policy;

    Citation:

    Ketels, Christian H.M. "Upgrading Regional Competitiveness: What Role for Regional Governments?" Chap. 22 in Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development, edited by Robert Huggins and Piers Thompson, 501–517. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017.  View Details
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