1. 1 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Welcome to the Australasian Cluster
Conference
Dr Christian H.M. Ketels
30 May 2014

2. Australasian Cluster Conference
Dr Christian H. M. Ketels
Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Harvard Business School
President, TCI Network
rafmozart@terra.com.br

3. 3 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Why Clusters?
Understand
Economies
Improve
Firm Performance
Improve
Policy Action
Understand
Economic Performance

4. 4 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Why Clusters?
Understand
Economies
• How does location affect
competition in your industry?
• What industries are related to
each other?
• What is the specialization
profile of your region?
• What regions are potential
partners/rivals?

5. 5 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Why Clusters? The Firm Perspective
Improve
Firm Performance
SITES
• Where are the ‘hot spots’ of
our industry?
• Where do I find the right
suppliers and skills to build
my business?
• Where are my rivals, and what
locational conditions can they
leverage?
MARKETS
• Where are key industries
present that are buyers of our
products and services?
PARTNERS
• Who can I draw on in my
region, within my cluster and
beyond?
• In what locations can I find
key partners?

6. 6 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Understand Economic Performance
The Impact of Specialization on Wage Levels
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
Industry Cluster Industry Cluster
Weak
Business Environment
Strong
Business Environment
Elasticity of wages to
specialization (LQ)

7. 7 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
• Clusters emerge naturally • Collaboration within
clusters requires
purposeful action
• Upgrading of the cluster-
specific business
environment requires
purposeful action
• Cluster initiatives
organize the necessary
collective action

8. 8 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Why Clusters? The Policy Perspective
Improve
Policy Action
COLLABORATION
• Support collaboration
structures within clusters
FOCUS
• Use clusters and cluster
organizations as an
organizing principle and
channel for policies on
innovation, SME, skills,
exports, etc.)
SELECTION
• Concentrate funding on
strong clusters and cluster
organizations

9. 9 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
What Drives the Success of Cluster Efforts?
Setting
• Cluster with critical mass of existing
economic activities
• Broader policy environment focused on
competitiveness upgrading
Organization
Activities
• Capabilities of the Cluster Initiative Manager
• Private sector logic needs to drive the
organization, public sector critical to create
the right environment
• Strategic action agenda grounded in
understanding of the relevant market
• Operational effectiveness in individual activities

10. 10 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
Your Partner for Effective Cluster Efforts
www.tci-network.org

11. 11 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
The TCI Network
• Who are we?
• What do we do?
• What’s in it for you?
The leading global network
of professionals and organizations
active in cluster-based economic
development
GLOBAL
PRACTITIONERS
CLUSTER-BASED
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
www.tci-network.org

12. 12 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
The TCI Network: Activities
• Who are we?
• What do we do?
• What’s in it for you?
Support the effective use
of cluster-based economic development
approaches to raise
the competitiveness and innovative capacity
of firms, cities, regions and countries
ENABLE COLLABORATION
SHARE KNOWLEDGE
CREATE KNOWLEDGE
www.tci-network.org

13. 13 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
The TCI Network: Becoming a Member
• Who are we?
• What do we do?
• What’s in it for you?
Up-to-date information
from the global cluster community
Reduced fees for TCI Conferences
Access to high-quality contacts
and organizations around the world
Access to and inclusion in databases on
clusters, cluster programs, and experts
Specific member activities like
mentoring, peer reviews, interest groups
Exposure and global visibility
on TCI communication channels
Ability to draw on TCI support
in funding applications
www.tci-network.org

14. 14 Copyright 2014 © Christian Ketels
www.tci2014.org
Welcome to Monterrey!