1) Future cluster policy faces challenges in making better use of clusters and tailoring support to their needs. 2) Effective cluster policy requires a predictive and synchronized approach that is more efficient, impactful and tailored to different clusters. 3) Strong cluster management is key, as excellence in management leads to higher monetary impact for firms and helps emerging clusters develop based on regional strengths like smart specialization.

1. FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR CLUSTER POLICY AND
CLUSTER INITIATIVES IN EUROPE
Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker
Director
iit – Institute for Innovation and Technology
Visegrad April, 11th 2013

2. Looking back……
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3. Key Challenges ahead
Future cluster policy must …
Cluster excellence
Cluster policy excellence
Higher
More impact
tailor-made
More
efficient
More
predictive
Better
syncronised
3

4. Cluster Policy Has to be Better Synchronized
Coordination with business Coordination with R&D /
development programs innovation programs
4

5. Cluster Policy Has to Be More Predictive
Where do cluster of tomorrow emerge?
How to better predict cluster emergence?
New pattern for cluster in emerging
industries !?
5

6. Where R&D Takes Place in the Field of eMobility
Predicting future eMobility clusters by mapping public and private R&D spending
investments in certain emerging industries
R&D driven, lack
of firms
Quite unknown
agglomeration of firms
and R&D entities dealing
with eMobility matters
Strong industrial
Well balanced mix
agglomeration, but limited
of firms and R&D
number of R&D
institutions
institutions
6

7. Where R&D Takes Place in the Field of eMobility
Predicting future eMobility clusters by mapping public and private R&D spending
investments in certain emerging industries
R&D driven, lack
of firms
Quite unknown
agglomeration of firms
and R&D entities dealing
with eMobility matters
Strong industrial
Well balanced mix
agglomeration, but limited
of firms and R&D
number of R&D
institutions
institutions
7

8. Having a More Detailed Look in an Emerging
eMobility Cluster……
Public R&D funds
8

9. ….. on the Way to Smart Specialization
Education Fleet man. Charge & Storage
Evaluation Bus mod Net grid integration
Components Recycling
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10. Cluster Policy Has to Be More Efficient
Moving from quantity towards quality
About 150 clusters and
cluster initiatives
registered within
Baden Württemberg
e.g.
19 Automotive clusters
18 New Materials clusters
24 Production Techn. clusters
10

11. Towards a More Tailor-made Cluster Policy
Where to start? Where to go?
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12. Towards a More Tailor-made Cluster Policy
Cluster leagues
12

13. Towards a More Tailor-made Cluster Policy
Importance of different support schemes
Importance of Importance of Importance of Investment
supporting R&D Clustermanage- internationa- needed
ment Excellence lisation
New
clusters
National
champions
World-Class
clusters
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14. Cluster Management Excellence Provides Higher Impact
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15. Cluster Management Excellence Makes the Difference
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16. Cluster Management Excellence Makes the Difference
The FEMAC case
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17. Higher Intensity of Involvement of Cluster Firms
Leads to Higher Monetary Impact
Monetary added-value for SMEs in clusters compared to their investments
low similar high
low similar high
All firms Firms who are very active
Cluster Monitor Germany, July 2012, 50 cluster initiatives representing about 5000 companies in Germany 17

18. Higher Intensity of Involvement of Cluster Firms
to Higher Monetary Impact
Very active
none
Quite active
Quite inactive
EUR / p. a.
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19. Summary
• Future challenge is how to make use of clusters
• Good cluster policy is challenging, but possible
• It’s not a question of high-tech or amount of funding
• Tailor-made funding
• Clusters are different and have to be supported in different ways
• Predictive cluster mapping gains importance
• Cluster (initiatives) should be built on regional strengths
• Smart Specialization is a promising approach
• Cluster Management Excellence makes the difference
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