Cluster Genesis

Clusters - regional concentrations of related firms and organizations - are seen as being an important element of economic growth and innovation. But there is little understanding of how clusters come into existence and little guidance provided on the role of policies that are conducive to the formation of clusters. Cluster Genesis focuses on these early origins of clusters. The case histories of well-known established clusters as well as more recently-developed clusters are discussed including: · The Hollywood motion picture cluster· Silicon Valley · Boston and San Francisco biotech regions· The Biotech industry in China· Medicon Valley in Scandinavia· The Irish ITC sector. Leading scholars contribute chapters examining cluster genesis the divergent processes by which clusters arise how multinationals contribute to cluster development and how economic development policy may promote or hinder cluster genesis. Cluster Genesis uses a variety of methodological perspectives examines a range of policy options and draws on a number of rich case histories and will be key reading for academics researchers and students of Economics Innovation Sociology Geography and Management Studies as well as economic development officials and policy makers.