This book analyses the effectiveness of policies adopted in cluster promotion, using complexity thinking and evolutionary economic geography approaches. It studies cluster dynamics in transition economies, exploring the case of Albania. In developing countries, the ‘model’ of the developed countries, is often seen as the endpoint of a trajectory that must be followed meticulously, implying a view on modernization as a linear and uniform process. They tend to import policies from these ‘success models’ showing minimal regard to their context and institutional capabilities; therefore, more often than not, such policies show little effectiveness. This research on cluster policies in Albania confirms this. It suggests that in Albania there is a need to revise the way of thinking about clusters, considering them first and foremost as relational networks, instead of physically bound industrial districts. While there is questioning of top-down policies and the national innovation systems prerogative, the suggested model by this research, in line with some of the most recent policy frameworks, advocates the need for flexibility, bottom-up initiatives and place-based approaches. By means of conclusion, the book comes up with an alternative model of territorial policies for cluster development, shifting from ‘static’ towards ‘dynamic’ planning.

A transition economy is an economy which is changing from a planned economy to a free market. Transition economies undergo economic liberalisation (letting market forces set prices and lowering trade barriers), macroeconomic stabilisation where immediate high inflation is brought under control, and restructuring and privatisation in order to create a financial sector and move from public to private ownership of resources. These changes often may lead to increased inequality of incomes and wealth, dramatic inflation and a fall of GDP. Transition process is usually characterised by the changing and creating of institutions, particularly private enterprises; changes in the role of the state, thereby, the creation of fundamentally different governmental institutions and the promotion of private-owned enterprises, markets and independent financial institutions. This new book presents the latest research from around the world in this field.

This book analyses the effectiveness of policies adopted in cluster promotion, using complexity thinking and evolutionary economic geography approaches. It studies cluster dynamics in transition economies, exploring the case of Albania. In developing countries, the 'model' of the developed countries, is often seen as the endpoint of a trajectory that must be followed meticulously, implying a view on modernization as a linear and uniform process. They tend to import policies from these 'success models' showing minimal regard to their context and institutional capabilities; therefore, more often than not, such policies show little effectiveness. This research on cluster policies in Albania confirms this. It suggests that in Albania there is a need to revise the way of thinking about clusters, considering them first and foremost as relational networks, instead of physically bound industrial districts. While there is questioning of top-down policies and the national innovation systems prerogative, the suggested model by this research, in line with some of the most recent policy frameworks, advocates the need for flexibility, bottom-up initiatives and place-based approaches. By means of conclusion, the book comes up with an alternative model of territorial policies for cluster development, shifting from 'static' towards 'dynamic' planning.

Addressing the role of regional clusters in the context of ongoing globalization, this timely book investigates the two seemingly competing trends of globalization and localization from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. International case studies offer pioneering insights into the internationalization process of regional clusters and the effect of this on regional as well as firm performance.

Across a line drawn from New York to Los Angeles, the level of cconomi

How logistics clusters can create jobs while providing companies with competitive advantage. Why is Memphis home to hundreds of motor carrier terminals and distribution centers? Why does the tiny island-nation of Singapore handle a fifth of the world's maritime containers and half the world's annual supply of crude oil? Which jobs can replace lost manufacturing jobs in advanced economies? Some of the answers to these questions are rooted in the phenomenon of logistics clusters—geographically concentrated sets of logistics-related business activities. In this book, supply chain management expert Yossi Sheffi explains why Memphis, Singapore, Chicago, Rotterdam, Los Angeles, and scores of other locations have been successful in developing such clusters while others have not. Sheffi outlines the characteristic “positive feedback loop” of logistics clusters development and what differentiates them from other industrial clusters; how logistics clusters “add value” by generating other industrial activities; why firms should locate their distribution and value-added activities in logistics clusters; and the proper role of government support, in the form of investment, regulation, and trade policy. Sheffi also argues for the most important advantage offered by logistics clusters in today's recession-plagued economy: jobs, many of them open to low-skilled workers, that are concentrated locally and not “offshorable.” These logistics clusters offer what is rare in today's economy: authentic success stories. For this reason, numerous regional and central governments as well as scores of real estate developers are investing in the development of such clusters. View a trailer for the book at: http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/22284-logistics-clusters-yossi-sheffi

Transition economies, such as the countries in Southeast Europe, face an expeditious institutional transition from a centrally planned to a market economy. The state withdraws from its monitoring function, which results in institutional voids that affect the economy in general and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in specific. With a qualitative case study approach Tine Schrammel develops a scheme to detect institutional voids as one source of competitive disadvantages of SMEs in transition economies. In a second step she demonstrates that specific cluster services bridge institutional voids and improve the competitive position of SMEs in environments of institutional voids. The findings add to the understanding of institutional voids and to the role of clusters in transition economies.

SME's are acknowledged as effective sources of jobs and incomes, gaining an important position in the development agenda, subsequently 'cluster' policies were conceived as a framework to augment the effects of SMEs and to optimize resources used to support them. Based on case studies from Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia and India, this volume examines SME clusters and argues that unless they counteract common problems such as very low wages, poor working conditions, poor quality products and lack or environmental regulation, they will be pushed out of the market and so become unsustainable. This book suggests that the SME clusters currently being stretched should react by 'socially upgrading' in order to improve their innovation capacity, as well as social, environmental and labour standards. It puts forward conceptual frameworks which explain the way firms can upgrade: through markets, interaction among cluster members, through Corporate Social Responsibility and other such public policy, and through the better enforcement of regulation.

America's position as the source of much of the world's global innovation has been the foundation of its economic vitality and military power in the post-war. No longer is U.S. pre-eminence assured as a place to turn laboratory discoveries into new commercial products, companies, industries, and high-paying jobs. As the pillars of the U.S. innovation system erode through wavering financial and policy support, the rest of the world is racing to improve its capacity to generate new technologies and products, attract and grow existing industries, and build positions in the high technology industries of tomorrow. Rising to the Challenge: U.S. Innovation Policy for Global Economy emphasizes the importance of sustaining global leadership in the commercialization of innovation which is vital to America's security, its role as a world power, and the welfare of its people. The second decade of the 21st century is witnessing the rise of a global competition that is based on innovative advantage. To this end, both advanced as well as emerging nations are developing and pursuing policies and programs that are in many cases less constrained by ideological limitations on the role of government and the concept of free market economics. The rapid transformation of the global innovation landscape presents tremendous challenges as well as important opportunities for the United States. This report argues that far more vigorous attention be paid to capturing the outputs of innovation - the commercial products, the industries, and particularly high-quality jobs to restore full employment. America's economic and national security future depends on our succeeding in this endeavor.