The Evolution of Knowledge Clusters Progress and Policy

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Author: Robert Huggins, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK

The economic downturn post-2000 badly undermined the rapid growth of knowledge-based and technology-led sectors. This article reflects on post- and pre-2000 development from the perspective of the evolution of regional clusters of knowledge-based activity. Four case studies of knowledge clusters are presented—Silicon Valley (United States), Cambridge (United Kingdom), Ottawa (Canada), and Helsinki (Finland)—as a means of understanding how the modus operandi of such clusters is evolving. The author finds that knowledge cluster development is shifting from one of internal reliance to models based on wider connectivity and consolidation. It is these new patterns of connected clusters and broadened knowledge networks that both firms and policy makers are increasingly attempting to foster. A framework outlining the key stages of evolution through which knowledge clusters advance is proposed. The author concludes that cluster policies must be increasingly attuned to positioning within a global network environment.

Source:
Economic Development Quarterly November 2008 vol. 22 no. 4 277-289 

Evolusi Perkembangan dan Kebijakan Klaster-klaster Pengetahuan
Krisis ekonomi yang terjadi pasca tahun 2000 benar-benar menghambat laju pertumbuhan sektor berbasis pengetahuan dan teknologi. Penelitian ini memuat perbandingan tentang perkembangan sebelum dan sesudah tahun 2000 dari sudut pandang evolusi klaster-klaster regional aktivitas berbasis teknologi. Terdapat empat studi kasus klaster pengetahuan yang dibahas, yakni Silicon Valley (Amerika Serikat), Cambridge (Inggris), Ottawa (Kanada), dan Helsinki (Finlandia). Keempat studi kasus ini digunakan sebagai media pembanding untuk memahami bagaimana modus operandi perubahan yang dialami oleh klaster-klaster tersebut. Peneliti menemukan bahwa perkembangan klaster pengetahuan mengalami pergeseran dari kebergantungan internal menuju pada konektivitas dan konsolidasi yang lebih luas cakupannya. Pola-pola baru hubungan antar-klaster dan jaringan pengetahuan inilah yang sekarang tengah digalakkan oleh perusahaan maupun pembuat kebijakan. Penelitian ini menyajikan kerangka mengenai tahapan-tahapan perubahan yang ditempuh oleh klaster-klaster tersebut untuk semakin menyempurnakan diri. Peneliti menyimpulkan bahwa kebijakan klaster harus semakin disesuaikan dengan lingkungan jaringan global.

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