| Conference News |
 |
 |
|
CRIC at the University of Ballarat hosted a Cluster Conference covering a range of critically important themes.
Back to CRIC Home Page
Cluster Community Forum
This forum has been set up to exchange ideas in the area of clustering and welcomes practitioners, policy makers, academics, cluster and community members alike. The password to access the forum is "community".
TCI Hong Kong Cluster Conference
|
|
|
CRIC Cluster Conference 2005
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Conference Proceedings |
 |
|
|
List by Stream | List by paper Title/Abstract | List By Author(s)
|
 | Title: All That Clusters is Not Gold: Evidence from the New Zealand Forest Products Industry
Author(s): Perry, Martin
Abstract: Business clusters have been viewed as a substantial source of competitive advantage. This has encouraged many efforts to promote enterprise development through support to business cluster groups. Four such cluster initiatives based in the New Zealand timber industry are examined. The forest products industry was chosen for the study as this industry has produced cluster projects in different regions and because firms in this industry have a range of network opportunities as well as the cluster group. This gives opportunity to assess the particular significance of clusters versus other forms of collective association. Two of the four groups are shown to have achieved some impact on business development and have sustained the support of enterprise owners. Two groups have failed to become significant and have lost participation. Participants in each cluster project were interviewed using structured and semi structured questions to determine the reason for these different outcomes. The attributes of the more successful clusters are identified related to: (i) the mix of enterprise types; (ii) the expected outcomes from participation; (iii) the business relationships between cluster participants. These characteristics lead to the development of two models of enterprise activity conducive to cluster formation. Each model has different implications for the potential impact of a cluster on enterprise growth. These findings raise a number of challenges for the advocacy of business clusters as a tool for enhancing business competitiveness.
Conference Presentation | top
| | Title: Can Knowledge Management Save Regional Development?
Author(s): Mason, Cecily, Castleman,Tanya & Parker, Craig
Abstract: Australia needs to create innovative regions to sustain economic prosperity and regional development. In order to do this, regions will need to systematically address their knowledge needs and identify tools that are appropriate in maximising their effectiveness. Many initiatives have focused on information and communication technology (ICT) to enable knowledge exchange and stimulate knowledge generation, but active knowledge management (KM) strategies are required if ICTs are to be used effectively. These strategies must respond to the regional economic and social environments which incorporate small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper outlines the importance of KM for supporting regional cluster development and the key ways in which communities of practice (CoPs), a KM technique, have been used to add value in similar contexts. How CoPs and their online counterpart, virtual communities of practice (VCoPs), can be used and developed in regional areas of Australia is considered along with a program for further research.
Conference Presentation | top
| | Title: Cluster Measurement and Benchmarking
Author(s): Pickernell, David, Rowe, Patricia A, Christie, Michael J, Clifton, Nick & David, Rhys
Abstract: Drawing on extensive academic research and theory on clusters and their analysis, the methodology employed in this pilot study (sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government | top
| | Title: Helping small companies with a light hand: Strategies for tertiary education institutions
Author(s): Brimblecombe, Trish
Abstract: New Zealand companies are predominantly small or medium sized enterprises. Clusters models are included in economic development strategies in many regions. Many clusters have an underlying layer of very small companies that are not yet involved formally in the cluster, although personal and other connections may be present.
New Zealand tertiary education organisations (TEOs) are linked with industry and business through a wide range of activities including networking, curriculum consultation, student projects and post-graduate research and development. Many organisations have direct connections and working arrangements with clusters and cluster companies. The challenge for clusters and TEOs is the initiation and management of interaction with very small companies that are pre-cluster but that have been identified as having high potential to add more value to existing cluster groupings.
Some strategies to support and mentor very small companies | top
| | Title: ICT in Clusters can lead to participation and real returns
Author(s): Van Beveren, John
Abstract: This paper presents a anecdote of Realestateview, which is an internet portal used by real estate agents to process and advertise properties for sale and lease. The functionality of the site and the benefits offered to the stakeholders is the reason for its success at gaining support from agents, buyers and sellers. The benefits offered to agents has resulted in | top
| | Title: Mapping Industry Clusters in the Digital Economy
Author(s): Mazzarol, Tim, Patmore, Raphe & van Heemst, Natasha
Abstract: This paper examines the methodology employed in a project undertaken in Western Australia to identify and map the existence of industry clusters within the creative digital industries. Utilising a standard industry concentration and location quotient technique, the study team identified above average industry and employment concentrations in 59 selected industries considered to have high levels of digital content intensity. The study found industry and employment concentrations in seven key areas: i) spatial sciences; ii) engineering; iii) construction; iv) education and training; v) creative; vi) media and vii) medical science. These were then grouped into two potential industry clusters. The first focused on the Digital Spatial Industries and the second on the Digital Creative Industries. Analysis of longitudinal data sets found emerging and established industry segments within these two clusters and case study and survey findings identified issues facing businesses within these sectors. These findings point to the need for cluster development to be based on both statistical foundations from established employment and industry data sets, and an in-depth assessment of the activities at the business unit level gathered through survey and case studies.
Conference Presentation | top
| | Title: Measuring relationships within a fine art cluster under conditions of dislocation
Author(s): Giblin, Deidre
Abstract: Business relationships and activities will be mapped to establish the functional characteristics of the fine art industry cluster of which the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has long been the dominant figure. Many of the core activities of the NGV have been severely disrupted between 1999 and 2003 due to refurbishment. This circumstance has made it possible to examine and determine the effects of dislocation of the dominant member on the way a cluster functions. This research will provide information on how fine arts businesses, including some that are competitors, interrelate, and how and to what extent a previously dominant member can reinstate its position after a period of dislocation.
This research project employs a longitudinal design so that cluster functioning and level of innovation can be compared before, during, and after disruption of the NGV | top
| | Title: Measuring the National Research Council
Author(s): Cassidy, Erin, Davis, Charles, Arthurs, David & Wolfe, David
Abstract: The National Research Council (NRC) is the Government of Canada | top
| | Title: Regional Economic Development: Exploring the
Author(s): Wickham, Mark
Abstract: Porter | top
| | Title: Small and Medium Enterprises Clustering and Collaborative Commerce
Author(s): Rowe, Michelle, Burn, Janice & Walker, Elizabeth
Abstract: This paper deals with the social psychology associated with networks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially from the perspective of social identity theory. The focus is on collaborative networks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and collaboration around information technology (IT) which is known as collaborative commerce or c-commerce.
Since little research regarding this aspect of social psychology has been undertaken with respect to collaborative business networks this paper raises issues and seeks to clarify them in the business context. Further research is required to further investigate how social identity theory | top
| | Title: Small Business Clustering: Accessing Knowledge through Local Networks
Author(s): Braun, Patrice, McRae-Williams, Pam & Lowe, Julian
Abstract: Over the last decade there has been considerable interest and activity in clustering and the concomitant link to regional development. In the world economy small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are now recognised as playing a pivotal role in regional economic sustainability and growth, yet there is relatively little research that examines SME clustering processes, and in particular the nature of knowledge creation in local/regional SME networks. This paper discusses the topic of small business clustering and local network knowledge transfer. It outlines some of the key literature on clustering within a regional development context and discusses the implications on industry and place vis- | top
| | Title: The Role of Small Business Clusters in Prioritising Barriers to E-commerce Adoption: A Study of Swedish Regional SMEs
Author(s): MacGregor, Rob & Vrazalic, Lejla
Abstract: Despite government initiatives, studies show that SME still fail to realise the benefits of E-commerce adoption. This paper extends existing research by showing that the barriers to E-commerce adoption can be grouped according to two distinct factors: the difficulty of implementing E-commerce and the unsuitability of E-commerce to the business. The paper also shows that the relative importance of these two factors is affected by membership/non-membership of a small business cluster.
Conference Presentation | top
| | Title: The Spatial Expression of Complex Linkages in the Machinery & Equipment Manufacturing Cluster in Southeast Melbourne
Author(s): McDougall, Andrew & O
Abstract: Economic development practitioners have embraced industry clusters, as they transfer theory to policy and development initiatives. Much of the policy application assumes economic competitiveness enhancements will accrue if local inter-firm linkages between cluster members are strengthened.
This research explores multi-dimensional nature of inter-firm linkages in terms of their geographic coverage, complexity, effectual means and evolutionary period. It then attempts to measure inter-firm linkages with respect to one of these dimensions, i.e. | top
| | Title: Using cluster theory as the lens through which the results of government funded online service initiatives can be examined
Author(s): Thompson, Helen
Abstract: This paper has been drawn from a larger study which encompassed two main themes | top
|
|
|
|
|
