Cluster Dynamics in Transition Economies

Download or read book Cluster Dynamics in Transition Economies written by Elona Karafili and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-03-16 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.