Conceptualising Cluster Evolution: Beyond the Life-Cycle Model?

Ronald Martin and Peter Sunley ()

No 1112, Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) from Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography

Abstract: Although the literature on the evolution of industrial clusters is not vast, a preferred approach has already become evident, based around the idea of a cluster 'life-cycle'. This approach has several limitations. In this paper we explore a different conception of cluster evolution drawing on the 'adaptive cycle' model that has been developed in evolutionary ecology. Using this model, cluster evolution is viewed as an adaptive process with different possible outcomes based on episodic interactions of nested systems. Though not without limitations, this approach offers greater scope as a framework for shaping the research agenda into the evolution of clusters.

Keywords: Clusters; Evolution; Life-cycle model; Complex systems; Adaptive cycle model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R00 R1 R3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 47 pages
Date: 2011-07, Revised 2011-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-edu, nep-evo, nep-geo and nep-hme
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (85)

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http://econ.geo.uu.nl/peeg/peeg1112.pdf Version July 2011 (application/pdf)

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Journal Article: Conceptualizing Cluster Evolution: Beyond the Life Cycle Model? (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:egu:wpaper:1112

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