Methodologies for analyzing the industrial clusters in the Baltic Sea region: a critical overview

• Main Authors: Jucevičius, Giedrius, Puidokas, Mindaugas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Lithuanian; English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: Industrial clusters; Baltic Sea region (BSR); Cluster policy; Economic geography; Industrial specialization; Clustering process; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://ktu.lvb.lt/KTU:ELABAPDB2834875&prefLang=en_US

The methodological aspects of industrial clusters remain subject to hot debates and persisting controversy, especially when applied in the realm of the policy making. Lithuania has also joined the legion of countries adopting the industrial cluster approach in policymaking; however, the specific policy guidelines are yet to be drafted, implemented, and evaluated. This is why it is important not only to evaluate the most appropriate methods for assessing the potential of clusterisation, but also to consider the potential of cross-border clusterisation in the Baltic sea region. The aim of the paper is to provide a critical overview of the methodologies used for identifying the industrial clusters in the Baltic Sea region. The research scope and methods. This research encompasses 10 Baltic Sea region countries: Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia (St. Petersburg, Leningrad and Kaliningrad oblasts/regions), Sweden. Furthermore, the entire process is complicated by the lack of academic research in this field in some countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Iceland, Estonia). Various economic studies, referred to in the paper, encompass the most detailed to date application of quantitative and qualitative methods for mapping the potential industrial clusters in the Baltic Sea region countries. The research of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) countries has revealed the use of most of the mentioned methods for cluster identification.