26 October 2017
Clusters function as bridges between firms and territories. Their capacity to promote inter-firm collaboration, with the public administration and between other clusters makes them a vital tool in generating shared value. This is one of the conclusions that was drawn at Basque Cluster Day, organised by Orkestra and the SPRI Group. The event was attended by heads of the 22 clusters in the Basque Country and representatives from the world of business and institutions.
James Wilson and Henar Alcade, researchers at Orkestra, presented their work on the role of clusters as agents that should impact competitive growth in business and territories.
In this sense, Wilson highlighted that it is important to see clusters as a source of opportunity that can contribute and help firms to relate their activity and approach the socio-economic challenges raised by the territory. He pointed out the importance of thinking of “cluster strategies and policies through clusters in order to join business and territorial interests".
Henar Alcade, for her part, presented the concept of shared value and elaborated on the role of clusters in this aspect. She expressed this idea in Deputy Councillor of Industry for the Basque Government concerning the event: “it is vital to begin to see clusters as another instrument to generate shared value strategies in firms".
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Councillor of Industry for the Basque Government, Javier Zarraonaindia, highlighted that studies demonstrate that firms linked to clusters obtain better results in terms of turnover, exports, innovation and employment. “However, in spite of it, your task is not easy. Because expanding the base of member firms, especially SMEs, and engaging them in cooperation dynamics continues to be a challenge that clusters face on a daily basis.”
Held for the third time, Basque Cluster Day was originally started with the aim of prompting reflection on key topics to boost clusters’ dynamism in their mission to improve competitiveness through cooperation. Orkestra takes an active role in this event and other projects shared with the Basque Government through the SPRI Group. One such example is Cluster S3, which is co-financed by the European Commission’s Interreg Europe initiative.
