Title: Performance management of regional clusters and SME cooperation networks

Authors: Mateus Cecilio Gerolamo, Luiz Cesar Ribeiro Carpinetti, Gunther Seliger, Edwin Vladimir Cardoza Galdamez

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, School of Engineering of Sao Carlos (EESC), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador Saocarlense, 400, CEP-13566-590, Sao Carlos-SP, Brazil; Department of Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF), Technische Universitat Berlin (TUB), PTZ 2, Pascalstrasse 8–9, D-10587, Berlin, Germany. ' Department of Production Engineering, School of Engineering of Sao Carlos (EESC), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador Saocarlense, 400, CEP-13566-590, Sao Carlos-SP, Brazil. ' Department of Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF), Technische Universitat Berlin (TUB), PTZ 2, Pascalstrasse 8–9, D-10587, Berlin, Germany. ' Department of Production Engineering, School of Engineering of Sao Carlos (EESC), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador Saocarlense, 400, CEP-13566-590, Sao Carlos-SP, Brazil

Abstract: This paper presents a proposal of a performance management model for regional clusters and Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) cooperation networks. Through a literature review and case studies of two Brazilian clusters and two German cooperation networks, it was possible to define the central aspects to manage regional SME cooperation networks. Therefore some fundamental characteristics for managing the performance of clusters and cooperation networks are proposed: identification of the stakeholders, definitions of common strategies and objectives, development of collaborative improvement actions, design of a performance management system, and organisation of a support infrastructure and promotion of social capital. Finally, it could be said that more specific methods and tools should be drawn up for SME clusters and networks and that SME regional cooperation networks are a very promising way to promote regional sustainable development.

Keywords: Brazil; regional clusters; cooperation networks; Germany; sustainable development; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; performance management; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2008.018844

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.457 - 483

Published online: 19 Jun 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article