Title: Driving forces in cluster creation and development in the biotech industry: an international comparison

Authors: Davide Chiaroni, Vittorio Chiesa

Addresses: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Gestionale Politecnico di Milano, School of Management Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milano, Italy ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria Gestionale Politecnico di Milano, School of Management Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milano, Italy

Abstract: The paper, based on the analysis of literature contributions in the field and on in-depth case studies, provides a systematic view of major driving forces that affect cluster creation in the biotech industry, trying to understand whether there is a relation between the current state of the cluster and the mechanisms (i.e., the initial set of forces) which give origin to the cluster itself. Four driving forces (financial, scientific, industrial and supportive) have been identified and discussed, allowing to identify a virtuous cycle in the birth and development process of a cluster, where a central role is played by the continuous generation of new science-based companies. The way each driving force is actually managed by actors, both public and private, within the cluster finally lead to outline possible models of cluster creation.

Keywords: biotechnology; high-tech clusters; cluster management practices; biotech development strategies; biotech development policies; biotech case studies; normative model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2005.007042

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2005 Vol.1 No.3, pp.266 - 288

Published online: 09 May 2005 *

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