Cluster Initiative Success Management – a single case study on Telematics Valley

Abstract: Regional Innovation System (RIS) and clusters have long been argued for having a positive impact on regional growth. Also, the eminence of cluster initiatives and how in turn they support regional growth and development are becoming important questions for scholars and practitioners as well. However, there is limited prior qualitative research which investigates how cluster initiatives become successful and what their influence on regional development is. The purpose of this study is therefore to investigate the area of cluster initiative success and management. This research is a qualitative single case study on the cluster initiative - Telematics Valley, situated in the region of Gothenburg. The study aims to identify the ‘crucial success factors’ that are needed by the cluster initiative to become successful and the potential future actions that Telematics Valley can take in order to attain the success factors. The respondents for the interviews were selected through purposive sampling of actors from the telematics industry and cluster organisations focused on regional growth. In order to analyse the results, a merged framework incorporating ‘crucial success factors for cluster initiatives’ and ‘cluster effect on regional growth and development’ was used as the theoretical perspective and lens throughout the study. A ‘thematic analysis’ approach was used, which assisted in the generation of crucial patterns and themes. The authors deduce that the identified empirical results and the derived themes correspond with the incorporated theoretical framework. The crucial success factors: idea, driving forces & commitment, a critical mass, activities and organisation, were concluded to be essential for the cluster initiative’s success. The results indicate that having a: well defined idea, mission and vision, a unique membership base, motivated members, open atmosphere, opening up for external actors, relevant activities and taking the role of a facilitator of networks, are all important for Telematics Valley to develop and facilitate the links between the actors in the cluster. This in turn, creates cluster competitiveness which leads to a favourable environment for business growth which enhances regional growth and development within the region of Gothenburg.