Looking Behind Facades: Evaluating Effects of (Automotive) Cluster Promotion

Abstract

Promoting industrial clusters meanwhile features as a major guideline of regional economic support all over the world. Despite of a vivid debate about the concept and its application, research has rarely empirically evaluated the added effects of cluster initiatives, and applied methods have hardly been adequate to the task. This paper discusses general issues of assessing cluster promotion and suggests an empirical approach. It presents findings of a research project that has, accordingly, investigated patterns of effects of two automotive cluster initiatives in Ger-many and Austria. Insights concerning methodological and political issues can be derived.