Creative clusters in Poland and theoretical cluster structures – similarities and differences

Beata Namyślak

Uniwersytet Wrocławski
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6558-4383

Abstract

The goal of the paper is to examine the degree of congruence between cluster definition found in the literature of the subject and the actual creative clusters operating in Poland. The author set out to analyze the following features: cluster openness, whether goals of cooperation and common development strategy have been defined, spatial concentration of the entities and the significance of geographical proximity, as well as the relationship between cooperation and coopetition within clusters.

Openness of cluster structures was the only feature that has found clear confirmation in the conducted direct survey. In the majority of cases, clusters increased the number of entities (cluster members). At the same time, new entities were established in the cluster environment and with time have also become cluster members. As for the remaining three features, no clear confirmation could be obtained. For example, only 5 out of 17 analysed creative clusters had common development strategies.