| Definition |
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An InterCluster is an association of clusters within a specific interregional or transnational area and engaged in processes aimed at common strategic development. The objective is to promote synergies around high-value-added products and services, and thereby contribute to the emergence of European industrial projects. Cooperation between clusters can take one of three forms: Cooperation as sharing of information: the companies, public organisations or research centres which make up the clusters get involved in optimising their knowledge, practices and expertise in their key areas. In this format, cooperation is most frequently on an informal basis, with the extra complementary objective of identifying potential opportunities for common research and business activities. Cooperation as coordination: the players from the clusters involved decide to engage in cooperation to make use of the full range of competitive weapons for ad hoc projects. In this format, the issues dealt with have a specific operational purpose: building-up a critical mass to carry out frontline research, to respond jointly to tender offers, to design innovative products, etc. Cooperation as integration: the managers of associated clusters structure their partnerships through the identification of common strategic issues essential for entering markets which individually would be inaccessible. In this format, the pooling of resources and assets goes hand in hand with the development of cooperative processes. Here a real "community" form of management is required. The concept of InterCluster is here in its most developed and complete form. |
