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Creating a Coherent Design for Cluster Analysis and Related Policies.

The Austrian "tip" Experience, 1998

This paper presents the Austrian tip experience in the focus group on "Cluster Analysis & Cluster Policies" within the OECD National Innovation Systems (NIS) Project. A short and concise description of the activities and perspectives taken is provided along the following dimensions: conceptualisation, methodology and data problems, empirical research, and cluster oriented policy. To sum up the major conclusions, cluster analysis (a) helps to define priorities within the given set of policy instruments; (b) is highly responsive to the particular needs exhibited in the systemic feedback mechanisms at the micro level, and (c) rarely lends support to big government initiatives, but instead emphasises e.g. the important role of eliminating regulatory barriers and distortions, creating complementary educational institutions or marketing business locations with internationally perceptible competence profiles.