Cluster role in industry 4.0 – a pilot study from Germany

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the nature of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) cluster, to establish and empirically verify in the pilot study the role of clusters in developing the fourth industrial revolution. It aims to find out if the cluster can provide a conducive knowledge environment fostering the advancement of I4.0; simplify the implementation of I4.0 by making it faster, easier, and cheaper and finally be applied as policy tool organising the development of I4.0. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the narrative literature review mapping the cluster’s nature with I4.0 features. It adopts the case study approach and uses simple statistical analysis to explore the basic characteristics of I4.0 clusters combined with a survey technique – short questionnaire organised in three major blocks. Findings Drawing on German pilot study it can be confirmed that clusters offer conducive environment facilitating the emergence, testing and development of I4.0 specific solutions. They provide favourable knowledge environment, simplify and increase the efficiency of the business processes and organise the policymaking in this area. Originality/value The results of presented pilot study rooted in Germany – a country seen as the front-runner in implementing the solutions of the fourth industrial revolution – can add a certain value to the emerging research on unearthed linkages between clusters and I4.0. This paper might be seen as a contribution to the emerging literature on the spatial dimension of I4.0. It expands previous research on cluster channels’ likely impact on I4.0.

Trouble in Paradise? Barriers to Open Innovation in Regional Clusters in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution

“…However, according to Suwala and Micek [48], it is certainly not a "post cluster" era. Clusters which are successful are shown to be built on a "practice of clustering", i.e., a set of future-oriented activities carried out jointly by regional actors and coordinated in order to enhance the local texture [14,49,50].…”

“…Clusters seem to offer a conducive environment facilitating those challenges and implications. They provide a favorable knowledge environment, simplify and increase the efficiency of the business processes, and organize the policy-making in this area [14]. The fourth industrial revolution not only utilizes platforms, but also calls for a shift from value chains towards highly flexible networks of interconnected actors.…”

“…It was decided to carry out the original survey among cluster coordinators, because as such they are involved in facilitating the innovative cooperation of member companies. Additionally, representing the entire community of participants, they often collect data on various activities performed by members [14].…”

“…Clusters, especially in transition economies, are predominantly composed of small and medium enterprises [14]. Research shows that, while for large companies open innovation is a strategic choice to access complementary assets and capabilities better mastered by their partners, for SMEs, open innovation is a necessity as it helps compensate for the resources and assets that they lack [15][16][17].…”

Sustainability of Cluster Organizations as Open Innovation Intermediaries

“…Many studies, e.g., [22,23], indicate that innovation takes place more frequently in clusters, which support access to external partners. Successful clusters seem to have mastered the "practice of clustering"-a set of future-oriented practices executed collaboratively by regional partners and orchestrated to enhance the place-based structure [24,25]. The open innovation practices of clusters are viewed in this paper in the context of sustainability which addresses the companies' activities to implement sustainable principles across the industrial value chain.…”