Arbeitspapiere zur Regionalentwicklung - Elektronische Schriftenreihe des Lehrstuhls Regionalentwicklung und Raumordnung (E-Paper) - Band 6

Sarah Roßbach

The cluster-concept as an appliance in regional development - The BioRN Cluster »Cell-based & Molecular Medicine« in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region (MRN)

Modern regional development increasingly tends to a strengthening of existing regional capacities. In the course of economic promotion the cluster-concept becomes more and more important. This is due to the cluster's feature as a melting pot, in which companies of the same or at least a related line of business compete or collaborate to the benefit of the regional economy. Nevertheless, so far there has only been a modicum of attention to the importance of clusters. For this reason, the present thesis deals with cluster-provoked effects on a region, precisely with those the BioRN Cluster »Cell-based & Molecular Medicine« has on the MRN.

The MRN has an outstanding position, as it shows a stable economic structure and is only marginally effected by the demographical change. The MRN already has supported the BioRN Cluster for years now. During the last decade, the BioRN Cluster has been organized as an association, but in 2008 it turned out to be winner of the Leading Edge Cluster Competition, which was initialized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This was associated with a promotion of EUR 40,000,000 and a remarkable image improvement. The cluster experienced an enormous boost. Numerous projects have been launched since then and first effects have become visible. Based on a questionnaire the present thesis enlists the modifications that have occurred within the cluster-companies since the win of the Leading Edge Cluster Competition. Furthermore the companies were asked to valuate the cluster's importance for the MRN. Besides, this also has been valuated by regional experts such as representatives of local authorities and the MRN. The present thesis shows the cluster-effects on the region in different fields, as well as the cluster's impact on the regional development. Additionally, future effects have been identified. As a result, strengths and weaknesses within the cluster's structures and, additionally, of the clusterrelated regional development, could be pointed out.

ISSN 1869-3814
Seitenzahl:  165