The role of cluster initiatives in strategic alliances: a view from the Basque Country region

Abstract

Clusters initiatives are appropriate environments for their members to gain in competitiveness through collaboration. The entrepreneurial process of discovery, one of the main principals in the new concept of smart specialization can be embodied in clusters initiatives. When addressing new business opportunities through collaboration within a cluster, companies usually form strategic alliances. Business strategy is clearly related to regional strategy. In most cases, successful regional strategies depend on successful business strategies. This paper considers the relationship between the two types of strategies, focussing on strategic alliances and the role of cluster initiatives in their development in the context of the Basque Country region. To provide insight about the perceived role of cluster initiatives in both fostering strategic alliances and in defining and developing regional smart specialization strategies in mature cluster initiatives, primary data was gathered in the Basque Country from Cluster Managers and Business Members of various clusters.