Organisations such as industry associations, chambers of commerce, professional associations and exporter organisations have a key role to play in cluster development. Nurturing competitiveness is not in itself the end game; building local business that are well positioned to increase their market share and profitability is. So there is close alignment between the agendas of private sector organisations and those of economic development agencies. 

Udine chair cluster, Italy

Do industry associations form a natural home for a clustering initiative?

Occasionally.  But a note of caution: an industry association often covers a broader geographic area than a cluster (possibly national), and serves just a segment within a cluster. Further, some industry associations remain predominantly lobby organisations, rather than proactive business development forums upgrading the competitiveness of their members. So an industry association is more typically a partner with a local development agency than a leader.

In some situations private sector organisations take an active lead with cluster development; more usually such organisations align with the local economic development agency. 
 
What is Cluster Navigators’ experience with private sector organisations?

Cluster Navigators has made many presentation to business groups and peak industry bodies around the world, and strives to ensure that industry associations and chambers of commerce are included as part of the ‘soft infrastructure’ of the local cluster.
Sometimes, as with the Cape Town, South Africa IT cluster initiative, a group of firms take the initial lead in starting the cluster ball rolling, then the local economic development agency steps in to support. See case study
 
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Please, contact us for further information about how our servicies can be applied to your particular industry needs.