| dc.description.abstract | Regional Innovation System (RIS) and clusters have long been argued for having a positive
impact on regional growth. Also, the eminence of cluster initiatives and how in turn they support
regional growth and development are becoming important questions for scholars and practitioners
as well. However, there is limited prior qualitative research which investigates how cluster
initiatives become successful and what their influence on regional development is. The purpose
of this study is therefore to investigate the area of cluster initiative success and management. This
research is a qualitative single case study on the cluster initiative - Telematics Valley, situated in
the region of Gothenburg. The study aims to identify the ‘crucial success factors’ that are needed
by the cluster initiative to become successful and the potential future actions that Telematics
Valley can take in order to attain the success factors. The respondents for the interviews were
selected through purposive sampling of actors from the telematics industry and cluster
organisations focused on regional growth. In order to analyse the results, a merged framework
incorporating ‘crucial success factors for cluster initiatives’ and ‘cluster effect on regional growth
and development’ was used as the theoretical perspective and lens throughout the study. A
‘thematic analysis’ approach was used, which assisted in the generation of crucial patterns and
themes. The authors deduce that the identified empirical results and the derived themes
correspond with the incorporated theoretical framework. The crucial success factors: idea, driving
forces & commitment, a critical mass, activities and organisation, were concluded to be essential
for the cluster initiative’s success. The results indicate that having a: well defined idea, mission
and vision, a unique membership base, motivated members, open atmosphere, opening up for
external actors, relevant activities and taking the role of a facilitator of networks, are all important
for Telematics Valley to develop and facilitate the links between the actors in the cluster. This in
turn, creates cluster competitiveness which leads to a favourable environment for business growth
which enhances regional growth and development within the region of Gothenburg. | sv |
