Vol. 6 Num. 1 - GCG: Revista de Globalización, Competitividad y ...

Clemente Hernández-Rodríguez & Raúl Francisco Montalvo-Corzo2.2. Classification of clusters59There exist different types of clusters, depending on each author’s definitions. For example,according to the Kerala government (Kerala Government, 2004) clusters can be classifieddepending on their value chain or workforce. We understand the value chain to imply thecommon clusters of businesses that buy and sell among themselves. On the other hand, theworkforce is based on occupational categories, and the biggest pool of potential employersis the similar occupations.Another author (Ketels, 2003) classifies clusters according to the type of products or/andservices they offer, their geographical location, their specialization in a particular stage of thevalue chain, and their stage of development. Under geographic location, the different locationsplay different roles; for example, the New York Financial cluster, the Hollywood mediacluster, the Silicon Valley of Information Technology cluster, and the automobiles clusters inDetroit and southern Germany. Under specialization in a particular stage of their value chain,we have the following examples: the short production in Portugal, China’s manufacturing,and the design of shoes in Italy. We understand stage of development to include the environmentquality of external business and the progress of cooperation in the environment.A cluster’s dimensions can be defined by its industrial connections, geographic extension,life cycle, and the linkages among its participants (Cortright, 2006). The industrial connectionsrefer to buyer-supplier relationships and the value chain. A denser nearby network ofsuppliers and buyers is an advantage. The geographic extent makes reference to metropolitan,regional, and smaller clusters (some blocks).1. By the development phase or evolutionWhen categorized by development phase, a cluster can be a potential cluster, latent cluster,or working cluster (Isbasoiu, 2007). For a potential cluster, there are some good opportunitiesand some key elements are ready in place. A latent cluster is in an area with a highnumber of firms but a low level of interaction due to a lack of trust, low cooperation, andhigh transaction costs. In a working cluster, the industrial district is well developed. Whencategorized by development stage, a cluster can be a survival cluster, advanced mass productioncluster, or cluster of transnational corporations (Altenburg and Meyer-Stamer, 1999;Schmitz and Nadvi, 1999). The competitive potential of survival clusters is limited. They existdue to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions than caused by entrepreneurial competitionand dynamism. Clusters of transnational corporations are made up of technically advancedforeign firms that locate in particular areas to draw on regional agglomeration economies, buthave limited links to local firms and institutions. In an advanced mass production cluster, thefirms produce for local markets but increasingly face global competitive pressures.Additionally, when categorized by development phase a cluster can be an incipient or maturecluster (Schmitz and Nadvi, 1999). An incipient cluster is in the early stage of industrial development,and is usually located in a poor area, producing for local markets with simple technologyand labor skills. A mature cluster consists of more advanced firms in terms of technologyand skills; they produce for the global markets and are vulnerable to global pressures(Isbasoiu, 2007). According to the cluster life cycle, clusters can be emerging, established,mature, declining, or imaginary. The emerging clusters usually consist of many new firms,with rapid growth and frequent changes in firms and products. The established clustersGCG GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY - UNIVERSIA ENERO-ABRIL 2012 VOL. 6 NUM. 1 ISSN: 1988-7116pp: 55-90