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

Clemente Hernández-Rodríguez & Raúl Francisco Montalvo-Corzoment, attraction of new business and investments, reduction in production costs, facilitationof the search of funds, and commercialization of academic research (Ketels, Lindqvist andSölvell, 2006).635. Economic impactsThe economic benefits that may accrue to firms when clustering or co-locating are known asthe existence argument of clusters. In terms of economic impact, some benefits of clustersare increased cooperation, increased economic importance of the region, a wider range ofmarket economy, an improvement in innovative capacity, an increase in the number of localfirms, an increase in the use of local suppliers and sales, more levels in the value chain, andincreased competitiveness (Ketels, Lindqvist and Sölvell, 2006).Clusters as economic policy tools are a part of a new approach to economic developmentpolicies. There is a resources alignment, relating technology, skills, information, marketing,and market necessities. Thanks to clusters, new roles are assigned to the private sector,government, and associations, uniting enterprises of all sizes, creating a dialogue forum,identifying common opportunities, and generating a guide to socioeconomic order policies(Ketels, 2003).6. Other benefits to societySocial benefits also are part of the existence argument of clusters. Other advantages generatedby the clusters include: the publicity impact; a high demand for raw material (whichattract suppliers); the easy access to different markets, technology, and business partners;the opportunity to receive subcontracting; marketing, purchases, entertainment, and jointtesting; closer complementary products; localized economies that reduce costs; and accessto a generous potential of employers and a larger pool of labor (Kerala Government, 2004).7. Summary of the positive impactsFigure 4 summarizes the seven impacts of the clusters: (1) Knowledge spillovers, (2) Agglomerationeconomies, (3) Increases in productivity and efficiency, (4) Positive impact in theoperation, (5) Economic impact, (6) Sociopolitical Impact, and (7) Competitiveness.GCG GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY - UNIVERSIA ENERO-ABRIL 2012 VOL. 6 NUM. 1 ISSN: 1988-7116pp: 55-90