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The Role of Universities in Industry Cluster Development

Regional efforts to develop industry clusters often include universities as central assets, yet little is known about how universities impact development of regional industry clusters. A new report by the Center for Economic Development at Carnegie Mellon University documents case studies of the university role in promoting and sustaining industry clusters, and assesses the factors that are vital to successful university-industry cluster development.

Contact: Courtney Smith
Social, Economic and Workforce Programs Division

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_6879,00.html

Key factors for universities are:

* Breadth of Involvement – engaged universities are sources for research and technology, but also address other important factors such as business, marketing, legal, and workforce issues;

* Strong Base of Relevant Research and Development;

* Regional Alignment – the university must have the expertise and resources in appropriate areas that align with the needs of the clusters in the region.

According to the report, the characteristics of clusters are also important if there is to be a regional impact. While the university can seed new firms and industries, the region must offer a fertile climate for them to flourish. Key factors related to the industry cluster are its pattern of organization, market trends, and the life cycle stage of the industry or technology.

* Report: ‘Universities and the Development of Industry Clusters’ http://www.eda.gov/ImageCache/EDAPublic/documents/pdfdocs/ucluster2004_2epdf/v1/ucluster2004.pdf

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