THE IMPORTANCE OF CLUSTER AND CLUSTER POLICIES IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SMART SPECIALIZATION STRATEGIES IN THE LATIN-AMERICA REGIONS.

Abstract

The principal aspects that I would like to explain with this dissertation is the importance of Clusters and Clusters Policies in the implementations of Smart Specialization Strategies in Latin-America. Since the Smart Specialization concept has been applied in EU, it has improved in an efficient way the innovation capacities in the various members states’ regions. Moreover, it enhances the dialogues and communication processes between different areas; it enables that each region may identify and develop its own competitive advantages, thanks to an innovative approach that aims to boost growth and future jobs demand. Also, thanks to the data collected by the European Commission, it can been observed that over 120 smart specialization strategies have been developed across EU, expecting to achieve by 2020 the accomplishment of bring 15.000 new products to european and worldwide markets, creating a sort of 140.000 new start-ups and around 35.000 new jobs. On the other hand, Clusters have been considered among years as relevant contributors for the support and enhancement of industrial modernization and innovation, especially for SME. Thanks to the develop of industrial cluster in EU, the european competitiveness has grown potentially, the implementation of new technologies and innovative business models have been the key for the creation of innovative products, processes and services. It is for this reason, that in this dissertation I would like to explain more in deep, why Clusters play a fundamental role for the success of Smart Specializations. Moreover, it is also needed to take into consideration the policies that have intervened for the Cluster’s support. The policy intervention can boost an increase in industrial development and innovation’s improvement Taking into consideration all these characteristics, I have considered an analysis of all these competitive advantages in a region outside Europe, the Latin-America region; since EU has always deemed a good target for the implementation of smart specialization strategies, because of the important innovation capacities that this region can accomplish. It would be important to analyze in a deep way how all these achievements have been reached or are in a process of success in countries like: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, among others. It is crucial to recognize that the target is completely different from the european model; since the cultural, political, economic aspects till the human and moral behavior of people. Moreover, it is important to evaluate and understand the socio-economic and contextual differences between EU – Latin-America. Also, to understand the way of how Clusters and their policies have been working among these years, is extremely important, because it can help to know how to implement in an efficient way the smart specializations, getting common tendencies that will create a frame of cooperation between both regions.