Theory and Practice of Germany's Current Cluster Policy in the Context of Globalized Markets -exemplified by the City of Bochum,Ruhr Area

摘要

The Ruhr Area is famous for its successful transformation from a mono-structured coal-based resource economy towards a thriving metropolitan region with a diversified business sector, innovative enterprises and a high research and development activity. The successful restructuring of the Ruhr conurbation was closely related to a sound economic and structural policy actively guiding the socioeconomic shift through various regional programmes, instruments and incentives. This paper focuses on the current practice of the German economic policy with special focus on cluster theory and its regional implications for the Ruhr conurbation. With special regard towards an increasingly globalized economy and new modes of economic governance, this paper then puts strong emphasis on the current role, strategy and practical outcomes of the German cluster strategy in the Ruhr Area exemplified by the City of Bochum. Concerning the theoretical Framework, this paper follows the renowned concept of a "relational cluster policy" as elaborated by Bathelt advocating a normative, business-oriented view of cluster policy as cluster management. This theoretical perspective accounts for the recent scientific discourse, pointing out a discrepancy between feasibility and transferability of the cluster concept and political practice. Successful clusters follow their own pathdependency and factor endowments. Methodologically, this paper is based on a qualitative empirical research comprising various experts from business, academia and public administration as well as a broad literature review.