Development of proximity in cluster organizations

Abstract

Sustainable development in cluster organizations (COs) is most fully manifested in the synergy effect. In turn, the synergy effect is achieved thanks to the development of proximity among cluster entities. The purpose of the paper is to test two conceptual models reflecting relations between selected dimensions of proximity in cluster organizations. The author reports the findings of a quantitative study conducted in four COs. The basic technique for collecting data was an online questionnaire. Both theoretical models were tested using Structural Equation Modelling.The research goes beyond the state-of-the-art knowledge in the concept of industrial cluster by exposing a broader view on cluster cooperation, which is developed on the basis of geographical proximity, and simultaneously contributes to the development of proximity in other dimensions: social, competence and organizational.