The role of institutions for collaboration in setting a competitive cluster ecosystem: the case of the French omega-3 cluster

Abstract

Clusters are increasingly seen as change agents able to influence entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness of regions and countries. The dynamic development of clusters, and hence their competitiveness, depends on the quality of their entrepreneurial ecosystems. Institutions for collaboration (IFCs) are expected to be central to the formation and the development over time of a strong cluster ecosystem. Nevertheless, cluster literature lacks in-depth studies on this topic. Thus, the goal of our research is to contribute in the broad debate on the role of IFCs in the competitiveness of a cluster, specifically offering an in-depth understanding of the role of IFCs in the formation and development of a cluster ecosystem. The discussion builds on the in-depth case study analysis of the French omega-3 agrifood cluster with a focus on the role played by an IFC, namely Bleu-Blanc-Coeur.