Cluster identification: The case of United Kingdom

Abstract

The explosion of cluster phenomenon has called for the identification of industrial agglomerations in the UK. The authors have been pointed out only those industries that have higher rates of innovation and better economic results as a function of their presence - defined by the European Union as emerging industries – given that these are fields in which new cross-sectoral linkages are most likely to emerge. This paper, following the methodological approach developed by Porter and adapted to the European Union by the European Cluster Observatory, set two benchmark parameters – Location Quotient and Economic Specialisation - in order to detect the emergence of business agglomerations. The mapping result suggests that United Kingdom has a wide spectrum of cluster of emerging industries and that Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is the most innovative region in the whole country.