STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME RELATED INDUSTRIES: THE ROLE OF MARITIME CLUSTER RESEARCHES

Abstract

Maritime clusters have an important impact on the development of regional industry. A well-functioning maritime cluster can enhance social and economic benefits and innovation on entire surrounding region. The European Union has placed cluster concept to the centre of region's strategic policy planning. Joint implementation of the maritime cluster concept is a way to meet challenges and achieve strategic development goals to increase the competitiveness of industries in a region. At the same time, cluster concept can have different meanings and there are different ways to analyze maritime cluster and it's positive impacts. Researches of maritime cluster related studies in the same area are using different approaches and frameworks. A coherent approach to cluster research has not yet been developed for the maritime sector; such research is incomparable and cannot be used as input for integrated policymaking. The aim of this study was to examine different approaches and monitoring frameworks that describe maritime clusters in the Baltic Sea Region which maritime activities make a significant contribution to the EU's maritime economy. The results of the study emphasize the need to develop a coherent framework of indicators to research and monitor maritime cluster performance as a basis for regional strategic policymaking.