The Use of Clusters to Build an ICT Industry

Abstract

The potential in the Information and Computer Technology (ICT) sector to generate economic development and create pathways for a region into the Knowledge Economy (KE) has become widely accepted. Underpinning the theoretical understanding of what KE can offer has been the practical application of Porter’s competitive theory relating to industry cluster development. The increasing role of clusters in KE and a greater focus on regional growth is seen in the development of a variety of dedicated technology zones aiming to emulate the success of Silicon Valley in the United States, the site of the original modern IT cluster.