Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin Doctoral Business 2020-12 How Does Convergence Influence Cluster-Based conomicE Growth in Regions? Jamie Meehan Technological University Dublin Follow this and additional works at: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/busdoc Part of the Business Analytics Commons, and the Finance and Financial Management Commons Recommended Citation Meehan, J. (2020) How Does Convergence Influence Cluster-Based conomicE Growth in Regions?Doctoral Thesis, Technological University Dublin. DOI:10.21427/4dw2-bf72 This Theses, Ph.D is brought to you for free and open access by the Business at ARROW@TU Dublin. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral by an authorized administrator of ARROW@TU Dublin. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License How Does Convergence Influence Cluster-Based Economic Growth in Regions? Submitted by Jamie Meehan D15124001 Supervisor: Professor Thomas M. Cooney For the award of Ph.D. Technological University Dublin 2020 i How Does Convergence Influence Cluster-Based Economic Growth in Regions? Jamie Meehan, BB, B.Bs, M.Bus, CTE Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy School of Marketing College of Business Technology University Dublin Supervisor: Prof. Thomas Cooney December 2020 ii Abstract This thesis is a novel study examining the influence of convergence on cluster-based economic growth in regions. The goal of which is to provide exploratory insights from both national and international perspectives. This research study examines the relevant literature in the fields of convergence, clusters, and regions. It then adopts ideologies from the most salient studies, to create a conceptual framework. There is limited extant literature currently available on the connection between convergence, cluster-based economic growth, and regions. An OECD (2011) report identified the importance of regions as they are the most effective place to make economic decisions. The convergence approach of moving towards equality, bottom-up growth, and co-opetition can be regarded as being imperative to the successful augmentation of a region. This research used a qualitative method (Bryman and Bell, 2015) with 30 semi- structured interviews. The rationale behind the use of a qualitative methodology (Fidel, 2008), is the limited literature available on convergence. Therefore, in order to understand how convergence influences cluster-based economic growth in regions, it is essential to conduct a qualitative study and analysis (Rocha, 2004). Case study examples were taken from an Irish region, a recipient of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) award in 2019 and regions with strong cluster connections. In support of these cases, the first-ever EU Cluster Acceleration Bootcamp programme forms part of this research study which included specific cluster expertise. Therefore, an examination of the Shannon region in Ireland, the Principality of Asturias in Spain, Galicia in Spain, Northern Ostrobothnia in Finland and the first-ever European Union Cluster Acceleration Bootcamp in Frankfurt (Germany) are incorporated. This research study addresses the relationship between convergence and cluster-based economic growth in regions. An exploration of the emergent findings also contributes to both extant practice and the future foundations of cluster research. The analysis of the data and the emerging findings can assist policymakers when designing supportive cluster processes. The key findings presented here will expose the influence this research has on theory development, policy, educators, practitioners and overall implications for future research. iii Declaration I certify that this thesis which I now submit for examination for the award of PhD is entirely my own work and has not been taken from the work of others, save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within the text of my work. This thesis was prepared according to the regulations for graduate research of the Technological University Dublin and has not been submitted in whole or in part for another award in any other third level institution. The work reported on in this thesis conforms to the principles and requirements of the TU Dublin’s guidelines for ethics in research. TU Dublin has permission to keep, lend or copy this thesis in whole or in part, on condition that any such use of the material of the thesis be duly acknowledged. Signature: Jamie Meehan Date: 14/12/2020 iv Acknowledgements A massive thank you to all who supported me throughout this journey; without your guidance, love and inspiration this achievement would not have been possible. To my beloved son, Grayson - you can conquer anything in life that you put your mind to. I love you dearly and watching you grow up has brought such happiness and meaning to my life. I am so proud to be your Daddy! ‘Always Smiling’! “Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” —Randy Pausch v Abbreviations The following table describes the various abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the thesis. Abbreviations Meaning BAHEP Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership BMW Border Mid-West CAA Cork Airport Authority CAREC Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation CEB County Enterprise Board CIP Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme COSME Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises DAA Dublin Airport Authority DEBI Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation DJEI Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation EC European Commission ECCP European Cluster Collaboration Platform ECEI European Cluster Excellence Initiative EEA European Enterprise Awards EER European Entrepreneurial Region EGF European Globalisation Fund EI Enterprise Ireland EIB European Investment Bank EIF EU Investment Fund ENF East Northern Finland ESCA European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis EU European Union FDI Foreign Direct Investment vi FICYT Foundation for the Promotion of Applied Scientific Research and Technology in Asturias GDP Gross Domestic Product GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor HEI Higher Education Institutes IASC International Aviation Services Centre ICT Information Communication Technology IDA Industrial Development Authority IDEPA Economic Development Agency of the Principality of Asturias IOT Institutes of Technologies LEO Local Enterprise Office LIT Limerick Institute of Technology LQ Location Quotient MIC Mary Immaculate College MNE Multinational Enterprise NBVC Non-Broadcast Visual Communication NPF National Planning Framework OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OKM Ministry of Education and Culture R&D Research and Development R&I Research and Innovation RED Regional Economic Development REG Regional Economic Growth RES Regional Economic Strategy RESS Regional Economic and Social Strategies RIS3 Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation RSES Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies SFADC Shannon Free Airport Development Company SFI Science Foundation Ireland SFZ Shannon Free Zone vii SIDC Shannon International Development Consultants SME Small Medium Sized Enterprises TA Thematic Analysis TEA Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity TheCAP Cluster Acceleration Programme UL University of Limerick US United States USA United States of America viii Table of Contents Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... iii Declaration ................................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... v Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ vi Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... ix Tables and Figures ................................................................................................................... xv List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... xv List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... xvi Introduction Chapter .................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE THESIS ........................................................................................ 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 2 Rationale for This Work ......................................................................................................... 2 Positioning this Research ....................................................................................................... 4 Research Question and Approach .......................................................................................... 5 Rationale for Adopting a Qualitative Approach ...................................................................