Innovation and Performance Drivers of Business Clusters

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • Miroslav Zizka

   Pages 1-5

3. Evolving Insight of Localization Theories into Cluster Existence

   • Marek Skala, Petra Rydvalova

   Pages 7-24

4. Theory of Clusters

   • Miroslav Zizka, Natalie Pelloneova, Marek Skala

   Pages 25-45

5. Innovation and Innovation Partnership

   • Petra Rydvalova, Marek Skala

   Pages 47-57

6. Dynamic Development of Companies in an Industry Cluster

   • Marek Skala, Miroslav Zizka, Natalie Pelloneova

   Pages 59-76

7. Conceptual and Methodical Research Procedures

   • Miroslav Zizka, Petra Rydvalova, Vladimira Hovorkova Valentova

   Pages 77-100

8. Specifics of Natural Industry Clusters

   • Petra Rydvalova, Miroslav Zizka

   Pages 101-119

9. Specifics of Institutionalised Cluster Organisations

   • Petra Rydvalova, Vladimira Hovorkova Valentova, Natalie Pelloneova

   Pages 121-138

10. Economic Impact of Clusters

    • Miroslav Zizka, Eva Stichhauerova

    Pages 139-168

11. Approach to Innovation in Selected Industries

    • Petra Rydvalova, Miroslav Zizka

    Pages 169-186

12. Tradition, Innovation, and Family Business as Factors of Sustainable Development of Industry Clusters

    • Petra Rydvalova, Denisa Skrbkova, Miroslav Zizka, Vladimira Hovorkova Valentova

    Pages 187-213

13. Summary and Discussion of Research into Natural and Institutionalised Cluster Organisations: Conclusions

    • Marek Skala, Miroslav Zizka, Petra Rydvalova

    Pages 215-228

14. Back Matter

    Pages 229-232

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This book highlights the importance of clusters for the competitiveness of companies and is divided into three interrelated parts. The first part focuses on localization economics, cluster theory, the role of innovation, and innovation partnerships in cluster formations. The second part of the volume presents original research carried out from 2018 to 2020 in the field of both natural clusters and organized clusters. In addition to examining the impact of cluster membership, the contributions also focus on additional factors that may affect the financial performance of companies. 


In the third part, an additional survey and case studies are presented, to examine the specifics of family businesses in selected industrial districts of the textile, glass, and jewelry industries. A broader overview of the development of dominant industries in the selected districts is provided, for an easier understanding of the relationships of competition among companiesand locations in the business clusters. The book evaluates implications for microeconomic and macroeconomic policies and provides proposals for corporate inter-organizational behavior.


This volume addresses scholars and researchers of economics, business, and management, as well as policy-makers and practitioners interested in a better understanding of innovation and performance drivers of business clusters.

• Cluster policy
• Cluster formation
• Business performance
• Innovation behavior
• Industrial districts
• Family business
• Data Envelopment Analysis
• Competitiveness of companies
• Policy management
• Foreign investment
• Innovation partnership
• Financial performance
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Corporate inter-organizational behavior
• Textile industry
• Glass industry
• Jewel industry
• Organized business clusters

• Technical University of Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic

  Miroslav Zizka, Petra Rydvalova

​Miroslav Zizka is a professor of Management and Economics at the Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic. His research focuses on quantitative methods in economics and management, performance and competitiveness of clusters.

Petra Rydvalova is an associate professor in Business Economics and Management at the Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic. Her research focuses on business clusters, outsourcing, and the transfer of R&D results through a spin-off method.

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