Joynal and Mizan (J.M.) Model for Cluster Development

Abstract

Cluster is a geographical location (5 km radius) having 50 or more manufacturing or service providing units of interrelated and interdependent firms along with their backward and forward linkage industries. Manufacturing or service providing firms are co-located and experience unique strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a cluster. Clusters could be naturally grown due to the availability of raw materials, skilled labor, historically inherent professional uniqueness etc. reasons. On the other hand government or concerned agencies may establish a pre-planned co-located cluster of a particular sub-sector in a specific place. Where firms are co-located and linked with each other through the value chain of a particular product. Clusters, either naturally grown or man-made, require development interventions in different phases to perform better than its existing situation. Cluster development interventions could be different based on specific needs of a cluster. Implementation modalities of cluster development interventions could be different due to the explicit features of a cluster. There are several models for cluster development offered by different international bodies, expert groups, practitioners to guide clusters into a particular benchmark of development. The J.M. Model for cluster development was offered by both the authors to guide cluster managers toward success in a challenging environment. This model was initially offered by the authors through their publication titled “Cluster Development Models: Challenges and Opportunities” published by the International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences. It comprises of five phases and twenty one steps for comprehensive development of a selected cluster. The J.M. Model for Cluster Development is described elaborately here in this article for better understanding of the cluster managers, practitioners, academicians and other relevant stakeholders.

Keywords: J.M. Model for cluster development; Cluster development model; Cluster development process; Steps and phases of cluster development; Different steps of cluster development

JEL Classification: C38; O14