Zugl.: Sydney, Univ. of Western, Diss.

Nous proposons une approche de structuration des activités d’un cluster d’innovation. Nos apports se font à deux niveaux : une aide à la gouvernance et à la structuration des activités, et une méthodologie de sélection et d’accompagnement des projets innovants potentiellement les plus créateurs de valeur de ce cluster. Une application est présentée dans le cadre du développement de la grappe d’entreprises SOLIAGE pour favoriser l’innovation en gérontechnologie. Notre premier apport, d’ordre organisationnel, consiste à structurer le passage d’une phase d’émergence à celle de développement d’une grappe d’entreprises. L’objectif est de permettre à cette organisation participative de se doter d’une vision et de valeurs, d’objectifs, d’une gouvernance, d’un plan d’action qui soient pleinement partagés par ses membres. Ceci est rendu possible par le développement d’une dynamique de coopération et de confiance entre les membres. Ainsi, nous appliquons la méthode PAT-Miroir® qui a permis de structurer l’ensemble des axes d’actions stratégiques du cluster. Notre second apport consiste à structurer et professionnaliser un fond d’innovation finançant et/ou accompagnant des projets les plus créateurs de valeurs dès l’émergence d’une idée, d’un nouveau produit et/ou service. Sur les principes de la méthodologie Radical Innovation Design®, nous avons conçu un système de sélection de projets d’innovation en gérontechnologie, nommé SAPIGE®, qui présente des éléments de preuve suffisants de valeur, d’innovation et de concept. Nous proposons ensuite une logique de financement et/ou d’accompagnement. L’accompagnement vise à renforcer les preuves de valeur, d’innovation et de concept en faisant appel à l’expertise des membres de la grappe d’entreprises. / An approach for structuring the activities of an innovation cluster is proposed. Our main contributions are made at two levels: a governance and activities structuring support, and a system for selecting and supporting innovative projects, which are potentially the most value creating within this cluster. An application is presented on the SOLIAGE cluster development. This innovation cluster encourages the development of products and/or services in the gerontechnology market. Our first contribution is organizational, when the innovation cluster moves from the emergence phase to the development one. The main objective consists in developing common vision, values, goals, governance and action plan fully shared by the members of the innovation cluster. This is made possible by the development of a dynamic of cooperation and trust between members. Thus, we apply the PAT Miroir® Method to structure strategic actions in the cluster. Our second result is to organize and professionalize an innovation fund. This fund allows to finance and/or support innovative projects, which are the most value creating at the earlier stage of development of a new product or service. On the principles of the Radical Innovation Design® methodology, we propose a system, which selects of gerontechnology innovative projects with sufficient evidences of value, innovation and concept. Next, we propose a funding and coaching approach. The coaching, based on the expertise of members of the cluster, aims at strengthen in the proofs of value, innovation and concept.

Geographic clusters of firms have been extensively studied in different bodies of literature, but little attention has been paid to the process of cluster formation and its determinants. While focusing on the effects of clusters on innovations and on the productivity of firms, the literature has neglected the agency of entrepreneurs in cluster emergence. This thesis aims to contribute to the literature on clusters by studying the role of personal networks and firm networks in three aspects of the emergence of clusters: 1) the early stages of formation; 2) the creation of business relations between firms; and 3) the creation of knowledge among clustered firms. The analysis was conducted using the biotechnology sector in four geographic regions of Chile as a case study. Data on firms was collected using in-depth interviews and a survey. The analysis of the data was carried out using content analysis, multilevel estimations and econometric analysis. The results reveal three main findings. First, the personal and business relations of entrepreneurs can determine the location decisions of firms. Second, personal relations are positively associated with the emergence of formal business relations between firms. Third, the number of personal and business connections a firm has positively affects its production of knowledge, measured as patent applications and scientific journals. These findings suggest that social networks within a cluster shape its emergence and development. The results also show that the different types of networks coexisting in a cluster - personal networks, business networks and research networks, among others - affect one another and determine the development of clusters. The implications of this research may be helpful for policy-makers, professional associations and cluster managers. Activities to foster personal interaction between members of a cluster and other key actors - universities, incubators, venture capital firms, government agencies, etc. - may generate collaborations between firms that would not otherwise emerge.

The rapid growth of Louisiana's coastal restoration science and technology assets is paralleled by the growth of business resources to fulfill myriad project needs. Many institutions and organizations in Louisiana seek to further develop the state's research, education, engineering and related restoration assets into a globally competitive set of industries with exportable expertise and products that help the state capitalize on its water challenges. Globally, similar efforts are identified (and often branded) as water technology innovation clusters (or more simply water clusters). This paper explores the phenomenon of the development of water clusters by public-private partnerships and initiatives, nationally and internationally, in a comparative analysis with Louisiana.