Naslov
"Clustering", a new Model and Motor for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Croatia

Autori
Horvat, Đuro

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Enterprise in Transition / Reić, Zlatan - Split : Tučepi : Ekonomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, 2003, 1803-1811

Skup
Fifth International Conference on Enterprise in Transition

Mjesto i datum
Tučepi, Hrvatska, 22.05.2003. - 24.05.2003

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
clusters; small and medium-sized companies; transition; globalization; sustainable competitiveness

Sažetak
The growth and development of small companies entails the constant need for finding new models that secure the sustainable competitiveness in the market. The small and medium sized companies in the Republic of Croatia, which is one of the countries in transition, are faced with great challenges due to the globalization process. In the history of development, a cluster model deserves special attention, it has proven to be useful in transition countries and they actually give you the real perspective. The development of clusters with global competition, the conquering of new markets and the focusing on market niches and the introduction of the latest management technology. The experience of the development of cluster models in some countries of the EU (especially Italy and Austria) could be the grounds for the planning of a long-term strategy, and this certainly requires the analysis of expertise and occasion, the weaknesses and threats to the region, the country and its companies. The overflow of knowledge between companies, the use of joint resources as well as the well developed local base of skills and the evolution of the region through the suppressed and explicit exchange of knowledge, are typical of regional bonding and represent the elementary substance for the functioning of companies joined in a cluster. Within the cluster the functional and territorial functions are interwoven. In other words within a certain geographical region within a 100 km radius gradually the concentration of those that are similar and identical small, medium sized and large companies that are connected. Small and medium sized companies have to have an open and flexible structure so that they could become an efficient network taking into consideration the chains of value. The Republic of Croatia certainly has a realistic basis for the development of clusters, which obliges us to create the starting points that will enable the development of a system of clusters, like a new global model and motor for the development of small and medium sized companies. The Croatian economy prefers the openness of a region, in regard to the development of the regions, and the involvement in the global economy of the EU market which brings about the possibility of the development of creative and innovative potentials of small and medium sized companies that are very significant considering the number of economic facilities, the financial business results and the percentage of employees and are therefore an important part of the total economy of the Republic of Croatia. The development of clusters in Croatia includes the clear definition of strategic industrial and service branches. It is desirable to find or focus on a certain market niche. In that respect, I would like to emphasize that the Zagreb zone needs a machine production cluster. We had a lot of success in that branch and were one of the leading world producers. In other words we have competent human resources or workers as well as the scientific and engineering potential at Zagreb University. A large number of informatics companies are located in Zagreb, and the scientific potential is present at the Electro-technical and Mathematical College. The traffic and informatics infrastructure is developed and the geographical location is favorable. We had even established a reputation on the foreign markets. That makes it relatively easy to construe a vertical cluster of machinery production ; a similar one is possible in the textile and ship building industry. The realization of this model due to its complexity depends on not only the companies that show interest for the cluster model, but that are also interested in cooperating with the government of the Republic of Croatia, various institutions, educational centers and other organizations. The acquired experience of the developing cluster in the EU countries is an additional guarantee for the success of the model. So, we believe it is necessary to point out the necessity of an organized approach to the penetration and the implementation of the cluster, as a long-term strategy, aiming to sustain the competitive advantages as specific guarantees of their business future

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA