Cluster Policies in Germany and Austria (Case Studies with Implications for the Czech Republic)

The subject to solution of this paper will be the analysis of clusters as a tool for advance in competitiveness of economies with a practical focus on the Federal Republic of Germany and Austria. It is a very topical theme both in the Czech Republic and other European countries, especially in context of challenges of globalization and also within the range of realization of the reforms related to the Lisbon Strategy. The importance of clusters in the field of competitiveness shows itself more and more clearly in context of the deepening of the process of globalization of the world economy. Despite the uniting effect of globalization there are significant differences between countries in the terms of specialization, competitiveness and industrial dynamism. Competitive branches and industrial clusters can keep their successful position contrary to efforts of other subjects to imitate their activities. The origin of sustainable competitive advantages can be seen predominantly in the combination of internal and external sources that are available in national or regional entrepreneurial environment. The sources, including human sources, capital and physical assets are insufficient. The essential assumption of the competitive environment is its dynamism. Sources and abilities must lead to perpetual perfection in mutually boosting process. Just the clusters influence in a positive direction the dynamism of sources and mutual cooperation of the participants in economic system (firms, universities, research institutions etc.) while keeping healthy competitive environment.

Keywords: Cluster, Austria, Germany