Cluster Policy and Business Innovation

The purpose of this paper is to discuss cluster development policy in Poland from 2004 to 2020 and to examine its relevance for the support of innovative activities by enterprises. The article outlines the characteristics of cluster development policy. It examines domestic and regional operational programmes addressed to cluster members, and it also looks at European Union guidelines for supporting clusters. The article investigates issues related to innovation pursued by enterprises operating within Polish clusters, while also exploring cluster policy evaluation methods. The study is based on an analysis of documents regulating support for clusters in Poland compared with other EU member states, in addition to source materials and statistical data from Poland's Central Statistical Office. The analysis has demonstrated that enterprises active within cluster structures have access to a range of cluster development policy instruments. In addition, enterprises cooperating as part of cluster initiatives play a growing role in business innovation.