Cluster behaviour and economic development: new challenges in policy evaluation

This paper investigates the methodological and political consequences of using cluster approaches for assessment of spatial development policy making. Assessment does not only refer to measures and programs of cluster development but also to the cluster approach as a whole. The analysis is concentrated on options of how to adapt existing approaches of economic development evaluation to the challenges of cluster policy. A critical view is given on necessary additional functions the assessment of cluster policy has to serve compared to conventional approaches.