The question of clusters in lagging regions: do they really make the difference? A case study in Romania

We propose an empirical analysis of the clustering phenomenon in the Eastern part of Romania as a relevant example to support the idea that the question of clusters in lagging regions, usually with economic structures dominated by mid-tech and low-tech industries, could become an interesting niche for cluster-devoted research in forthcoming years. The specific features in two lagging Romanian regions have been investigated by means of geographic information systems, followed by an interview-based qualitative inquiry. The findings indicate that, despite its great potential, the clustering process has not yet reached an upper-level stage; it is still in a 'start-up' phase with a series of 'economic agglomerations' that could be mostly considered of a static-cluster type. Subsequent reflections on support policies suggest that local production systems of industrial-district type are an appropriate organisational form for cluster development in the two analysed regions, with a special emphasis on 'soft' measures that are able to strengthen the local networks and to ensure cluster identity.