THE IMPACT OF CLUSTERING ON THE INNOVATIVENESS OF FURNITURE INDUSTRY

The furniture industry in Poland is a rapidly growing area of the economy. The level of innovation strongly influences furniture enterprises competitive position on the market. To support innovation, small and medium furniture industry businesses are affiliate in cluster initiatives. It supports the area of R&D, joint promotional campaigns and financing of new ventures. The paper presents selected furniture industry cluster initiatives that implement policies to support innovation activities of enterprises affiliated to them. In Poland, more and more furniture industry businesses brings together in cluster initiatives that aim to improve their market competitiveness and increase the level of innovation. Taken studies allow to analyse the direction of innovative activities undertaken by companies of the furniture industry with particular emphasis on the ones associated in clusters. Thus the aim of the article is to investigate the interest of Polish furniture enterprises (especially SMEs), in participation in clusters. Moreover the benefits of that choice and its impact on Polish furniture manufacturers innovativeness are evaluated.