The Idiosyncratic Nature of Maritime Clusters: Considerations for Their Possible Differentiation

Abstract

The main objective of the current paper is to distinguish the most relevant aspects which can or should be observed in maritime clusters and are most likely to contribute to their inherent idiosyncratic nature. Based on a literature survey and on a benchmarking presentation of four successful examples of European maritime clusters, we use a study research methodology to substantiate the proposal of a possible differentiation framework for these types of clusters. Our purpose is to point out some of the main characteristics and critical factors for success that are inherent to maritime clusters. Although rarely addressed among the various authors considered in the literature review, our intention is to find out what distinctive competitiveness factors should be considered in a targeted multi-sectorial cluster approach to the economy of the sea, i.e. those that are likely to influence the creation, sustainable development and resilience of successful maritime clusters.