The complexities of establishing communicative rationality in cluster projects

Abstract

The research objective of this thesis was to explore how cluster projects may develop into emerging clusters through utilising existing cluster theories. To explore this objective, the research problem thus became the transferability of existing cluster theories towards cluster project. This was done through examining existing cluster theories and applying them towards a case, which is an e-commerce-based cluster project aiming to emerge as a cluster. Due to the current pandemic the observations made were limited, and as such the method used was adjusted to include expert opinions to answer the hypothesis; “Cluster projects require the establishment of communicative rationality to evolve into an emerging cluster. «The rationale behind this communicative perspective was established through the empirical and theoretical research process. Evidence found suggested that cluster emergence requires the establishment of a common vision and language, which this thesis argues requires communicative rationality, proximity, and strong relational ties to realise. In addition, a knowledge gap in the cluster literature related to the focus of geographical co-location and operation within a singular industry was criticised. Lastly, the thesis argues implications regarding the importance of social proximity and the importance of strong ties during cluster project.