Succes factors for an EU meta-cluster are known!

The project FOODNET is just coming out it’s initial stage. According to description of tasks, planned to perform during first 8 months of project’s duration, the initial analysis formulating and structuring interest of FoodNet and it’s stakeholders (SMEs, clusters) has been elaborated commonly by project Partners. And the report on success factors for an EU meta-cluster nas been also prepared.

As the main objective of the project is to establish FoodNet as a sustainable strategic partnership, providing actual and business relevant value to its partners (e.g. cluster and cluster members, SMEs), a survey of critical success factors for an EU metacluster was performed, considering the foreseen mission of the FoodNet at the proposal stage. It was based on a critical analysis of the cluster success factors, indicators of cluster excellence, best practices and cluster success stories, studies and research work, EU policies (ECCP, Cluster Excellence, cluster collaboration framework conditions etc.) and other in regard the applicability for EU metacluster.

The barriers and threats for FoodNet sustainability were outlined, so the findings will be integrated into the Food in Eco Network Partnership Agreement as a constitutive document for the alliance. Three differenty types of questionnaires has been used to conduct surveys serving to the same general goals, but for different specific objectives. 

Summarizing, the results of the questionnaire indicate that clusters and its members are clearly interested in the initiative FoodNet meta-cluster. Respondents have defined expectations from the future cooperation in FoodNet meta-cluster, mainly in the area of previously identified barriers. In the other hand they are valuable source of knowledge from the gained experience.

In fact, there were observed high expectations regarding the benefits of the cluster initiative and the FoodNet cluster (confirming the need to develop the FoodNet program), most of the companies producing and/or exporting appreciating that they can easily double the volume of international trade if the future metacluster would offer them the informational support.

Regarding the internationalisation strategy, it was observed that personal experiences were very important decisional factors. While some of interviewed companies which, at the moment, are not exporting outside EU, replied that they are focusing on national market only or are not interested to export outside EU, a bigger number of respondents proved to be open and prepare to export in the nearest future, especially if they are would receive some help from others, a future metacluster included.

Regarding the metacluster organisation there is convergence in the perception of the potential meta-cluster structure (one representative of each member, leaders of thematic areas, working groups). The SWOT analysis of the key elements of success for FoodNet metacluster leads to the conclusion that, both weaknesses and threats can be countered with very good chances of success through the strengths of the cluster and the opportunities at its disposal.

The report gathering all conclusions in regard with proceedings of initial tasks of FoodNet has been prepared commonly under the leading beneficiary of ATC, Romanian project Partner.