Cluster explanation

Assessment

Description

Positive External effect,

competitive position

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“Jena” and ‘Carl Zeiss’ as well established brands, strong competitive position under the top three of German optics locations

Highly skilled labour

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2 Universities and many research institutes in the city,

additional universities in the state

Specialized subcontractors, distinct cluster depth

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Whole value chain of optical products in the region, high range of vertically related industries in the cluster, more or less complete supply chains

Rapid flows of knowledge

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Knowledge exchange through workshops and cluster meetings

Strong network ties

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Strong and long standing relationships

between the key actors in the region

Cluster activity

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Activity-rich cluster which tends to conduct the strategy-setting,

product development, and marketing within the region

Openness to new network

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Inward looking and self-reflecting cluster,

which is not very open to other networks

Knowledge creation and transfer

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Good knowledge transfer from research to industry,

competition hinders open forms of knowledge creation

Geographic scope

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Small geographic scope (within one federal state) with some considerable exceptions

Growth potential

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High growth potential of optics and photonics industry

Technological focus and diversified markets

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Narrow cluster in terms of technology but relatively broad cluster in terms of applications (markets)