Within the framework of public promotion for technological and knowledge-based clusters in the metropolitan region Rhine-Neckar, the Economic Development Organization Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH is establishing a quantitative, indicator-based cluster monitoring system. The actual background to these considerations is, on the one hand, the necessity for a timely and on-going monitoring of the development and dynamic of the regional clusters, and on the other hand, in the interest to present and position the metropolitan region for the German and international public. The following five clusters in the region are presently being promoted by federal government and federal state funding:

1. biotechnology (with focuses on cell-based and molecular medicine), which emerged from the BMBF's leading cluster competition,
2. organic electronics (with focuses on photovoltaic, light-emitting diodes, etc.), which also resulted from the BMBF's leading cluster competition,
3. energy and environment (main focuses: energy efficiency in buildings and industry, energy concepts, etc.), promoted by the federal state of Baden-Württemberg,
4. nanotechnology, promoted by the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, and
5. the creative economy/ industry (with the main emphasis on music (business)), also promoted by the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.

Even if all the clusters can look back on partly very extensive (and for some, many years of) experiences and preparatory work, we are dealing with newly created networks with cluster management organizations specifically put in place to implement the measure in question. On the basis of cluster specific technological, scientific and economic potentials, it is the aim of the cluster monitoring to generate the most recently available data, in particular with a view to measuring structural shifts over time.

Status:
ongoing (03.2009-07.2009)

Client:
Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar