Cluster Organization as a Pro-Internationalization form of Cooperation in the SME Sector - a Polish Case in the European Context

Abstract

Research conducted by some authors indicates that an internationalization strategy is less effective if SMEs cooperate in an informal manner. This could be due to the fact that informal cooperation may promote opportunistic behaviour. A formal way of cooperation can be implemented through cluster organizations. The aim of this article is to present the role that a cluster organization can fulfil to promote the internationalization of SMEs. The author focuses on the case of a cluster organization established within the food sector in one region of Poland and presents the case in the context of activities of other European cluster organizations.

Keywords

• Internationalization
• Business cluster
• Small business
• Cluster organizations