Industry Clusters in Ireland: An Application of Porter's Model of National Competitive Advantage to Three Sectors

Abstract

important in accounting for the degree of success attained in Ireland. We do not nd evidence of well-developed clusters of the type described by Porter, and our study provides support for some previous critiques of Porter's model. It is concluded that Irish industrial policy does not need to be focused strongly on developing the type of industry clusters described in Porter's model. At the same time, different elements of Porter's model do prove to be relevant and we nd that companies in Ireland bene t from being part of some form of wider grouping of connected or related companies and industries, although these groupings can differ from Porter's clusters in signi cant respects.