A Study On Identification, Measurement And Performance Evaluation Of Industrial Cluster

Along the approach of formation, development and performance of industrial cluster, this dissertation applies economic theory to redefining industrial cluster, exploring the condition and route of its formation. Then the author advances the method and criterion of identifying and grading industrial cluster. Furthermore the author presents the method of measuring its concentration degree (CAD) and evaluating its performance. Eventually, based on empirical research,this dissertation summarizes the experience and puts forward the proposal of developing industrial cluster in the east and middle of China. The study will have a important role in theory and practice of promoting the quantitative research of industrial cluster theory and guiding the practice of developing industrial cluster.Firstly, according to the nature of aiming at similar market demand, the author redefines industrial cluster and indicates that it comprises six factors, namely the object, member, economic relation, knowledge, operating mechanism and the spirit. Then the author discusses the difference between industrial cluster and industrial concentration, that is, industrial cluster is the high phase of the industrial concentration. Furthermore the author analyzes the condition and approache for developing industrial cluster, in which the mechanism and way that the industrial cluster links to particular market will be beneficial to economic development of underdevelopment areas.Secondly, the author applies relational contract theory, division theory of labor, input-output method and location quotient theory to exploring the requirement of three sub-criterions such as identification, classification of the industrial and border about cluster, and provides three-dimensionality-method to identify industrial cluster. According to the principle of integration, detail, comparableness and feasibility, the author advances the criterion of identifying industrial cluster. At the same time, the author presents to take the contribution location quotient as the foundation of grading the industrial cluster.Thirdly, the author research cluster agglomeration degree (CAD) and its measurement. This dissertation believes that CAD embodies the synthesis effect of vertical relation and horizontal competition, and reflects its capacity of production and competitiveness. The research finds the CAD consists of production value, enterprise member, labor divide degree and development index, and then it shows that terrain, scale, vertical and horizontal relations are characteristics of CAD, and has a converse U figure in development of industrial cluster. Based on the Ellison's industrial index of concentration, the author advances a new method of measuring CAD through adding two variables which are divide degree and development index.The performance of industrial cluster needs to be generally evaluated by qualitative and quantitative researches. Without uniform index system of quantitatively evaluating industrial cluster performance at present, this dissertation designs a set of index system and applies AHP method to evaluate industrial cluster performance, based on cooperative degree, competitive degree and innovation capacity.In empirical researches, the author respectively summarizes the experience of developing industrial cluster in east and middle of China, applying the above method of identifying, measuring and evaluating industrial cluster. The result shows that market is much more important for developing industrial cluster than divide labor, and the latter is the result of industrial cluster. CAD has positive correlation to the contribution for industrial and regional economic growth. Industrial cluster with competitiveness must face to international market. The government has a important role in the process of developing industrial cluster with international competitiveness.In order to improve the status that enterprises can't form coherent force and innovate strongly because of their concentration in space and dispersion in spirit, this dissertation believes it is important to start with market, guide enterprises to concentration and form industrial chain in sustainable development of Chinese industrial cluster, especially the development in underdeveloped region. It means that the government should strengthen to exploit market, encourage enterpriseship and foster SME; reinforce city's construction including hardware and software; enhance relation with the outside and exploit the outside force; to increase informal communication and boost independent innovation; to extend industrial china and promote technical level and added-value, and so on, so that accelerates the formation and improves the quality of industrial cluster.