Innovation and Structural Change Cluster 

The goals of the Innovation and Structural Change cluster are principally to examine cluster evolution and regional competitiveness. This involves research on industrial ecosystems and technology capabilities development. It builds on a decade of research on operational aspects of innovation and structural change in Ireland, which analysed, measured and evaluated knowledge flows and other linkages within national and regional innovation systems as part of a programme of collaborative, interdisciplinary research. This cluster area develops a better understanding of the characteristics and performance of industry clusters as an identified source of competitive advantage in the global economy. The multi-disciplinary research addresses issues of cluster life cycles, absorptive capacity and dynamic capabilities, technological entrepreneurship; born global enterprises, academia-industry collaborations, and multinational subsidiary innovation.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Ireland achieved significant economic growth that has been characterised by rising high-tech exports and knowledge-based employment. However, as this growth was driven primarily by the presence of foreign-owned multinational corporations in high-tech sectors, its sustainability has always remained a basis for debate. In the current state of economic instability, an understanding of industrial change and the technological capabilities that underscore the Irish economy at present is essential. The Innovation and Structural Change cluster provides information on business enterprises and industrial change in Ireland. Innovation and Structural Change researchers constructed a new database populated with company and product-related data, which allows for a deeper understanding of technological change and industrial development in Ireland. The database represents a systematic approach to identify key industrial clusters that are creating a competitive position for Ireland. The database consists of up-to-date business demographics for key technology-based clusters in Ireland. The finely granulated, product-based classification system of the database allows for the examination of technological activities, the specification of technology-related clusters and most importantly, emerging technologies and technology management capabilities.

Cluster Leader: Dr. Paul Ryan

Cluster Members

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