A systemic definition of clusters.

Popa, Horia Liviu ; Izvercianu, Monica ; Mocan, Marian Liviu 等

1. INTRODUCTION

A cluster is a grouping of a number of "something" (physical or abstract entities), potential competitive in its external environment. The notion of "cluster" is more and more used in science (physics, astrophysics, chemistry, biology, health sciences etc.), computing, economics, management etc. and has a systemic character. Yet, the cluster is not defined in a rigorous and systemic manner.

Despite its lack of profoundness, generality and conceptual clarity, (Martin & Sunley, 2003), the notion of cluster has been widely recognized as a model for industrial promotion and for national and regional policies (*** 2007). A few and limited approaches of cluster concept in economics are known (Solvell, 2008; Jensen et al., 2009).

The purpose of this paper is to provide a general definition of clusters from a systemic perspective, based on real system concepts (Popa, 2003).

Further research will enlarge the results of the present paper.

2. THE CONCEPTS OF REAL SYSTEMS

A system is (Popa, 2003) a multitude of integrated components (elements E) which interact and function (cooperation and confrontation = coopetition) under certain space-time-resources circumstances during its life cycle, while producing certain results, as follows:

* conscious (for systems that include humans), in which case the results represent the partial or total accomplishment of competitiveness K (aim / mission / objectives) of the system,

* unconscious (for systems that do not include humans), in which case the results represent the finality F, the consequence of the system interaction with other systems.

The real systems [S.sub.R] (natural and / or artificial) are identified by means of a system of concepts (Table 1) which characterizes any category of system (Popa, 2003):

[S.sub.R] = {E & [R.sub.i], [P.sub.f], [P.sub.t], U & Y, v, L, [M.sub.int] & [M.sub.ext], [F.sub.g], K/F} (1)

3. THE CONCEPTS CLUSTER AND CLUSTERING

These concepts (1) allow a rigorous defining of the notion of cluster.

In our Universe, clusters are the systems of systems {[S.sub.S]} which generate the becoming (progress / stagnation / regress) in space-time-resources domains [D.sub.str] of natural and / or artificial environments, from macro-cosmos to micro-cosmos (Popa, 2003). Clusters are a mix of "self-determined internal environments {[M.sub.aint]} & target proximate external environment {[M.sub.pext]} of [D.sub.str].

From a general functional-structural perspective, clusters are spatial-temporal agglomerations / concentrations of systems in [D.sub.str] domains of the Universe (from macro-cosmos to micro-cosmos), having within their structure four categories of operational components:

* three categories of self-determined internal environment [M.sub.aint]

[1] Internal community (Comint) which gives the cluster its identity (crowd, group / team, network, colony, component society etc.) and provides / offers value / "range of products" for the final consumers [4] in the target proximate external environment [M.sub.pext],

[2] Internal and / or external facilitators (Facilit) which stimulate cooperation and competitiveness of the internal community components [1] and of the determinants [3],

[3] Determinants (Detint) of the self-determined internal environment [M.sub.aint] specific features of the cluster which ensures the life and functioning of the internal community [1] and of internal and / or external facilitators [2],

* a category of components of target proximate external environment {[M.sub.pext]}

[4] External connectors (Conext) for components [1] & [2] & [3] which ensures the cluster's connexion with the target proximate external environment {[M.sub.pext]} of C (initial suppliers and final consumers for C).

Irrespective of the category (natural and / or artificial), the clusters are implicit and transient innovators, by creating the [M.sub.crS] (t) critical masses of the components E and products that form the systems of real systems {[S.sub.S]}, generators of becoming processes (.... [right arrow] progress [right arrow] stagnation [right arrow] regress [right arrow] stagnation [right arrow] progress [right arrow] ....).

Clustering is a continuous process of creation, functioning by current restructuring and dismissing of successive-parallel generations g = 1, 2, ...., n, n + 1, ..., of clusters / clusters of clusters in [D.sub.str] space-time-resources domains of the Universe which meet the existence requirements of {SS} systems of systems. An optimal clustering level [N.sub.Copt] (Popa et al., 2008), defined by the maximal integrative competitiveness [K.sub.ismax] (sustainable), can be determined in any [D.sub.str] domain.

The infinity of the Universe and the complexity of life environment have determined and will continuously determine the clustering and the clusters characteristics.

4. CONCLUSION

The present paper presents in details the new research and action sub-domain defined as "cluster-based sustainable integrative competitiveness (on unlimited term)", by functional-structural definition of clusters, clustering which allows the systemic approach and the unitary application of these concepts, in most various domains of reality.

The notions and the general models of cluster based integrative competitiveness and progress allow theoretical and practical developments, in any domain of reality.

5. REFERENCES

Jensen, S.A.; Johannessen, J.A. & Olsen, B. (2009). Aspects of a cluster research strategy: systemics applied to the study of clusters, Kybernetes: The International Journal of Systems & Cybernetics, Vol. 38, No. 1-2, pp. 201-216, ISSN: 0368 492X

Martin, R. & Sunley, P. (2003). Deconstructing Clusters: Chaotic Concept or Policy Panacea? Journal of Economic Geography Vol. 3, No. 1, January, pp. 5-35, ISSN: 1468-2702

Popa, H.L. (2003). The Theory and Engineering of Systems. Concepts, Models, Methods and Competitiveness, Editura Politehnica, ISBN: 973-8247-74-8, Timisoara

Popa, H.L.; Izvercianu, M.; Mocan, M.L. & Pater, L.R. (2008). The Progress through Clusterisation in European Union, Annals of DAAAM for 2008 & Proceedings of the 19th International DAAAM Symposium, Katalinic, B. (Ed.), pp. 1109-1110, ISBN: 978-3-901509-68-1, ISSN: 1726-9679, Trnava, October 2008, Published by DAAAM International, Vienna, Austria

Solvell, O. (2008). Clusters. Balancing Evolutionary and Constructive Forces, Ivory Tower Publishers, ISBN 978-91-974783-3-5, Stockholm

*** (2007). Competitive Regional Clusters. National Policy Approaches, OECD Publishing, ISBN: 978-9-264031-82-1, Paris

Tab. 1 The systemic characterisation of clusters C components

 Characterization of Clusters based on
 concepts of real systems SR (natural and /
 or artificial)

Systemic C Structure Functioning
approach S = programs
and E & [R.sub.i] [P.sub.f]
cluster C
components

Cluster C components E [P.sub.f] integrated,
 [1]+[2]+ programs
 [3]+[4] & through
 interconnexions initiative of
 [R.sub.i] [1] and
 [M.sub.aint] of C

* Self-determined components [1] [P.sub.f] elaborate
internal +[2]+[3] programs
environment and together
(milieu) interconnexions [1]+[2]+[3]a
[M.sub.aint] nd
of C integrated
 for C

[1] Comint components [P.sub.f] elaborate
Internal and programs
community specific for achievement [Y.sub.1]
(give identity interconnexions and
of C) for [1] [K.sub.1] & [K.sub.C]

[2] Facilit components and [P.sub.f] elaborate
Internal and / or specific programs
external interconnexions for achievement
facilitators (for for [2] [Y.sub.2]
cooperation and and
competitiveness [K.sub.2] & [K.sub.C]
of C)

[3] Detint components and [P.sub.f] elaborate
Determinants of specific programs
the internal interconnexions for achievement
environment for [3] [Y.sub.3]
(life and and
functioning C) [K.sub.3] & [K.sub.C]

* Target integrated [P.sub.f] specific
proximate external integrated in
external environments domain [D.sub.str]
environment which
(milieu) incorporate
{[M.sub.pext]} of C cluster C

[4] Conext components [P.sub.f] specific
External and programs
connectors specific for each
(initial interconnexions external
suppliers and for [4] connector
final consumers
for C) from
{[M.sub.pext]} of C

 Characterization of Clusters based on concepts
 of real systems SR (natural and /
 or artificial)

Systemic C Transforming External
approach processes connexions
and [P.sub.t] [R.sub.e] = U & Y
cluster C
components

Cluster C [P.sub.t] specific [R.sub.e] with
 integrated domain
 processes on [D.sub.str] input
 components U / output
 [1]+[2]+[3] Y specific
 +[4] of C for C

* Self-determined [P.sub.t] specific [R.sub.e]
internal integrated prevalent
environment processes on through
(milieu) components [1] and
[M.sub.aint] [1]+[2]+[3] of collateral
of C C through
 [2]+[3]

[1] Comint [P.sub.t] specific input [U.sub.1]
Internal integrated and output
community processes for [Y.sub.1]
(give identity achievement specific
of C) of [Y.sub.1] and for [1]
 [K.sub.1] & [K.sub.C]

[2] Facilit [P.sub.t] specific input [U.sub.2]
Internal and / or integrated and output
external processes for [Y.sub.2]
facilitators (for achievement specific
cooperation and of [Y.sub.2] and for [2], for
competitiveness [K.sub.2] & [K.sub.C] C
of C)

[3] Detint [P.sub.t] specific input [U.sub.3]
Determinants of integrated and output
the internal processes for [Y.sub.3]
environment achievement specific
(life and of [Y.sub.3] and for [3], for
functioning C) [K.sub.3] & [K.sub.C] C

* Target [P.sub.t] specific [R.sub.e] with
proximate integrated domain
external processes in [D.sub.str]
environment domain [D.sub.str] environement:
(milieu) which incorporate specific
{[M.sub.pext]} of C cluster C input U /
 output Y

[4] Conext [P.sub.t] specific [R.sub.e] specific
External processes for for: initial
connectors each suppliers
(initial external [Y.sub.ini] / final
suppliers and connector consumers [U.sub.fin]
final consumers
for C) from
{[M.sub.pext]} of C

 Characterization of Clusters based
 on concepts of real systems SR
 (natural and / or artificial)

Systemic C Variables {v} Extensions /
approach limits L
and
cluster C
components

Cluster C state frontier
 variabiles / L of
 input / C,
 output fluctuating
 X/U/Y of porous
 C

* Self-determined state frontier
internal variabiles / L of
environment input / [M.sub.aint],
(milieu) output fluctuating,
[M.sub.aint] X/U/Y of porous
of C C

[1] Comint state frontier L
Internal variabiles / of [1],
community input / fluctuating,
(give identity output porous
of C) X/U/Y of
 [1]

[2] Facilit state frontier L of
Internal and / or variabiles / [2],
external input / fluctuating,
facilitators (for output porous
cooperation and X/U/Y of
competitiveness [2]
of C)

[3] Detint state frontier
Determinants of variabiles / L of
the internal input / [3],
environment output fluctuating,
(life and X/U/Y of porous
functioning C) [3]

* Target state frontier L of
proximate variabiles / [M.sub.pext],
external input / fluctuating,
environment output porous
(milieu) X/U/Y
{[M.sub.pext]} of C specific
 {[M.sub.pext]}

[4] Conext state frontier L of
External variabiles / [4],
connectors input / fluctuating,
(initial output porous
suppliers and X/U/Y of
final consumers components [4]
for C) from
{[M.sub.pext]} of C

 Characterization of Clusters based
 on concepts of real systems SR
 (natural and / or artificial)

Systemic C Milieu Global
approach M = function
and [M.sub.int] /mission
cluster C & [M.sub.ext] [F.sub.g]
components

Cluster C proximate transformation
 domain input U
 [D.sub.str] of in output
 C Y of C

* Self-determined milieu determination
internal M of C
environment specific existence
(milieu) for
[M.sub.aint] C
of C

[1] Comint milieu production
Internal M output Y
community specific for of C
(give identity [1]
of C)

[2] Facilit milieu stimulate
Internal and / or M cooperation &
external specific for competitiveness C
facilitators (for [2]
cooperation and
competitiveness
of C)

[3] Detint milieu generate
Determinants of M prerequisite
the internal specific for for [M.sub.aint]
environment [3] of C
(life and
functioning C)

* Target proximate localization of
proximate domain external
external [D.sub.str] connectors
environment [4]
(milieu)
{[M.sub.pext]} of C

[4] Conext milieu supply
External M initial
connectors specific for input U
(initial [4] /consumption
suppliers and final
final consumers output Y
for C) from of C
{[M.sub.pext]} of C

 Characterization of Clusters based
 on concepts of real systems SR
 (natural and / or artificial)

Systemic C Purpose
approach (competitiveness
and K/Finality)
cluster C
components

Cluster C [K.sub.sC]
 sustainable
 competitiveness
 of cluster
 C /
 result

* Self-determined [K.sub.c] of
internal cluster /
environment F result
(milieu)
[M.sub.aint]
of C

[1] Comint [K.sub.1] of
Internal comint /
community result
(give identity [K.sub.C] of
of C) cluster /
 F result

[2] Facilit [K.sub.2] of
Internal and / or Facilit /
external result
facilitators (for [K.sub.C] of
cooperation and cluster /
competitiveness F result
of C)

[3] Detint [K.sub.3] of
Determinants of Detint /
the internal result
environment [K.sub.C] of
(life and cluster /
functioning C) F result

* Target [K.sub.d] for
proximate domain
external [D.sub.str]
environment which
(milieu) incorporate
{[M.sub.pext]} of C cluster c
 / F result

[4] Conext [K.sub.4] useful
External for
connectors cluster
(initial [K.sub.C] /
suppliers and F result
final consumers
for C) from
{[M.sub.pext]} of C