ÇETIN, Aysun Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi - Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi - Isletme Bölümü, Turkey , ERENLER TEKMEN, Esra Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi - Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi - Isletme Bölümü, Turkey , KARAAHMETOĞLU, Onur Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi - Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Turkey , TORUN, Tuğrul Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi - Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi - Isletme Bölümü, Turkey

EVALUATION OF CLUSTERING ACTIVITIES BY COMPANY MANAGERS IN SAMSUN MEDICAL CLUSTER: EXPECTATIONS AND RESULTS

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In this study, the current status of cluster activities; becoming increasingly widespread in recent years, are discussed as it is perceived by managers of companies of Samsun Medical Industry Cluster. The aim of this study is to reveal company managers expectations from the clustering process and to investigate whether the assumption clustering increases the innovation occurs in practice. For this reason, a qualitative research was carried out with senior executives of ten of Samsun Medical Industry Cluster Association member company using in-depth interviews technique. The results of the study revealed the expectations of company managers from government, universities, local administration and from other companies and emphasized the importance of these expectations for the future clustering. Besides, the study shows that the effect of clustering on the innovation type of companies has not been occured at the desired level since the last four years passed from the beginning of clustering practices of Samsun s medical companies. However, it has been understood that 7 of 10 companies experienced changes positively in the marketing and management innovations classified under process innovation .

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Clustering , Innovation , Medical Cluster

Ege Strategic Research Journal

92