Abstract

Purpose – In our paper we aim to show the possibilities of implementing the idea of sustainability in the context of energy transformation using the concept of an industrial cluster. The implementation of the idea of sustainability is of particular importance from the perspective of the functioning of the meta-organisations involved in the implementation and promotion of decarbonisation processes. Industrial clusters, as collective actors initiating collective actions and providing complex governance structures, seem to have a great fit with regard to the needs of disseminating and implementing the idea of sustainable development, also in conjunction with energy development. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence is derived from a case study of Mazovia Cluster ICT (MC ICT). Based on the experience of this cluster, we want to show the evolution of the industrial cluster through the prism of its growing activity in supporting energy transition. We conducted our research in the period 2022-2023 using in-depth personal interviews and an analysis of the secondary data. The primary technique for data analysis and interpretation was conventional qualitative content analysis. Findings – As a result of the study, we have distinguished three main areas of cluster activity covering the strategic, operational/project and institutional levels. Within the first area, the cluster’s efforts focused on the development of a strategy and involvement in lobbying and co-legislating. The second area refers to the cluster’s activity in the carrying out of national and transnational projects on the creation and implementation of various energy solutions. The activities undertaken in the third area include support for the development of start-ups in the field of energy and involvement in the launch of an energy cluster and the development of distributed energy in Poland. While the strategic and operational/project levels are characterized by a commonality of activities and goals, there is additionally a commonality of interests at the institutional level. Originality/value – The paper makes an additional contribution to the state-of-the-art of the industrial cluster concept by linking it to the idea of sustainable development, in the context of energy transformation. In addition, it sheds new light on issues related to cluster cooperation, combining the case of the industrial cluster with the very fresh and as yet poorly described idea of the energy cluster.

Citations

Authors (2)