Identifying Trustworthiness-related Competencies of a Cluster Development Agent

Document Type : Research/Original/Regular

Authors

1 Ph.D., Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Higher Education, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran & Adjunct Lecturer, School of Education, University of Limerick, Ireland

4 Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

A Cluster Development Agent (CDA), according to his specific roles and tasks, in different stages of cluster development process – which includes 5 different stages based on UNIDO cluster development model, namely: cluster selection, CDA selection, diagnostic study, vision building and action planning, implementation and finally monitoring and evaluation – requires a different set of competencies. This study examines competencies which are of the most important and also critical prerequisites for the success of the cluster development project. Accordingly, investigating the trustworthiness of the CDA from the perspective of cluster stakeholders, as well as his ability to create and enhance the level of trust between cluster members, is the main subject of this research. In fact, the main goal of this research is identifying competencies that increase the trustworthiness of the CDA and develop the level of trust within the cluster. In this qualitative study with a narrative approach, using profound and semi-structured interviews with 16 cluster developers and six cluster stakeholders, the competencies were identified and determined. These competencies include the ability to sensitize stakeholders, create partnerships, persuasion, and finally create added value.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Social Capital Management
Volume 6, Issue 2
July 2019
Pages 281-303

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