Abstract:

This study aims to answer the following question: What platform does cluster organisation create to enable its internationalisation process in order for its partner´s organisations to effectively manage the challenges brought about by the cataclysmic changes in business logic in the age of globalisation and digitalisation? Theoretical lens draws on combination of the experiential learning-commitment interplay, which is the driving mechanism of Uppsala´s internationalisation process model with a similar experiential learning-commitment mechanism focusing on business network relationships. Data collection through in-depth interviews with Process Manager – R&D, Cluster Market Manager, Communication and Information, Cluster coordinator took place in the Swedish cluster Future Position X (FPX) - a leading cluster organisation in Europe within geographical information. Findings show that FPX was building international links with similar clusters in the Nordic, Baltic, and European countries. FPX later learned that for it to be in forefront of innovation, it needs to mix its own core competences with very complementing technology areas of the biggest hotspots in the world in Geo Spatial technologies. Conclusion remarks and implications: A sustainable internationalisation platform created by cluster is of utmost importance these days because digitalisation is fundamentally disrupting traditional industries, labour markets and the global economy, and transforming various facets of exchange. To companies, this means opportunities for new or changed business models, spanning from marketing and sales channels to logistics. Originality: This study contributes to the literature examining location can help firms to increase their competitiveness and thus supporting them in getting access to global value chains and new markets, by focusing solely on exogenous activities which serve to improve cooperation with global markets, that are critical to cluster dynamics.