Abstract:

Cluster organizations play the role of institutions for collaboration aiming to support regional economic growth through catalyzing cluster development. Despite sound theoretical foundations of the cluster organization concept, cluster organizations face several challenges that may lead to their failure and ceasing of their operations. The study includes findings on the underlying reasons for the failure of cluster organizations in Poland through employing fuzzy cognitive mapping as the core methodological approach.

Fuzzy cognitive mapping allowed to capture and identify the interconnected factors contributing to the downfall of cluster organizations. The authors engaged with members of failed cluster organizations to learn about their perceptions, experiences, and insights regarding the factors that lead to their failure. The conducted study uncovered key factors including systemic vulnerabilities which had a negative impact on cluster organizations’ survival. By synthesizing and visualizing these insights, we provided an understanding of the nuanced dynamics of cluster organizations’ resilience.

The conducted research contributes to advancing knowledge in the field of cluster organization management and cluster policymaking and offers insights to stakeholders seeking to navigate the challenges of developing a collaborative ecosystem.