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Strategic management of industrial clusters in Thailand
Jarunee Wonglimpiyarat
Science Policy Researcher; CPA, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand; Hubert H Humphrey Fellow, Boston University MA, United States of America
Abstract
Currently, the Thai government has implemented cluster development strategies to improve the national economic performance and technological capabilities. The strategic management of the reorganization of industrial clusters undertaken at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), a major research organization in Thailand, is based on the concept of the National System of Innovation (NSI). NSTDA has focussed on this cluster-based economic development model to position Thailand to meet the challenges in the environment of knowledge-based economy.
The aim of the cluster-based strategy is to focus on specific internal capabilities in order to improve technological competitiveness and research capabilities to meet the needs of the country. This paper presents the process of defining the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a framework for translating NSTDA's strategic direction into action. Specifically, the Operating Model of NSTDA is proposed as a manifestation for industrial development and effective research management to support Thailand's national innovation system.
Policy implications and supportive initiatives at NSTDA will be useful for similar research organizations in other developing countries to better exploit the industrial cluster concept to develop technological innovations and enhance performance in the NSI.
Keywords
cluster-based strategy, industrial clusters, National System of Innovation (NSI), Balanced Scorecard (BSC), innovation system, knowledge-based economy
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