Cluster

The word cluster does not have a literal translation, but he gathers the concept of groupings of complementary and interconnected companies. Also, it is worth clarifying that a cluster is neither a union nor an industrial sector nor a productive chain.

The clusters are communities of companies and institutions located in a definite geographical space that act in a particular productive activity. They group variety of related industries and entities to generate a major competitiveness on the market. These clusters include, for example, providers of critical inputs (as components of machinery and services) and providers of specializing infrastructure; they often can spread up to channels and clients.

The importance of shaping these communities in a region consists of the construction of networks of cooperation and collaboration between companies apparently divergent sectors to promote the economic growth. The components of a cluster go from the agents inside the productive chains to the academy and the public institutions.

Often, the clusters are the places where the businessmen of several industries meet for first time and where they undertake their actions and relations. These communities of business organization offer the following competitive advantages:

• They raise the productiveness, thanks to the access to specializing inputs, employees' services, information, institutional support and technical assistance.

• They lead to specialization making use of signs of the market, and world commerce possibilities.

• They help to put into the regions, the industrial and technological politics of the country according to the potentialities of the region.

• They allow identifying new spaces for the creation of companies and new opportunities of employment.

• They create more efficient markets and minor costs of transactions, for that reason, they dynamize productiveness.

• Because of geographical concentration, they accelerate the accumulation and broadcasting of knowledge and better practices.

• They stimulate and facilitate the innovation and experimentation, since they improve the skill of the companies to perceive opportunities of investment; also there are promoting the installation of creative institutions and providers of promotion.

• They focus better consumer needs, they are the axis of the competitive advantage.

In Medellin and Valle de Aburrá, seven clusters have been defined:

• Electrical energy

• Dressmaking, design and fashion

• Construction

• Specializing services of health

• Tourism of events and business

• Forest products

• Food

Between these, there are included three transverse sectors that are fundamental for their development:

• Software development

• Machines and equipment

• Transport

For antiquity, recognition and strengthening, four existed cluster are linked to the Chamber of Commerce of Medellin:

• Electrical energy: it is defined as the geographical concentration of companies and specializing and complementary institutions that work in the activities of the generation, transformation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of the electrical energy in Medellin and Antioquia. They interact themselves creating a business climate in which they can improve their performance, competitiveness and profitability.

• Dressmaking, design and fashion: it is defined as the geographical concentration of companies and specializing and complementary institutions that work in the activity of dressmaking of interior clothes and bath suites, infantile and baby clothes, and casual wear in Medellin and Antioquia. They interact themselves creating a business climate in which they can improve their performance, competitiveness and profitability.

• Construction: it is defined as the geographical concentration of companies and specializing and complementary institutions in the activity of buildings and infrastructure construction in Medellin and Antioquia. They interact themselves creating a business climate in which they can improve their performance, competitiveness and profitability.

• Business tourism, fairs and conventions: they are defined as the geographical regional concentration, in Medellin and Antioquia, of companies and specializing and complementary institutions in the activity of hotel trade, feeding, passengers' transport, travel agencies, event operator, and translators, among others. They interact themselves creating a business climate in which they can improve their performance, competitiveness and profitability.

Agradecimientos: Escuela de Idiomas de la Universidad de Antioquia