Service Industry Clustering: A Comparison of Broadcasting in Three City-Regions

Abstract

Drawing from two major studies of clustering in the UK broadcasting industry, this paper finds compelling differences between clusters; differences which explain performance variation and provide strong implications for the extant literature and UK regional policy. The paper finds that (a) regional processes have been overplayed with the importance of both broader external connectivity and narrower local impacts of location underestimated; (b) the policy-makers' conception of a successful cluster underplays the importance of large hub firms; (c) national policy has been more effective than regional policy in promoting UK broadcasting clusters; and (d) policy-makers should not overlook traditional business support.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge the support of the ESRC, award number R000223258, the British Academy, award number SG-36816 and Skillset which provided employment census data.