Although our understanding of clusters and their contribution to economic performance has improved over the last three decades, the literature has become host to a wide array of divergent empirical and theoretical claims. We systematically review cluster studies published in top journals, highlighting the lack of integration among prior work. We focus on the ways in which Porter's three cluster dimensions, namely geography, networks, and institutions, have been utilized. None of the studies reviewed fully captured their complex interrelationships, which we argue is an important cause of the key disagreements in the literature. Configurational theorizing and analysis are presented as means by which the different approaches to cluster studies could be reconciled. We discuss how the application of a configurational approach can help explore new scholarly directions that can deepen our understanding of clusters and their performance‐enhancing potential. In doing so, we can move beyond an understanding of independent effects to emphasizing combinations of attributes that can generate multiple pathways to cluster performance outcomes.

中文翻译：

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关于集群的调和观点：综合审查和研究议程

尽管在过去的三十年中，我们对集群及其对经济绩效的贡献的理解已有所提高，但文献已成为各种各样的经验和理论主张的宿主。我们系统地审查了在顶级期刊上发表的聚类研究，强调了先前工作之间缺乏整合。我们关注波特利用的三个集群维度（即地理，网络和机构）的方式。所审查的研究均未充分体现其复杂的相互关系，我们认为这是造成文献中关键分歧的重要原因。构型理论化和分析是作为协调聚类研究的不同方法的手段。我们将讨论配置方法的应用如何帮助探索新的学术方向，从而加深我们对集群及其绩效提升潜力的理解。通过这样做，我们可以超越对独立影响的理解，而强调可以产生多种途径来集群绩效结果的属性组合。