ABSTRACT

In this paper, we investigate the promises that are employed within and around clusters that were formed in the evolving bioeconomy: bioclusters for short. Our paper aims to provide a conceptual clarification of the biocluster concept. To that effect, we employ the prism of sociotechnical imaginaries. We argue that both industrial clusters and the bioeconomy constitute separate, but partly overlapping sociotechnical imaginaries that shape stakeholder attitudes towards bioclusters. We applied a Q-methodology study in two bioeconomy clusters, one in Germany and one in The Netherlands, to investigate the resonance of different imaginaries in the cluster regions. Five distinct narratives, combining specific elements of cluster and bioeconomy imaginaries, are shared by different stakeholder groups. We revealed bioeconomy imaginaries at large to be far more contested than different cluster imaginaries. The latter mobilise overwhelmingly positive associations across diverse stakeholder groups. From this perspective, the popularity of biocluster promotional policies can be explained as they support some of the contested elements of bioeconomy imaginaries in gaining traction.

摘要

在本文中，我们研究了在不断发展的生物经济中形成的集群内部和周围所应用的希望：简称生物集群。本文旨在提供对生物集群概念的概念性说明。为此，我们采用了社会技术虚构的棱镜。我们认为，产业集群和生物经济构成了独立的，但部分重叠的社会技术假想，它们塑造了利益相关者对生物集群的态度。我们在两个生物经济集群中应用了Q方法学研究，一个在德国，一个在荷兰，以研究集群中不同虚构的共鸣。不同利益相关者群体共享五种不同的叙述，结合了集群和生物经济想象的特定元素。我们发现，与不同的集群虚拟技术相比，生物经济虚拟技术的争议要大得多。后者动员了各种利益相关者团体之间的压倒性的积极联系。从这个角度来看，生物集群促销政策的受欢迎程度可以得到解释，因为它们支持了生物经济学假想中的一些有争议的要素来吸引人们的注意。