Cluster-based development strategies: Lessons from the plastics industry in north central Massachusetts

Much written attention has been given to the rise of technologically dynami c industrial regions. These regions are characterized try the spatial clust ering of small firms into flexible production networks that have the abilit y to quickly respond to changing global markets. Case studies generally hav e been limited to high-tech manufacturing clusters, even though mature indu strial regions have demonstrated similar traits. A case study of the plasti cs industry in north central Massachusetts gained a formative perspective o n a mature industrial cluster and an appreciable understanding of the corre lation between the industry's spatial concentration and organization of pro duction. The case study findings have clear implications for regional econo mic development. Planning for industrial development will need to rely more on "grounded" contextual analysis, give greater focus to local capacity bu ilding, and devise more formalized networks of institutional support.