Facilitating Growth of Two Industrial Clusters in the Polish Podlaskie Region: a Knowledge Oriented Approach

The objective of this contribution is to discuss clustering policy in Podlaskie province (Poland) from the angle of knowledge creation. The region is both challenged by being located in a peripheral region as well as being part of a transition economy. Two industrial clusters were chosen for this analysis, representing different industries that are strongly impacted by historically determined socio-cultural peculiarities of the Podlaskie province. That article argues that through development of knowledge bases, policy makers can underpin future development of existing industrial clusters. Facilitation of tacit type as well as analytical knowledge can contribute to stabilizing both clusters in the region and promote further development by reducing the risk which results from “slippery” conditions in the sense of Markusen (1996).