The European Cluster Management Excellence Label

- Methodology, Indicators, Procedure

Gerd Meier zu Köcker, VDI/VDE-IT

Matt Fisher, EFQM

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Cluster Management Excellence Matters (I)

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Impact

0

1

2

3

4

Effect on the R&Dactivities of SME

Effect on the businessactivities of SME

Effect on theinternational activities of

SME

Kompetenznetze [44] NCE [10] other European cluster organizations [123]

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry 26.04.2012 3

Cluster Management Excellence Matters (II)

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Cluster Policy Has Recognised the Importance of Cluster Management Excellence

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Time Line Measuring Cluster Management Excellence

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National Level

1st cluster benchmarked

2007

Finalisation of benchmarking

approach

International Level

25th cluster benchmarked

50th cluster benchmarked

1st foreign cluster

benchmarked

100th cluster benchmarked

Development of the bench-

marking approach

2008 2009 2010 2011

100th cluster benchmarked

2012

200th cluster benchmarked

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

There was no standard applicable against good cluster management can be measured ! Labelled clusters according to national priorities existed ! The already existing benchmarking approach was a good option, since

revealed the current position compared to others

showed specific strengths and weaknesses

motivated to learn from the best

provided findings that can be used in the practical work

no good or bad, nor ranking or rating

Indicators and methodology were approved by many cluster management organisations

Starting Conditions at the Beginning of ECEI

© iit, 26.04.2012

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Methodology

- Self-Assessment - Third party assessement

- No documentary evidence needed - Documentary evidence needed

- Intended as a tool for continuous - Intended to confirm excellence,

improvements - Relevant quality criteria regarded

- Motivates to do better - Label only intended

- Facilitates to get the Gold Label for the cluster managements

- No political influence possible

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

ECEI-WP2 Aims and Objectives

• To make cluster management excellent, sustainable, and successful (general aim of ECEI)

• To provide a set of methodologies and tools to cluster organisations – to assess their status of cluster management – to demonstrate high quality of cluster management achieved – to initiate and implement improvements in cluster management

• To provide a framework of activities and incentives which is

fully recognized on international level and is well-accepted by cluster organisations (→ „The Gold Label“)

26.04.2012 Slide 8

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

• A cluster organisation has proven an excellent status of cluster management – conformity with a high level regarding the ECEI quality

indicators

AND

• A cluster organisation has implemented a comprehensive and successful process of further improvements – journey to excellence according to EFQM

Methodology

Vie

w in

to t

he

pas

t V

iew

into

th

e fu

ture

Slide 9

Present moment

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

What is EFQM?

10

30,000 Organisations in Europe are using the EFQM Excellence Model

500 Members covering over 50 different sectors

Not-for -Profit Foundation formed in 1988

More than 4,500 networking contacts

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Return on investment

Optimise profitability

Sustainable financial growth

Value-adding products & services

Excellent service

Opportunities to develop & grow

Work / life balance

Pride in Organisation

Brand reputation Ethical behaviour Transparent

communication

The changing focus of Organisations

People Customers Shareholders Society

Leaders who inspire trust Clearly defined long-term strategy Robust internal processes The right Partners & Suppliers

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

EFQM Recognition

Starting point, aimed at bringing organisations up to ECEI Minimum Requirements

Next step, for organisation meeting the majority of ECEI Requirements

Increasing maturity and capabilities, starting to exceed ECEI Requirements

Top level of recognition, for mature organisations far exceeding ECEI Requirements

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Supporting Clusters

• EFQM Framework for Cluster Management – Developed based on the ECEI Minimum

Requirements & the EFQM Excellence Model.

– The EFQM Model in Cluster Management language

• Quick Check – Simple self-assessment against the

minimum requirements. – Designed to support Committed to

Excellence.

• Cluster Excellence Matrix – More comprehensive self-assessment

tool, based on the EFQM Framework for Cluster Management.

– Designed to support Recognised for Excellence.

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Starting the Journey

Training

Start Simple:

1 day workshop

Assessment

Quick Check Assessment Tool

Recognition

EFQM Committed to Excellence

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Cluster Management Excellence Improvement Process

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Clu

ster

man

agem

ent

qu

alit

y

Time

Improvement activities regarding recommen-dations from the bench-marking or any other inputs

high

low

→ B

RO

NZE

Optional First assessment First surveillance

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

The Gold Label Indicators

• 31 indicators covering – Structure of the Cluster – Typology, Governance, Cooperation – Financing Cluster Management – Strategy, Objectives, Services – Achievements and Recognition

• Traffic-light model for each indicator: GREEN/YELLOW/RED

• For selected indicators minimal criteria apply

• Indicators are differently weigthed when determining the cluster management excellence score (80 % of max. value)

26.04.2012 Slide 16

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

GOLD-Label Process

High-Level Group

Dec

isio

n

Man

agem

ent

Ass

ess

men

t/V

alid

atio

n

Cluster Organisation

Label-Award Technical Advisory Board

„Cluster Management Excellence“

Cluster Organisation

Pool of Experts for Assessment and Validation of Cluster Management Excellence

Label Application and Contracting

„Label Office“

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European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Tasks and Objective of The „High-Level Group“ as Decision-Making Body

The High-Level Groups acts at General Decision-Making Body

• Acting as neutral body to approve any Gold label awards being proposed by ESCA/EFQM

• Assure that all procedures are in full conformity with ECEI-requirements

• Consisting of high-level policy makers / programme owners from (all ?) Member States recognising / supporting the Gold Label Approach

• Contributing to an international acceptance of the quality label

• Promoting the Gold-Label idea in their respective countries

26.04.2012 Slide 18

European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

Added Values

• Ability to demonstrate Cluster Management Excellence approved by a neutral third party according to an internationally recognised approach

• Further improvement actions identified, doing even better in the future

• Increased recognition and visibility of policy makers, stakeholders, other cluster managements, clients, etc.

• Different kinds of incentives (regional, national, EU-level) under consideration

• Contribution to sustainable cluster management

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