Identification of industrial clusters: a quantitative study in the state of Santa Catarina

Abstract

Understanding the functioning of the productive dynamics of a region makes it possible to increase efficiency and competitiveness, as companies operating in clusters play a relevant role in local and regional economic development. Thus, it is important to identify the clusters present in an economy, given the possibility of understanding the productive profile of a given region. The main objective of this work is to identify the existence of industrial clusters in Santa Catarina economy, highlighting aspects related to the productive dynamics of the state. Using data for 2017, extracted from the Annual List of Economic Activities (RAIS), according to the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE), proceeded according to the methodology of Britto and Albuquerque (2002), considering the criteria of specialization, participation, and density. Clusters were found in some regions of the Santa Catarina State; however, the region considered more industrialized concentrated more clusters. The results also indicate that the clusters are formed mainly by micro and small companies. As for their typology, the identified clusters present aspects that characterize them as “informal” and can also be “organized”.

Keywords
industrial cluster; Santa Catarina; location quotient; relative participation; employment