Title: Explaining the Growth of an Industrial Cluster

- Theories Tested on the Ningbo Die & Mould Cluster

Authors: David, Eagle & Chris

Purposes: The aim of our dissertation is to find an applicable theoretical framework that could explain the growth of the Ningbo Die & Mould Industrial Cluster. The theoretical framework is also expected to be applicable in the Ningbo Endogenous Industrial Clusters.

Theoretical framework: Mainly based on Porter Diamond Model, supplemented by other relevant models and our working experience, we have set up our own theoretical model, in which a factor hierarchy with five category factors and 29 sub-factors was structured. Meanwhile, a specific cluster, the Ningbo Die & Mould Cluster, was selected to conduct the survey of questionnaires. The different managers of the enterprises were chosen as respondents and we tried to test the validity of our own theoretical model.

Results: The collected data from the survey was analyzed through the SPSS program, we adopted Factor Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Correlation Analysis to draw conclusions. The findings of our dissertation suggest the local government should put more emphases on different factors in the course of clusters’ growth.

Key words: Porter Diamond Model Double Diamond Model Nine-Factor Model Factor The Ningbo Die & Mould Cluster Correlation Analysis