Effects of cluster policies on regional inventor networks: evidence from France

Focusing on the French cluster policy, this study aims at evaluating how cluster policies influence the structure of local inventor networks. Based on a panel data of four periods and 94 NUTS-3 French regions, we implement various model specifications to make explicit processes that may drive the impact of the policy. The results suggest that spatial interdependences and region-specific trends should be considered to make correct causal inference about such place-based policies. Overall, the results do not provide clear evidence supporting that the French cluster policy has strengthened the cohesion, efficiency and resilience of local inventor networks.