Regional Industry Cluster: Articulating a Vision

This project was part of DMGT 765 Business and Design Practicum. The course presented with case studies and situational projects that emphasize the analysis of business practice pertaining to the design of products and visual communications.

Context

Savannah is experiencing a rapidly growing—and evolving—economy. And this exciting change means opportunity for businesses relocating to or expanding in Savannah. The Savannah area, located in coastal Chatham County, Georgia, boasts a flourishing economy balanced on a strong foundation that includes a thriving port, increasing tourism, a stabilizing manufacturing sector and significant military presence.

The following information provides an introduction to field research within key stakeholder organizations in a regional area that includes Chatham, Liberty, Bryan, and Effingham counties from January through March 2009. The goal of this research phase was to understand how the key stakeholders envision the industry cluster concept, specifically as it relates to a regional materials-related industry cluster. Findings were be used to better understand the local investment climate and potential support for a regional industry cluster. The project was designed to be accomplished in several phases.

In phase I, an initial scan and stakeholder assessment was conducted to indentify key challenges and opportunities for articulating a vision for a regional materials related industry cluster. The phase I comprised a series of in-person interviews with key stakeholders in the region. The goal of conducting the interviews was to understand how the key stakeholders envision the industry cluster concept. The semi-structured interviews were primarily guided by the following questions:

1.What is their understanding of the concept of industry clusters?

2.What role do you believe Herty will play in this cluster?

3.Who are the key stakeholders – both individuals and organizations – that will move this initiative forward?

4.What role would key stakeholders play? What contributions might they make?

5.What are the major obstacles to seeing a regional industry cluster become a reality?