
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent
the engine of the European economy both in Eastern and Western countries.
In the last years, SMEs have lost part of their
competitive advantage due to the fast and growing international
competition. As a consequence, many SMEs urgently need to redefine
their strategies and competitive orientation if they want to stand
a chance to strengthening their position or even of survival.
In this context, certain kinds of aggregations
of SMEs - and in particular industrial clusters – seem to be a very
effective way of facing competition and enhancing co-operation with
their external environment.

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