industry cluster analysis inspiring a common strategy for community development rachel v smith senior project coordinator central pennsylvania workforce corporation lewisburg pa internet address rsmith cpwdc org introduction and economic professionals across the country around world are increasingly using models to identify validate support local regional groupings that have demonstrated or show promise of competitive advantage michael porter author nations 1990 harvard business school professor leading institute competitiveness popularized use methodology by turning focus public policy toward factors increase ability nation region remain identifies diamond four key determinants factor conditions home demand related supporting industries structure is based on capacity become embedded in deep network which supports geographic concentrations companies institutions customers complementarities significant element creation advancement clusters
