Abstract
Clusters, defined as geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, and institutions, have evolved as crucial ecosystems supporting innovation. This work examines the impact of clusters on the innovation performance of companies, drawing insights from a benchmarking study of cluster initiatives in Poland. The study leverages data from a survey conducted by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (2022–2023), involving 41 clusters and 642 member firms. The analysis reveals that cluster participation significantly enhances firms’ innovation capabilities through mechanisms such as knowledge spillovers, access to specialized resources, collaborative projects, and pro-innovation services. However, challenges such as the risk of lock-in and uneven distribution of benefits are also highlighted. The originality of this article lies in its comprehensive, data-driven evaluation, utilizing a robust quantitative methodology, including principal component analysis and regression models, to explore how clusters foster innovation through specific mechanisms. The findings underscore the importance of supportive policies and continuous evaluation to maximize the innovation potential of clusters.