The three papers encompassing this PhD thesis cover the following topics: literature review on the impact of network cluster structure on cluster innovation and growth; impact of group dynamics on innovation; impact of knowledge transfer.

Available at: http://www.theses.fr/2017STRAB002

The overall aim of this PhD thesis is to contribute to the research aimed at enhancing regional economic development and to increase the understanding of as well as give insights into local economic development processes aimed at meeting global challenges in a peripheral region.

"This PhD thesis examines the influence of convergence on cluster-based economic growth in regions from a national and international perspective. Case study examples were taken from an Irish region, a recipient of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) award in 2019 and regions with strong cluster connections."