Cluster competence for higher resilience : a neo-institutional perspective on how firms from the Lusatian Energy Cluster cope with an external shock

In former studies cluster firms have hardly proven to be more resilient to shocks than non-cluster firms. Yet, there is a lack of research on how cluster firms can achieve resilience. Based on a qualitative study of firms in the Eastern German Lusatian energy cluster we found that after a shock - a sudden decision on energy policy changes of the German federal government - cluster firms have replaced pre- by postshock institutional logics. Studied firms put more emphasis on further utilising core competences and demonstrate more openness to communicate inside and outside of the cluster. In essence, cluster firms change institutional logics for strengthened T-shaped cluster competences, which subsequently lead to higher resilience of cluster firms and clusters. By linking institutional logics to cluster resilience via cluster competences we provide a new perspective on how cluster firms can be resilient in the face of a shock.