Creating collective shared value between clusters: a case study analysis of the Net-Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster

Purpose This study aims to address the Net-Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster (NZBISC) in the Basque Country region (Spain) as a relevant case study to explore how clusters and their management organizations collaborate with each other as a response to grand sustainability challenges, particularly regarding industrial decarbonisation. The concept of creating collective shared value is applied with this aim. Design/methodology/approach The research follows a qualitative case study methodology, based on a series of semi-structured interviews with the main players of the NZBISC, most notably cluster management organisations (CMOs), lead firms and government. The authors analyse the roles of specific actors, the governance and cooperation mechanisms employed, the resources leveraged, the impacts and results being achieved and the barriers that exist. Findings The authors find that a loosely institutionalised meta-governance structure, such as the NZBISC, can help to break down sectoral boundaries and enable the progressive building of a collective view, shared language and concrete synergies that can provide impetus to regional decarbonisation missions. The role played by CMOs as meso-level intermediaries, working with key public and private actors to bridge to the macro (national and international) and micro (business) levels, is especially relevant. Originality/value This research addresses a novel multi-cluster policy initiative that targets cross-sectoral collaboration in the context of the pressing mission of industrial decarbonisation. It provides further exploration of the collective creating shared value concept and connects with issues such as sustainable business models.