Industrial clusters and regional economic development in China: the case of “green” food

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find if and to what extent industrial clusters boost the regional economy in Heilongjiang Province of China and to more clearly define the relationship between the province's economic development and its industrial cluster strategy. The case of green food is the focus of the paper.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is designed to answer a series of research questions regarding the role of the green food industry in Heilongjiang Province as an actual or potential industrial cluster and the extent to which there is export potential within this.FindingsAlthough a small proportion of output is being exported, there are still some barriers that need to be overcome if the export potential is to be realized.Research limitations/implicationsThe research results to date are useful but limited due to certain data issues. However, they are sufficient even at this stage to determine a number of practical implications.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on the development of industrial clusters in Heilongjiang Province with a specific analysis of the development of the “green” food industry. This is done using statistical trends, volume, varieties, and value data to examine the export potential capacity in Heilongjiang Province. These data are brought together for the first time.