Innovative Processes within the Cluster

First findings give clues to answering the question about the impact of the cluster on the production of new scientific knowledge. Our data show that acknowledgment of new possibilities through the research association is a driving force for processes of innovation. Respondents often describe this point as UniCat’s main asset, but sometimes also as excessive demand. Mostly they see the structure of the cluster as crucial for possible new directions in research.

According to our interviewees, there are manifold new resources for research of the single scientist, like different methods, instruments or probes, provided through cooperation and often described as enhancing the results and quality of outputs. Additional scientific personel, new contacts to other scientists and new expertise for former unavailable methods or interpretations are other dimensions of this general topic. These possibilities are first of all just noticed and only activated in research activities when needed for concrete problemsolving.