Clusters. Cooperation to promote inland water transport in Poland

Abstract

The article presents some concepts related to strengthening the bargaining power of  the inland navigation industry in Poland. The starting point of the article is the observation that the inland waterways are outside the mainstream of  Polish transport policy. The result is the decrease in the amount of  financing offered to the reconstruction, restoration and even maintenance of  the waterways infrastructure. Opportunities and threats to the inland navigation sector are described – the diagnosis allows for the formulation of  a  vision of  future business cluster, which will bring together entrepreneurs and stakeholders of the inland navigation and waterways. The cluster is expected to create strategic concepts and projects as well as to be a practical tool for lobbying. Triple helix model is presented as an element of the cluster philosophy – to engage R&D and decision-makers in taking actions and to influence political decisions.