“We are pleased to have been awarded a new Gold Label by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis. GCE NODE has been recognized as a top European Cluster and awarded a Gold Label since 2015, which a tribute to the strength of the GCE NODE team,” says Tom Fidjeland, CEO of GCE NODE.
Every three years, the cluster must undergo a new assessment. A total of 31 quality indicators are assessed by the two independent cluster experts by interviewing the cluster organization team and checking evidence prepared by the cluster team to substantiate results, work processes and roles.
For each quality indicator a specific quality threshold had to be passed. The ‘Cluster Management Excellence Label Gold’ is awarded to cluster organizations, which score a minimum of 80 out of a possible 100 points.
GCE NODE scored 94 points.
“The assessment experts had a very good general impression of the work of GCE NODE Cluster organization and its ability to create impact on their cluster participants, the region, and the future of the industry,” according to the assessment report.
“A total of 94 out of 100 points places GCE NODE among the very best cluster organizations in Europe. This is an inspiration for continued hard work for our cluster participants,” says Fidjeland.
ABOUT THE GOLD LABEL:
The “Cluster Management Excellence Label Gold: Proven for Cluster Excellence” of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative acknowledges cluster organizations that demonstrate highly sophisticated cluster management and that are committed to further improve their organizational structures and routines for the benefit of an even higher performance.
In order to qualify for the “Cluster Management Excellence Label Gold” cluster management organizations need to meet certain “levels of excellence” in terms of structure of the cluster, governance, financing, strategy and services and recognition. In the course of a thorough assessment conducted by two neutral cluster analysis experts 31 indicators are assessed.
The assessment scheme was developed by the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) (www.cluster-excellence.eu), which – being initiated by the European Commission – gathered 13 organizations from nine European countries, all well experienced in the field of cluster management and cluster policy.
The objective of the scheme is not only to identify the best cluster management organizations in Europe, but also support the cluster management organizations with advice in the course of the assessment on how to further improve.
