The Interactive Relationship between Small and Medium-sized Enterprises' Clusters and Regional Economic Growth

Purpose - This paper aims to explain the interactive relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises' clusters and regional economic growth, with Jiangsu Province as an illustrative example. It focuses on studying the promotional effects, if any, of small and medium-sized enterprises' cluster-development on regional economic growth, and vice-versa. Research design, data, and methodology - Data were collected from the Jiangsu Statistical Yearbook and the China Industrial Economic Statistical Yearbook, by selecting 26 industries as the research subjects. The sample interval selection is 1981-2012. The data were analyzed with the dynamic panel system using stata 12.0. Results - 1) The small and medium-sized enterprises' cluster degree and Jiangsu's economic growth have a long-term stable equilibrium relationship. 2) In the short term, they have a dynamic adjustment 3) The enterprises' cluster degree leads to regional economic growth in Jiangsu, but not vice-versa. Conclusions - Small and medium-sized enterprises' clusters have an important promotional effect on Jiangsu's economic growth, especially industries with high degree of agglomeration. Therefore, the formation of these clusters can significantly improve economic growth.