EVOLUTION OF PROXIMITY CONCEPT AND CURRENT CLUSTER POLICY
Is considered the modern stage of evolution of theoretical notions about the role of proximity in development positive effects of clustering, current principles of cluster policy and cluster competitiveness characteristics. The advantages of geographical proximity and the economic role of clusters are well studied and defined. Today, however, geographical proximity is considered as an insufficient condition for achieving positive clustering effects, as a consequence of dynamics of the business environment, shortening the life cycle of goods and services, growth in the volume of knowledge and competencies that are more often not available locally. New, non-spatial forms of measuring proximity are being developed. New principles of cluster policy and characteristics of cluster competitiveness are formulated, which are presented in this article based on the current EU experience. The focus is on innovation clusters and territorial development. The role of entrepreneurial firms as accelerators for the competitive evolution of clusters, importance of growing number of interregional and international relations of cluster members, as well as new forms of cross-cluster cooperation were underlined.