Governance is an issue often neglected by studies on clusters even though recent empirical studies point out the potential role of cluster governance in the creation and integration of innovation networks within cluster. However, no insight is provided as to how, concretely, cluster governance manages to sustain innovation. Drawing on the concept of institutional work, we develop an integrative framework of institutional practices that cluster governance can implement to create a specific environment conducive to institutional dynamics and enhanced collaboration for innovation. Three levers – political, normative and cognitive – and 8 sets of institutional innovation practices are suggested. We apply this conceptual grid to the comparative analysis of three French innovation clusters: one technopole and two competitiveness clusters. The findings show that 1) the three cluster governances activate all institutional levers but with a high variation of intensity and engagement, and 2) the differences in intensity match the innovative performance of the clusters.
