Environmental transition in clusters: empirical insights from the benchmarking study in Poland

Purpose This study aims to investigate the key determinants of green transformation in Polish clusters and examine the extent to which cluster-level environmental activities translate into perceived benefits at the member-firm level. Design/methodology/approach The analysis draws on matched survey data from 42 cluster coordinators and 733 member organisations. The dependent variable is the Green Transformation Index (GTI, 0–6), constructed as the sum of six binary environmental actions reported by coordinators. Non-parametric tests, Spearman correlations and negative binomial regression models with bootstrap standard errors (1,000 replications) were used to identify robust predictors while accounting for the count nature of the GTI and the small sample size. Member-level responses were aggregated to the cluster level and analysed using mixed-effects models to assess alignment between coordinator actions and member perceptions. Findings National Key Cluster (KKK) status emerged as the strongest predictor, with KKK clusters expected to implement over four times more green actions than non-KKK clusters. Formal green transformation strategy and ESG strategy were also strongly associated with higher GTI scores. Innovation capacity, cooperation intensity and available budget further positively influenced green transformation, while cluster size showed no independent effect. From the member perspective, higher GTI was linked to greater utilisation of green services and more positive evaluations of the coordinator’s efforts. However, an implementation gap was identified: member organisations did not report tangible improvements in their own environmental performance despite higher service utilisation and favourable assessments. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design and modest sample size (N = 42 clusters) limit causal inference. Future research should use longitudinal or larger-scale designs and incorporate objective measures of environmental performance at the firm level. Practical implications Policymakers and cluster managers should prioritise institutional recognition (e.g. expansion of the KKK programme with explicit green criteria) and support for the development and implementation of formal green and ESG strategies. Special attention is needed to bridge the implementation gap through targeted knowledge diffusion, practical support tools and monitoring of member-level outcomes. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to combine coordinator and member perspectives in a matched sample within the context of cluster-based green transformation in a Central and Eastern European economy. It provides robust evidence on the drivers of green actions at the cluster level while highlighting the persistent gap between cluster initiatives and firm-level outcomes, contributing to both cluster theory and the literature on sustainability transitions.