Benchmarking: How Does Your STP or AOI Compete in the 4th Industrial Revolution?

The 4th Industrial Revolution represents change for all industries, AOIs and STPs included. The changing landscape presents a challenge especially in the measurement of success and comparison of competitors. This paper delves into that challenge and presents a method of benchmarking the geographic regions of STPs and AOIs to establish a way of measuring the competitiveness of a region, and how to place it in a larger competitive landscape. By examining the methodology, data collection, and specific steps to involve all stakeholder groups, Ann Arbor SPARK’s benchmarking process can be used as a model for conducting similar research internationally.