A cluster is a concentration of complementary industries that generates wealth by exporting from the region. Net employment in Silicon Valley's cluster industries increased by 58,000 from the second quarter 1995 to second quarter 1996. Bioscience added 2,630 jobs but has failed to realize anticipated gains. Environmental technologies contracted by 300 jobs. The growth of this industry is driven by the Internet boom that promotes new applications of networking.
Silicon Valley is home to all of leading companies.
Employment at 30 of the region's computer networking firms in Silicon Valley more than doubled between 1991 and 1996, from 5,700 to more than 12,500 workers. Fueling this increase are employer drives to cut costs, to increase flexibility and to access specialized skills and assistance with work overloads and special projects. For others, it is a preferred workstyle offering flexibility, variety, and independence.