Formation and Development of Innovation Clusters as a Prerequisite for the Transition Towards Intensive Economic Growth

The presented study examines innovative economic growth and its stimulating processes based on the development of innovative clusters. This involves determining the regulatory role of the government and choosing a regulatory model that would reflect the specific features of the examined country’s economic system.
Aim. The study aims to consider foreign and Russian experience to formulate proposals for improving the conceptual mechanism that would ensure Russia’s transition towards predominantly intensive economic growth using the opportunities provided by innovative clusters.
Tasks. The authors analyze the strategic direction of development of the global and national economies; determine the potential of clusters and cluster development as a tool that facilitates and guides economic growth; identify problem areas in the cluster development of the Russian economy and substantiate a set of measures aimed at eliminating them; determine the methods of government involvement in facilitating cluster development and substantiate the choice of the most appropriate method for a particular national economy; consider the foreign experience of transforming industrial clusters into innovative clusters and adapt it to the Russian economy.
Methods. This study critically analyzes different scientific approaches to determining the essence of a cluster and the nature of its impact on the development of economic entities and the national economy as a whole. It also uses analytical tools to propose an adjustment of existing approaches to cluster regulation in Russia and to facilitate the creation of innovative clusters.
Results. The role of innovation clusters in Russia and globally is determined in the context of the transition to predominantly intensive economic growth. The major problems that make it impossible to receive maximum benefits from clustering are highlighted. The relationship between innovation and cluster development is determined with allowance for the competitiveness index. The changes necessary for ensuring high-quality economic growth and improving the efficiency of clusters, particularly innovative clusters, are proposed. Factors that ensure successful innovative development in accordance with the main directions of cluster policy are identified.
Conclusions. Examination of the role of clusters in the formation of predominantly intensive economic growth, the current state of the Russian economy, and existing cluster policy models makes it possible to evaluate the prospects for the development of the Russian economy using the potential of innovative clusters.

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