Formation of innovative clusters in Russia: results of the first years of support

What characteristics have Russian innovative regional clusters, whether the quality of their management correlates with international standards, what are the prospects for their integration into the international network of the cluster? This article presents the results of a survey of quality of management in the Russian pilot innovative regional clusters (the ITC), conducted by the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia and the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives and the Higher School of Economics in March 2015 using the method of the European Initiative clusters — ECEI. On the basis of this survey the 21 observed clusters were compared on scale, the level of integration and quality of management. The article also presents characteristics of a standard Russian ITC and evaluation of the quality of its management compared with European standards. Correlation analysis shows that successfully developing Russian cluster is characterized by active international relations, dissemination of information between the participants of the cluster on the possibilities of obtaining additional financing, as well as training seminars for companies and cluster managers. These activities contribute to the establishment of cooperative relations between the cluster members, the diffusion of new ideas and technologies. The article is valuable for researchers and practitioners in the field of cluster development, as well as for those responsible for the implementation of the cluster policy at the federal and regional levels.