Formation of innovative territorial clusters in the regions of Russia

Introduction. The modern development of Russia is based on the priority development of high-tech industries and the corresponding infrastructure as prerequisites for achieving technical and technological leadership in the global economy. The innovative development of the country largely depends on the success of scientific and technological policy at the regional level. The purpose of the study is to analyze the spatial regularities of the functioning of innovative territorial clusters to justify promising directions of state cluster policy. Materials and Methods. The study was carried out on the basis of official statistical information of the Federal State Statistics Service, information and analytical reports of the Association of Clusters, Technoparks and Special Economic Zones of Russia, official ratings of innovative development of regions, legislative acts of the federal and regional levels. Based on geo-information technologies, a series of analytical maps have been created that reflect and visualize various aspects of the functioning of innovative territorial clusters in the context of all regions of the Russian Federation. Results. Spatial patterns of the formation of innovative territorial clusters in the regions of Russia have been identified. It is noted that the implementation of the cluster policy contributes to a more rational use of federal budget funds by determining priority investment areas and establishing on this basis the recipients of state support in the cluster with the greatest potential in the context of limited financial resources. This is especially promising when justifying the stimulation of new high-tech industries and enterprises. The patterns of functioning and development trends of innovative territorial clusters are identified. Promising directions for improving Russia’s cluster policy are formulated. Discussion and Conclusion. The author considers that the main purpose of the emerging innovative territorial clusters is the saturation of the domestic market with high-tech goods, services and technologies to achieve the technological independence of the country. The results of the study can be used by organizations and decision makers to substantiate ways to improve cluster policy in the regions of the country.