Information analytical management systems of cluster spatial development in regions: analysis and priorities for improvement

In recent years, information and analytical systems for managing the cluster spatial development of regions, creation of which was initiated by the scientists of the Harvard Business School in 2000, started to play a defining role in strategic planning problems solving for social and economic space of regions as territorial clusters localization places. Actual demand for these systems in foreign and domestic cluster management practices from various groups of users (specialized cluster organizations, enterprises - participants of clusters, their partners, research, educational institutions, research and development centers, public bodies) necessitates a comprehensive review of their specifications. Analysis of information and analytical management systems specifications for cluster spatial regions development is aimed at the description of functional conditions, setup and structure of management systems, characteristics of their key components and interactive capacities. Therefore, the article is aimed at evaluation of information and analytical support status for the cluster spatial development in Russia and to define priorities for improving regional cluster management systems based on the analysis of foreign experience. The study is methodologically based on the general academic methods and comparative analysis aimed to identify the similarities and differences of the available regional clusters information and analytical management systems, including the US Cluster Mapping, European Cluster Cooperation Platform, Russian Cluster Observatory and Geo-information system of industrial parks, science parks and clusters of the Russian Federation. The novelty of this study is rationale of strategic guidelines for improving the information and analytical tools of managing cluster spatial development of regions based on the cluster mapping methodology and modern Internet technologies for interactive statistical analysis. In particular, an approach to the analysis of setup and structural features of information-analytical systems for managing cluster spatial development of regions is proposed, which allows to form an expanded holistic view of the specifics of foreign and domestic cluster management systems through the prism of their specifications comparative analysis. Seven specifications of cluster management systems are analyzed, which complementarily solve the tasks of managing the cluster spatial development of regional social and economic systems: basic system specification; information specification; identification and efficiency evaluation specifications; regional efficiency evaluation specification; mapping visualization specification; specification of the stakeholders and their communications; specification of methodological explanations. The limitations of information-analytical support for regional clusters management in Russia regarding cluster analysis and cartographic specification tools are described. Comparative capabilities of foreign and domestic open information and analytical systems for cluster spatial development management are systematized based on the results of an analysis of the management system specifications and hierarchical approach methodology. The priorities of the elaboration of cluster spatial management systems of regions development have been identified, which focus on the need for a functional and content-related synthesis of cluster and region management specifications within the frames of a single interactive mapping platform that secures effective strategic management, promotion of the partnership development of cluster interaction entities on micro, meso, macro and mega levels of economic hierarchy, as well as has capability to become a center of communication of all its users. The theoretical and practical significance of the study is to formulate suggestions for improving information and analytical support for clusters management in Russia. The study prospects lie in the area of designing specifications for the domestic information-analytical management system for cluster spatial regions development that meets users’ requirements in the area of justification and development of political and managerial decisions.