Small R&D enterprise as a converter of scientific research results

The article deals with different characteristics and features of forming national innovation systems in Russia and abroad. The paper analyzes the domestic and foreign experience in creating such systems. The literary analysis of research studies of domestic and foreign authors on this topic is conducted. The role and functions of different elements of these systems are considered. The generalized models of national innovation system are formed depending on the mechanism of formation of R&D results and methods of their adaptation and dissemination. In the framework of this study different national innovation system models are united into two basic subgroups, i.e. centralized and market models of innovation creation. It's determined that both of the presented basic models have a key element which adapts R&D results to market demands, namely a converter of R&D results. The research objective is to prove the hypothesis that the best converters in the domestic economy are small R&D enterprises. The suggested in the article hypothesis is supported by functional and comparative analyses presented in this paper. It's revealed that a small R&D enterprise as a specific form of the enterprise meets all requirements imposed on the converter in the Russian innovation system and is capable to performing its functions.