CLUSTERS AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC MECHANISM OF FUNCTIONING OF INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINE AND THE WORLD

Abstract

The article deals with the economic structures of cluster-based regions, which is a model of a competitive and investment-friendly economy aimed at ensuring a high standard and quality of life for the population. Clustered or integrated associations (LANs) at the present stage of economic development of the country form a specific economic space in order to expand free trade, free movement of capital and human resources, and therefore serve as the structural elements of the global economic system. The relevance of the topic of the article is explained by the need to systematize, specify and improve the definition of the essence and importance of clusters in the conditions of introduction of the latest forms of business organization in the economy of the country and its regions. The cluster increases the efficiency of the companies that are part of it. Membership in clusters and between corporate networks can increase productivity, innovation and competitiveness of firms. Within cluster structures, two opposing principles can be combined – competition and cooperation. The cluster remains flexible enough to allow participating companies to compete freely for the expansion of their share of total sales, if necessary to attract new members, and at the same time it organizes, coordinates activities through information sharing, coordination of plans and ongoing activities. As you can see, the above interpretations of clusters are substantially different from each other, but each of the concepts carries with it rational grain. The following points of view are based on the identified constituent elements of the cluster, the specifics of relationships between its members, as well as its geographical location. The analysis of the above interpretations, aspects and properties of the cluster revealed the need for improvement categorical apparatus and allowed to formulate the following author’s interpretation of this definition. A cluster is a system of collaboration, tightly linked and geographically close business networks, and organizational structures (manufacturers, suppliers, consumers, government, public, scientific and educational institutions, infrastructure, techno parks) for the purpose of organizing,