Russian Cluster Policy in the Context of Cooperation

Abstract

The paper studies a profound change in the Russian cluster policy at the federal level based on the analysis of regulatory framework. The work demonstrates virtual abandoning of cluster policies in all areas, i.e. winding-up direct support for industrial cluster projects and failure to start funding complex investment projects for the development of innovative territorial clusters which has even lost their normative basis for financing as well as to backup regional cluster development centers. The main reason for such a reverse is the lack of cooperation among the domestic clusters. At the same time, the main aim of the government efforts in the field of cluster formation and other related processes – stimulation of cooperation projects – has remained unchanged. In order to avoid setbacks in other initiatives for development of such cooperation, it seems advisable to introduce an extended classification of joint cluster projects, which in many ways determines the specifics of partnership relations. The proposed classification is based on the type of connectivity among the participants, the symmetry of the alliances and the organizational form of project implementation. It is shown that the domestic cluster policy deals with the most challenging type of cooperative projects.