Attributes and types of innovation clusters in the context of digital transformation

Abstract

The article aims at clarifying the concept, attributes and approaches to the classification of innovation clusters. The purpose of the study is to adapt the concept of an innovation cluster to modern conditions of the Russian economy in the context of global trends in digital transformation. The methodological basis of the work is the analysis of current scientific research on forming and developing innovative clusters, and the regulatory framework of cluster policy in Russia and abroad. It is determined that to date, Russian legal framework does not contain a definition and classification of innovation clusters corresponding to modern conceptual approaches to clustering innovative production. Drawing on the systematized theoretical approaches to the economic essence of innovation clusters, the authors identify four groups of their attributes: scientific and technological, organizational, operational, and economic and geographical features. Ten pairs of opposite characteristics of the innovation cluster are given, the combination of which determines the dialectical nature of its development. The existing criteria for cluster classification are systematized, clarified and supplemented, additional classification criteria are proposed. It is concluded that innovation clusters differ from other types of clusters not only by the integration of high-tech production and generation of innovative technologies, but also by a special nature of participants network interactions in the framework of joint innovation projects. A model of the ratio of different types of clusters is proposed based on the following factors of clustering of production in conditions of digital economy: spatial concentration of production, institutional environment, innovative business networks and digital environment. The authors propose an innovative hypercluster model as a separate type of clusters, combining interdimensional and multilevel approaches to cluster development. The definition of an innovative hypercluster is given, the potential effects and directions of practical application of this model are determined. The results of the work contribute to the development of the cluster concept and the theoretical foundations of cluster policy implementation.