First interactive cluster platform launched in Russia
The Cluster Map of Russia designed by HSE ISSEK’s Russian Cluster Observatory was launched during the IX Samara Interregional Economic Forum “Cluster Policy — the Basis for Innovative Development of National Economy”.
The first results of the Cluster Map of Russia project were presented by its authors at the forum’s session “Cluster Standards. Methods to evaluate cluster management system. Cluster Excellence management system evaluation. Procedure efficiency”.
The concept of a cluster map as an open-access interactive database offering up-to-date data on clusters operating in various Russian regions has emerged as an answer to the problem of insufficient availability of reliable data on the number, scale, sectoral affiliation, maturity, and other cluster characteristics important for promoting development of national cluster policy. Many clusters and cluster initiatives are highly efficient and have a significant growth potential while remaining “invisible” on the federal level.
According to HSE ISSEK’s Russian Cluster Observatory, more than 200 cluster initiatives are currently being developed in the country, across a wide range of industries. At the same time, only 26 clusters are recognised at the federal level — the ones included in the list of pilot innovative territorial clusters and receiving support from the RF Ministry of Economic Development.
Evgeny Kutsenko, head of the Russian Cluster Observatory and HSE ISSEK Cluster Policy division, pointed out to the important feature of the Cluster Map of Russia: it’s application-based. “We’re not going to go chasing after clusters to put them on the map. We provide a free interface for clusters to put themselves on the map”, Evgeny Kutsenko stressed.
The map’s cluster profile includes 31 markers, and only one of them — the number of participating organisations’ staff — requires providing precise quantitative data. “Clusters are already overloaded with demands to present all sorts of reports and applications. Data required for the map will help to promote inter-cluster communications and support their international cooperation. Potential participants, investors, entrepreneurs, and government agencies do need detailed information about emerging cluster initiatives, albeit in varying degrees”, explained Vasily Abashkin, senior researcher at HSE ISSEK Cluster Policy division.
The cluster map provides a full picture of the Russian cluster landscape, opens access to best cluster practices and allows to benchmark the clusters against each other.
Cluster managers and other official representatives are welcome to put their clusters on the map at the project’s website at http://map.cluster.hse.ru.
Currently the map includes cluster profiles from the Republic of Tatarstan as well as Perm, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kurgan, Samara, and Ulyanovsk regions.
By Ekaterina Islankina