The Competitiveness of Innovation Clusters: Approaches to Assessing and Role of State Cluster Policy

The main object of this study is to develop the approaches to assessing the competitiveness of innovative clusters and role of state cluster policy. The article summarizes various approaches to assessing the competitiveness of economic system and for identification clusters. The empirical data base of the study was made up of regional development statistics presented on the official websites of the Russian Federal statistics service, as well as a number of international organizations such as the EU and OECD, and the Russian cluster Observatory and the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. In addition, the programs of support for the development of innovation clusters in Russia and Germany were analyzed. The authors proposed the approach to assessing the competitiveness of innovative clusters, using the tools of game theory, as well as modified The Steyr Country Competitiveness Model. The results of the research can be used to develop a strategy for the development of innovation clusters, as well as to improve the state regional innovation policy.