A Lifecycle Approach to Cluster Competitiveness Management

As a form of organization, clusters act as a means of increasing the competitiveness of the region's economy, ensuring the transition to processes with higher added value. In the Russian realities, the cluster is considered for practical purposes and is represented as an object of support within the framework of regional development strategies. The purpose of the article is to develop a tool for managing the competitiveness of a cluster based on a life cycle model. Overall, an approach to the cluster is considered as a dynamic system. Analysis of the functioning from a standpoint of the concept of life cycles, as an organizational and economic entity, makes it possible to single out many processes that form the life cycle of the competitiveness. An approach to the formation of a list of parameters that determine competitiveness has been substantiated. It is shown that at each stage of the life cycle of the competitiveness indicators vary and require different management decisions. For the analysis of competitiveness, a three-level system of cluster presentation is proposed. Then the competitiveness is presented through the satisfaction of each level of the cluster. Characteristics of the cluster influencing the assessment of satisfaction are determined. Also, formulated the benefits derived by each cluster level. Based on the resulting benefits, described the tools, which provide recommendations for management decisions at various stages of the life cycle of a cluster to improve its competitiveness.