METHODICAL APPROACH TO MONITOR OF REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE-BASED CLUSTERS

Today, we consider clusters as points of growth of the regional economy. They are one of the driving forces of innovative development at the micro, meso and macro levels. Regional dimension of the national economy is based on the clustering structures and can significantly contribute to formation of knowledge-based economy. Currently, cluster are understood as multi-faceted structures comprising numerous participants – companies supplying goods and services, educational institutions and research organizations that have close interactions based on the principle of proximity and functional industrial specialization. The aim of the research is to study approaches for research and analysis of regional clusters and to propose an approach for assessing the interactions of members of the scientific and educational cluster (knowledge-based cluster). Methods: historical analysis, comparative analysis and systemic approach. Results. Research and monitoring of the innovation system as a whole should be implemented at different levels: (1) macro level (the level of the national innovation system); (2) meso level (level of regional innovation system); (3) local level (level of innovative territorial clusters); (4) micro level (level of enterprise innovation system). All four levels are important for assessing the socio-economic development of a region and the quality of life within a territory. In this study, we present characteristics of the cluster structure based on knowledge, a methodical approach is proposed for expert assessment of cluster interactions and study of innovation processes in the meso level of the regional innovation system. This is aimed for further studies of the research and educational cluster of the Tomsk region. Success factors for knowledge-based regional clusters are given, as well as recommendations for the regional authorities of Tomsk Oblast to work on transformation of the territory into a pilot region for implementation of the Strategy for the Scientific and Technological Development of Russia.