Forms of Interaction of Participants of Timber Industry Clusters in North-West Russia

摘要

The field study was conducted in order to identify the forms of interaction of cluster participants and the scale of the clustering process of the Russian timber industry complex. The timber industry complex of Russia is characterized by weak cooperation of timber industry enterprises using a common forest resource base, transport and energy infrastructure, services of scientific and educational organizations. Disunity hinders the development of the Russian timber industry complex. An effective approach to the development of the timber industry complex in the regions is associated with the formation and functioning of clusters. The advantages of cluster integration are manifested in effective current, investment, and innovation activities. The cooperation of cluster members provides a common synergistic effect, minimizes costs, and ensures higher profitability of business processes. Another important direction in the functioning of timber industry clusters in Russia is integration into global transnational processes. Clustering will result in the breakthrough level of the technological base of domestic timber industry enterprises, access to modern technologies, financial and investment resources, competitive international markets. The information was collected using questioning at specialized industry events of international significance and interviewing experts participating in clusters in two regions. As a result of the field study, a slowdown in the formation of timber industry clusters in the North-West region was revealed. Created timber industry clusters experience problems with achieving the set tasks, implementing joint projects. The clustering recession is associated with the imperfection of the regulatory framework and difficulties of its application. Among the reasons for the clustering decline is the lack of theoretical studies on cluster processes and clear understanding among business entities and representatives of state bodies of the essence of the cluster. There is a problem of business and science disunity. The field study of regional clusters in the North-West Russia allowed us to identify the forms of interaction with the selection of the main tasks, as well as to define the common expert assessment.