Clusters and their role in economic development

The urgency of the analyzed problem is due to the fact that the cluster formations have a strong influence on the economic development at the national and regional levels. The article is focused on analysis of the clusters in the Russian economy at the national and regional levels. The leading methods of research of this problem are analysis and synthesis methods, which allow identifying the peculiarities of cluster structures in the Russian economy at the present stage. The authors analyze the emerging and existing cluster formations, their sectoral focus, examine two main types of clusters in the economy of the Russian Federation - that are formed around the dominant firm and the union of small and medium-sized enterprises on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation. The results of scientific research can be applied in the further development of clusters, both at the regional and national levels, in the development and competitive recovery of the region, as well as in the practical development of managerial decisions related to improving the efficiency of the use of economic and administrative resources. © International Economic Society