Innovative infrastructure as a driver of regional development

Abstract

Importance. Innovation infrastructure is a special area of activity that provides support functions for the innovative development of the region. According to the concept of formation of innovation systems at the national and regional levels, innovation infrastructure should include two complex elements: “infrastructure of diffusion of innovations” and “innovative infrastructure of society”. Moreover, the first element pays serious attention not only to the spread of innovations, but also to cooperation and partnership of participants in the innovation process in the region. The second element, respectively, reflects the General conditions for the development of innovative potential for economic entities. A serious support function from the innovative infrastructure can become a driver of innovative development of the territory, a mechanism for the formation of an up-to-date innovative culture in the innovative environment of the region.
Objectives. Study of issues of creating and maintaining elements of innovative infrastructure to solve the problem of innovative development of the region based on the existing theoretical and methodological background and practical experience.
Methods. In the process of studying the issues of functioning and development of innovation infrastructure in Russian theory and practice, General scientific methods of knowledge, statistical research methods, as well as principles and methods of the system approach were used.
Results. The article considers aspects of building a regional economy of an innovative type, tools and institutions that ensure the continuity of the innovation process. The analysis of the existing Russian experience in the formation of innovative infrastructure confirms the importance of the mechanism for supporting innovative projects. It is proved that innovative infrastructure is the driver of innovative development in the region. in this regard, the prospects for stimulating innovation and expanding network interaction are particularly important.
Conclusions and Relevance. The regional economy of the innovation type implies an active transition to the knowledge economy, open innovation models, and a four-link spiral, which requires the formation of an integrated system for converting new knowledge into new technologies, products, and services in the regions. It is the regions that should become the activator of innovation at the national level. Therefore, to strengthen the regional aspect of innovative development, it is necessary to create favourable conditions provided with innovative infrastructure. Only by taking into account the tasks of developing the required level of innovation infrastructure can we talk about achieving the goals of implementing the innovation policy and innovation strategy of the region. The problem of coordinating the interests of participants in the innovation process, including through mechanisms for creating and maintaining elements of the innovation infrastructure, remains a complex issue.