SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROSPECTS OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF FEDERAL DISTRICTS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The authors of the article explore different approaches to evaluation of the innovative activities which, in their opinion, constitute a major factor for stimulation of growth of the regional economy and formation of the regional innovative system. The methodology for evaluation of the innovative development level of the regions is justified. The indices of the innovative potential are calculated based on the suggested methodology which allowed to position the federal districts in the rating of the Russian Federation for innovation. Based on the rating the federal districts were divided into groups which characterize the level of innovative potential: A – high level of innovative potential; B – medium level of innovative potential; C – low level of innovative potential. Factors that influence the position of a region in the rating were determined and the dynamics of the innovative development of the federal regions in 2013–2015 was analyzed. The analysis educed disparity in innovative development of the regions which attests to the existence of a number of problems. Having defined the problems of the innovative development, the authors suggested prospective directions for the solution thereof.