Cluster policy of regional development: the best foreign practices
The article analyses the experience of successful development of regional clusters of the USA. We describe the best practices of the cluster policy of the following states: the Minnesota case, which is a framework concept for the entire economic policy of the state; the Oregon case, which demonstrates the key importance of the discussion platforms for stakeholder communication and the development of agreed plans and solutions; the Massachusetts case, which is based in the process of cluster formation on a private regional coordinating institute; the South Carolina case, when a basic role in the formation of clusters played a special body that unites the representatives of small and large businesses, regional authorities, universities and non-profit structures. We show the change in the role of managing subjects during the evolution of regional business clusters. We prove the need for training facilitators within the framework of professional cluster management. We suggest the system of organizational roles for ensuring inter-firm cluster interactions. The article is intended for researchers in regional economy, cluster policy and experts engaged in the management and deve-lopment of regional clusters.