Trends in the development of regional timber industry clusters: Arkhangelsk and Vologda experience[Тенденции Развития Региональных Лесопромышленных Кластеров: Архангельский И Вологодский Опыт]

The article analyzes the development of Russian regional timber industry clusters, which has a significant impact on the economy of timber industry regions and the modern economic policy of Russia. The goal of the article is to identify the regional specifics and features of the uneven development of the timber industry in the Russian regions. To achieve this goal, the analysis of the fundamental indicators of timber production and industry criteria based on the cluster approach has been carried out. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the timber industry clusters registered by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation in the North-Western District, which are the leaders in terms of raw wood production. The paper uses methods of comparative analysis, a systematic approach and grouping based on the comparison and contrast of theoretical and practical material. The information base of the study contains legislative documents concerning promising directions for the development of the timber industry, forest regulatory documents of the subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as data from official state and industry statistics. The strategy for the development of the timber industry, based on the cluster approach, should be accompanied by the introduction of promising technologies for wood processing and a unique regional specialization, based on the investment projects implemented within the cluster. The strengthening of cooperation of enterprises within the technological chain of the cluster, as a fundamental principle, appears as a result of the implementation of joint projects, which are an instrument of cluster policy. The formation of cooperative relations and the joint activity of timber enterprises contribute to the complex processing of wood raw materials and wood waste and to the creation of fundamentally new products in the long-term competitiveness. The weakening of the innovation activity of small and medium-sized businesses occurs due to the presence of corporate structures in the cluster that control the main technological chain of production. The results of the work reflect the priorities of the development of regional forestry specialization based on the cluster approach. The study of the experience of regional timber industry clusters in the Arkhangelsk and Vologda regions revealed and described regional features of timber industry development related to the range of products produced, investment projects implemented and priority forest products that will be manufactured in the regions. In conclusion the article provides criteria based on the analysis of trends in the development of timber industry clusters in the Arkhangelsk and Vologda regions.