ABSTRACT: It is widely known that the clusters represent a powerful mechanism of economic development of regions and often even of entire nations. From the theoretical point of view the clusters represent an organizational model which advantages can be demonstrated by the use of transactional approach. Each single enterprise inside a cluster specializes in completing a particular stage of production, which ensures lower costs, flexibility and innovation realizing, besides, a significant contribution to social cohesion in a certain territory being strongly integrated with the local socio-economic environment. In this study we analyze the best practice of clusters development (Italian model) and the factors of its success. Besides, its comparative analysis with the Russian economic reality, where this phenomenon is quite recent, is provided. The research is conducted on the base of Special Economic Zones, the analogue of cluster model in Russia, which is being developed under the direct control of Russian government. The case analysis methodology was applied. At the end the research delivers the analysis of different features of Russian clusters’ development process represented in a SWOT table and defines some directions of possible future research development.
KEYWORDS: clusters, networks, transaction costs, Special Economic Zones
