The Innovation Centers Development in the Regional Context of Russia

According to the ranking by global competitiveness benchmarking study (WEF Competitiveness Report, 2017), Russia has the 43rd index of the competitiveness out of 142 countries compared by 67th place at 2012. We can explain it with different reasons but primarily it is a result of strengthened fundamentals, including the quality and quantity of education, training programs, and innovation capacity. In this article we consider the innovation to be the major factor that keeps countries to sustain their competitiveness that is a strategic goal for any economy including the Russian economy as well. Design/methodology/approach: Design approach for the research is based on benchmarking data and case studies analysis, as well as on author´s research activities and practical experience. The sample was chosen from research institutions (national research universities) and innovation centers as well as enterprises in different industries.Findings: There are a few forms of innovation ecosystem were considered that could become a moderator for evolving innovations and sustainable economic growth. Those are integrated distributed centres of competences at enterprise level, innovative business regional clusters (hubs), high skills centres of competences at universities, business-universities joint alliance. The concept of innovation development and the findings of this article defiantly make practical impact and resonance that get to be discussed and resulted in actions of regional and national administrations. Research/practical implications: The outcomes and implications proposed in the article related to functioning of Centres of Competence and Innovation Centres are very important for practice, and for keeping and increasing the positive dynamics of economic development cycle. The establishment of the Innovation Centres of different forms has to become a national idea of the sustainable economic growth. It has to be included to the strategic plans of the government for the better future.