Knowledge-generation Strategies in the Real Sector of the Economy: Russian Case

The main purpose of the study is to identify and to characterize the strategies of knowledge generation in the real sector of the Russian economy. Within the framework of the research, authors answered the following questions: 1) Which factors define the choice of knowledge increase strategy? 2) Which types of knowledge increase strategies are mainly used by Russian manufacturing companies? 3) How does the knowledge increase strategy influence company performance? Design/methodology/approach: The methodology of a research included several stages. At the first stage the 120 enterprises has been conducted by means of the database of the Russian enterprises «Fira Pro». At the second stage, the 7 focus group interviews (in which about 4 experts participated) have been hold with heads of the enterprises, which are selected for a research. The third stage has included a 17 series of the structured interviews with R&D directors of the innovative enterprises.Findings: Firstly, authors offered the company knowledge strategic management model for activating of knowledge generation in the economy. Secondly, authors offered the typologies of increase knowledge strategies included four types of strategies: borrowed knowledge strategy; copied knowledge strategy; knowledge imitation strategy; knowledge generation strategy.Research/practical implications: In article authors proved that the optimum structure of costs of different types of knowledge has prime value for the effective innovative development of the enterprises, especially in difficult economic conditions. Strategic management of knowledge gives the greatest effect in the achievement of competitiveness if this management relies on the basic strategy of the enterprise, and considers its purposes and the directions of growth. Originality/value: The research expanded methodological tools of the knowledge economics theory. Authors offered the knowledge increase strategies and their main characteristics, which will be useful for companies planning the innovative development.