IMPROVING the EFFICIENCY of TRANSNATIONAL CLUSTER SYSTEMS in the CONTEXT of CROSS-BORDER POLICIES of the EUROPEAN UNION Summary
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Науковий вісник Міжнародного гуманітарного університету UDC 339.92:332.1 Kovalenko S.I., Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Danube Institute of National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF TRANSNATIONAL CLUSTER SYSTEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF CROSS-BORDER POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Summary. The presented work is dedicated to research Formulation of the problem. The major objective of the pro- of essence and internal links of transnational cluster sys- posed work consists in exploration of economic development prior- tems as a factor contributing to the competitiveness of the ities of euroregions where Ukraine is involved in terms of expand- Black Sea Euroregion in view of advancing integration pro- ing EU by means of cross-border cluster systems generation being cesses and the necessity to increase a part played by the the institutions of networked industrial integrations becoming poles economy of peripheral territories within cross-border coop- of economic growth and competitiveness for depressive peripheral eration framework. Strategic priorities of network forms of cooperation within the context of the EU cross-border co- territories at the European market. operation policy are identified. Advantages and parameters Experience of advanced states worldwide indicates both effi- of cross-border industrial quasi-integration are explained in ciency and imminent generation of cross-border cluster systems view of prospects of Ukraine’s entry into the EU. (CBCS), which, in situation of globalization, become centers of Keywords: transnational cluster system, cross-border innovative euroregional economic advance and, consequently, cooperation, European integration, Euroregion, efficiency, “safety zones”. Nowadays, from the author’s point of view, there competitiveness. is a persistent urgent problem of unified CBCS generation, imple- mentation and development mechanisms development. Therefore, Introduction. Euroregional cooperation is an important instru- implementation of regional economy upgrade basing on cross-bor- ment of development of territories adjacent to borders, their compet- der clustering requires new strategy development including detailed itiveness improvement, formation of growth centers using advan- mechanism of cluster corporation forming and governmental sup- tages of shared territory and cooperation as well, as an important port at both border sides relatively to modern conditions in Ukraine. component of European integration process [1, p. 6]. This provi- The EU expansion in the context of structural priorities transforma- sion is declared in National Regional Development Strategy for the tion and economic globalization requires search newer approaches period until 2020. For modern Ukraine problematics’ urgency of to adapt cross-border regions to newer challenges, particularly in transnational business systems development is directly related with their competitiveness improvement. demand for cross-border cooperation activation between adjacent Analysis of recent research and publications. Michael Porter regions and states, which formed a single people economy complex in his work “Nations Competitive Advantages” has drawn to a con- previously and became depressive regions after economic links col- clusion, as below, “.. transition economy developing the investment lapsed. In terms of worldwide integration and globalization it leads policy should strive to develop mutually dependent industrial clusters imminently to competitiveness loss and decrease of quality of life encompassing basic and supporting branches” [3]. The approach to and living standards of population. regional competitiveness evaluation may be defined basing on the Nowadays, euroregional cooperation development is of utmost concept of total national competitiveness concept, as proposed by persistency in a context of contemporary geopolitical processes. Michael Porter [4]. Researches carried on by J. Schumpeter, C. Erroy, Ukrainian advance towards European integration and process of P. Nelson and S. Winter consider problems rising with market struc- its admittance among European partners required coordinated ture modernization and competitive development as factors contrib- efforts in cooperation development with EU member states – at uting to economic systems innovative activities improvement. They the first turn – states with common borders with Ukraine. Eurore- explore market participants integration mechanisms, newer innova- gional cooperation is characterized by higher grade of cooperat- tive structures formation aimed to generate innovations in manufac- ing structures institutionalization and is a catalyst of European turing, technology and organization. Essential contribution into solu- integration processes both at regional and national levels within tion of this problem was made by institutionalism representatives, an individual state. Major objective of euroregional coopera- such as O. Williamson [5], R. Coase [6], W. Nordhause, F. Heieck, in tion, as of cross-border cooperation, lies in smoothening of state their works, describing following aspects, border functions and drawing together adjacent regions in eco- 1) Attention drawn to information drawbacks preventing mutu- nomic, social and cultural aspects by means of leveling regional ally beneficial activities, discrepancies between “obvious” (coded) і disparities and enhancing social and economic development of “latent” (tасit) knowledge; these territories. Implementation of newer marketing mechanisms 2) Focusing on transaction expenditures influencing advantages enabling to improve regional competitiveness at European market of individual organizational forms. Modern literature defines terri- with developing newer technological paradigm is possible basing torial forms network industrial integration as including industrial on flexible forms of cross-border cooperation, coordination and districts, holdings, clusters, territorial manufacturing complexes, integration of common activities among business entities operat- which, in their turn, encompass regions, technological platforms, ing in euroregions. As regards Ukraine, in particular, the compet- etc. The “industrial district” term evolved, as the time ran, towards itiveness improvement problem at the global market is of utmost enhanced notable features transformation review carried on by urgency [2, p. 17]. A. Marshall, G. Becattini, O Williamson [7, p. 211]. 59 Науковий вісник Міжнародного гуманітарного університету Works by national economists, such as B.V. Burkinskiy, establishment of cross-border and transnational clusters with V. M. Heyets, M. I. Dolishniy, V. S. Kravtsiv, Yu. V. Makogon, involvement of foreign corporations and universities as partners. S. I. Sokolenko, S. V. Filippova, etc., are dedicated to cross-border Special significance is being attained by cross-border and trans- regionalism forms and instruments development problems on the national clusters in innovations sphere. Their formation contributes basis of quasi-integration in newer technological paradigm devel- favorably to: oping conditions and newer challenges imposed by global instabil- • Development of close cooperation not only between busi- ity. They review various aspects of innovative form of networked ness entities of various states, their suppliers and consumers of cooperation, including substantiated strategies of economic growth their production, but with knowledge institutions, including large in view of European integration of Ukraine. research centers and universities working on international level; The unsolved aspects of the problem. Researches and publi- • Creating competitive scientific and technological production cations on cross-border industrial clustering are so far insufficient capable to occupy and to keep positions on international market; with Ukraine. They are, as a rule, of general or declarative nature. • Mastering certain skills in market researches enabling to Furthermore, scientific theoretizing and practical steps are getting estimate demand for newer products and relate it with global level; behind more and more obviously from those already being made by • Establishing joint scientific centers to implement scientific business and adjacent states in cluster formatting of economic space developments; in euroregions. Problem of filling the gap between cluster theoretical • Encouraging scientific contacts, exchange, training and model construction and demands, imposed by administrative bodies practicing; and business entities to put scientific foundation of adopted strategic • Joint working over international projects and programs. decisions at meso-level, remains still unsolved. It means the urgent In general, more opportunities (financial, administrative, etc.) necessity to develop methodological instrumentarium of the model appear to build up entire technological chain running from joint application at stage of cross-border industrial policy trends and ways researches to production commercialization including its promotion identification, working out development strategies and programs at the market. Cross-border clusters formation in Common Economic for the Black Sea euroregions, and corporate competitive strategies. Space (CES) is an urging objective, since it is cooperation of business Furthermore, cluster theory is also being associated with corporation entities within the cluster which enables to use jointly accumulated theory, innovative development theory, economic growth