Imperatives of innovative development of the macroregion: problems and solutions

Purpose: is to identify the reasons for the low level of innovation transfer to the economy of the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District (NCFD). Methods: the methodological basis of the study was the theory of innovative development. Analytical, comparative, statistical, trend analysis and other methods were used. The operationalization of the methods used and the results obtained shows a high degree of reliability. Results : the analysis of innovation activity in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District showed its low level. The indicators of the district's innovation activity are noticeably lagging behind the Russian average today. Although the number of new production technologies used in the district's enterprises is increasing, this does not lead to fundamental changes in the region's economy. The process of materialization of patented inventions and utility models remains at an insufficient level. The volume of shipped innovative products is characterized by low indicators. As a result, the economy of the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District remains weak and ineffective, with the dominance traditional industries. The main reason this is the low degree of transfer of innovations into production, organizational and technological processes. Conclusions and Relevance : the weak link in the system of organizing innovation activities in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District is the lack of a systematic approach, including the introduction of innovations. Episodic activities do not bring the necessary results. To activate the processes of innovation development in the region, it is necessary to intensify the interaction between scientific circles, production sectors, government and financial structures, develop infrastructure and use various development institutions, adapt patents to business conditions, stimulate economic entities to use innovations more intensively. Such an approach will allow to reveal the innovative potential of the district's human capital, create high-tech sectors in the structure of the economy, increase competitiveness and create conditions for advanced innovative development of the North Caucasus Federal District.