Theoretical Foundations for Analyzing Problems of Macroregional Innovative Development and Ways to Solve Them

The paper presents the results of research into the economic foundations of the creation and development of scientifically-educational centers (SEC) in the global crisis. The prerequisites for the emergence and the role of SEC according to the diffuse model (bell curve) of innovation by E. Rogers are analyzed. It is established that SEC participants and project teams can be a kind of trendsetters (early adopters) between innovators and the rest of the community. The possibility of using the method of determining the technology readiness (maturity) level (TRL) in the development of high-tech knowledge-intensive products is shown, while the drivers and limiters of TRL in Russia, the SEC's area of responsibility according to the TRL levels and the specifics of the implementation of innovative projects in general are revealed. Using the example of the worldclass interregional SEC "Baikal" as an example, the principal tasks of SEC functioning for the purpose of perspective transformation of natural and economic potential of the macroregion (Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia) are formulated: motivation of participants, engineering and knowledge ranking, design, assembly and development of competencies in the field of integrated processing of wood and wood waste.