Mekhrentsev A.V.

Purpose. Research of the existing level of digital technologies in the forestry sector of the economy of the Sverdlovsk region, prospects for its development in the form of interorganizational cooperation of branch organizations in the form of cluster education. Methods. The current degree of development of information technologies in the timber business of the Sverdlovsk region has been analyzed using the model of N. Venkatraman. The conclusion contains the rationale for the need for an inter-organizational partnership to improve the efficiency of the operation of industry enterprises. The creation of a timber-processing cluster in the region is justified from the point of view of the cluster approach. Analysis of the regulatory framework and existing cluster initiatives has made it possible to identify the main instruments of state support for regional industrial cluster entities. Results. “Digitalization” allows the timber industry sector to move beyond traditional constraints and provides many new opportunities to increase productivity, efficiency and create new competitive advantages. On the basis of the revealed level of development of digital technologies of timber industry enterprises, a conceptual scheme of a regional timber industry cluster and its main information flows has been created. Cluster formed in the way proposed, will meet the requirements for receiving state support, and enhance the level of development of information technologies in the industry. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty lies in the substantiation of the relationship between the development of digital technologies and the need for structural and organizational transformation of business in the form of cluster formation in the example of one of the traditional industries – the forest industry.