FORMATION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS IN THE DEFENSE COMPLEX AS A WAY TO A SOFT CONVERSION

Abstract

The paper describes the current state of the military-industrial complex (hereinafter referred to as the defense industry complex) in Russia and the tendencies of its change at the present stage. Possible ways of development of enterprises of the defense industry of the Russian Federation on the path of conversion of the defense order are discussed. Conversion in this case is considered as a particular type of business diversification. The advantages and disadvantages of such diversification are described for the enterprise itself, which implements such a strategy. As a new way of development of defense industry enterprises in the context of the conversion of defense orders, it is proposed to build their own entrepreneurial ecosystems. An entrepreneurial ecosystem is understood as “a dynamically and jointly developing community, consisting of a variety of actors creating and receiving new content in the process of both interaction and competition”. This concept is useful specifically for defense industry enterprises at the present stage, since it offers a variant of their “soft” conversion and is especially suitable for large and medium-sized defense enterprises. The advantages and disadvantages of two possible ways of converting a defense order and switching to civilian production for defense industry enterprises are substantiated: contract production at defense facilities, or own developments. The differences in the economic component of each of the approaches are investigated and a conclusion is drawn.