Title: The main challenges of forming a higher education and science cluster in the country of Georgia

Authors: Ana Polodashvili

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Business, Doctoral Program in Economics, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, 0119, Georgia

Abstract: Research organisations and academics specialising in the innovative development of local economies are progressively acknowledging the pivotal role that clusters play, particularly in the context of the ongoing digital transformation. This paper explores how the cluster of higher education and science can act as a tool for fostering effective collaboration between academia, business, and research, enabling the commercialisation of scientific discoveries and the introduction of innovative products to the market. The paper presents an analysis of two qualitative researches. The first research revealed that the majority of respondents support greater academic freedom, staffing and legislative reforms, improved infrastructural support, increased transparency of information, and enhanced funding. The research of the wheat production cluster in Georgia revealed that a wheat production microcluster is present in the Marneuli Municipality. The findings of the researches presented in this paper will be of particular interest to the identified stakeholders of the cluster, especially the relevant ministries.

Keywords: higher education; science; commercialisation of scientific research; entrepreneurial ecosystem; entrepreneurial university; cluster; sakpatenti; innovation and technology agency of Georgia; Rustaveli Foundation; Georgia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMABS.2025.150588

International Journal of Markets and Business Systems, 2025 Vol.6 No.2, pp.128 - 148

Received: 21 Mar 2025
Accepted: 18 Apr 2025
Published online: 17 Dec 2025 *

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