摘要:The article explores the features of the functioning of special economic zones, which are an integral part of significant changes in the institutional structure of the regional level of management in the Russian Federation.This issue has been studied by domestic and foreign economists for several decades, but at the present time there is no single conceptual apparatus for special economic zones.This is due to the different views and goals put by individual specialists in the term under investigation.The article provides the assessment of the activities of special economic zones (SEZ) of production-industrial type, as well as the analysis of their functioning in Russia.The research object is represented by the region’s economy, and the subject – by special economic zones of production-industrial type.The relevance of the study is determined by its systematic approach to the analysis of the experience of SEZ functioning in Russia and in developed countries; by identifying the institutional factors constraining their development and developing recommendations to increase the efficiency of special economic zones.The article substantiates the methodological approaches to the content of special economic zoning, and develops a number of practical recommendations to improve the effectiveness of SEZ management, taking into account the territorial features of facilities location.The approaches presented in the article are aimed at realizing the potential of special economic zones – increasing investment in facilities, applying modern technical developments, the possibility of organizing clusters, which will ensure high competitiveness of the regions.