Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Intermediary Organizations’ Performance in the Context of the Prospects for De-shadowing Their Activities

Abstract

The article substantiates the relevance of assessing the efficiency of intermediary organizations’ functioning, taking into account the prospects for informal economy reduction. It is demonstrated that in the context of the growing role of network-based business structures and a significant share of the shadow economy, intermediary organizations perform a key managerial and institutional function in formalizing economic interactions. A comprehensive assessment framework is proposed, integrating structural, network, spatial, institutional, and corrective indicators. Purpose. The aim of the article is to substantiate and define a framework for evaluating the efficiency of intermediary organizations’ functioning, considering the prospects for informal economy reduction. Methods. The study employs systemic and process-based approaches, institutional capacity concepts, and network interaction theory. The methods include critical analysis of scientific sources and international recommendations, comparative analysis of cluster development models and the role of intermediaries, structural-logical modeling for constructing an integrated multi-level assessment model, and content analysis to identify key indicator groups (resources, processes, intermediate and final outcomes, degree of formalization). Results. Modern approaches to assessing the efficiency of intermediary organizations in cluster systems are summarized, revealing the following problems: fragmented evaluation indicators, limited adaptation of existing models to high-shadow-economy contexts, insufficient consideration of intermediaries’ role in coordination and informal economy reduction, and the absence of an integrated model linking resources, processes, enterprise outcomes, and regional development results. On this basis, a multi-level integrated model is proposed, supplemented by a system of integrated performance indicators covering quantitative, structural, processual, and outcome aspects of intermediary organizations’ functioning. Conclusions. The proposed integrated model for evaluating the efficiency of intermediary organizations in cluster systems allows combining cyclic improvement tools and organizational excellence principles with a comprehensive indicator system. It provides a foundation for translating theoretical approaches into practical tools for assessing efficiency in cluster management and informal economy reduction.