Universities as promoter of a new social and industrial development of national economy

The article is devoted in forming the new scientific stream in university social responsibility (USR) investigation. This stream delegates to universities the role of promoter of new social and industrial development of national economy. The peculiarities are revealed of such development allowing to substantiate participants of this process and to define the central role of universities as its promoter. Consideration of this role allows broadening the USR definition, thanks to revealing the universities' influence on forming neo-industrialisation potentials. The features of USR in various countries in terms of neo-industrialisation are considered. In all countries' cases the separate elements are present of the university functions highlighted in the article. However the single complex approach is absent. This allowed developing USR definition through substantiating the USR directions, functions, indicators. Based on opinions of all participants revealed the estimation is made of USR development in Russia and the USR prospects are revealed.