Content №2 от 2016
Ranking the Subjects of the Russian Federation Based on Their Potential and Rates of Socio-Economic Development
The article assessed causes and trends of socio-economic differentiation of the Russian federal subjects, as well as prospects of its overcoming, in particular from the standpoint of being ready to transfer their economies onto an innovative development path. We study the relevant objectives of regional development policy and present the current understanding of priorities to overcome inter-regional economic differentiation. We substantiate the ways of integrating federal innovation policy and regional development policy. To this end, the article distinguishes between groups of regions characterized both by the common level of socio-economic development and the specific features of their disposable investment, innovation, and social potentials. We identify how regional economic growth depends on the development indicators of investment, innovation, and social potentials. The article concludes that only flexible approaches in the federal regional policy, which account for the potential specificities of different regional groups, will help to overcome inter-regional economic differentiation, including that based on innovative development.
Bakhtizin A. R. cgemodel@yandeх.ru
Bukhvald Ye. M. buchvald@mail.ru
Kolchugina A. V. vostokza@mail.ru
Keywords: subjects of the Russian Federation economic differentiation of regions regional policy
Trends for the Concentration of Economic Activity and Uneven Spatial Development of Russia
Using quantitative methods and qualitative analysis, the article explores the spatial distribution of economic activity in Russia. We obtain the characteristics of the evolution of economic activity distribution by analyzing Markov chains and mobility indices. The study shows that the spatial concentration of production has continued in the modern Russian economy. Along with the preservation and enhancement of existing centers of resource specialization, a number of new ones have formed; at the same time, we are witnessing the weakening role of old centers. Our analysis of the evolution of distribution has pointed out the presence of an active «poverty trap», «wealth trap» and a tendency to the formation of a «medial» group of regions according to the level of economic activity. The final distribution of regions in terms of economic activity, achievable by maintaining the trend observed over the test period, shows the establishment of a rather large pole of relative poverty and a pole of wealth that concentrates a significant proportion of value-added production. The emerging group of regions with the average development level is relatively small. Under such circumstances, the regional policy aimed at stimulating regional development only galvanizes the processes of polarization. A more adequate policy seems to be aimed at leveling uneven territorial development in order to avoid excessive exacerbation of interregional disparities and inequalities.
Strategic Priorities for the Spatial Development of Tomsk Oblast
The article describes methodology behind the economic subdivision of Tomsk Oblast into districts. The theoretical basis for district identification is the concepts of propulsion industries, poles and axes of growth. We divide the area of the region into three economic zones, depending on the density of economic activity, their specialization and distance from Tomsk. The article sets development priorities for different parts of Tomsk Oblast until 2030. Tomsk agglomeration, center of research and hi-tech industries, has been identified as the main spatial development priority. We introduce multiple scenarios of spatial development that depend on the implementation of major infrastructure projects.
Management System for the Program for Reindustrialization of the Economy of Novosibirsk Oblast
Kravchenko N. A. nkrav@ieie.nsc.ru
Klistorin V. I. klistorin@mail.ru
Interrelation between the Indices of Ethnic Diversity and Economy Productivity of Russian Regions
The article discusses the performance indicators of Russian regions and their association with population heterogeneity by ethnicity, by country and region of origin. As a theoretical background the research used the neoclassical theory of economic growth and new economic geography. The study assessed the labor productivity, capital productivity and total factor productivity of the regions on the basis of the macroeconomic approach. We employed multidimensional statistical method, economic models of panel data, including the ones with spatial effects. The results of the study show that labor productivity and total factor productivity are positively associated with population heterogeneity by country and region of origin. This effect is stable for the regions with a higher population density. The study also shows that the regions that develop the R&D sphere, increase the human capital and attract migration flows are themselves the sources of total factor productivity growth for the neighboring regions. The acquired results are applicable within regional economic policy.
New opportunities for regional development: from social tension to social cooperation
The article presents the results of monitoring the social feeling of Krasnoyarsk residents. Here we show the unique situation of the year 2014 when, despite growing social tension and anxiety, the level of protest activity started to decrease. We consider the conditions for such social phenomenon and identify the sources of increasing trust in major political and social institutions. We characterize the opportunities for cooperation between the population and authorities. The level of conformist attitudes has risen dramatically. The article points out that this «social peace» will not last long; the population will adopt other social relations unless there are new strategies for regional development.
Anthropogenic Impact in the Circumpolar Area: the Problem of Perception
Using the example of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the article analyzes the socio-economic aspects of human ecology problems in the circumpolar area basing on the data on environmental issues and ecology-related diseases, as well as peoples' subjective views about their environmental vulnerability. The level of peoples' susceptibility to the objective ecological conditions in YaNAO, as recorded in contrast to the subjective feelings of insecurity from environmental threats, is one of the key parameters of social well-being for residents in this region. We conclude that local residents in the study sample hardly sense any environmental threats compared to the sample of the Russian population in general, and its continuous decline against an increase in actual environmental risks and public health threats associated with an unfavorable environmental setting. An inconsistency between subjective perceptions of environmental threats and the objective growth of environmental threat is defined as a significant social and psychological factor of environmental risk. We practically demonstrate how to increase social and psychosocial environmental awareness.
Innovation Factor in the Development of Russian Regions
The Power of Siberia Pipeline: Fundamentals of the Large-Scale Project
The article shows that this large-scale project, which includes constructing the Power of Siberia cross-country gas pipeline, developing Siberian gas fields, building a gas processing plant and a helium plant complex, will promote the economic development of Eastern Siberia and the Far East and improve their investment attractiveness. An important social result of the Power of Siberia project will be increased employment rates at factories producing equipment and components for the gas industry, in construction sector companies, and others. The Power of Siberia pipeline route was chosen in such a manner that it will gasify the maximum possible number of populated localities. Gasification of households and enterprises in regions will improve the quality of life and the environment, allow organizing a series of new high-performance plants and industries, and enhance the competitiveness of their products.
Influence of the Cross-Border Pipeline «Power of Siberia» on the Surrounding Area in Irkutsk Oblast
The article presents the results of researching the impact of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline on the economic development of the surrounding areas in Irkutsk Oblast. The involvement of the Kovykta gas and condensate field in the construction of the cross-border gas pipeline will have no significant effect on the socio-economic development of Irkutsk Oblast. Gasification of settlements is only possible in the area of gas production, the project does not generate any new elements of infrastructure, and the growth of budget revenues is reduced by federal exemptions. An alternative to the corporative approach is to enhance the project by adding a regional gas supply pipeline to the south-eastern part of the region, which will give impetus to the development of gas processing methods with new technology as a part of the existing petrochemical complex and the overall gasification-based restructuring of the industry.
Strategy Competition as an Expert Judgment Procedure
A variety of perspectives on contributions made by small, medium-sized and large enterprises to the innovative development of Russia and approaches to researching this problem indicate that this topic remains open for discussion. The article shows the reasons why small and medium-sized companies make a minor contribution to the innovative development. Basing on a survey among executives in Novosibirsk Oblast, we have found out that the majority of enterprises follow a conservative behavior model. Under new economic conditions, their innovation goals are still related to updating and expanding their production capacities. Research and development as a basis for developing fundamentally new competitive products is declared to be a priority only in a few companies surveyed. Among the wide range of state support measures for entrepreneurship aimed at easing institutional and structural barriers, the most important ones for small and medium-sized companies are financial instruments. The need to help develop cooperation ties and networking is not yet recognized as a priority.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Innovation Priorities and Development Problems
A variety of perspectives on contributions made by small, medium-sized and large enterprises to the innovative development of Russia and approaches to researching this problem indicate that this topic remains open for discussion. The article shows the reasons why small and medium-sized companies make a minor contribution to the innovative development. Basing on a survey among executives in Novosibirsk Oblast, we have found out that the majority of enterprises follow a conservative behavior model. Under new economic conditions, their innovation goals are still related to updating and expanding their production capacities. Research and development as a basis for developing fundamentally new competitive products is declared to be a priority only in a few companies surveyed. Among the wide range of state support measures for entrepreneurship aimed at easing institutional and structural barriers, the most important ones for small and medium-sized companies are financial instruments. The need to help develop cooperation ties and networking is not yet recognized as a priority.
Development Priorities for Kazakhstan's Oil Sector
The article provides a rationale for the growth opportunities of Kazakhstan's manufacturing sector in the structure of industrial production and output of high-value-added products. This development trend will lead to a balanced use of hydrocarbon resources, which will determine specific demands for feedstock by oil refineries and petrochemical facilities, and export volume. Solving the problem of balancing the volumes of production, export, and processing of hydrocarbon raw materials, while taking into account its qualitative parameters, will play a positive role in changing the industrial structure towards increasing the share of the manufacturing sector.
Bulgaria's Experience in the Formation of Cluster Policy
The article discusses the problems and possibilities of cluster formation as exemplified by international experiences in stimulating the innovation environment in the economy. Basing on the comparative characteristics of Bulgarian and European regional policies after 2006, we analyze the essence of the cluster approach in Bulgaria within European policies, aimed at supporting the development of clusters. An emphasis is put on the priorities identified in the National Development Strategy of Bulgaria for the periods 2005-2015 and 2012-2022. Particular attention is paid to the state's and local authorities' roles in the formation and implementation of cluster policy. We systemize services provided through indirect non-financial instruments to support cluster development in the EU and cluster initiatives in Bulgaria. We demonstrate positive experience in implementing the cluster approach in Bulgaria by considering a specific region, namely Sevlievo Municipality.
An Overview of Indigenous Educational Attainment in Canada
The article describes the reasons for low educational attainment levels among Indigenous peoples in Canada as compared to the non-Indigenous population. We examined intra-Indigenous trends in educational attainment and compared attainment levels between Indigenous and non-Indigenouspopulations in Canada across high school and post-secondary education (PSE). Indigenouspeoples' educational attainment in Canada is improving: post-secondary attainment increased by 86 percent between 1996 and 2011. This tendency is observed for Metis, off reserve, and non-Status Indians. We justify regional policies aimed at developing the emerging trends for Indigenous peoples' education in Canada.
