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2026 year, number 3
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A.N. Shvetsov
Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control”, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, Moscow
Keywords: regional development, inter-regional inequality, policy of alignment, state paternalism, naturalness and self-development of regional development processes and phenomena, spatial reorganization, dual role of the state in inter-regional alignment
Abstract >>
The article is against the stagnant dogmatism that has been dominating us for many years and distorting our understanding of reality, preventing us from making the right decisions. One of the dogmas of regional development is taken as an example - the imperative of state-centralized leveling of inter-regional inequality. The author discusses the scientific validity and practical expediency of the overdue revision of established views on the essence and sources of interregional inequality, as well as on the absolute necessity and ways to equalize it within the framework of regional development policy in the federal market context of modern Russia. The idea of changing this paradigm is based on the long-term experience of unsuccessful and insufficiently effective state centralized efforts to reduce inter-regional inequality, counteract the reproduction of existing and the emergence of new inter-regional imbalances. The facts speak about the chronic crisis of the equalization system. The alternative put forward by the author is a new attitude towards inequality as a fundamental phenomenon of objectively uneven regional development, which, contrary to stereotypical views, has by no means purely negative consequences, but also serves as an important (especially for the conditions and tasks of the post-Soviet transition from “unitarianism and socialism to federalism and the market") constructive factor in the actual reorganization of space. Provided that the focus is placed on the natural course and self-development of relevant processes and phenomena - aspects that are often underestimated by a paternalistic state. The contradictory role of the state itself is also noted: while declaring the goal of combating inequality and implementing policies to that end, it simultaneously supports and exacerbates this phenomenon through its own decisions.
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E.A. Kolomak1,2
1Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
2Novosibirsk National Research State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: natural zones, economic development, heterogeneity, Siberia, empirical analysis
Abstract >>
The aim of this study is to identify patterns of Siberia’s development in terms of natural zones and to assess the significance of geographical and climatic boundaries for the spatial organization of economic activity, thereby supplementing the traditional picture of the macroregion’s spatial development within the framework of administrative-territorial units. The study identifies three groups of geographical natural zones: 1) steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forests, and broadleaf forests; 2) taiga; 3) forest-tundra, tundra, and Arctic deserts. The source of information on the characteristics of socioeconomic development within the boundaries of these natural zones is Rosstat’s database of municipal indicators. The research methods employed include descriptive statistics, empirical analysis, and econometric estimates. The study revealed that at the boundaries of natural zones, there are sharp contrasts in the availability of labor resources, labor productivity indicators, the development of the road network, budgetary adequacy indicators, and capital intensity. Despite underdeveloped infrastructure and a harsh climate, the taiga and tundra zones are attractive to investors and possess sources of high natural rent. The findings cast doubt on the view that the territory development and expansion of economic activity in the northern latitudes of Siberia are misguided.
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G.V. Bobylev
Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: fine chemistry, innovative processes, regional development, import substitution, innovation policy
Abstract >>
The article examines the implementation of innovation processes in fine chemistry across three types of regions: industrial, resource-based, and scientific-educational. The research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of these processes to develop differentiated support measures. The relevance of the study is determined by the high dependence of the Russian market on imports offine chemical products and the need to ensure the country’s technological sovereignty. In Russia, the share of fine chemical products accounts for only 10-15% of the total chemical production volume, while in developed countries this indicator reaches 40%. The methodological framework is based on the MIT innovation model (Market, Implementation, Technology), which allows for a comprehensive analysis of innovation processes in a regional context. The study covers Republic Tatarstan, the Novosibirsk Oblast, and Republic Tyva. The scientific novelty of the research lies in applying the MIT model to analyze regional innovation processes in Russia and studying fine chemistry innovation processes across various regions. This approach revealed significant differences in the level of uncertainty in the development of such processes and helped to develop differentiated support measures for regions of different types. The practical significance lies in developing recommendations for forming regional policies to promote fine chemistry, considering the specifics of each region type. The results can be used to develop programs and strategies for fine chemistry development at both federal and regional levels. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to developing fine chemistry, including strengthening state support for the industry, developing professional education systems, creating effective infrastructure, modernizing regulatory frameworks, and stimulating private investments.
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V.D. Davydenko, L.V. Nagymanova
National Research University Higher School of Economics in Saint Petersburg, Department of Public Administration, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Keywords: digital infrastructure, regional development, industrial clus - ters, indicator system, assessment, digitalization, Russian regions
Abstract >>
One of the priorities for the development of regional economies in Russia is the application of the cluster approach. The formation of clusters contributes to strengthening the connectivity of the economic space, consolidating resources, and reducing costs for cluster participants in production, logistics, and service activities. However, clusters, as integrated network systems constituting a dynamic network of interconnected organizations united by a common sectoral focus, objectively necessitate an effective mechanism for communication among the cluster participants as elements of this system. In modern conditions, digital technologies are primarily intended to ensure effective communication. Thus, the presence of a modern digital infrastructure in a region becomes a key motivator for the clustering of economic activity and, for the region itself, a factor in attracting investors and enhancing its competitiveness. For governing bodies, given the increasing role of digital technologies, an urgent task is to assess a region’s readiness to provide digital infrastructure for hosting industrial, scientific, and technological clusters. To conduct this assessment, indicators adapted to Russian conditions were used, drawn from a number of international methodologies (e.g., DESI, NRI and RIS3). The evaluation system covers five key areas of analysis: telecommunications infrastructure, digital public services, development of the IT sector and innovation, digital literacy of the population, and information security. Six subjects of the Russian Federation were selected as model regions for pilot testing of the analysis methodology: the Republic of Tatarstan, Kaluga Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, Lipetsk Oblast, Moscow Oblast, and Leningrad Oblast. The pilot test was limited to these six regions due to the lack of uniformity in the nomenclature of digitalization indicators reflected in different sources (e.g., the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, the “Gosuslugi ” portal, regional strategies and programs) and relevant to the research objectives. Consequently, the pilot testing was confined to those regions for which the designation and availability of indicators ensured comparability according to the evaluation criteria adopted for the study. One of the results of the research was the identification and quantification of interregional disparities in digital development. The leaders with the highest and most balanced indicators across all areas were the Republic of Tatarstan and Moscow Oblast; Tyumen Oblast and Leningrad Oblast occupied middle positions, while Kaluga and Lipetsk Oblasts were among the outsiders. The analysis of successful practices allowed for the identification of key factors for effective digital transformation that fosters cluster development: the existence of an approved strategy and high-level political support, active partnership with the private IT sector, systematic investment in human capital, ensuring universal access to digital infrastructure, as well as the implementation of principles of data openness and feedback. The developed system provides a tool for the objective assessment of region’s readiness for clustering and for the formulation of targeted digitalization strategies by public authorities.
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E.S. Stepanova, P.E. Iakovleva
National Research University Higher School of Economics in Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Keywords: pharmaceutical cluster, network interaction, localization coefficient, shift-share analysis, regional development, innovation economy, constituent entities of the Russian Federation
Abstract >>
Given the growing importance of import substitution and ensuring Russia’s pharmaceutical security, the study of cluster interactions in the pharmaceutical sector has become particularly relevant. This article examines the characteristics of network cooperation within pharmaceutical clusters. The aim of this work is to identify patterns of network interaction among cluster participants and to determine the factors influencing their effectiveness. The main hypothesis of the study posits that network ties are highly intensive in regions with a pronounced specialization in the pharmaceutical industry. The methodological basis of the study includes a set of complementary approaches: calculation of the localization coefficient to determine the region’s level of specialization in pharmaceuticals, the shift-share analysis method to differentiate national, sectoral, and regional growth factors, as well as social network analysis to assess the structure and density of interactions within the pharmaceutical clusters under consideration (the St. Petersburg Medical and Pharmaceutical Cluster, the Kaluga Pharmaceutical Cluster Association, Kirov Region Industrial Biotechnology Cluster). The results of the study demonstrate the interrelationship between network interaction parameters, the degree of localization, and structural effects in the development of the industry. The practical significance of this work lies in the development of recommendations for adjusting cluster policy and designing support programs for the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries in Russian regions.
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Yu.I. Derevyanchenko1, V.V. Ataeva2
1Dostoevsky Omsk State University, Omsk, Russia
2Ministry of Economy of the Omsk Oblast, Omsk, Russia
Keywords: creative industries, fashion industry, symbolism, commodification, entrepreneurship, local identity, regional development, Omsk
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This article analyzes the mechanisms of symbolic commodification of local identity in the fashion industry, using Omsk - a regional center characterized by a pronounced institutional deficit and a low level of development in the creative industries - as a case study. Particular attention is paid to how local fashion brands overcome the industry’s structural constraints: weak state support, the inertia of production specialization, the outflow of young people, and low entrepreneurial activity. The study is based on qualitative methodology: 13 in-depth interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs and analyzed using multi-level coding (MAXQDA 2024). The results show that the viability of fashion industry brands is achieved through adaptive strategies - multi-level product symbolization, targeting the social segment of migrants from Omsk with high symbolic demand, and the development of horizontal collaborations within the local creative community. It is concluded that the symbolic commodification of local identity becomes a key resource for the development of creative businesses in industrial regional centers with an institutional deficit of creative infrastructure. The results obtained have practical significance for improving the effectiveness of creative industry support programs, as well as for developing territorial branding strategies.
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A.S. Novoselov1, B.A. Kovtun2, L.G. Muravyova2, M.G. Kolesnikova2
1Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
2Far Eastern State University of Railway Transport, Sakhalin Institute of Railway Transport
Keywords: regional food self-sufficiency, regional food security level, sustainability of the regional food system, Sakhalin Oblast
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This article presents the results of a study on current issues related to food self-sufficiency in one of the unique regions of the Russian Federation - the Sakhalin Oblast. The dynamics of per capita production volumes by type of economic activity - which are the main sources of food in the region - are analyzed; the region’s self-sufficiency levels for basic food products are calculated based on coefficients that account for regional consumption patterns, population size, and actual production volumes during the period under review. An assessment is provided of the degree to which the population’s food needs are met, based on the calculation of actual food consumption coefficients for the Russian Federation, the Far Eastern Federal District, and the Sakhalin Oblast. The trends in indicators characterizing the economic affordability of food in the region were analyzed, and a comparative analysis was conducted of the growth rates of food prices and household income; indicators of the region’s population’s access to permanent retail outlets selling food products in the Far Eastern Federal District and Sakhalin Oblast were examined, and a socio-economic assessment of the sustainability of Sakhalin Oblast’s food system was conducted based on key indicators. As a result of the study, current problems regarding the region’s food self-sufficiency and promising directions for their resolution were identified.
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E.V. Golovatsky, N.V. Nyatina, A.A. Molchanov
Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo, Russia
Keywords: socio-political interaction, triggers, online communities, Siberia
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The article offers an analysis of the triggers of socio-political interaction in the network communities of the Siberian regions using the example of assembling datasets in the Irkutsk, Tomsk and Kemerovo oblasts. To understand the social “sensitivity " and reactivity of communication, the following trigger bases were selected as key topics that structure and provoke a user response: family and family values, youth, socio-political mobilization, and housing and communal services. The purpose of the article is to describe the stated trigger agendas of socio-political interaction of Siberian online communities. Examples of the key agenda of communication against a regional background are analyzed: family, family relations; youth agendas in the focus of regional socio-political communication; housing and communal services (problems of territorial infrastructure); the topic of socio-political mobilization. The need for virtual communication practices to address issues of local importance with the dominant participation of representatives of the public sector is emphasized. The interregional transparency of socio-political interaction in the aspect of the studied subject is revealed. In general, the triggers of regional network communication demonstrate three levels of thematization: end-to-end (network-wide) content; regional material and the most difficult to identify individual and personal level offormation and placement of trigger agendas in the communities of the Siberian regions.
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N.P. Neklyudova, O.A. Kozlova, N.L. Struin
Institute of Economics, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Keywords: assisted reproductive technologies, in vitro fertilization, donation, reproductive health, sociological study, Sverdlovsk Oblast
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The article studies the attitude of the population of the Sverdlovsk Oblast towards Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), focusing on the level of awareness, factors influencing acceptance, and personal readiness to use the technologies and to donate reproductive materials. The aim of the work was to identify the attitudes and socio-demographic determinants affecting the perception of ART. The study is based on a sociological survey of 596 residents of the Sverdlovsk Oblast aged 18-45, conducted in 2024-2025. Methods of stratified non-probability sampling, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and correlation analysis were applied. It was found that 74.5% of respondents are aware of ART, and the overall attitude towards them is predominantly positive (68.1%). In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most popular method for solving a hypothetical infertility problem (58.5%). Only 7.6% of respondents are personally ready to become gamete donors. Statistically significant gender and age differences were revealed, as well as a direct correlation between income level and a positive attitude towards ART. The research results can be used by healthcare authorities and specialized medical institutions to develop targeted public awareness programs, overcome the stigmatization of ART, and generate strategies for attracting donors of reproductive materials.
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E.V. Nekhoroshkov1, A.A. Aroshidze1,2, V.A. Kuznetsova1, P.S. Khristenko1
1Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, Russia
2Siberian Transport University, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: Russian Arctic, North Sea Route, Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, large-scale projects, long-term forecasting, scenario approach
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The article examines the problem of long-term forecasting for large-scale infrastructure projects, using as an example the spatial development of the Arctic regions and the maritime transport infrastructure of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) within the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor. Given the heightened state-level focus on the NSR’s development against the backdrop of intensifying global competition for the Arctic, the relevance of the research problem and contemporary challenges for Russia are highlighted. The aim of this work is to structure the problem of long-term forecasting in the implementation of unique infrastructure projects, using the Arctic and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor as flagship economic initiatives under conditions ofsignificant risk and environmental uncertainty. The paper reviews global and Russian research practices concerning large-scale infrastructure projects, taking into account their impact on economic development and other spheres of national economies, as well as the specifics of research on Russia’s Arctic territories and the development of the NSR as a driver of economic growth. Criteria are identified for assessing the alignment of the Arctic and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor with the attributes of an economic flagship. Scenario-based approaches to Arctic studies are analyzed, and the conceptual outlines of external environment scenarios are formulated. Integrating infrastructure projects into these scenario frameworks is proposed as a method to mitigate the impact of risk and uncertainty in long-term forecasting. Considering the specificities of research methodologies for large-scale projects and the unique nature of the given infrastructure initiative, the article formulates further research approaches. These are based on system analysis tools for assessing and forecasting long-term sustainable development under the influence of external risk factors and uncertainties.
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A.K. Tulokhonov, S.N. Ivanova
Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulan-Ude, Russia
Keywords: Asian Russia, border regions, “black box”, depopulation, spatial development, comparative analysis, Chukotka, Alaska, Transbaikalia
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The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic development of Russia’s eastern borderlands within the context of a comparative study of the adjacent territories of China, Japan, and the United States. The study examines the socio-economic dynamics of the border regions of Asian Russia in comparison with adjacent territories abroad. The topic is explored through an analysis of the underlying causes of the depressed state of the eastern borderlands of the Russian Federation. The purpose of this article is to identify the factors driving population decline and economic stagnation amid rapid growth in regions with similar natural and climatic conditions in China and the United States. The study’s hypothesis is that the reasons for this lag are not related to geographic remoteness or climate severity, but to institutional flaws in the governance system and the underestimation of development factors. The methodology used is a “black box" approach, which allows assessing the internal content of a system by comparing input conditions and final social outcomes. A comparative analysis of living standards is conducted using the examples of Zabaikalsk and Manchuria, Chukotka and Alaska. The results of the study demonstrate that the key barriers to development include a lack of strategic planning, regression in transport infrastructure, insufficient attention to nationalpolicy, and the dominance of a resource-based economic model. It is shown that effective development of the territory is impossible without transport connectivity, support for indigenous peoples, and economic specialization, taking into account competition from neighboring countries. The application of these results extends to regional strategic planning and the adjustment of the National Development Program for the Far East. The authors conclude that continuing with current approaches risks depopulating Asian Russia. Improving spatial strategy requires restoring the role of science and moving from a capital-centric model to a policy of equalizing living standards across borders.
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Yu.P. Voronov
Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: soil fertility, technological stages, chernozem, black soil, experiments, microorganisms, land reclamation, agricultural science
Abstract >>
Two previous articles by the author, focusing on the implications of climate change for agricultural production in Siberia, have been published in this journal (Region: Economics & Sociology, 2024, No. 3, pp. 5-23; 2025, No. 3, pp. 304-323). This article discusses a method for the practical use of land becoming available due to the northward retreat of the southern border of the taiga. Five technological stages of artificial chernozem cultivation are presented, identified by the author based on a variety of specific methods: applying a layer of activated carbon, followed by a layer of starter chernozem, introducing beneficial microorganisms into the soil, colonizing it with earthworms and ants, and sowing grasses and planting shrubs. For each stage of the technology, the advantages of cultivating artificial chernozem on the lands of Southern Siberia-which are being freed from the taiga due to climate warming-are examined. Recent results of experiments on the cultivation of artificial chernozem in various countries around the world are reviewed. The emergence of a new branch of scientific knowledge surrounding these experiments is demonstrated.
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O.V. Buryy
Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Socio-Economic and Energy Problems of the North, Syktyvkar, Russia
Keywords: energy transition, sustainable development, economy, energy mix, electricity intensity, energy poverty, ecology, marker pollutants, Komi Republic
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Modern society, striving for sustainable development, puts forward strict requirements for energy systems. They must ensure economic growth, universal access to reliable energy supply, and environmental safety. However, the regional aspects of the energy transition in Russia are still poorly understood due to methodological fragmentation and incompleteness of statistical information. This negatively affects the quality of the findings and jeopardizes the achievement of national sustainable development goals and implementation of the climate agenda. The purpose of the work is a comprehensive assessment of the energy system in the Komi Republic on the priorities of sustainable development and energy transition. The analysis of individual parameters of its functioning, taking into account the energy and economic characteristics of the region from 1998 to 2024, is presented. It has been found that regional energy system secures the tasks of economic growth, but the outdated structure of the economy and the actual isolation of the system limit the possibilities of energy transition. A review of the current situation with energy poverty has shown that even with the current “carbon-based" energy sector, households bear a significant financial burden, forcing up to 30% of the Komi Republic’s population to rely on social support measures. The impact of structural changes in the energy sector on the natural environment was assessed through the dynamics of emissions of marker pollutants. It is shown that the twofold decrease in a quarter of a century is due to the crisis in the extractive industry of the region and the increasing effectiveness of environmental protection measures.
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Abstract >>
From October 14 to 17, 2026, the Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS) is hosting a conference in memory of the Institute’s former director, Academician Alexander Grigoryevich Granberg, who would have turned 90 this year. Through this event, colleagues and students pay tribute to an extraordinary individual-a distinguished scientist, a leader in the scientific community, a mentor, and a dedicated public and civic figure.
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