INTEGRATION PROCESSES IN THE ECONOMIC SPACE OF RUSSIA’S NORTHERN REGIONS

Sergey KOZHEVNIKOV

Candidate of Sciences (Economics), Leading Researcher, Deputy Head of Department, Vologda Research Center of the RAS, Russia

kozhevnikov_sa@bk.ru

Abstract

The article reveals the essence, provision factors, and development stages of the spatial integration of regional economies on the basis of a critical analysis of the scientific literature. The author studies the features of integration/disintegration processes in the economic space of Russia’s European North in the post-Soviet period. The paper shows that cooperative relations of the region with other entities of the Russian Federation, which have been preserved since the USSR, can become an objective basis for the development of integration processes. However, they are constrained by a significant export orientation of the Northern region’s economy, negative demographic and migration processes that limit the integration development in the region’s labor market, and a decline in the level of spatial transport connectivity. The author substantiates conceptual areas, priorities, and tools for ensuring the spatial integration of the Northern region’s economy at the intra- and interregional levels.

Keywords: economic space, spatial integration, disintegration, connectivity of space, European North of Russia.

JEL classification: R12

 pp. 193-208

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ASSESSMENT OF THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF CITIES IN THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Inna MANAEVA

Associate Professor of the Department of World Economy, Belgorod State National Research University, Russia, http://www.bsu.edu.ru

In.manaeva@yandex.ru

Anna TKACHEVA

Assistant of the Department of World Economy, Belgorod State National Research University, Russia, http://www.bsu.edu.ru

atkacheva1993@gmail.com

Elena CHENTSOVA

Associate Professor of the Department of Economics and Management, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”(Stary Oskol branch), Russia,http://sf.misis.ru

chencowa@mail.ru

Elena ILYICHEVA

Deputy Director for Educational and Methodological Work, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”(Stary Oskol branch), Russia,http://sf.misis.ru

EV.ilicheva@yandex.ru

Abstract

Today, determining the priorities of spatial and economic development of Russian cities is a key strategic goal in the Russian Federation. Acting as points of growth and connecting elements of economic processes, cities form a common framework of settlement. Existing urban disparities distort the territorial space, demonstrate its insufficient integrity, which reduces the quality of life of the population and poses a threat to socio-political stability.

The purpose of the study is to determine the features of the interconnectedness of cities in the Russian Far East using the Moran index. The estimation method is based on the calculation of the global and local Moran indices to determine the effects of connectivity of territories by indicators: “population size”, “population density”, “volume of products shipped per capita”, “average monthly salary”. The information base was the data of the Federal State Statistics Service, the distance calculation was carried out according to the data of the automobile portal. The object of the study is the cities of the Far Eastern Federal District, with a population of more than 100 thousand people in 2017.  The calculations made it possible to determine the type (direct and reverse) and the strength of interterritorial relations according to the considered parameters. According to the indicators “population size”, “population density”, there is a negative autocorrelation, according to the indicators “volume of products shipped per capita”,” average monthly salary”, there is a positive autocorrelation. The calculations revealed the presence of polarization in the territory of the Russian Far East. The strongest relationships are between Vladivostok (LISA -0,314), Khabarovsk (LISA -0,026) in terms of population; Artem (LISA -0,165) Vladivostok (LISA -0,084) – population density; Artem (LISA 0.116), Komsomolsk-on-Amur (LISA -0,036) – the volume of products shipped per capita; Ussuriysk (LISA 0.081), Artem (LISA 0.092) – average monthly wages.

The scientific significance of the conducted research consists in the development of theoretical and methodological provisions in relation to the assessment of spatial interterritorial relations. In the future, work will continue in terms of studying autocorrelation in dynamics, expanding the analyzed indicators and identifying spatial and temporal shifts, for a deeper understanding of the patterns of spatial development of cities.

Keywords: Moran index, spatial autocorrelation, inter-territorial connection, city

JEL classification: R12

 pp. 123-133

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DIVERSITY OR SPECIALIZARION? UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE SPILLOVER MECHANISMS IN CHINA

Shicong XU

PhD candidate, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, Suite 250 Ag. Administration Building, 2120 Fyffe Rd, The Ohio State University, Columbus OH 43210, USA

Shicong.x@gmail.com

Abdoul G. SAM

Professor, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, Suite 250 Ag. Administration Building, 2120 Fyffe Rd,  The Ohio State University, Columbus OH 43210, USA, Corresponding author

Sam.7@osu.edu

Abstract

China’s rise to the top echelons of the world’s economies was accompanied by an expeditious growth in domestic patent applications. Not surprisingly, this phenomenon has spawned a growing literature trying to sort out the determinants of patented research in China. However, mostly due to data limitations, many of the papers on this topic use aggregated innovation data at the industry, prefecture, or province levels. In this paper, we examine the empirical validity of important theories of knowledge spillover in the context of China at a micro-level, using a firm-level panel dataset comprised of publicly traded companies listed in the Shanghai and ShenZhen Stock Exchanges during the 2006-2010 period. Our study sheds light on whether locating near innovative firms increases patenting activity in general, regardless of the industry membership of these neighboring firms. We also explore how industry makeup, measured by the number of firms in the same or different industries, affects firm-level patenting activity. Our econometric results show that the number of patent applications by firms in close geographic proximity of a firm of interest has a significant and positive impact on that firm’s successful patent applications. In addition, we find that proximity to firms in the same industry reduces innovation while locating near firms from different industries stimulates innovation.

Keywords: patents, knowledge diffusion, MAR spillover, Jacobs spillover, China

JEL classification: O31, O32, O33, R12, D22

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