Behavioural Strategies Of Company Town Populations: Development Resource Or Factor Of Stagnation?

Abstract

In modern Russia, towns with a single-industry type of economy are characterised by a great number of problems. Amid the downturn of the economic potential of such company towns and dwindling opportunities for the development of the social sphere, human resources, represented by the people living in these towns, becomes the key resource. The key to their solution is the growth of the economic potential, which, under resource constraints, is a difficult task. The authors suggest examining the population of company towns as the most important resource available. Based on the results of the research conducted in one of Russia's regions, the authors draw conclusions about possibilities and conditions of involving human resources in the processes of overcoming negative social and economic trends in company towns. Authors show that special efforts should go into jobs creation and targeted stimulation of self-employment. This decision based on understanding of what particular kinds of industries can be developed in the company town.