Factors of Transformation of Old Industrial Regions into Potential “Growth Centres” of the Russian National Economy

Abstract

The significance of the study lies in the fact that the effectiveness of the regional policy of the state is largely determined by understanding the factors that determine the prospects for the development of various types of regions. The object of the study is old industrial regions – a special type of industrial region with the potential to transform into “growth centres” of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the composition and build a hierarchy of factors determining the prospects for the transformation of old industrial regions into potential “growth centres” of the national economy of Russia. The author substantiates the identification of three groups of factors: factors determining the region’s ability to self-development; factors determining the potential of the region’s participation in the processes of interregional interaction; factors of the functioning of development institutions. In relation to each group, a content analysis of normative legal acts and authoritative publications of economic periodicals was carried out, which made it possible to substantiate the composition of second-order factors, the selection of which is based on the criterion of manageability. The factors determining the ability of an old industrial region to self-develop are: the state of investment processes in the region; the level of innovative development; the financial condition of the region; and the standard of living of the population. Among the factors determining the potential of the region’s participation in the processes of interregional interaction, the most significant are the development of transport infrastructure, migration activity of the population, and the level of digitalization. The nature of the influences of the factors of the functioning of development institutions depends on which type of institution – support for economic growth or regional policy – has an impact on the socio-economic development of the region. The proposed system of factors makes it possible to take into account the peculiarities of old industrial regions and their role in the functioning of the national economic system of the country and, therefore, can be used for the purposes of a differentiated regional policy for the development of old-industrial regions of Russia.