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Clustering of the Russian coal mining regions: Investment and innovation activity

Author:

K. S. Sablin, Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo, Russia

E. S. Kagan, Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo, Russia

E. S. Chernova, Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo, Russia

Abstract.

On a global scale, Russia’s competitive advantages remain linked with extractive and low value-added industries despite numerous attempts of the government to make the national economy more innovative. The paper focuses on the problem of the Russian economy’s transi‑ tion to innovative development and overcoming its resource dependency. Methodologically, the paper relies on the concepts of an enclave dual economy and fragmented (dual) innovation sys‑ tems. The object of the study is coal mining regions, which are clustered based on the analysis of investment and innovation activity. Statistical methods of data analysis (calculation of descrip‑ tive statistics) as well as cluster analysis methods (hierarchical method and k-means method) are used for processing the initial information. The researchers form the indicators characteris‑ ing investment and innovative activity in the selected regions. Investment indicators include the ones reflecting the total share of investment in fixed capital by economic activities related to extractive and manufacturing industries. To assess innovation activity the authors calculated the total share of expenses of the organisations of extractive and manufacturing industries on technological innovations. The results of hierarchical analysis in a group of investment activity indicators allow identifying four clusters of regions. Based on the innovation activity indica‑ tors, regions form three clusters. The research findings demonstrate that most of coal mining regions feature low or medium level of investment activity in the extractive and manufacturing industries; medium level of innovation activity in extractive industries and medium or low level of innovation activity in manufacturing industries. The results of the study can be one of the foundations for the regional policy targeting the transition to innovation economy.

Keywords: Russian economy; coal mining regions; capital investment; technological innovation; innovation systems; resource dependency; cluster analysis.

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For citation: Sablin K. S., Kagan E. S., Chernova E. S. (2020). Klasterizatsiya ugledobyvayush‑ chikh regionov Rossii: investitsionnaya i innovatsionnaya aktivnost’a [Clustering of the Russian coal mining regions: Investment and innovation activity]. Journal of New Economy, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 89–106. DOI: 10.29141/2658-5081-2020-21-1-5