Sector Specializations of Regions: Criteria of Localization and Efficiency

Abstract:

The choice of a model of regional development is associated with the identification of perspective specializations based on the application of the principles of smart strategizing: accounting for competitive assets of territories, comparative economic advantages of economic sectors, intra-industry and inter-industry relations, efficiency of the real sector of the region. A method for assessing of the sectoral profile of the region in the context of rationality of existing specializations is proposed, including determining the integral localization index (by value added of basic sectors of the economy, employment and the number of firms) and the integral index of the efficiency of regional factors (labour productivity, return on investment and assets, updates of fixed assets). Coupled analysis of the level of localization of sector specializations and the efficiency of manufacturing industries allows us to identify activities that ensure the sustainable creation and growth of the gross value added of the regions and to specify the industrial policy. The rationality of the existing structure of the regional economy and actual sector development priorities was proposed to determine based on the positioning of territories in the coordinates “integral efficiency index” - “integral localization index”, comparative studies of gross domestic product growth rates, the value of per capita gross value added in the territory. The results of the proposed approach approbation (using the manufacturing industry as an example, including a wide range of sub-sectors) make it possible to single out regions-outsiders and regions-leaders, apply smart benchmarking technologies to preserve mono-specialization or change the course of economic diversification, assess the impact of the basic industry localization in the region on the sector efficiency.  In prospect, it may be the basis for the industrial policy correction and for the search of the new strategic development directions.