Strategic support of the Russian regions: Problems of the assessment of the status of innovative territories

• Published in: Regional research of Russia Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 153 - 161
• Main Author: Untura, G. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Economics; Economics and Finance; Regional Planning; Regional/Spatial Science; innovation; indicator; cluster; criterion; education; financial resources; new economy; science; region; authorities
• ISSN: 2079-9705; 2079-9713
• DOI: 10.1134/S2079970513020111

This paper presents an overview of the most well-known domestic and foreign approaches to the development of innovative territories. Qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating the state of innovation in Russian regions are explored. The role of the Association of Russian Innovative Regions AIRR in the development of a new approach to an innovation-based ranking of Russian regions is analyzed. Four major methodological components are introduced: (1) basic conditions affecting the innovative profile of a region and characteristics of innovation creation and application processes, (2) requirements for a preliminary qualification of a region to participate in a competition, (3) quantitative methods applied for the integral ranking of regions based on their respective innovative development status, and (4) principles of expert adjustment of the ranking. Three criteria and a procedure underpinning the provision of federal support to federal subjects, which actively promote an innovation-based economy, are suggested. Each criterion has its own set of indicators. The results of a trial testing of various techniques applied to clarify the integral innovative profiles of regions that apply for federal financial support are presented. Possibilities for improving the existing methodological approaches and the available statistical datasets in order to assess the innovative profiles of regions are presented.