Objective and subjective factors of the region's competitiveness. Competitiveness of the region as an economic phenomenon. Theoretical Foundations of Regional Competitiveness

The world economy is undergoing qualitative changes associated with globalization, uneven development, increased struggle between the trends in the formation of a unipolar and multipolar world, and intensified competition between countries, regions and firms. Under these conditions, when the market is recognized as a common civilizational value, the strength and power of any state is increasingly determined by the competitiveness of its producers. It is the provision of competitiveness that underlies the development of a development strategy for a country, region, and company. The development of the country and its regions depends on all elements of the market and, first of all, on the competition of firms. But the competitive advantage of firms is created and maintained in close relation to local conditions. Despite the globalization of industries, the role of the country and region where the company is based has recently increased, and the success of firms in competition with competitors depends primarily on the state of affairs in the country and region. In turn, countries and regions develop in a competitive environment. Providing conditions for a civilized and dynamically developing market, creating (forming) competitiveness is a key element among the national and regional priorities in any country, the most important function of state regulation of the economy. However, many problems of determining and shaping the competitiveness of the region and the role of the state in this process remain unresolved.

Competitiveness is formed at various levels: product (service), company, industry (market), region, country. In this regard, it is necessary to distinguish, respectively, the competitiveness of a product, firm, industry, region, country. In general, competitiveness means the ability to perform its functions (purpose, mission) with the required quality and cost in a competitive market. Competitiveness can be determined in comparison with other similar objects, often the best.

This characteristic refers to the evaluation indicators, therefore, it implies the presence of a subject (who evaluates), an object (what is evaluated), a goal (criterion) of the evaluation. The subjects of assessment can be public authorities, organizations, investors, buyers, etc. The objects of evaluation are the product, firm, organization, region, country. The evaluation criteria (goals) can be the position in the market, the pace of development, the ability to pay for the borrowed funds, consumer properties in relation to the price of the goods, etc. Therefore, this multifaceted concept can be defined in various aspects depending on the tasks being solved. There are also various methods for assessing competitiveness, built on the basis of statistical indicators, expert assessments, ranks.

A general definition of the competitiveness of a region can be formulated on the basis of the concept proposed by A.Z. Seleznev: competitiveness of the region- this is the position of the region and its individual producers in the domestic and foreign markets due to economic, social, political and other factors, reflected through indicators (indicators) that adequately characterize this state and its dynamics.

An approach to assessing the competitiveness of a region can be formulated based on the concept of the country's competitiveness proposed by M. Porter. Regional Competitiveness- productivity (productivity) of the use of regional resources, and primarily labor and capital, in comparison with other regions, which results in the value of the gross regional product (GRP) per capita, as well as in its dynamics. Due to its great complexity, it can be assessed by a system of indicators and indicators. By analogy with the World Bank methodology, the well-being of the region can be assessed by four main indicators per capita: by the size of GRP, by the value of production resources (fixed assets, etc.), by the value of natural resources, by the value of human resources (the level education). Taking into account the current economic situation in Russia, the large depreciation of fixed assets (physical and moral), it is of great importance to ensure the reproduction process in the national economy on a modern technological and innovative basis, which requires investment. Therefore, it is necessary to add to the above-mentioned characteristics such as the level of direct investment in the region's economy, taking into account the volume necessary for reproduction, including in high-tech production. The competitiveness of a region can be determined by the level of life support for the population based on international and other standards, as well as on the basis of other indicators and indicators.

Within the framework of the task of forming the competitiveness of the region, this concept can be defined as the ability to create conditions for the sustainable development of the region.

Modern economists introduce the formation and retention of sustainable competitive advantages into the concept of competitiveness.

M. Galvanovsky, I. Trofimova, V. Zhukovskaya write that competitiveness- this is “the possession of properties that create advantages for an economic entity to win in economic competition. These properties can relate to objects of different nature: types of products, enterprises, organizations engaged in commercial activities (micro level), their groups forming industry or conglomerate associations (meso level), and finally, to individual countries (macro level). The advantage of this definition is seen in the fact that it emphasizes the competitive (adversarial) nature of competitiveness as an economic phenomenon, the active actions of economic entities. The object-subject composition of this category is named, which, as we see, is complex, multi-level in nature. In accordance with the above definition, the ability to successfully compete in the market is determined by the presence or absence of a subject's competitive advantages in comparison with other subjects. In other words, competitive advantage is the basis of competitiveness at any level, including regional.

However, the definition of the concept of competitiveness in the above version, it seems, is not without drawbacks. First of all, the authors consider this category outside of space. Meanwhile, competitiveness manifests itself in a well-defined competitive field - it can be a market for goods, services, a financial market, foreign investment, etc. In addition, the purpose for which competitiveness is created and exists is not specified. It can be very different: ensuring a stable, reliable position of industrial and financial groups, industries and other business entities in the competitive field; strengthening the export position in the world market of goods; improvement of the living standards of the population of the region, etc.

A detailed definition of the competitiveness of an economic system is given by A.V. Dyachenko. Based on the system analysis of the set of known theoretical and institutional characteristics of competitiveness by their elements (objects, subjects, properties, spheres, conditions, etc.) and the subsequent composition of integral elements, the author synthesized a selective (generalized) concept of competitiveness of subjects or types of economies. The competitiveness of economic systems, according to A.V. Dyachenko, - "these are relations about commodity production and market comparison of utilities, costs and profitability of their (economic systems) goods and services among analogues, substitutes (substitutes) and surrogates sold in a particular market in conditions of free competition and lack of protectionism."

The above definition contains some provisions that, in our opinion, are essential for building a methodology for studying the competitiveness of a region as an economic phenomenon. First, the competitiveness of any system, including the regional one, is linked to relations regarding commodity production; therefore, it can and should be considered as the main result of the economic activity of the region. Secondly, a comparison of the competing properties of commodity production (utilities, costs, profitability) makes it possible to identify regions that use limited resources most efficiently, and on this basis to determine the position of the corresponding region as a leader in a particular market of goods and services.

At the same time, when studying the problems of the competitiveness of Russian regions in the conditions of the transition period, the formulation of the question of free competition without protectionism is controversial.

In turn, L.I. Ushvitsky and V.N. Parakhina propose to clarify the definition of the competitiveness of the region, including three fundamental aspects in it to most fully reflect the essence of the economic phenomenon under consideration: firstly, the need to achieve a high standard of living for the population (competitiveness provided by the population); secondly, the effectiveness of the functioning of the economic mechanism of the region (competitiveness provided by production); thirdly, its investment attractiveness (competitiveness of finance). The proposed concept for assessing the competitiveness of a region can be represented schematically (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Components of the region's competitiveness.

G.L. Azoev proceeds from the position according to which the category of "competition" is an integral element underlying the concept of the category "competitiveness" of any economic system, including the regional one: the properties inherent in free competition are also inherent in competitiveness. However, the concepts of "competition" and "competitiveness", being conjugated, are not identical. If competition is the dynamic actions of economic entities, then competitiveness is the possession of the subject of properties that enable him to carry out these actions. If the subject is deprived of such properties, he is uncompetitive, i.e. not able to enter into competitive relations, fight in the relevant market. In this case, we can talk about the conjugation of the categories "competitiveness" and "competition" as the relationship between the philosophical categories of possibility and reality. This question is of interest from a methodological point of view, and we will return to it a little later. Now, what has been said is necessary in order to put forward the following version: it is impossible to create conditions for the competitiveness of regional economic systems in Russia's transitional economy without protectionism.

S.S. Artobolevsky rightly argues that “state protectionism in the form of redistribution of funds between regions should be considered as an integral part of regional policy. In accordance with it, state assistance should be provided to those regions that are in the worst (crisis) situation and, in this regard, are absolutely uncompetitive.” One cannot but agree with the author when he says that “providing by the state, without sufficient economic justification, exceptional advantages to certain regions not only does not achieve the intended goal, but also leads to tension in interregional relations, and creates an unfavorable background in the competitive field in the conditions of the formation of market relations.” Therefore, state protectionism should not only not be excluded from the conditions for the formation of the competitiveness of the region, as suggested by A.V. Dyachenko, but, on the contrary, is considered as such a condition.

Earlier, the understanding of the competitiveness of the economic system as a potential was considered, which allows an economic entity to compete in the corresponding (domestic, world) market (competitive field).

Insufficiently deep understanding of the problem of the competitiveness of the region leads to erroneous interpretations in legislative acts.

Thus, in accordance with the procedure for analyzing and evaluating the competitive environment in commodity markets approved on February 20, 1996 by the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Antimonopoly Policy of the Russian Federation, under the potential ability of economic entities to compete, it is recognized that they have an economic, scientific, technical, and personnel base, which for various reasons is not realized. . The conclusion follows logically: in order for the named base to be implemented, it is necessary to eliminate the reasons for its inaction, which is completely wrong. The competitiveness of the region as an economic process is a set of complex, contradictory actions, which are influenced by many different conditions, both objective and subjective: factorial conditions of production (provision of the region with raw materials, qualified personnel, developed material and market infrastructure); general economic conditions (development of sectors of material production, environmental safety, depreciation of fixed assets, etc.); factors of demand for the products of the region's basic industries; social, socio-cultural, organizational and legal, political, factor conditions, etc. Both the general economic situation in the country and the specifics of individual industries and complexes located in the region have an impact on the competitiveness of the region.

The competitiveness of the region ensures the growth of the economy along the path of innovative development. Therefore, in modern conditions, increasing competitiveness is becoming one of the main strategic goals for the economic development of regions and the country as a whole.

TOPIC 9: FORMATION OF THE REGION'S COMPETITIVENESS.

The competitiveness of the regional economy is the ability to realize the main target task of its functioning - the sustainable socio-economic development of the region with the provision of a high quality of life for its population. Competitiveness is realized through competitive advantages, which are grouped into basic and providing (or deep) and superficial signs of the region's competitiveness. However, their essence is the same. The first (basic) include natural resources, labor resources and their qualifications, scientific, managerial potential, production base; to the second (providing) - the entrepreneurial climate, the quality of managerial potential. labor costs, infrastructure.

And domestic economic science, the competitiveness of the region as an economic phenomenon is among the poorly developed. According to a number of authors, “to a certain extent, this understanding is hindered by the apparent obviousness of the content of the category “competitiveness of the region”, its proximity to the category of efficiency: they are often considered as one-dimensional, although the first is based on the latter, carries complex relationships between economic entities - individual firms, corporations, industry associations and national complexes.

The acquisition by regional systems of economic independence in market conditions necessitates a reassessment of the position and functions of each region in the coordinate system of the economic space in which decisions are to be made that ensure the conditions for its sustainable development. At the same time, one should take into account some phenomena and processes that lead to a change in the nature of the behavior of the governing structures of the region. Instead of industry specialization, rigidly planned investment and budgetary and financial processes, the market gives rise to the desire of each subject of the Federation for self-assertion, the choice of an economic structure that can ensure its reliable position in the market space of the country and the world. Any decision related to interregional cooperation is assessed in terms of economic benefits and the possibility of achieving budgetary and financial stability, as well as the implementation of strategic tasks of the socio-economic and environmental development of the region.

All subjects of the Federation participate in the market space, the interests of which intersect, forming a competitive environment. The winner in this environment is the region that has the most reliable competitive position, providing favorable conditions for effective entrepreneurial and commercial activities. In this case, the region acquires a predominant position in the market space, which gives it the opportunity to extract the maximum benefit for the development of productive forces and the territorial organization of the economy.

Competition is accompanied by the concentration and centralization of production and capital in the most promising areas for the development of the market. It enhances the power of big capital, generates incentives for the development of the production of goods needed by the population. At various stages of the development of market relations in each region, it manifests itself in different ways.

With the transition to the market, regional systems are endowed with the functions of economically independent subjects of market relations, the most important of which are:

a) coordination and protection of the interests of the region within the country and abroad;

b) strengthening the competitive position of the region through the scientific preparation of the territory in order to attract investors and improve the economic structure;

c) creation of conditions conducive to the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the region, as well as the stabilization and expansion of the production capabilities of state and municipal property;

d) creation of a system of regional benefits and guarantees for the activities of entrepreneurial, commercial structures and investors;

e) building up foreign economic potential and expanding trade and economic ties between the regions.

These functions contribute to the formation of a socio-economic and legal environment that guarantees business and commercial structures a reliable "rear" support in the sense of social, economic and environmental security, and thereby increase the competitiveness of the regional system.

The subject of competition between the subjects of the Federation can be state programs and projects related to the location and territorial organization of the economy, as well as the solution of social problems. With a constant lack of resources, only regions with the highest level of competitiveness will be able to apply for participation in the implementation of such programs and projects.

Scientific understanding of the problem of the competitiveness of the region is carried out in domestic economic science in the conditions of the most complex transformational processes, when old relations are broken down, some of them are transformed into other relations by acquiring new content and the emergence of completely new economic relations that did not exist in the previous economy. At the same time, the category “competitiveness of the region” plays a special role in scientific knowledge. We are talking about competitiveness, and not about the participation of the region in real competition. This problem is secondary, since it is determined by the competitiveness of the region.

Under competitiveness of the region First of all, the existence and realization of the competitive potential of a given region is understood. At the same time, the competitive potential is multifaceted and is formed as a variety of characteristics of the region's ability to participate in competitive relations both between regions and in national competitive relations, interacting with other countries of the world. The competitiveness of the region in the above sense of the word is described by such characteristics as the competitive advantages of the region in various spheres and sectors of the economy and the social sphere, the conditions for the existence of the region (climate, geographical location), the presence of natural resources, the intellectual level of development of the population.

The scientific understanding of the competitiveness of regions, begun in recent years, takes place in the conditions of the long-term, deep economic crisis that Rossha is experiencing. The situation in industry and in the agro-industrial complex over the past reform period has been marked by significant losses: in less than 10 years, Russia's production potential has more than halved. The output of almost all main types of products has significantly decreased. The list of science-intensive technologies lost during these years includes hundreds of items.

Competitiveness, as well as competitive potential, has a number of features, in particular, basic and providing.

to basic signs of competitiveness include the presence in the region of a developed system of productive forces, which includes natural resources (explored, used), scientific potential, the level of application of technological progress in the enterprises of the region, which creates a general level of technical and technological support for management in a particular region, the degree of development of intelligence residents of a certain area, etc. Providing the signs of a region's competitiveness are its economic management system: the efficiency of economic management, the speed and simplicity of economic processes, including financial, commodity, etc. The same signs include the entire process of formation and implementation of the economic mechanism, which includes not only purely economic components, but also political design and social characteristics.

The ensuring signs of competitiveness also include its institutional component - the presence of various types of infrastructure in the region, from production to market. It is the complete provision of the region with infrastructures that means that the potential capabilities of the region can turn into its real competitiveness and then be realized in the competitive advantages of this region over other regions. The institutional component of the competitiveness of the region is necessary to streamline the relationship between the economic entities of the region and the effective use of the basic components of this competitiveness.

The basic and supporting characteristics of competitiveness are constantly interacting, creating a synergistic effect of the implementation of these characteristics in reality. The institutional characteristic of the competitiveness of the region formalizes the above-mentioned interaction of its basic and supporting features. At the same time, the overdevelopment of the institutional component of the region's competitiveness poses a threat to the self-sufficiency of functioning, independence from whether the region's competitiveness is realized or not. In other words, the institutional component of the region's competitiveness is a form of interaction of the above-mentioned signs of competitiveness.

The content of competitiveness, therefore, is a set of basic and supporting features and the design of their interaction in the form of an institutional characteristic. In other words, the competitiveness of the region is an economic category that expresses the relationship of interaction between the system of productive forces of a certain territory, economic relations and the institutional form of the flow of these processes, which are carried out as a synergistic effect of such interaction.

There is no such characteristic in the economic literature. A number of authors, trying to characterize the competitiveness of the region, mainly paid attention to geographical features or signs of the peculiarity of management. So, in the economic literature of recent years, the use of the theory of M. Porter, who characterized the competitive advantages of countries, is widespread. Actually, Porter is talking about competitiveness, but about competition and its characteristics. However, in the domestic economic literature, this is presented as the characteristics of Porter's competitiveness. If we accept this premise, then the competitiveness of the region (meaning the region of the country), according to Porter, is characterized by the development of technology, the mastery of the factors of arbitrariness and marketing, the globalization of strategies as being ahead of their competitors in action. All these characteristics really determine the implementation of the region's competitiveness, but do not characterize the content of the region's competitiveness itself.

The competitiveness of the region as an economic process is a set of complex, contradictory actions, which are influenced by many very different conditions, both objective and subjective: factorial conditions of production (provision of the region with raw materials, qualified personnel, developed material and market infrastructure); general economic conditions (development of branches of material production, environmental safety, depreciation of fixed assets, etc.); factors of demand for the products of the region's basic industries; social, socio-cultural, organizational and legal, political, factor conditions, etc. Both the general economic situation in the country and the specifics of individual industries, complexes located in the region have an impact on the competitiveness of the region.

The economic, scientific, technical, and human potential is the basis on which the competitiveness of a region, a particular subject of the Federation is formed. Through the influence of factor conditions, this base is transformed from a state of potency into a new reality - the competitive position of the region. The competitive position of a region is understood as a set of competitive advantages determined by factors and conditions that create a favorable position for the region in the relevant competitive field (markets of goods, services, capital, investments). The competitive position of the region will be favorable if it meets such qualitative parameters as stability, reliability, stability, attractiveness for investors (domestic, foreign). The formation of the competitiveness of the region is guided by these parameters. The most important conditions characterizing the competitive position of the region include:

ü convenient geographical location of the region;

ü availability of natural resources (raw materials, hydropower), free land for new and reconstruction of existing production facilities;

ü rational distribution of productive forces;

ü compliance of the economic structure of the region with the modern requirements of domestic and world markets;

ü availability of labor potential, intellectual capital in the region;

ü availability of developed material and market infrastructure;

ü stability of interregional and economic relations;

ü availability of scientific and technical potential and scientific and information base to support production and commercial activities;

ü the region's strategy for the production of products that are in reliable demand in Russia and abroad; a high share of such products in the total volume of production;

ü the effectiveness of existing schemes of goods distribution;

ü balance of the budgetary and financial system of the region;

ü high foreign economic potential, expansion of trade and economic relations;

ü the capacity of the regional market, its proximity to the world (for example, to European) markets;

- the stability of the political situation in the region;

ü trust of the population to regional leaders;

ü availability of a socially oriented program in the region;

ü protectionism of local authorities in relation to the priority areas of development of the region's economy.

The creation of a sustainable competitive position of the region is its sustainable competitiveness. In this regard, the remark of G.V. Kopanev that the stable competitiveness of the region in the market becomes a reality only if there is a reliable and strong competitive position.

In the named form of communication, the central place belongs to the competitive position. If it has signs of sustainability, reliability and stability, then it determines competitive advantages that provide the region with a win in the competition in the relevant competitive field (commodity, financial, investment, etc.). M.V. rightly drew attention to this. Dmitrieva: "The ability to successfully compete in the market is largely determined by whether one or another economic system has competitive advantages over others."

Thus, one should distinguish between the competitiveness of a region as a potential opportunity to compete with other regions based on the possession of a sufficient level of components that form this potential, when the concept of competition is an integral element of competitiveness, and the competitive position of the region. These two concepts in science often replace each other, since in practice competitiveness is very difficult to determine, and even more so to calculate. The competitive position is clearly manifested in the economic, social and political behavior of the region. In this regard, this position is often presented as a strong or weak competitiveness of a particular region. Therefore, only a clear division of these categories will make it possible to single out competitiveness as an objective characteristic and competitive position as the subjective behavior of the region as an economic entity.

The competitiveness of the region includes the concept of risk as the most important characteristic of the economic processes in the region. Therefore, the competitive position and the characteristics of competitiveness as a set of potentials incorporate the substantiation of the risk inherent in this region. The risk is present in the entire system of potentials that characterize competitiveness, and in the competitive position of the region, since this position can carry a different degree of risk for managing, political and social behavior of the region.

The competitiveness of the region should be understood as its role and place in the economic space of the Russian Federation, the ability to provide a high standard of living for the population and the ability to realize the potential available in the region (production, labor, innovation, resource and raw materials).

The competitive advantages of the region are determined by the following groups of factors:

1) the competitiveness of the country;

2) natural-climatic, geographical, ecological and socio-economic parameters of the region;

3) entrepreneurial and innovative activity in the region;

4) the level of compliance of the infrastructure parameters of the region with international and federal standards;

5) the level of international integration and cooperation of the region. Based on the above groups of factors, each region can form its own competitive advantages to attract investment to the region.

In accordance with the resource concept of J.-B. Say, the competitiveness of the territory is based on the comparative advantages provided by such sources as labor resources, natural raw materials and capital with certain characteristics. Between supporters of the resource approach, discussions do not cease about what characteristics a resource should have in order to provide a sustainable competitive advantage that competitors will not immediately be able to duplicate.

M. Porter considers the competitiveness associated with the location, mainly from the standpoint of the industrial environment. In his opinion, the availability of labor, capital or raw materials does not determine the success of the company, since these resources have become widely available. Competitiveness is driven rather by the efficiency with which local organizations use opportunities to produce products. Moreover, productivity and success in a particular area is determined not by the industries in which participants compete, but by how they compete. According to M. Porter's theory, competitive advantages are achieved through a certain combination of five competitive factors in their industry (competition between market participants, the threat of new competitors and substitute products, the market position of suppliers and buyers). Location greatly influences competitive advantage and the types of strategies to be pursued. The condition of the local infrastructure, the qualifications of local workers and other parameters directly affect operational efficiency.

The use of a program-targeted approach in the formation of the competitiveness of the region based on the existing competitive advantages, suggests L.S. Shekhovtsev. In the concept proposed by the author, the main goal is the formation of the competitiveness of the region. Level one goals include:

– formation of production factors (training of qualified personnel and development of higher education, provision of natural resources, attraction of investments);

- stimulation of demand (increase in income, increase in the competitiveness of domestic products);

- development of complexes of related industries (support for the competitiveness of priority industries, provision of progressive forms of organizational development);

– formation of enterprise strategies (carrying out the reform of enterprises, raising the level of enterprise management, improving the competitive strategies of the enterprise).

However, as the experience of recent years shows, the transition to sustainable development of the regional economy is impossible without the widespread use of advanced achievements in science and technology. Territorial aspects of the development of science and technology are traditionally important for countries with a large territory. In this regard, the solution of the task facing the Russian regions of transition to economic growth and stable socio-economic development in market conditions simultaneously requires them to form an appropriate innovative potential.

The bet on innovation in the competitive struggle seems more promising today than focusing on solving other strategically significant business issues. Ultimately, those who take the attacking position win. No matter how high the risk of innovation, the inability to implement them creates an even greater danger.

It is possible to determine the qualitative composition of the region's innovative potential based on several indicators:

1. Research indicator– number of organizations performing research and development; the number of scientists performing scientific research and development; scope of scientific and technical work, including performed research and development, rendered scientific and technical services.

2. Production indicator- the volume of developments introduced into production; the number of innovatively active enterprises; the cost of products produced by innovatively active enterprises.

3. Technological indicator- the number of industries, areas and enterprises that have introduced new technologies; the cost of acquiring licenses, rights to patents; the volume (cost) of products discontinued due to obsolete technology; the volume (cost) of products manufactured using fundamentally new technologies; the cost of technological equipment purchased and installed at innovatively active enterprises.

4. Investment indicator– investments in the field of science and scientific services; investment in technological preparation for the production of new products, trial production and testing; investments in the introduction of innovative products and innovative processes into production.

5. Personnel indicator- the number of scientific and technical workers with academic degrees and titles; the costs of training personnel employed in scientific organizations; expenses for advanced training of employees of innovatively active enterprises.

An essential element of increasing efficiency can be considered an organizational factor associated with the regional association of producers. In this case, it is not a separate economic entity that competes in the market, but a regional industrial complex that reduces its transaction costs due to the joint technological cooperation of companies.

In his article, N.A. Nikolaeva draws attention to the increasing interest of foreign scientists in the problem of increasing the competitiveness of cities. Large cities play an important role in the life of the country. In this regard, it is of interest to study the views of foreign researchers in the field of competitiveness of cities. Scientists note the main trends in the development of European cities, which are also reflected in the development of Russian cities: on the one hand, decentralization, the growth of economic opportunities, on the other, the globalization of the economy, the increasing role of the interstate level in decision-making.

The competitiveness of a city depends on the competitiveness of enterprises and organizations located in it. But in order to attract them and keep them in the city, it is necessary to provide firms with conditions conducive to their competitiveness. Therefore, the attractiveness of a city is synonymous with its competitiveness as a location for various activities. Moreover, the city should be attractive not only for enterprises, but, in the context of the increasing role of qualified personnel and innovations, and for the population, which is one of the most important resources that the city can offer enterprises.

Many scholars emphasize that a city cannot be competitive in all sectors of the economy. Its wealth depends on the ability to attract or create sufficiently profitable economic activities. No city can be most attractive to all types of economic activity, and success in competition is associated with the development of those in which the competitive city has a competitive advantage. This indicates the need for a certain specialization of cities in certain economic functions and their complementarity.

Among scientists there are also different points of view regarding the characteristics of competitive cities.

A detailed description of the characteristics of the processes taking place in a competitive city, both positive and negative, is given by S. Jansen-Butler. He considered such indicators as: sectoral structure (the predominance of the share of services compared to industry); innovation; the importance of the city as a decision-making center; high-tech production and concentration of highly skilled labor force; class structure; Conflict Management; increasing importance of places of recreation, culture and attractions, high-level services; reducing the impact of negative externalities; development of communications and transport; high incomes of the population and the level of employment.

P. Armchair and B. Singh use a group of indicators, by summing which they determine the level of competitiveness of the city, namely: the change in the total value added in industry, retail turnover and the total cost of business services.

I. Begg notes that competitiveness can be achieved through productivity growth, as well as through the possibility of activating otherwise unused resources. Thus, productivity and employment can be considered indicators of a city's competitiveness.

It seems that the following indicators can be considered the most appropriate for measuring the competitiveness of Russian cities: labor productivity, employment level and level (quality) of life (Fig. 5.).

Rice. 5. Level of competitiveness and cities

To factors attractiveness and city ​​competitiveness J. van der Borg and I. Bramezza propose to classify structural (effective infrastructure, sufficient supply of basic urban services, high quality of living environment and effective urban policy) and functional (can a city become a location for international business, a center for innovation, an important node in information network, international center of culture).

P. Armchair Highlights two types of factors city ​​competitiveness economic determinants (location, factors of production, infrastructure, economic structure, urban attractions and recreation) and strategic determinants (effectiveness of government, city strategy, social partnership and institutional flexibility).

This theory becomes especially relevant in connection with the growing role of urban management, which is more pronounced in developed countries, but also gains ground in countries in transition and developing countries.

Urban development policy should create conditions in which organizations and enterprises can exceed their competitiveness, be aimed at strengthening the competitive advantage of the city by manipulating individual attributes that increase the value of the territory to host a variety of activities. In this regard, there is an increasing need to develop a strategy to increase the competitiveness of the city. These processes have led to the emergence of the concepts of "entrepreneurial city" and "urban marketing".

REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS: METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH

UDC 332.146.2 + 339.1 37.22

Modern trends in the formation of macroeconomic systems naturally bring to the fore the problems of the development of the regional economy and the mechanisms of regional competition as a factor in the economic growth of the national economy and the socio-economic development of the regions themselves. Theoretical, methodological and applied aspects of this problem began to be actively discussed by researchers and developers of the economic policy of the regions. At the same time, it was legitimate to pay special attention to research in the field of regional competitiveness. However, due to the multidimensionality, diversity and novelty of research in this area, many unresolved issues remain that hinder the development of theory and hinder the growth of the effectiveness of managing the competitiveness of regions in the Russian Federation in practice. In particular, there is no unified approach to the definition of the essence of the concept of the region's competitiveness, which is accepted by the scientific community, and therefore there is a need to develop such an approach. The importance of this task is determined by the fact that the incorrect interpretation of the basic concept of the region's competitiveness can lead to the substitution of the content of the concept and "lead aside" the researcher. There are errors in the choice of research methods. Thus, there are methodological errors that emasculate the essence of research. This can lead to erroneous conclusions and result in useless, detrimental or erroneous recommendations. In this case, there is often actually a departure from the designated scientific direction. Therefore, it becomes impossible to obtain the necessary results of the study of the competitiveness of the region, aimed at the practical application and development of effective measures, as well as the adoption of effective management decisions in the development and implementation of regional socio-economic policy and the formation of competitive advantages of the region.

E.A. NEZHYVENKO

Interpretations of the concept of competitiveness of the region are contained in the works of A. V. Ermi-shina, V. I. Vidyapin and M. V. Stepanov, A. Z. Seleznev, K. N. Yusupov, A. S. Shekhovtseva, R. G Mannapov, L. N. Chainikova, V. V. Merkushov, V. M. Ryabtsev, L. I. Ushvitsky and V. N. Parakhina, V. P. Shorokhov and D. N. Kolkin, A. V. Lemdyaeva and others.

The analysis of these interpretations must be carried out from the standpoint of their correspondence to reality, correctness and completeness of the display of essential features. Compliance with this requirement is possible subject to the rules adopted by formal logic and formulated as follows:

1) the concept is defined through the nearest genus and specific difference;

2) the definition must be proportionate, that is, the scope of the concept being defined and the concept through which the desired concept is defined must coincide, be the same (a violation of the rule is too narrow or too broad a definition);

3) a specific difference should be a feature or a group of features that are unique to this concept and absent in other concepts belonging to the same genus;

4) the definition should not contain a circle, that is, the concept being defined should not be defined by means of such a concept, which itself becomes clear only through the concept being defined;

5) the definition should not be only negative; it must contain a listing in the affirmative form of the essential features of the subject;

6) the definition should not be logically inconsistent;

7) the definition should be clear, precise, that is, it should not contain ambiguities.

Consideration of the definitions of the concept of regional competitiveness available in the scientific literature from the standpoint of the principles and rules described above made it possible to analyze them and draw the following conclusions.

The definition of the competitiveness of the region "as the presence and implementation of the competitive potential of the region, that is, the possibility of the region's participation in competitive relations" is not formulated through the closest genus and specific difference. The perceived relationship between competitiveness and the potential of the region is legitimate and important for an objective characterization of the competitiveness of the region. However, the presence and realization of this potential, as well as the possibility of participating in competitive relations, does not mean the actual ability to compete for certain positions in the market.

The competitiveness of the region, understood as “the position of the region and its individual producers in the domestic and foreign markets due to economic, social, political and other factors”, reflects the result of competition and indicates the reasons for this result. However, this does not reveal the actual content of the concept of the region's competitiveness through the features that are characteristic only of this concept and are absent in other concepts.

“The ability of the region to preserve and attract resources limited in the economy to retain and, ultimately, increase its share in the domestic and foreign markets for goods and services”, interpreted as “regional competitiveness”, also does not accurately reveal the content of this concept. The formation and use of resources is a characteristic of the sources and conditions of regional reproduction, and not the ability to win market or other positions in the fight against competitors. At the same time, a direct indication of the ratio of the market shares of regions as a result of competition is positive here.

It is impossible to fully agree with this definition: “the competitiveness of a region is the productivity (productivity) of the use of regional resources, and primarily labor and capital, in comparison with other regions, which results in the value of gross regional product per capita , as well as in its dynamics". The connection between competitiveness and productivity is indisputable. This is a causal relationship. Productivity is one of the most important factors in ensuring competitiveness. However, firstly, identification

concepts reflecting cause and effect is inappropriate. Secondly, competitiveness, as a characteristic of the ability to compete, and productivity (productivity), as a characteristic of the effectiveness of the use of resources, have different content, different economic meaning. The indication of the obligatory nature of comparisons in the study of competitiveness is a positive moment, since any competitiveness, which is also characteristic of the competitiveness of regions, provides for the presence of comparative characteristics.

Such an indication is contained in the following definition: “the competitiveness of a region is a complex organizational and economic category that reflects its readiness and ability to respond to the challenges of the external environment (national and global) based on the specific socio-economic potential formed, innovations and knowledge, available and newly created advantages that quickly adapt to the changing market and social conditions of social progress and ultimately make it possible to ensure a higher quality of life for their population compared to other regions, both in the current period and in the future. Positive here is also an indication of the relationship between competitiveness and competitive advantages. However, even this rather overloaded definition does not reflect the essence of the generic concept of competitiveness in relation to the competitiveness of the region, which reflects the ability to compete and the desire to win leading positions. Without such characteristics, this definition can be interpreted as a characteristic, for example, of a region's adaptability to changing conditions or resistance to ongoing changes, rather than competitiveness.

The definition of the competitiveness of the region as its "ability to ensure the production of competitive goods and services in the conditions of effective use of existing factors of production (economic potential), the use of existing and creation of new competitive advantages, maintaining (improving) the standard of living while complying with international environmental standards" contains a "circle" , since the competitiveness of the region is explained through the competitiveness of the product. Without

disclosure of the content of the generic and specific concepts of competitiveness, such a definition cannot be considered correct. In addition, it should be noted that the competitiveness of the region, no doubt, ceteris paribus increases with the effective use of economic potential. However, this condition is neither the only nor the exclusive one. Its introduction into the definition does not contribute to the disclosure of the essence of the concept being defined, but only indicates one of the factors of competitiveness. Valuable in this definition is the connection established by the author of competitiveness with real and potential competitive advantages, which are the entrance to the system of competitiveness.

Important and essential for establishing the essence of the concept of competitiveness of the region, an indication of the relationship between competitiveness and competitive advantages, as well as the relationship with competitors, is contained in the following definition: “The competitiveness of a region is the ability to provide a high level and quality of life for its population that meets national and international standards, based on an innovative approach to the use of new resource potential that is available for the formation and development at a faster pace than competitors, adequate to the modern economy and its effective implementation using modern market mechanisms to create sustainable long-term competitive advantages in all areas of activity” . However, such a definition, firstly, as well as the previous one, does not reflect the actual essence of competitiveness, determined by the nature of competitiveness, rivalry. Secondly, in our opinion, it is overloaded with a description of the particular characteristics of factors that affect competitiveness and are not related to the description of the content of the concept being disclosed. Thirdly, the author relies on really significant guidelines in the formation of goals and methods for ensuring competitiveness, such as the creation of a new resource potential, the activation of modern market mechanisms for creating sustainable and long-term competitive advantages. But at the same time, other factors and ways of ensuring the competitiveness of the region, its competitive advantages, which are not related to building up the resource base, remain beyond consideration. Not provided

and the existence of short-term benefits that can have a tangible impact on the level and dynamics of competitiveness.

The author interprets the region's competitiveness as its ability to "act on the market on an equal footing with competing entities". At the same time, it is not entirely clear what the author invests in the concept of equality in the market and what he refers to as competing entities.

In our opinion, most attempts to determine the competitiveness of a region are currently reduced to an artificial, mechanistic "adaptation" of the term "competitiveness" to regional economic relations within the country without prior understanding of the nature of origin and the specific subject of regional competition. At the same time, unusual features can be attributed to the competitiveness of the region. For example, attempts are being made to determine the competitiveness of a region similarly to the competitiveness of a country, that is, the competitiveness of an economic object with a greater degree of isolation, determined by interstate relations. A region within the country cannot be viewed from such positions, as this will lead to increased regional separatism and create a danger to ensuring the integrity of the national economy. Competition between regions within a country has significant differences from competition between countries, both in content and in form. Without determining the specifics of competition between regions of the country and identifying its differences from competition between countries, interpretations based on such “copying” will be incorrect.

In some cases, the concept of the competitiveness of a region is simply declared, but in fact it is adapted to studies that are not related to the problems of competitiveness proper. Studies that provide such interpretations may be significant for solving other economic problems. In fact, most of these studies are connected, one way or another, with the production of competitive goods by enterprises located in the region. It is necessary to consider the competitiveness of such enterprises as the most important factor in the competitiveness of the region. Conversely, the competitiveness of a region may determine the competitiveness

enterprises located on its territory. But any confusion of the concepts of competitiveness of an enterprise, product and region is unacceptable, as it leads to methodological errors. For example, the paper provides the following definition: “Regional competitiveness is the ability of a territory to produce products and provide services that meet the requirements of foreign markets, and at the same time maintain a high and stable income level of its population. In a broad sense, regional competitiveness is the ability of regions in the conditions of international competition to provide relatively high incomes and employment levels, that is, in order for a region to be competitive, it is important to ensure the quantity and quality of jobs. In the first part of the definition, in essence, we are talking about economic entities located on the territory of the region, and not about the territory itself and the region as an economic entity with properties that are different from the properties of the enterprise. At the same time, very important specific features of the regional economic system and its competitive advantages that determine competitiveness appear in the second part of the definition. These features must be taken into account when constructing the concept of "competitiveness of the region".

In order to avoid opportunistic or inappropriate use of the term “competitiveness”, which distorts its essence in relation to regional studies, it is necessary to form scientific approaches to constructing the concept of “regional competitiveness”.

Such approaches should be aimed at clarifying the essential content of a given concept and resolving the methodological problem of delimiting concepts. These approaches should be based on clarifying the etymology of the terms "competitiveness" and "region"; identifying their true meaning and essential features to prevent the emasculation of the true content; correct linking of the constituent elements of the concept of "competitiveness of the region" and its formulation, taking into account the rules for constructing concepts established by formal logic and given at the beginning of this article.

Turning to linguistics, comparative historical linguistics allows us to identify the original and true

the meaning of the word "competitiveness", which is ignored by many economists. The origin of this word is connected with the term "competition" (lat. concurrentia, from lat. concurro - running, colliding). Synonyms of competition are rivalry (in something, in any field), struggle (for the best results), confrontation, competition, competition. The opposite of competition is partnership. Accordingly, competitiveness can be defined as the ability to compete, struggle to achieve better results in any area of ​​conflict of interest compared to the opposing party, the ability to compete for greater benefits, better living conditions. The disclosure of the content of the term "competitiveness" is also a characteristic of an opportunity or property that allows one subject to carry out an action that excludes or limits the possibilities of another subject.

As for economic entities, their competitiveness, in our opinion, should be considered in the following aspects:

Economic interests and their collision as a source of the problem of ensuring competitiveness;

Spheres and forms of competition and struggle for the satisfaction of interests, determining the directions and methods of ensuring competitiveness;

Formation of competitive advantages as backbone elements of competitiveness;

The relationship and mutual influence of competitiveness and the efficiency of the functioning of the socio-economic system.

As for identifying the essence of the concept of "region" (from Latin regio - "country", "region"), it should be noted that in the most general form, it is understood as a territory that differs in sufficiently characteristic features that make it possible to distinguish it from other territories, and possessing integrity and interconnection of its constituent elements. Modern interpretations of the concept of a region used in economic research are numerous, which is justified and is explained by the multidimensionality of the problem of territorial management. Therefore, in each specific case, it is legitimate to determine that specific content of the concept of "region", which in the greatest

degree corresponds to the objectives of the study of territories.

Most modern economic regional studies in Russia position the region as a subject of the Russian Federation. The system of state statistical observation, which makes it possible to carry out statistical comparisons, proceeds from the same positions. This gives reason to consider it acceptable in the present conditions to study the competitiveness of regions, primarily as a study of the competitiveness of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and also possible for their municipal districts and urban districts. Such scientific works are in demand by the time and are significant in the modern conditions of the functioning of the administrative units of the federation. In other cases, special studies require clarification of definitions. At the same time, appropriate clarifications can be made in the definition of the competitiveness of the region in relation to a special class of objects.

The reliance on the approaches described above and the positive elements of the interpretations of the region's competitiveness developed by various authors made it possible to approach the formulation of this concept in a new way. The competitiveness of a region should be defined, in our opinion, as the ability of a region to compete with other regions in solving identical problems determined by the desire to possess

the same resources, benefits, to occupy a position in the national and (or) world market in the struggle for the highest level of socio-economic development compared to other regions.

Other characteristics, properties and factors of competitiveness are not directly related to the definition of the content of this concept. Including their description in the definition is inappropriate. At the same time, the study of such characteristics, properties and factors of competitiveness, built on this interpretation, allows you to choose the right direction for the development of diagnostic tools and methodological foundations for managing competitiveness, and therefore should contribute to solving the problem of ensuring the competitiveness of the region. The introduction of a refined concept of the region's competitiveness in economic science and business practice will allow more accurate definition of criteria and identify requirements for ensuring competitiveness; to analyze the factors influencing the competitiveness of the region; to diagnose the state of competitiveness of the region and measure its level; evaluate the relevant competitive advantages and reliably determine its position relative to competitors and, on this basis, make more informed decisions on managing the competitiveness of the region.

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The competitiveness of the region is the position of the region and its individual producers in the domestic and foreign markets due to economic, social, political and other factors, reflected through indicators (indicators) that adequately characterize this state and its dynamics.

Competitiveness is realized through competitive advantages, which are grouped into basic and providing (or deep) and superficial signs of the region's competitiveness. The first (basic) include natural resources, labor resources and their qualifications, scientific, managerial potential, production base; to the second (providing) - the business climate, the quality of managerial potential, the cost of labor, infrastructure.

Under the competitiveness of the region is understood primarily the presence and implementation of the competitive potential of the region. At the same time, the competitive potential is multifaceted and is formed as a variety of characteristics of the region's ability to participate in competitive relations both between regions and in national competitive relations, interacting with other countries of the world. The competitiveness of the region in the above sense of the word is described by such characteristics as the competitive advantages of the region in various spheres and sectors of the economy and the social sphere, the conditions for the existence of the region (climate, geographical location), the presence of natural resources, the intellectual level of development of the population.

Competitiveness is one of the main economic categories in market relations, which is formed at the level of a product, enterprise, industry, region, country, and generally expresses the ability to withstand competition with other analogues.

In the conditions of increasing interdependence and interconnection of economic processes in the hierarchy of competitiveness, the competitiveness of the region occupies a special place. This is explained by the fact that the regions are independent subjects of market relations, where the goals and objectives of meeting the socio-economic needs of the population are directly implemented.

In addition, all subjects of the Russian Federation participate in the emerging market space, whose interests are closely intertwined, forming a competitive environment, where the winner is the region that has the most reliable competitive positions that provide favorable conditions for efficient entrepreneurial and commercial activities of all business entities.

The growing competition of regions for investments, which is taking place at the present stage of economic development, and covering the growing level of the needs of the population, place increased demands on the disclosure of the essence and economic content of regional competitiveness. The development of the region depends, first of all, on the competitiveness of organizations and companies located on its territory. That is why the creation of decent conditions for the functioning of organizations as a whole is a priority regional policy.

A general definition of the competitiveness of a region can be formulated on the basis of the concept proposed by A.Z. Seleznev: the competitiveness of the region is the position of the region and its individual producers in the domestic and foreign markets due to economic, social, political and other factors, reflected through indicators (indicators) that adequately characterize this state and its dynamics.

Competitiveness is realized through competitive advantages, which are grouped into basic and providing (and superficial signs of the region's competitiveness. The first (basic) include natural raw materials, labor resources and their qualifications, scientific, managerial potential, production base; the second (providing) - entrepreneurial climate, quality of managerial potential, labor cost, infrastructure.

Under the competitiveness of the region is understood primarily the presence and implementation of the competitive potential of the region. At the same time, the competitive potential is multifaceted and is formed as a variety of characteristics of the region's ability to participate in competitive relations both between regions and in national competitive relations, interacting with other countries of the world. The competitiveness of the region in the above sense of the word is described by such characteristics as the competitive advantages of the region in various spheres and sectors of the economy and the social sphere, the conditions for the existence of the region, the availability of natural resources, the intellectual level of development of the population.

In connection with the new economic trends of the 21st century, the competitiveness of regions began to be considered as an independent theoretical and practical problem of regional development.