Methodology for Assessing the Quality of the Economic Space of the Region

Introduction. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need for theoretical and methodological justification and practical study of the problem of measuring the quality of the economic space of Russian regions and its influence on the development of the regional economy. The absence of this type of research increases the significance of this work. The purpose of the study is to develop methodological issues for measuring the quality of the regional economic space and substantiate the methodology for its integral assessment. Materials and Methods. The object of the study was Russian regions and their socio-economic state. The authorsʼ methodology is based on system analysis, econometric modeling using indices calculated on panel data for regions, as well as the method of expert surveys. To obtain quantitative estimates of the economic space based on Rosstat data, an information base was created for 85 regions of the Russian Federation, covering the period from 2007 to 2021. A typology of Russian regions has been carried out according to the level of the integral indicator of the quality of the economic space. Results. An original methodological approach is proposed, based on a systemic assessment of the total influence of a set of factors on the quality of the regional economic space. Within the framework of this approach, a methodology for measuring the quality of the economic space of a region has been developed and tested. Regions were grouped according to the level of the economic space; based on econometric modeling and empirical data, the influence of the economic space on the gross regional product per capita of Russian territories was established. Discussion and Conclusion. It is proposed to carry out a relative assessment of the quality of the economic space using a system of indicators grouped into three blocks: “input”, “process”, “output”. Such a structure of indicators is capable of systematically reflecting the strengths and weaknesses of a particular region, the sources of regional spatial dynamics, and therefore can be used for an integral assessment of the level of development of territories. The results of the study can be used in the development and implementation of regional economic policy, and will also be useful to specialists and government officials involved in the development of strategic directions for improving the territorial structure of the Russian Federation.