Young people's readiness for innovative business activity in small Russian cities

The effective development of the small cities of Russia is required as an important link in the national economy. The defining condition of such development is the activation of innovative business activity at various levels. However, the results of sociological research convincingly testify that small cities are not provided in due measure with the qualified personnel capable of initiating or actively joining in innovative business activity. In this regard research in the designated area is necessary, important and timely. In the article the essence of the concept “readiness for innovative business activity” is elucidated as the activity of the specialist in the production and realization of innovations, undertaken for the purpose of achieving positive results. The structure of the identity of the expert capable of the implementation of innovative business activity in the conditions of the small city is described: thus, the general qualities (motivation of self-realization and achievement of success, creativity, the developed logical and critical thinking are marked out; reflexivity, conscious self-control of activity) and the special, characteristic of innovators in the small city (ethnocultural tolerance; knowledge of the features and traditions of the region; developed leadership skills; communicative and information competences; emotional stability, adequate self-assessment). It gives the results and analysis of the testing of the school and university students living in small cities, which is carried out using N.M. Lebedeva and A.N. Tatarko's technique.