Development of single-industry regions in the economic space of Russia: comparative analysis

The article is devoted to the analysis of the directions of the economy structure development of single-industry regions, the specific features of the “industrial transition” with a focus on strengthening sectoral diversity, which is typical for all countries of the world. The purpose of the study has been to substantiate the existing development tracks in relation to the position of the core industry and changes in the level of manufacturability of the activities of the region's space. The study has been carried out on the example of four regions of the Russian Federation specializing in the metallurgical industry (Lipetsk, Vologda, Chelyabinsk regions, and Krasnoyarsk Territory). The methodology of the work is based on the theory of new economic geography and the uniqueness of the territorial economy even of regions similar in terms of single industry. Modern methods, coefficient and correlation analysis have been used to compare the types of activities by the Russian National Classifier of Economic Activities and the principles of grouping branches of the Eurostat from the standpoint of the manufacturability of sectors. As a result of assessing the structure of the regional economy and cross-interactions between industries, alternative options for the development of metallurgical regions have been substantiated from the standpoint of the role of a single industry and the activity of sectors of different levels of manufacturability. An increase in the presence of industries not assessed by the level of manufacturability (Lipetsk Region and Krasnoyarsk Territory) and strengthening in the regions of medium-high manufacturability activities (Vologda and Chelyabinsk regions) have been revealed. It is concluded that cross-interaction between medium-low and medium-high industries is activated in regions with intra-industry diversification (both within the metallurgical and machine-building industries, as in the Chelyabinsk Region). The practical significance of the findings lies in the development of an analytical platform for the formation of a strategy for the development of basic sectors of the economy and monitoring its implementation.