Regional features of formation of non-traditional sources of competitive advantages

The article was prepared for a scientific substantiation of the possibility of creation of competitive advantage due to the unique resource base of specially protected natural territories of a large industrial region. When looking for internal reserves of competitiveness growth, the regional executive authorities, being important management agents at the regional level, have the ability of tracking individual characteristics in the spheres of activity and forming a common regional trend in the determination of competitive advantages of the social and economic development of administrative and territorial units. The nature of the trend depends on the sphere of public life in the region which is revised by the authors. In the regions with a high level of urbanization, industrialization, pollution and degradation of natural components, the emphasis in choosing the competitive advantages should gradually shift towards the sources that ensure the reproduction of social parameters of the population’s life, and in particular, a favorable environment. The analysis showed that in the Volgograd region this aspect of research is not studied thoroughly.