ASSESSING RESEARCH POTENTIAL OF THE REGIONS OF THE VOLGA FEDERAL DISTRICT

Based on the analysis of scientific literature over the past 15 years, the existing methodological approaches to assessing research potential of a region have been systematized within three areas: (1) the innovative component of human (intellectual) capital; (2) the innovative potential of a region; (3) the scientific potential and scientific and technological development of a region. It is noted that the greatest interest for assessing research potential at the level of constituent entities of the Russian Federation is represented by methods that combine all three designated areas. The author’s methodological approach to assessing research potential of regions is presented, combining scientific and research indices. The advantages of this approach are revealed, including prioritization of the role of a person at the stage of formation of research potential and its development, simplicity of calculations and interpretation of results based on the level scale, flexibility and adaptability, practical significance. The selection of regions within the Volga Federal District (VFD) for updating and deepening the results of the assessment of research potential based on the proposed methodology is substantiated. It is emphasized that the selected macroregion, possessing significant resource production potential, retains key competences in strategically important industries, however, the foundation for their long-term sustainable development should be research potential, which acts not only as a source of innovative solutions, but also as a tool for scientifically based (evidence-based) policy for making management decisions. Using the proposed methodology, the values of the scientific and research indices of the VFD regions for the period from 2020 to 2023 were updated. The obtained results are correlated with the factors that can act as possible causes of the corresponding identified level of values for each of the indicators. Based on the obtained results, research hypotheses are formulated for further verification as part of the continuation of the study.

research potential, scientific index, research index, regional development, Volga Federal District, assess- ment, methodological approach, level scale, science, research

Moskvitina E. I. Assessing research potential of the regions of the Volga Federal District. Biznes. Obrazovanie. Pravo = Business. Education. Law. 2025;2(71):115—119. DOI: 10.25683/VOLBI.2025.71.1295.