ЭКОНОМЕТРИЧЕСКОЕ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ВЛИЯНИЯ РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЯ ЗНАНИЙ НА СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЕ ПРЕИМУЩЕСТВА РЕГИОНОВ

Abstract

This study focuses on the sectoral structure of exports of Russian regions and its dynamics. We also explore the reasons for similarities in export portfolios of regions. Despite the differences in geography, climate and capital availability, Russian regions have more similarities than differences in terms of their export baskets. This conclusion is valid for the six economic sectors we examined based on observations from 1998 to 2018. This paper aims to clarify the nature of the relationship between the structure of exports and knowledge diffusion. Our main hypothesis is that knowledge diffusion has a positive impact on the similarity of exports in Russian regions. Using econometric tools, we bring to light the following patterns: first, knowledge diffusion has a positive effect on similarity of regional exports; second, an increase in the distance between Russian regions leads to a decrease in the similarity of their export baskets, while the presence of a common border leads to the opposite; and finally, a growing difference in socio-economic indicators leads to a decrease in the similarity of regions’ export baskets. The research findings could be used to design strategies for development of regional exports.