On Ensuring the Quality of Life in the Innovative Economy of St. Petersburg from the Strategic Perspective

Abstract

Aim. The presented study aims to analyze quality-of-life estimates obtained for St. Petersburg using a theoretical and methodological approach developed based on the concept of the qualitydriven economy.Tasks. The authors consider the concept of the quality of life in the context of the Strategy of socio-economic development of St. Petersburg until 2035; measure and analyze quality-of-life indicators based on the concept of the quality-driven economy.Methods. A major part of this study is based on the methodology of the general scientific philosophical approach and uses such methods of interdisciplinary research as modeling, system analysis, and others. The quality of life is measured on the theoretical and methodological basis of the quality-driven economy using the methodology developed at the Institute of Problems of Regional Economics (IPRE) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.Results. Ensuring a high quality of life for the population of the region is a priority goal of the functioning and development of the economy of St. Petersburg. To this end, it is crucial to use strategic opportunities for economic growth and regional development in achieving the social well-being of the region’s population. Different views on the understanding of the quality of life as the main strategic priority of the innovative development of St. Petersburg are analyzed, and quality-of-life estimates are obtained for St. Petersburg, the Northwestern Federal District (NWFD), and the Russian Federation as a whole. The role of St. Petersburg in enhancing the competitiveness of the economy of the Northwestern Federal District and Russia in the context of innovative development is shown.Conclusions. Quality of life is an integral part of the strategic planning system in the innovative economy of St. Petersburg. The quality-driven economy provides a reliable theoretical and methodological basis for making allowance for the quality of life at the highest levels of regional government. The analysis based on the results of calculations shows a correlation between the system of quality indicators of the methodology for measuring the quality of life to increase regional management efficiency developed at the IPRE RAS and several indicators of the strategic planning system of socioeconomic development in St. Petersburg. Thus, the application of quality-driven economy principles in the innovative economy of St. Petersburg makes it possible not only to set the initial conditions for achieving the necessary quality of life, but also to develop a mechanism that would ensure the achievement of this goal in the future.