Methodological approach to developing of interregional network structures based on resource complementarity (the case of Northwestern and Central federal district regions)

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve the efficiency of using the industrial and scientific-technological potential of Russian regions in the context of limited resources and the need to ensure technological leadership. The high level of differentiation between regions in terms of socioeconomic development creates barriers to the development of innovative projects and the formation of sustainable economic growth. This requires the new regional development tools that enable regions to leverage their strengths. One such tool could be the formation of interregional network structures that activate resources within cooperation and facilitate the development of long-term value chains. The goal of the study is to develop methodological approaches to the formation of network structures between regions based on their resource complementarity. To achieve this goal, the efficiency of industrial portfolios of the Northwestern and Central federal districts was assessed using spatial shift-share analysis; cluster analysis to group regions by their functional specialization; network analysis to identify potential areas of interaction between regions based on data on the transfer of the results of intellectual activity (RIA) and the proximity of their industrial profiles. The study revealed that more than half of the regions in the Northwestern and Central federal districts are underutilizing their industrial potential. Even when specializing in growing industries, their performance lags behind regions with similar industrial portfolio structures. Most regions in the Northwestern and Central federal districts are characterized by a specialization in low-innovation activities, a low share of innovation expenditures in the total volume of shipped goods, works and services, and declining investment in fixed capital. A methodological approach has been developed to identify promising areas of cooperation between regions in the Northwestern and Central federal districts based on their functional specialization, structural and technological proximity and an analysis of existing RIA transfer flows. This approach allows for an assessment of both the current and potential levels of cooperation and provides a comprehensive assessment of the likelihood of developing effective network structures. Implementation of the proposed measures will bridge the gap between industrial potential and the actual level of interaction between regions, thereby contributing to the achievement of technological leadership. Future studies may include the service sector in the analysis, as well as develop new methods for the formation and development of network structures at the interregional level.