Content №2 от 2023
The Crucial Role of Research Environment in Fostering High-Tech and Knowledge-Intensive Companies in the Region
The growth of high-tech businesses (HTBs) is influenced by the scientific and innovative activities of technology companies and their interaction with the external environment. This article explores the issue at the mesolevel by examining the impact of the level of research environment development in a region on the scale of HTB activities. We also bear in mind the industry-specific characteristics of HTB advancement, dividing the sector into three groups of industries: high-tech, medium, and knowledge-intensive. Adhering to the formal definition of HTBs, we consider 17 high-tech and knowledge-intensive activities. Our analysis covers the period from 2016 to 2020 and is based on aggregated data from individual companies in the SPARK-Interfax database and official Rosstat statistics.
Russian HTBs are concentrated in six developed regions (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Oblast, the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as Nizhny Novgorod and Samara oblasts). In addition, these regions are characterized by a high level of innovation and S&T. Companies that engage in activities such as research and development and high-tech manufacturing tend to exhibit a greater propensity for innovative behavior.
This study tests two hypotheses: (1) investment in R&D is a foundation for the successful development of HTBs, and this dependence is even stronger for industries operating at a high technological level; (2) high-tech and knowledge-intensive companies are growing noticeably faster in areas where the labor force has both high skill levels and creative competences. Using regression analysis of panel data, we confirm the first hypothesis. Although there is no formal confirmation for the second one, the analysis highlights the importance of HTB staffing, as companies face an acute shortage of qualified personnel. Overall, our findings suggest a significant relationship between the state of the region’s research environment and the scale of HTB activities in the Russian economy in a stable environment.
