Specifics of growth points’ formation in an industrial region
Importance The current situation in the Russian Federation is characterized by rapidly changing environmental conditions, which force to look for new management methods at all regional levels. In this regard, the formation of regional growth points becomes an important tool. Their development may lead to the establishment of a region’s economic system with embedded mechanisms of adaptation and prompt response to changing environment. Objectives The goal of the research is to analyze different approaches to understanding the idea of growth points in the economy of a region, and the influence of regional growth points on growth zones formation. Methods We proposed the hypothesis of unbalanced or polarized economic development, on which basis we offered our own understanding of the concept of growth points as a local spatial zone of economic activity, represented as a large enterprise of a particular industry or a set of economic entities within a particular territory, which possess substantial potential for self-development and are capable to ensure dynamic economic growth in the region. Depending on the sources of economic development, we identified various types of regional growth points: organizational, technological, resource and financial. On the case of the Chelyabinsk region, we analyzed the specifics of their formation and development in the industrial region. Results On the basis of the undertaken study, we conclude that regional growth points may become a basis for developing a scheme of territorial planning of a large region. The paper shows that a more complete detailed elaboration should be reflected in the strategies of socio-economic development of municipalities. Conclusions and Relevance We substantiate that strategic studies of local self-government bodies should be within the framework of the regional strategy and be coordinated with development programs of enterprises and organizations located in the territory of municipalities.