Developing High-Tech Coal and Chemical Industry in a Resource-Type Region: Strategic Analysis of Factors and Internal Environment in the Kemerovo Region

Strategic diversification of resource-type regions involves high-tech industries and production. In a resource-type region, the high-tech coal chemical industry requires special conditions and factors of the internal environment. This article introduces a case study of the Kemerovo Region based on the theory of strategy and the methodology of strategizing developed by Professor Vladimir L. Kvint. The research involved the methods of descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis, and cluster analysis. The development indicators of the regional high-tech industries and production partially depend on the volume of resources allocated for R&D, as well as the level of innovative activity. However, the corresponding regression models cannot explain the differences across regions, which means that informal factors are important as well. In the case of the Kemerovo Region, the level of R&D in the high-tech industries did not correlate with the main economic indicators. Therefore, its lag from the national average level can be overcome by asymmetric strategies, i.e., those related to institutional, informational, cultural, and other factors. The authors also identified a number of strengths the Kemerovo Region demonstrated in the development of high-tech industries. They included 1) the growth points in the academic system, i.e., Priority 2030, a world-class research and academic center, etc.; 2) education system oriented to STEM specialties with a well-developed system of lifelong education; 3) business financing of R&D, etc. The Kemerovo Region has favorable factors and internal conditions for the development of the high-tech coal chemical industry; the current limitations and weaknesses can be leveled out by asymmetric strategies.