Does the Accessibility of Regional Internal and External Traffic Play the Same Role in Achieving Anti-Poverty Goals?

Traffic development can promote the flow of goods and people, which has long been widely considered to have a poverty reduction effect but, in fact, is not unbreakable. The development of traffic is similar to economic and social development, with internal and external characteristics, but few studies have explored the differences between the effects of their poverty reduction. Taking the land traffic of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone (CCEZ) as an example, this paper represents traffic accessibility at a county level by relying on the average internal and external travel times. Rural poverty was identified by the pentagon of livelihoods to measure the Multidimensional Development Index (MDI). Furthermore, a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model was used to explore the relationship and spatial differentiation characteristics between county traffic accessibility and poverty. The results show that the traffic accessibility of the counties in the CCEZ was quite different. The average internal travel time was between 0.16 and 7 h, and the average external travel time was between 4.2 and 10.6 h. The radiation gradient structure centered on Chengdu municipal districts and the Chongqing main urban area, and the accessibility level needed to be improved. Furthermore, the MDI values of each county in the CCEZ showed the structural characteristics of “large bottom and small top”; additionally, the higher the high-value group of MDI, the stronger the spatial aggregation and the more obvious the characteristics of regional differentiation. Finally, the relationship between traffic accessibility and poverty in counties cannot be generalized. The improvement of external traffic accessibility obviously helped to improve the poverty situation in the CCEZ; the improvement of internal traffic accessibility had a multidimensional impact, but it was mainly due to the occupation or spillover of livelihood capital in rural areas; counties accounting for 82.74% would even reduce the MDI and, thus, aggravate poverty.

Waste Disposal or Recycling: Changes in Waste Management in Russia and its Regions

The article examines the theoretical and legal aspects of waste management, describes the state of the waste management sector in Russia and the problems associated with it. On the basis of cluster analysis, regional differentiation in the considered sphere is determined. The efficiency of waste management in terms of current costs and investments in fixed assets, aimed at preventing the harmful effects of waste, for the national economy and at the level of the regions of Russia is assessed. The directions of improving of waste management sphere in Russia are formulated.

The Standard of Living of the Russian Population: Features of the Dynamics of Interregional Differentiation

The results of the study of the dynamics of some of the main indicators of the standard of living of the population in the federal districts of Russia are presented. The relevance of the article is due to the need to improve the standard of living of the population, reduce the differentiation of socio-economic development of the federal districts of Russia. The purpose of the article is connected with the study and analysis of long-term trends reflecting certain indicators of the standard of living of the population. In the course of the study, the methods of analysis, comparative, regression, and correlation were used. The novelty of the results is determined by the identification of links between indicators and trends that reflect the standard of living of the population and the peculiarities of their inter-regional differentiation. This made it possible to identify groups of federal districts of Russia that have stable patterns of dynamics of indicators of the standard of living of the population. The hypothesis that regions that create large volumes of GRP are able to provide higher living standards of the population has been confirmed, which requires a balance of elements of the functioning of the socio-economic system and a certain perfection of the market mechanism.

Labour Productivity as Indicator of Regional Economy Efficiency

The interrelation of labour productivity and economic situation in regions of the Russian Federation is really acute in current conditions, when such destructive factors as sanctions, inflation, instability on global markets due to coronavirus epidemic take place. Therefore, the key goal of the research is to estimate labour productivity in regions as a factor of economy efficiency. Among methods of research it is possible to mention comparative analysis of the indicator, typology of regions by a number of parameters in order to identify regional differentiation. It is assumed that the highest labour productivity is typical of raw-materials regions, which specialize on extraction and export of mineral resources. However, we should take into account that natural and climatic factors in this group of regions increase labour costs and therefore, cut labour productivity. The authors show that in regions with conventional specialization on manufacturing industry (when the raw-materials sector retains a certain importance) the said indicator demonstrates a high value, even in spite of some unfavorable trends on labour market. The authors used the following materials and research findings for preparing the article: results of deep interviews of employment service workers in the Ryazan region conducted in 2021 within the frames of the research ‘Digitalization of Labour Market and Employment in Russia: Trends and Mechanisms of Development’; materials of expert discussions and surveys of employment service heads in regions of the Central Federal District within the frames of the research ‘Organizational and Finance Mechanisms to Support Population Employment in 2021-2023, which Aims at Unemployment Reduction’

Determinanty zróżnicowania regionalnego cen gruntów rolnych w Polsce

The aim of the research presented in this article was an attempt to explain the regional differentiation of arable land prices in 2018 in terms of natural and economic conditions, resulting both from factors characterizing the size, structure and quality of land, as well as the level of economic development and agricultural potential of individual voivodeships. The research used qualitative and quantitative analysis of Polish Statistical Office data. The results of the analysis carried out confirmed the regional differentiation of natural and economic conditions as well as the level of prices and rents on the agricultural land market in Poland. The variables explaining the differentiation in land prices include indicators characterizing the quality of the agricultural land resource, its profitability and the agricultural potential of a given region.

Relevance, criteria and factors of cluster regional differentiation of students in the framework of informatization of cross-border education

Problem and goal. This article, based on the analysis of domestic and foreign experience, reveals the need to study the feasibility and possibility of dividing foreign students into regional clusters for the subsequent differentiation of methods and teaching materials within the framework of the development of approaches to the informatization of cross-border education. Methodology. A series of ascertaining experiments was carried out with students of the specialty Economics from Zambia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries, aimed at identifying differences in educational motivation, reflection and other characteristics of cross-border students. A model of approaches to informatization of cross-border education based on cluster differentiation is proposed. Results. A system of clusters was proposed, the expediency of introducing the described complex of criteria and factors, illustrated by the example of highlighting previous educational experience as one of the significant criteria for cluster regional differentiation of students, was substantiated. Conclusion. Students from different countries have different motivation, experience and perception of information, in many respects this is facilitated by school education. There is a need to find a balance between co-operative and differentiated education of cross-border students. Cluster differentiation of cross-border students is advisable for the subsequent use of information technologies in the framework of ensuring the variability of methodological systems of teaching individual disciplines at a university.

Regional Differential Decomposition and Formation Mechanism of Dynamic Carbon Emission Efficiency of China’s Logistics Industry

Among China’s five major industries, the logistics industry is the only one in which carbon emission intensity is continuing to increase, so it is of great importance in developing a low-carbon economy for China. Thus, some scholars have learned about carbon emission efficiency (CEE) in logistic industry recently; however, few of them have considered the inner structure, regional differentiation, or dynamic items of CEE. To fill this gap, we first calculate the dynamic carbon emission efficiency of China’s logistics industry (CEELI) (2001–2017) using the three-stage DEA-Malmquist model, and then using the Dagum Gini coefficient method, the Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), and the panel vector auto-regression (PVAR) model to analyze regional differential decomposition and their formation mechanism. The results indicate that the dynamic CEELI is ‘inefficient’ overall; it shows a decreasing trend, and the decline of dynamic efficiency mainly comes from technical backwardness rather than efficiency decline. Moreover, the domestic differences are gradually narrowing; the Gini inequality between regions and the density of trans-variation between regions are the main reasons for the gap between different regions and different periods.

Spatial–temporal characteristics and driving factors of flash floods in Shaanxi Province considering regional differentiation

Flash floods show strong regional differentiation in spatial–temporal distribution and driving forces, thereby hindering their effective prevention and control. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of flash floods in Shaanxi Province, China, differentiated among the northern Shaanxi (NS), Guanzhong (GZ), and southern Shaanxi (SS) regions based on the Mann–Kendall, Theil–Sen Median, and standard deviation ellipse methods. The main factors driving disasters and their interactions in each region were then identified within the three categories of precipitation factor (PPF), surface environment factor, and human activity factor (HAF) based on a geographical detector. Finally, the differences in flash flood characteristics among the NS, GZ, and SS regions were analyzed. The results showed that flash floods in Shaanxi Province are greatly affected by the PPF and the HAF, although the spatial–temporal characteristics and disaster-causing factors were significantly different in each region. The regions were ranked according to the number and growth trends of flash floods as follows: SS > GZ > NS. Furthermore, flash floods were affected by multiple factors, with the interaction between factors acting as a driving force of flash floods. The results of this study can provide a reference for the management of flash floods under regional differentiation.

ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX OF THE REGION

The article reflects individual successes in the development of agriculture, which has shown its "vitality" in difficult economic conditions, as can be judged by the steadily increasing level of self-sufficiency of the country with the main types of agricultural products, raw materials and food, a significant reduction in their imports and an increase in exports. However, the development of agriculture does not allow solving its systemic problems more actively, carrying out accelerated import substitution on a rational scale, reducing significant regional differentiation in the standard of living of the rural population, adequately paying for the work of an employee. In this regard, in order to solve the key problems of agricultural development, its state support is necessary, regardless of the impact on the industry of various risks, threats and force majeure circumstances. To do this, the State should observe the principle of special priority in relation to the development of agriculture, commensurate with the possibility of achieving its goals and real financing, based on its strategic importance for the country and as a special way of life for almost one quarter of its population. Only under such conditions will the priority of agriculture be neither declared nor onetime, but will become a strategy for its development, mainly of the advanced type, regardless of the presence and appearance of many internal and external risks, threats and challenges.

A strategic approach to reducing inter-regional economic differentiation: China’s experience

This article examines the transition process from a strategy of unbalanced regional development to a strategy of coordinated regional development in China. A number of national strategies and strategic plans for regional development aimed at reducing inter-regional differentiation have been analysed. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive case study of China’s experience in implementing strategic planning to reduce inter-regional economic differentiation. Using the methodology of systems and strategic analysis, the authors analysed the main directions of national strategic regional planning to reduce inter-regional economic differentiation in China. The advantages and disadvantages of approaches to reducing inter-regional economic differentiation have been identified and recommendations for their improvement have been developed. National strategic planning for regional development is an important tool of regional policy to reduce inter-regional economic differentiation. It is necessary to concentrate efforts on ensuring consistency between the central government and local authorities, coordinating different areas of planning and their consistency, and developing a market mechanism.