Diagnostics of the organic connectivity, structural and technological gaps in the specializations of Russian regions

Purpose: to develop a methodological approach to diagnosing structural and technological gaps in regional specializations based on assessing organic connectivity as a stable and recurring situation of joint localization of industries in the economy of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

Methods: the study was conducted using methods of the system and economic-statistical analysis based on data from 82 constituent entities of the Russian Federation for the period 2024–2025. The study was based on 256 groups of economic activities in the context of industries that are jointly localized in the region. The mapping of the regional industry space was conducted using the Force Atlas 2 graph layout algorithm.

Results: a graph of the industrial space of the regions is constructed, the connectivity and mutual arrangement of 256 groups of activities in the economy of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are determined. The boundaries and composition of organic clusters are defined – fragments of the industrial space that require similar regional conditions and form specific industrial competencies. Using the example of the Chelyabinsk region, a set of organic clusters has been revealed that form the economic specializations and comparative advantages of the region. Technological gaps (activities with a low level of localization) and structural gaps (industries that are not localized in the region) have been identified, generally limiting the industrial self-sufficiency, potential and long-term economic growth of the region.

Conclusions and Relevance: it has been established that the joint localization of industries in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation is not accidental. Within the framework of the formed organic clusters, the low localization of certain activities indicates the presence of technological gaps as a medium-term development reserve, while non-localized activities are considered as structural gaps that need to be neutralized to ensure the self-sufficiency of economic specializations and the growth of the economy's production capabilities in the long term.

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