Assessing the Feasibility of Establishing special Economic Zones: Geo-economic Mapping Method

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to systematize factors of successful and sustainable functioning of special economic zones, as well as to develop tools to map of zones on a map of a country with the competitive advantages of individual territories identified therein in order to make recommendations for improving the zonal policy. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in the context of global shocks, a special preferential regime, flexible governance models of special economic zones are not determinants of their successful application in order to promote national investment strategies. The geo-economic advantages of the territories within which the special economic zones operate come to the fore. Such advantages are the basis for the formation of poles of economic, commercial, industrial and innovative growth. The use of methods of theoretical (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and empirical (comparison, measurement) research allowed the authors to reveal the content of effects associated with the functioning of special zones, to highlight the problems of their measurement; to generalize the features of preferential regimes of Russia; to systematize the geo-economic factors of successful and sustainable operation of special zones. The method of geo-economic mapping was used to identify the correspondence between the competitive advantages of territories and special zones created within their borders. As a result, it is proposed to classify key geo-economic factors that determine the potential successful functioning of special zones into three groups: spatial, economic and organizational. These groups of factors, according to the authors, should be considered in terms of formation and retention of geo-economic advantages: general, caused by public management and specialized. The method of geo-economic mapping identifies regions whose special zones correspond to the level of development of the identified geo-economic advantages, as well as those whose conditions are most likely not to maximize the effect of the special zones localized in their territory. It is recommended to establish a system for monitoring the conformity of specialization of regions with the profile of special economic zones established within their borders.