Socio-Economic Development of the Arctic: Modern Challenges and Priorities

Abstract

Target.To identify the main trends and “gaps” in the scientific literature on the topic “Socioeconomic development of the Arctic” for the implementation of empirical research in the future. Methods. The methodological basis of the study was a systematic approach, methods of logical, comparative, statistical, general scientific and economic analysis. At the beginning of the study, we analyzed the thematic distribution of scientific publications in areas of socioeconomic activity in the Arctic zone. The selection of material on the Arctic topics was carried out by morphemes from the names and keywords from scientific articles published over the past five years. This sample does not claim to be absolute, but includes the main areas of the Arctic and scientific publications on the socio-economic development of the Arctic, in highly rated publications WoS and Scopus, with the first and second quartiles — Q1 and Q2. The results of the analysis of scientific publications showed that the ecology of the Arctic zone is of greatest interest to scientists: greenhouse gases, melting Arctic ice, microplastics and the concentration of phytoplankton in the Arctic Ocean. These topics are certainly very important, but they are not our field of interest. We were interested in the Arctic from the point of view of management, economics and sociology. These articles are fewer in number, but they are, we have identified the main areas in which our research will be conducted.Results. Based on the study of scientific publications of foreign and Russian authors, we have identified the main trends for the study: • The need to ensure the sustainable development and security of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, the preservation of their traditions, culture, identity as a people, values, customs, beliefs, language. • The need to develop Arctic tourism as a potential factor in the economic, social and environmental development of the Arctic regions. • For the effective development of the Arctic territories, it is necessary to develop new technologies, including technologies for the transportation of mineral raw materials, as well as the development of infrastructure in the Arctic zone. • When managing the Arctic, a flexible approach is needed that takes into account the interests of both the Arctic and non-Arctic states.Conclusions. The authors express confidence that the results of the study will give impetus to the development of this scientific direction and create the foundation for the formation of a scientific school at the North-West Institute of Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration on managing the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, will allow us to form a competency map for the manager of the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Note that in 2018, on the basis of the North-West Institute of Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, the Center for Arctic Research and Projects was created, the purpose of which is to accumulate the efforts of the Presidential Academy and its divisions in scientific and methodological support for the implementation of socio-economic development projects Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Shamakhov, Director of the Institute, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Acting State Councilor of the Russian Federation, 1st class, President of the Association of Polar Explorers of St. Petersburg, headed the Center for Arctic Research. We also note that the North-West Institute of Management has developed and is successfully implementing an additional professional program “Training of management personnel for the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.” In this regard, conducting fundamental and applied scientific research in the field of socio-economic development of the Arctic is an important strategic task for the Academy.