Narozhnaya G.A., Mirgorodskaya O.A., Khripkova L.N. Intellectual Capital as a Driver of Economic Development in Agrarian-Industrial Regions of Southern Russia
Galina A. Narozhnaya
Branch of the MIREA – Russian Technological University in Stavropol, Stavropol, Russian Federation
Olga A. Mirgorodskaya
Stavropol Institute of Cooperation (Branch) of the Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics and Law, Stavropol, Russian Federation
Lyudmila N. Khripkova
Stavropol Branch of the Moscow Humanitarian Economic University, Stavropol, Russian Federation
Abstract. The article examines intellectual capital as the main driver of sustainable socio-economic development in agrarian-industrial regions of Southern Russia: Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Oblast, Stavropol Krai and Volgograd Oblast. These territories account for about 26% of Russia’s total agricultural output but face systemic challenges: a low contribution of intellectual capital to the gross regional product, significant outflow of young professionals, a shortage of innovation infrastructure, and stagnation in some regions. The relevance of the study is driven by the requirements of Russia’s strategy for scientific and technological development, national projects “Science and Universities” and “Digital Economy”, as well as by sanctions restrictions that increase the need for import-independent technologies in the agro-industrial complex. The theoretical section covers a retrospective of foreign concepts and Russian developments that define intellectual capital as a set of intangible objects, properties and relationships within the socio-economic system. Empirical analysis was carried out using a hybrid methodology combining the value added intellectual coefficient (hereinafter – VAIC) approach with weighted components (human capital – 0.4; structural capital – 0.3; relational capital – 0.3), based on official statistics. Comparative assessment revealed leadership of Krasnodar Krai in intellectual capital formation, high growth rates in Volgograd Oblast, advantages of relational connections in Stavropol Krai, and stagnation issues in structural capital in Rostov Oblast. Common barriers include low patent activity, weak digitalisation of the agro-industrial complex, and a mismatch between education and production needs. Growth prospects are estimated at 8–12% annually by 2030, provided targeted measures are implemented. Differentiated strategies for the regions are proposed. General recommendations include the development of a Southern Russian cluster, annual monitoring using an adapted VAIC framework, growth of investments in human capital by 20% and the introduction of tax incentives for patents in the agro-industrial complex. Authors’ contribution. The problem statement was developed jointly by the authors: G.A. Narozhnaya – research on the characteristics and challenges of intellectual capital formation in agrarian-industrial regions of Southern Russia; O.A. Mirgorodskaya – interpretation of the analysis results and assessment of prospects for intellectual capital formation in agrarian-industrial regions of Southern Russia; L.N. Khripkova – systematisation and retrospective analysis of intellectual capital theories in the context of the economy of agrarian-industrial regions.
Key words: intellectual capital, agrarian-industrial regions, Southern Russia, value added intellectual coefficient, human capital, structural capital, relational capital, regional development, agro-industrial complex.
Citation. Narozhnaya G.A., Mirgorodskaya O.A., Khripkova L.N., 2026. Intellectual Capital as a Driver of Economic Development in Agrarian-Industrial Regions of Southern Russia. Regionalnaya ekonomika. Yug Rossii [Regional Economy. South of Russia], vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 198-211. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/re.volsu.2026.2.17
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