Title: Spatial effects for the eastern and western regions of Russia: a comparative analysis

Authors: Olga Demidova

Addresses: Department of Applied Economics, National Research University, Higher School of Economics (HSE), Room 4331, 26 Shabolovka str., Moscow 119049, Russia

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify the spatial effects of the main macroeconomic indicators of the eastern and western regions of Russia. These regions differ significantly in population densities and distances between cities. The main research question is the following: how do events in one of the western or eastern regions affect similar indicators in other western and eastern regions? Our analysis revealed: 1) a positive spatial correlation of the main macroeconomic indicators for the western regions; 2) both positive and negative externalities for the eastern regions; 3) a mutual but asymmetric influence of eastern and western regions. Usually 'impulses' from the western regions have a positive effect on the eastern regions, but 'impulses' from the eastern regions usually do not affect the western regions.

Keywords: Russian regions; Russia; spatial effects; spatial econometric models; econometrics; macroeconomic indicators; externalities; asymmetric influence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPEE.2015.069594

International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, 2015 Vol.8 No.2, pp.153 - 168

Received: 13 Jan 2014
Accepted: 31 Mar 2014
Published online: 28 May 2015 *

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