Cherepanova E. A., Shirokova P. A., Nazarenko G. A., Prusikhin O. E., Krutov O. D., Aleksandrov E. A., Koldobskaya N. A. The impact of path dependence on the adaptation of old-developed industrial regions of the Lower Oka Region to changing economic conditions in the post-Soviet period // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №4. P. 165-184.

EDN: RHYULJ

Annotation

The article considers the influence of “path dependence” on the adaptation of old industrial territories of the Nizhny Novgorod Region to the changing economic conditions in the post-Soviet period. The authors identify two different development trajectories — in the northern part (Pavlovsky and Vachsky districts) with a predominance of small business and handicraft production and in the southern part (Vyksa, Kulebaki, Navashino) with a predominance of large enterprises. The study is based on interviews, statistical and archival data. The comparative analysis showed that northern territories managed to adapt by restructuring and diversification of production based on the historical handicraft traditions, while southern territories maintained a monocentric model with the city-forming enterprise determining economic and social life. The authors identify three types of “blocking effects” (functional, political, and cognitive) that make it diff icult to diversify the economy in southern regions. On the contrary, in northern regions, a developed network of cooperating small enterprises contributes to the sustainability and flexibility of the local economy. Thus, historical specialization of territories still determines their development trajectories.

Keywords

Old industrial territories, path dependency, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Lower Oka Region, small towns, single-industry towns, ferrous metallurgy.  

About the authors

Ekaterina A. Cherepanova, Senior Analyst, Center for Strategic Research, Gazetny Per., 3–5, bldg. 1, Moscow, 125009, Russia.
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Polina A. Shirokova, Independent Researcher. Sitnikova St., 2, Balashikha, Moscow Region, 143923, Russia.
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Grigory A. Nazarenko, PhD Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Oleg E. Prusikhin, PhD Student, Senior Engineer, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Oleg D. Krutov, PhD Student, Senior Engineer, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Evgeny A. Aleksandrov, Master’s Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Natalia A. Koldobskaya, PhD (Geography), Associate Professor, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Fadeeva O. P. Digitalization “from above” in the Russian agro-industrial complex: From projects to reality // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №3. P. 205-233.

EDN: LYCPIE

Annotation

Digitalization of almost all aspects of life in contemporary Russia has not bypassed the agricultural sector. Due to its combination with a clear administrative message to control everything in the economy, this gives interesting results for researchers and sometimes unexpected ones for developers. Thus, digitalization has already determined additional costs for producers and ultimately for consumers of agricultural products. In-depth interviews with direct users of information systems, which are quickly introduced by the state to ensure the “traceability” of all chains from inputs producers to outputs consumers, on the one hand, revealed the most acute organizational and technical problems associated with the implementation and practical operation of such systems; on the other hand, raise the question of the government intervention in business processes that have significant and difficult to standardize features. The imperative implementation of numerous information systems that are difficult to integrate can make life easier but also complicate it for producers. Moreover, the completely understandable desire of officials to know everything often leads to consequences that are opposite to expectations, thus creating an “illusion of control” based on unreliable information.

Keywords

Agricultural producers, federal state information systems (FGIS), FGIS “VetIS”, FGIS “Grain”, FGIS “Saturn”, Unified Federal Information System on Agricultural Lands (EFIS ZSN), traceability of production and sales, Altay Region, Krasnodar Region, Novosibirsk Region, Nizhny Novgorod Region.

About the author

Olga P. Fadeeva, PhD (Sociology), Head of the Department, Institute of Economics and Organization of Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Ac. Lavrentyev Prosp., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
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