Regional Identity in Strategy

The article features the concept of regional identity in Kuzbass. On the one hand, regional identity is based on the policy of strategizing the management and promotion as part of the Regional Development Strategy through 2035. On the other hand, it reveals various semantic identity structures in the long-term strategic initiative of Kemerovo State as part of The Kuzbass Development Strategy through 2071. The analysis involved the challenges of systemic and functional problems of regional development that appeared as a result of socio-economic changes in the digital economy. It also described the projects of innovation and leadership centers. The authors believe that the traditional values and social meanings transform as a result of the state strategy aimed at increasing the competitive advantages of the regions. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study relied on the fundamental provisions of V.L. Kvint’s theory of strategy, certain methodological provisions of regional strategizing, the theory of social identity, and the mission of the region. The authors performed a selective OTSW analysis as an effective tool for monitoring and substantiating strategic opportunities. They constructed a model of regional development component that consisted of a system of social meanings. This system determined the joint efforts in achieving goals and the basic principles of ecology of interaction between flexible business strategies of regional companies, social movements, the youth, ambassadors of investment projects, etc. The approach provided a holistic vision of semantic orientation, which incorporated every stakeholder. Sustainable innovative strategies of regional development define the region as a unique territory with a unique socio-economic organization. They provide a single cognitive environment and a stable regional identity in determining the priority socio-economic bases for the integrative structures that trigger innovations. Strategic priorities in these areas ensure unique long-term development of the regions, as well as give the multiplicative impulse to the socio-economic development of the entire macroregion.