Influence of Cultural Potential on the Region’s Competitiveness

Abstract

Competitiveness of socio-economic system is determined by the possibility of effective use of its resource potential. The object of the research is cultural potential of the region. The concept of cultural potential is interpreted in the article from the point of view of economics and is defined as resources reserve of socio-cultural sphere, with effective use of which not only social but also economic effect is achieved. Special attention is paid to the process of cultural potential formation through cultural production and consumption. Cultural potential of the region is represented as a set of humanitarian, capital and institutional resources that can be involved in cultural production. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of cultural environment on the region’s competitiveness considered as a socio-economic system. On the basis of statistical information, the analysis of the cultural potential state and its actual use in a number of regions of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation is carried out. The relationship between the usage level of the cultural potential of the region and the structure of the gross regional product is revealed. Increase of the effect of the accumulated cultural potential implementation is associated with formation of regional cultural policy and creation of competitive sector of creative industries.