Assessment of the Impact of Agglomeration Factors on the Economic Activity: Microeconomic Analysis

Abstract

While agglomeration effects are an essential element of the economic environment determining the decision-making on the capacity allocation and implementation of infrastructure projects, their impact in the East of Russia is questioned. Development conditions of Novosibirsk oblast can have a contradictory effect on agglomeration forces. The paper aims to obtain quantitative estimates of the impact of agglomeration effects on enterprise performance by analysing the SPARK-Interfax database for 2019. To this end, the visualisation of the spatial distribution of the sample data, average output and profit characteristics was performed. Additionally, the econometric analysis of the influence of agglomeration factors on enterprise performance was conducted. As a result, the microeconomic analysis showed a statistically significant impact of agglomeration effects on the productivity of firms in Novosibirsk oblast. A two-fold increase in the distance to the regional capital leads to a reduction in output and profitability of enterprises by 3.5 %. This finding supports the development and implementation of private and public infrastructure projects. The analysis demonstrated a higher differentiation of profit indicators in cities, as well as a significant drop in performance and efficiency of companies located in the immediate neighbourhood of the regional capital. The revealed patterns characterising the heterogeneous functioning of Novosibirsk economy can be considered by regional and local authorities when making decisions to support and develop business.