Peripheral Innovation System and Its Place in the Development of the Russian Arctic Resources

The authors consider the concept of peripheral innovation system in the context of the development of natural resources in the Arctic. Russia's resource corporations are its key actors. On the example of the analysis of patent activity of “NovaTEK”, “Norilsk Nickel” and “Gazpromneft”, the differences between Arctic companies in the strategies for obtaining new knowledge are demonstrated. Peaks of patent activity, as a rule, precede the deployment of projects for new resource development in the Arctic. The authors classify the peripheral innovation system according to the coverage of the area; the degree of influence of the key actor; the stage of development to which it is confined; the type of key natural resource and other factors. The concept of communication “permeability” of space is introduced, which in the Arctic depends on the configuration of the settlement network, the main transport routes, the availability of a broadband cable and other factors. Thus, the Murmansk region has the maximum communication permeability in the Arctic; the Chukotka Autonomous District has the minimum. It is shown that the inconsistency of the unified federal legislation and rules with the specific conditions of the Arctic hinders the peripheral innovation system work, as well as the entire process of economic development of the Russian Arctic resources.