I. N. Krakovskaya, N. S. Komleva. Human Resource Potential in Trade: Regional Peculiarities and the Problem of Deficit

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.134.034.202601.121-142
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/kdakgsISSN 2413-1407
УДК / UDC 331.108.2:339 ISSN 2587-8549

Abstract

Introduction. In the context of increasing labor shortages, competition, and the spread of new digital retail formats, the need to review retail businesses' HR practices, taking into account global trends and regional resource potential, is becoming increasingly urgent. The purpose of this article is to examine the issues of staffing and labor shortages to retail organizations in the region (using the Republic of Mordovia as an example).

Materials and Methods. A statistical analysis of Rosstat data for 2019–2023, as well as a sociological survey (online questionnaire using Google Forms) of 372 managers and entrepreneurs of the Mordovia’s trade sector (2024). The sample was formed purposefully and reflects the structure of the republic's trading business (the share of microenterprises is 88 %). Methods of grouping and comparative analysis were used.

Results. It was found that the labor shortage in Mordovia's retail sector is exacerbated by the republic's complex resource shortages: low incomes, migration outflow, and budget subsidies. The main reasons for staff turnover include relocation to other regions, unfavorable working conditions, and low wages (less than 50 % of Moscow's level). The survey revealed a predominance of operational HR practices (salary increases, flexible schedules), low engagement in digitalization, and weak collaboration with educational institutions.

Discussion and Conclusion. It has been proven that in resource-deficient regions, HR management in retail organizations is adaptive and largely dependent on the overall socioeconomic situation. The practical significance of these results lies in the development of recommendations for regional authorities to adjust employment policies and support for retail businesses, as well as for retail managers to improve HR management in resource-constrained environments.

Keywords: HR management, staffing, resource-deficient region, wholesale and retail trade, personnel shortage

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Krakovskaya I.N., Komleva N.S. Human Resource Potential in Trade: Regional Peculiarities and the Problem of Deficit. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2026;34(1):121–142. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.134.034.202601.121-142

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About the authors:

Irina N. Krakovskaya, Dr.Sci (Econ.), Associate Professor, Professor of the Chair of Management, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolchevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3332-2332, Scopus ID: 57191500142, Researcher ID: AAP-5301-2020, SPIN-code: 4109-8837, krakovskayain@mail.ru

Nataliya S. Komleva, Cand.Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Chair of Management, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolchevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5360-712X, Scopus ID: 57191526340, SPIN-code: 7142-8357, komlevans2008@rambler.ru

Contribution of the authors:

I. N. Krakovskaya – conceptualization; methodology; project administration; data curation; investigation; formal analysis; validation; visualization; writing – review and editing.

N. S. Komleva – methodology; investigation; formal analysis; validation; writing – original draft preparation; writing – review and editing.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

The authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 05.03.2025; revised 25.08.2025; accepted 02.09.2025.