Assessment of the state of socio-ecological and economic systems using the desirability function (using the example of administrative-territorial units of the Nizhny Novgorod Region)

Any administrative-territorial unit is a system characterized by three main criteria – socio-demographic, environmental and economic. A generalized desirability function can be used to correctly compare disparate indicators that quantitatively reflect these directions. This article demonstrates the possibility of using the desirability function for a comprehensive assessment of the state of socio-ecological and economic systems on the example of administrative-territorial units of the Nizhny Novgorod Region for 2010–2020. The methodology involves determining the generalized desirability function according to socio-demographic, environmental, and economic parameters individually and as a whole. Based on the calculation of these indicators, a rating was compiled among the administrative-territorial units of the region and a general description of the complex state of the region was given. It was revealed that 98% of the studied objects belong to the two lower grades of the generalized desirability function out of a possible five. The paper examines the possible causes of the results obtained, examines the factors affecting the state of the socio-ecological and economic system in each of the areas separately. The dynamics of the values of the generalized desirability function during the studied decade was also analyzed. The results obtained reflect the need to increase the effectiveness of the measures taken to develop the administrative-territorial units of the region.