Russian Industry Research Articles

Assessing business activity of the Russian industry

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that, despite the difficult economic and political situation for the Russian industry and the economy as a whole, there are problems not only with the arrival of foreign raw materials and goods in the domestic market, but also with the smooth operation of industry. It is necessary to develop and form new, more essential approaches to the industrial development strategy in the conditions of forced modernization of the industry. The factors that have the greatest and the least influence on the business activity of enterprises have been identified. The directions for forming new ways of domestic industry effective development through assessing the entrepreneurial confidence index on the part of enterprises of extractive and manufacturing industries have been analyzed. As the index evaluation result, the author concludes that the level of enterprises’ business activity has jumping values, in the course of which the factors that have a negative impact on industrial production development have been identified.

Woodworking industry in Russia: analysis of the industry structure and development prospects

The state of the woodworking industry sectoral structure in Russia has been considered. The main sources for the present study were regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation, statistical data of the Federal Forestry Agency, Federal State Statistics Service, international analytical reviews, and scientific articles. Statistical methods of comparison and analytical processing of information were used as research methods. The purpose of the study is to analyze the industry structure, as well as to identify development prospects. The number of firms in the industry and production of the main types of woodworking products in dynamics have been analyzed. The export of goods from various branches of the wood industry in the country and the index of physical volume of investment in fixed capital in the industry under consideration have been studied. The issue of waste utilization in wood processing industries due to low utilization of waste wood has been separately highlighted, and the importance of reasonable use of forest resources has been emphasized. The author concludes that, in general, the real contribution of the woodworking industry to the country’s economic development is still lagging behind the potential, but the main prospects for overcoming this condition have been highlighted, such as exports development, transportation costs reduction, state support strengthening in the industry, and improvement of waste disposal in woodworking industries.

Assessment of Russian peat industry using data analytics and intelligent text processing

Assessment of Russian peat industry using data analytics and intelligent text processing

Enzymatic conversion of wood materials from the pulp and paper industry

The reactivity during enzymatic hydrolysis of 8 industrially produced samples of pulps and semi-chemical pulps by enzyme preparations of glycosyl hydrolases B151 and F10 produced by a strain of ascomycete fungus Penicillium verruculosum has been determined. It is shown for the first time that among fibrous pulps available on the market of pulp and paper industry in Russia, the highest level of yield of glucose from the initial wood during biocatalysis using cellulases and hemicellulases is characteristic of semi-chemical pulps obtained after cooking of hardwood with green liquor. A high degree of enzymatic conversion of softwood bleached kraft pulp has been established, which in combination with the possibility of obtaining modified polysaccharide materials from non-hydrolysable residue makes this cellulosic substrate the most promising for the development of biological processes at pulp and paper industries. It is shown that drying of pulp negatively affects the efficiency of cellulose hydrolysis, while mechanical milling improves the performance of the enzymatic saccharification process.

Do agroholdings cope better with the agency problem? Empirical evidence from corporate farms in Russia

The agricultural industry in Russia demonstrated a notable growth since 2010. Russian policymakers strive to further increase agricultural production and set new targets for the industry for the years ahead. While agroholdings are regarded as one of the main driving forces behind the recent success in the agricultural sector, they are also believed to be the main locomotive that will move agriculture towards the set goals. In spite of their growing importance, the literature on agroholdings is still relatively immature and fails to provide clear evidence of their financial efficiency as opposed to non-agroholding farms. The current study utilizes a manually sourced longitudinal dataset of 203 corporate farms in Russia and provides a new empirical evidence on the financial performance of agroholding farms through the prism of an agency problem. Our findings reveal a significant positive relationship between agroholding membership and financial performance, as indicated by two accounting indicators – return on assets (ROA) and return on sales (ROS). We further observe that agroholdings face lower agency costs, which to a certain extent, explain their higher financial performance compared to stand-alone farms. The study offers empirical recommendations for policymakers and corporate executives in the Russian agricultural sector.

Stages of development of the refractory industry in Russia

Stages of development of the refractory industry in Russia

The main trends of advanced scientific and technological development of Russian industry

The article presents the results of a practical assessment of the results of development of the national economy of the Russian Federation, expressed in the main trends of advanced scientific and technological development of the country’s industry. The study notes the importance of the industrial sphere for acquiring national technological sovereignty. In order to reduce import dependence on foreign suppliers, the current trends of advanced scientific and technological development of industry and its place in ensuring national security of the Russian economy are considered. The main indicators of the production index in high-tech industries are studied in conjunction with a comprehensive assessment of the used and developed advanced production technologies. The author of the study proposes a modernized model for managing the process of advanced innovative import substitution.

The Problematic Issues of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Application in Agriculture

The current rapid development of unmanned aviation is largely driven by the needs of the defense-industrial complex. In light of these events, the Russian industry has currently focused its attention on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles characterized by high payload capacity, autonomous flight range, and navigation precision. Considering the projected increase in the production rates of UAVs and the expansion of their functionalities, there is a pressing need for their active integration into various sectors of the economy, including agriculture. Despite the fact that the application of aerial agro-drones, like other aircraft, is regulated by the "Federal Rules for the Use of Airspace of the Russian Federation" (Government Resolution No. 138 dated March 11, 2010), there are currently no unified regulated approaches and requirements for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture. Given the growing relevance of issues related to the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into agriculture, there is an increased need for the development of documents that regulate the use of agrochemicals for the treatment of agricultural land using these devices. The research objective if the development of a protocol for the inclusion of pesticides if the catalog approved for use through unmanned aerial vehicles.

AI Tools in the Digital Transformation Programmes of Industrial Enterprises

This article is devoted to the study of the prospects for the development and implementation of AI in industry in the context of digital transformation. Autonomous factories, integrated supply chains, and autonomous vehicles is a real proof of technological advances that AI brings to life. The article highlights a number of problems and challenges for Russian industry based on the results of applied research conducted in November-December 2023 at 18 medium and large industrial enterprises. The main conclusions include not only the identified systemic problems and risks (shortcomings in digitalisation methodology, ambiguity in calculating economic parameters, lack of technical expertise), but also the most promising areas for the development of AI technologies. The study finds significant potential for enhancing the technologies of the Industry 3.0 and Industry 4.0 paradigms using AI tools. Also, it describe the necessary changes in enterprise management and regulatory government activities aimed at realising the identified potential. In conclusion, the article emphasises the need to optimise parallel imports, develop human capital and adequately analyse the economic parameters of industrial enterprises’ digital transformation project. The authors emphasise the relevance of studying the prospects for the development of AI in industry for Russian economic science in the period 2024–2026.

Virtual Value Engineering in Investment and Construction Activities

Statement of the problem. The Russian investment and construction industries continue to grow, and there is a growing demand for services related to designing and implementing new projects. The introduction of innovative technologies and improvements to construction processes are essential parts of investment and construction efforts in today's world. Engineering plays a significant role in investment and construction projects, as it is involved both in the planning phase and during the implementation stages. Cost engineering is a concept that refers to a set of techniques and tools used to manage the expenses of a project throughout its lifecycle. The integration of investment and construction engineering services with the latest technological advancements is a new but already popular trend in the construction market. Results. This study emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to facility design, considering the unique characteristics of modern technology and the requirements of participants in investment and construction projects that require operational involvement in project management. Conclusions. The paper supports the introduction of «virtual engineering», which can create a more comfortable environment for all stakeholders in an investment or construction project.

Analysis and systematization of global threats and challenges that have influence on development of coal industry in Russia

Analysis and systematization of global threats and challenges that have influence on development of coal industry in Russia

FEATURES AND PROBLEMS OF FORMATION OF PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHAINS IN THE DIGITAL SPACE OF INDUSTRY

The purpose of the study: the formation of production and technological chains in Russia of a complex structure, which consist of a set of industries with vertical and horizontal links. It is noted that large integrated structures will allow for the modernization of production based on innovations and ensure the technological security of the country in the context of sanctions from Western countries. Problem areas of activity caused by political and economic factors are identified. In the context of developing crisis trends, it is necessary to search for the most effective forms of interaction between participants within complex production structures, which can increase their competitiveness in the market. Structures with vertical and horizontal links are interested in high production results and increased competitiveness, due to more efficient use of resources and reduced transaction costs. The development of technologies will provide support for the development of new business models, control and develop business, model and automate decision-making processes, and develop cooperation in the ecosystem. The theoretical basis of the scientific work was the use of general scientific methods of cognition to the processes and phenomena under study, and the methodological basis was the synthesis of the theory of industrial production and neoclassical theory. The use of a logical approach allowed us to interpret the results obtained during the study, as well as to draw conclusions and formulate proposals on the use of various mechanisms, tools and models for the development of approaches to the development of a mechanism for managing the activities of production and technological chains. It was concluded that despite the current problems, Russian industry has sufficient resources and all the opportunities for the development and transformation of existing production and technological chains and the creation of new ones based on deepening integration processes and modernization of production.

Analysis of the structure of Russian acreage within the framework of the concept of sustainable agriculture

The purpose of scientific work is a comprehensive analysis of the impact of changes in the structure of acreage and the land use system on ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural industry in Russia. The results obtained demonstrate that, despite the implementation of a number of legislative initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and environmental orientation of agriculture, a number of unresolved problems remain in the Russian Federation that hinder the transition to a model of sustainable agricultural production. Inefficient use of land resources is a problem faced by many agricultural regions in Russia. Irrational structuring of land, unbalanced distribution of agricultural land, low efficiency of use of modern technologies and resources lead to the loss of land potential. This has a negative impact on the yield and quality of agricultural products. There may be insufficient attention to the environmental aspects of land management: conserving biodiversity, maintaining natural ecosystems, minimizing the ecological footprint of agricultural activities and applying methods that promote soil regeneration. The comprehensive improvement of land management mechanisms in the Russian Federation, taking into account the concept of sustainable agriculture, involves the development and implementation of policies aimed at stimulating sustainable agricultural practices, supporting innovative methods and technologies, as well as training and advising agricultural producers on sustainable agriculture. This approach will significantly improve land use efficiency and ensure the sustainable development of Russia's agricultural sector.

Ecosystem model of development of the unmanned aircraft systems industry

The article analyzes the structural transformations of Russian industry in the context of external constraints and the need to ensure technological sovereignty in high-tech industries. The scientific hypothesis of the work is the assumption of the importance of cross-sectoral coordination of subjects of industrial policy in order to develop the production of critical products. The digital industrial ecosystem of the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry is considered as an object of research. The purpose of the research is to develop the foundations of the structure of the ecosystem model of the development of the UAS industry and substantiate the feasibility of its application in the interests of improving high-tech industries of the Russian Federation. The article offers the author’s interpretations of the concepts of “digital industrial ecosystem” and “cross-industry ecosystem”, substantiates the principles of functioning of the ecosystem model and its architecture. An ecosystem model of the development of the UAS industry was developed, including management bodies, technical infrastructure, organizational and economic tools, technological clusters and a network of participants. The main distinguishing features of the proposed model from the existing ones are: the distribution of ecosystem management bodies that ensure the autonomy of management at all horizontal and hierarchical levels of its organization; the ecosystem is considered as an instrument of the mechanism of strategic development of high-tech industries involved in the creation of civil-purpose UAS, and provides cross-industry interaction of participants in order to accelerate the development of industrial production and the formation of the UAS market. The ecosystem management model will ensure the possession of up-to-date data of actual and planned indicative evaluation indicators of the state and development of the industry on a time scale close to real, based on the principle of digital transparency.

Стратегические перспективы развития отрасли цветных металлов: проблемы и задачи отечественных производителей

The non-ferrous metallurgy industry in Russia is undergoing profound changes due to geopolitical shifts, the transition to green energy, and the need to develop processing industries. Non-ferrous metals, as strategically important products, can play a decisive role in achieving the global goals of the Russian economy related to economic security, the development of domestic markets, the reconstruction of high-tech industries, the modernization of stably functioning industries, and the improvement of the quality of life for the population. The purpose of this research is to study the trends and risks affecting non-ferrous metal producers and to assess the opportunities and challenges for developing both external and domestic markets, ultimately aiming to ensure sustainable demand for the products of mining companies and metal producers. The primary research methods used include general scientific approaches such as comparative analysis, synthesis, and decomposition. This paper reviews the current state of Russia's non-ferrous metallurgy sector and explores its development prospects, with a specific focus on Norilsk Nickel, a key player operating in the Arctic. The main results of the study include an assessment of the current global market for non-ferrous metals, their role in the energy transition, and the formation of a low-carbon economy. The study also analyzes and summarizes the challenges facing domestic non-ferrous metallurgy and suggests potential directions for its development in the current economic context. A critical analysis of the Strategy for the Development of the Metallurgical Industry of the Russian Federation for the Period up to 2030 reveals that several important aspects and issues are not adequately addressed in the document. For example, it lacks a strategic planning methodology and fails to consider the specific characteristics and potential of the Arctic’s non-ferrous mineral resource base. The practical significance of this study lies in clarifying the prospects for utilizing non-ferrous metals to support the revitalization of high-tech industries in the national economy.

Using an information and analytical system to assess the health status of the personnel of the Vostochny Space Center

The Vostochny Space Center is a new facility of the Russian space industry, which began launching space technology in 2016. In the normal operation of the cosmodrome, the impact of rocket fuel components on personnel, taking into account the data of sanitary and hygienic monitoring, is not expected, however, the influence of a chemical factor is possible in cases of emergency situations. The purpose of the study is a hygienic assessment of the impact of harmful and dangerous factors of the production environment on the health of the personnel of the Vostochny cosmodrome using an information and analytical system of sanitary and hygienic monitoring. The study was based on the classical methodological basis of a comprehensive sanitary and epidemiological assessment of the production environment. The analysis showed the absence of differences in the levels and dynamics of morbidity by the main classes of the disease, the absence of professionally determined pathology, which indicates the sufficiency of the complex of organizational, technical and sanitary measures implemented during the creation of the Vostochny Space Center. Thus, the introduction of information and analytical approaches to the organization and implementation of monitoring studies makes it possible to obtain the necessary comprehensive information, timely and fully record the impact of negative factors of the production environment on employees, and perform a comprehensive assessment of the health status of the personnel of the Vostochny cosmodrome.

Развитие космической отрасли: опыт США, Китая и России

In recent decades, space has begun to be viewed as an important economic resource, an engine of global competition and technological development, capable of having a multiplier effect on the development of the entire economic system of a country. It is a necessary factor in global communication and information. Each state can use space for peaceful purposes, since it is a common resource for all countries. That is why the space industry is the object of the careful study by many researchers and a special sphere of government regulation. The top three leaders in the space industry are the USA, China and Russia. The purpose of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of the development of the space industry in the USA, China and Russia, as well as to develop recommendations for improving the regulation of the Russian space industry based on foreign experience. The author selected the following characteristics as the main parameters of comparison: 1. Significant space achievements, 2. Industry financing, 3. Structure of the space industry, 4. The scale of private space sector development, 5. Motives for international cooperation in the field of space exploration. Based on the analysis, the features of space industry development in each country were identifi ed. Special attention in the study is paid to the Russian space industry. In particular, it was found that the main structural feature of the Russian space industry, in contrast to the USA and China, is the significant predominance of state-owned companies over private enterprises. This is associated with the lack of the necessary regulatory framework in our country and, as a consequence, the underdevelopment of the market for space products and services. At the same time, Russia can be considered a leader in terms of funding for the space industry (as a percentage of GDP), but in absolute financial indicators (in millions of dollars) Russia lags significantly behind the United States and China. In addition, Russia adheres to the practice of participating in international cooperation in the space sector, based primarily on political factors rather than economic motives, which fundamentally distinguishes its approach from the approach used by the United States. The article proposes a number of practical recommendations, the implementation of which, according to the author’s opinion, will contribute to increasing the efficiency of space activities in Russia.

The technological transformation of the Russian energy sector forced by carbon regulation

RELEVANCE of the study lies in the assessment of the impact that various carbon regulation instruments stimulating the achievement of national climate goals have on the development scale of different electricity and heat production technologies in Russia.THE PURPOSE. To consider the change in the optimal technological structure of the electric power industry and district heating in Russia by 2050 assuming the introduction of various carbon regulation instruments in 2030.METHODS. We used the developed at ERI RAS system technological model EPOS for the optimization of the energy technology structure in the Russian energy sector according to the criterion of the minimum total discounted costs for energy supply to the economy until 2050.RESULTS. The article provides an analysis of the scale of changes in installed capacity and electricity production of various types of power plants in the UES of Russia, as well as changes in heat production of different heat supply sources by 2050 for 16 carbon regulation options and business-as-usual scenario. Also it describes the optimal technological structure in the electric power industry and district heating under the conditions of certain administrative, fiscal and economic instruments of climate policy. Carbon regulation options based on the corresponding increases in the installed capacity of power plants in the UES of Russia by 2050 are compared.CONCLUSION. Decarbonization of the electric power industry in Russia will mainly occur by expansion of nuclear energy, heat production – by deployment of electric boilers, taking into account current forecasts of scientific and technological progress. At the same time, for carbon regulation options leading to a greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 30% relative to 2019 level, nuclear power plants could become the new dominant technology in the structure of electricity production instead of gas thermal power plants. The total increase in installed capacity of power plants in the UES of Russia by 2050 may differ by almost seven times for various carbon regulation options. Among the climate policy options considered, emission quotation and carbon taxes have the strongest impact on the technological structure of the electric power industry and district heating in Russia.

«Биологические войны» как новая международная проблема политиков и военных России

The globalization of the global market economy and the unregulated global population of 8 billion people create threats of global warming of the Earth with its transformation into a hot lifeless Venus. The aggravation of the global situation for the survival of countries and peoples and major military conflicts are ahead. New "green technologies" do not allow us to abandon the increasing combustion of hydrocarbons. At the same time, a secret creation of a new biological weapon of mass destruction is underway. Defense and biomedical problems in Russia are largely recognized at the level of society, the state, the military and special services. The main stages of creation and sabotage use of biological weapons are studied. The specifics of new bioterrorism technologies are analyzed. Preventive defense measures for Russia in the current conditions are substantiated. The analysis showed that the scale of financing of R&D in the field of biology, medicine, genetics in Russia since 2000 does not meet the required structural reorganization of Russian industry and new rapidly developing areas of science, engineering and technology in the world. The main results of the study, which have theoretical and practical significance, include conclusions about a significant increase in the risks of potential aggressors using biological weapons against the enemy in the context of rapid scientific and technological progress in the world, especially in biology, genetics, medicine. A conclusion is made about the need for additions and amendments to the current international and national laws in order to prevent new military-biological initiatives and projects. The necessity of forming a new military-political point of view in Russia is substantiated, that what is brewing is not just wars for the redistribution of natural resources, but genocidal wars for the survival of the strongest countries and peoples, to which our state currently belongs. Threats to Russia from bioterrorism and sabotage biological wars are surmountable, but require a mobilization economy, significant funds and resources.

Законодательные аспекты развития креативных индустрий в регионах российской Арктики (на примере Мурманской области)

The aim of the work is to study the legislative support for the development of creative industries in the Russian Arctic using the example of the Murmansk Oblast. The following tasks have been solved: the legislative framework of the federal level, providing the development of creative industries in Russia as a whole, has been studied; the regional legislative framework has been studied on the example of the Murmansk Oblast; the measures of support for the development of Arctic creative industries at different levels of government have been analyzed. It was revealed that until 2021 the creative sector of the economy was reflected in legal acts of all levels through the concepts of “small and medium-sized businesses”, “self-employed citizens” and “individual entrepreneurs”. The concept of “creative industries” received legislative recognition with the adoption at the federal level of the “Concept for the development of creative industries and mechanisms for the implementation of their state support in large and major urban agglomerations until 2030” in 2021. The Concept and the Action Plan for its implementation, adopted in 2030, laid the regulatory and legal basis for the development of this sector of the economy, but the legislative framework for the development of creative industries in the Russian Federation has not yet been fully formed. The study showed that in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation the situation with regulatory support for the development of creative industries is similar. Using the example of the Murmansk Oblast, it was revealed that the regional legislative framework for this promising area is currently in the nascent stage, and the first normative-legal acts directly related to the development of the Arctic creative industries began to appear only in 2023. It was concluded that it is necessary to develop a concept for the development of Arctic creative industries in the Russian Arctic in order to ensure uniform approaches, consistency of actions and coordination of measures for the development of this sector of the economy in the Russian Arctic. The need to use the term “creative industries” in various legal acts in order to avoid discrepancies and to ensure the uniformity of legal support for this sector of the economy is substantiated.