Russian Economy Research Articles

Digitalization of the Russian Economy: Problems and Solutions

Digitalization of the Russian Economy: Problems and Solutions

Models of technological development: The influence of investment structure

The problem of refining Russia’s model of economic development through achieving the technological sovereignty dictates the need for making strategic decisions within the investment policy of economic growth. The paper aims to determine the models of technological modernisation according to the structure of investments in “old – new” technologies and develop an algorithm for identifying these models by assessing the relationship between investment and risk. Methodologically, the study rests on the theory of technological change. The paper employs elements of structural, statistical, regression and econometric analysis, as well as applies taxonomy methods to pinpoint various options for investment and technological modernisation models. T he evidence is the data on the investment in fixed assets and expenditures on tech nological innovations for 2010–2022 coming from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. The result is the identification of a model of technological modernisation in the Russian economy according to the structure of investments in “old – new” technologies and the sensitivity of the general technological intensity to investments. The paper distinguishes four general strategies of technological devel opment by the impact of expenditures on the dynamics of technological intensity, namely “leadership”, “breakthrough”, “giving up”, and “degradation”. Then, accord ing to the impact of investment in new technologies on technological modernisation it justifies the models “blockage”, “rigidity”, “modernisation”, “saturation”, and, in a similar manner, validates the models “degradation”, “backwardness”, “reliance on old technologies”, “reliance on new technologies” according to the impact of investment in old technologies on technological modernisation. The paper constructs a theoreti cal model of the connection between investment and risk, institutional parameters of investment process. The findings reveal that the Russian economy follows the model of backwardness with local technological innovations, which requires a massive in crease in investment in new technologies, mitigation of risks, and modification of institutional conditions.

Development of Career Centers of Russian Universities: Challenges and Opportunities

Placement training of students for employment is a serious challenge for modern Russian universities. University graduates are faced with solving the problem of employment in the face of continuous transformation of the labor market. As a result, the issue of training highly professional specialists capable of adapting to the dynamically changing requirements of employers and willing to build a successful career throughout their lives is on the agenda. As the university practice of career centers shows, the job search assistance and employment support is usually carried out within its framework. Meanwhile, the issue of training students for career development should become a key one in the philosophy of university education. In modern conditions, universities are designed to prepare a student who is potentially capable of acting independently to develop his career to meet the challenges of the labor market and his own vision of an individual educational trajectory and professional interests. Thus, university training programs for specialists in a context of ever-changing technologies in the professional sphere need to be adjusted accordingly. It assumes restructuring the system of relations between all the subjects of the educational process, when it is necessary to take into account the importance of readiness for employability and building a career of a university graduate and his life self-determination. Despite the importance of the employability problem and career development readiness to achieve the sustainable development of the Russian economy, this topic has been little studied by domestic scientists. At the same time, Russia's higher education development agenda began to see the problem of graduate employment as a special one especially during the pandemic. In particular, the topic on developing career centers of universities has gained momentum in the large-scale program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation on the development of Russian universities Priority-2030. Thus, this study will be useful to the stakeholders of systemic changes in processes related to building employment conditions for students and graduates. Also, this study can contribute to analytical basis development for the expansion of career centers of Russian universities.

NON-CASH SETTLEMENTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES

The paper analyzes the state of the modern market of non-cash settlements of legal entities and individuals in the conditions of digital transformation of the banking sector of the economy of the Russian Federation. The concepts of credit card market development in our country have been studied. The problems of development of non-cash settlements at the current stage are defined. This process of introduction and use of credit cards is subject to transformation. The ways of its further development in the medium term are outlined. Integration into the work of banks digital tools that automate and simplify both for corporations and private households the bulk of financial transactions, which allows to buy most of the risks. The research was based on the analysis of statistical data on the dynamics of non-cash payments (from systemically important banks and various publishers), credit card transactions and the use of digital technologies in the banking industry. The methods of comparative analysis, forecasting and generalization were applied to assess current trends and development prospects. The results show that digital transformation is contributing to a significant increase in non-cash settlements, active adoption of digital banking instruments and increased automation. However, the not-so-strong increase in usage of financial leverage remains an ongoing challenge. The discussion may focus on the need to strengthen banks’ technological infrastructure, which is already advanced, to increase financial inclusion and further simplify processes for end users. Mediumterm prospects include active implementation of innovative solutions, minimization of associated risks and expansion of accessibility of financial services.

Legal Policy of Modern Russia in the Sphere of Patriotic Upbringing: Content and Key Prioritie

Introduction. One of the significant features of the mechanism of legal regulation in the 21st century is the inclusion of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, one of which is patriotism, in the object field of legal regulation. Despite the very convincing grounds for this, the state, and, consequently, legal strategy in the sphere of preserving and strengthening traditional spiritual and moral values and patriotic upbringing, in particular, needs both conceptualization and systematization.Materials and methods. The presented study used both general scientific and specific scientific methods of cognition of the legal life of modern Russian society, among which we can highlight dialectical, structural-functional, systemic, formal-dogmatic, legal modeling, etc.The results of the study. The paper offers the author's vision of the essence and content of legal policy in the sphere of patriotic upbringing, demonstrates its significant potential in creating an effective mechanism for legal regulation of relations related to the formation of love and respect for the Motherland, a sense of loyalty to it, readiness to protect its interests and contribute to the strengthening and prosperity of the state. The key priorities of legal policy in the sphere of patriotic upbringing are formulated taking into account the challenges and threats that are relevant to Russia.Discussion and conclusion. The study substantiates the position that legal policy, being a strategic, systemic, multi-subject and scientifically substantiated activity in the field of law, allows not only to unite the efforts of both public authorities and civil society institutions in the creation and implementation of conditions for patriotic upbringing, but also to integrate into a single, comprehensive legal strategy law-making, law-implementation, law-interpretation, educational and other activities in the field of patriotic upbringing due to the fact that these areas of activity act as forms of implementation of the legal policy itself.

Russia, China and the USA: perception of effects in the corporate bond market

Purpose: is to identify the dynamics of mutual influences and risks in the corporate bond markets of Russia, China, and the United States under conditions of external environmental instability.Methods: the methods of comparative and econometric analysis of daily data from 2016 to 2024 were used, including the average yields of short- and medium-term corporate and the government bonds of the Russian Federation, China and the United States, selling prices of gold, oil, exchange rates, refinancing rates. GARCH models for forecasting the volatility of the index of corporate bonds of the Russian Federation and China under the influence of internal and external factors, multidimensional quantile regression for industries of the Russian Federation are calculated.Results: six stages of changes in the dynamics of the corporate bond debt market under the influence of the market itself and external factors were highlighted. Periodization made it possible to study the impact of short-term and long-term effects of shocks on the debt market. For the Russian Federation, the volatility weight of the previous period is more than twice the weight of the long-term average volatility. For China, this ratio is even higher. The debt market of the Russian Federation is influenced by the debt markets of China and the United States, but the opposite has not been proven. Three groups of branches of the Russian economy have been formed according to the generality of reaction to external influences.Conclusions and Relevance: during crisis periods, the weight of long-term average market volatility and local factors increases, while that of external factors decreases. Understanding the interactions of internal and external factors allows investors to anticipate market fluctuations, adapt and protect capital. For the Government, this provides an opportunity to develop scientifically sound risk forecasts and use new financial instruments such as yuan bonds.

WHAT DETERMINES THE WELL-BEING OF THE DOMESTIC GAS INDUSTRY TODAY?

This article presents the results of the analysis of the economic state of the domestic gas industry, including the activities of the flagship of the country’s fuel and energy complex, the Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom Group of Companies. The authors consider the problems of reorientation of gas raw material exports to the East, issues of creating a liquefied natural gas complex, an icebreaker fleet for transporting LNG to old and new areas and sales points. Another issue under consideration are the difficulties of implementing the state target program of social gasification and pre-gasification of Russian territories. A separate long-term problem is the search for methods of circumventing sanctions and restrictions from the collective West against sectors of the Russian economy. The purpose of this study is a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of state programs for regional development based on the industrial use of hydrocarbon raw materials, including the social gasification / pre-gasification program in the constituent entities of the Federation. Research tools used in this study include activity comparativism, formal logic and expert assessments as well as methods of economic statistics and financial analysis. The research results obtained by the authors of the article include both technical, economic and financial analysis of the departmental non-public information on the discovered problems of the gas industry and possible ways of overcoming the difficulties of geopolitical instability through geographical reorientation of export opportunities of the gas industry. The research materials are supported by calculations, tabular and graphical constructions. The conceptual approaches to the study involved, the prospects of the gas industry moving East, were a subject of cross-discussion. The article concludes with three brief conclusions.

STRATEGIC PUTIN’S PLAN: WHAT ARE THE REAL GOALS OF CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA?

This paper deals with Russia’s declared and real goals in Ukraine during the war, which has been going on since 2014, and Russia’s interests in expanding its influence in European countries. This topic has been covered by many contemporary media in Russia, Ukraine and Western countries, therefore we have made an attempt to analyze this information through a content-analyze, summarizing some findings of analytical centers and some Ukrainian and Western experts. Special attention is paid to the ideological basis of modern Russian aggression and attempts to form an anti-Western coalition.

Impact of EU Anti-Russian Sanctions on Energy Trade between Russia and Its Key Partners

The EU sanctions have targeted Russian energy industry since 2014. Since February 2022, the European Union has imposed a series of unprecedented restrictions affecting Russian fuel trade, a highly sensitive area for both sides, each having a pragmatic interest hereinunder. Energy price cap established in 2022 became the climax of the EU’ sanctions policy against the Russian fuel and energy complex, making it one of the toughest measures in the history of the EU’s anti-Russian energy restrictions. In order to adapt to the new realities, the export directions of the Russian oil industry were reoriented from Europe to Asia. A number of domestic and foreign researchers have focused on the EU’ sanctions policy against the Russian fuel and energy industry, assessing its impact on the global energy market. At the same time, some issues remain insufficiently studied, including the effectiveness of the Russian adaptation strategy, as well as the impact of this strategy on Russia’s key trading partners. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of the EU’ sanctions against the Russian fuel and energy complex on energy trade between Russia and its main counterparts; to reflect the current trends in Russia’s energy trade relations with China, India and Turkey; to assess the effectiveness of Russia’s strategy tailored to adapt to the EU’ restrictions in this area; and to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy. The research shows that in the short term, the domestic oil industry has managed to promptly respond to the challenges that arose, which was possible due to significant discounts provided to the new partners. While Russian economy was trying to adapt to the current conditions in the global energy market, using the aforementioned strategy, key beneficiaries of the EU’ sanctions policy were clearly identified, including India, China and Turkey.

Формирование языковой личности сотрудника органов внутренних дел Российской Федерации

The modern image of a policeman in Russia seems to citizens to be fair and hardy, responsible and disciplined, polite and tactful, ready to help in any situation, i.e. a professional with a capital letter, capable of conducting a constructive dialogue and proficient in the norms and rules of the modern Russian literary language. One of the main indicators of the professionalism of police officers is the level of development of professional speech culture. What disciplines are studied at the Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia that contribute to the formation of a "linguistic personality" of an employee in continuing education, as well as necessary for improving professional and speech activities in conditions of obtaining additional qualifications, retraining and training in an adjunct course. The article discusses the issues of training managerial and scientific and pedagogical personnel in the leading educational organization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the basis of which are such disciplines as practical rhetoric, Russian language and speech culture, psychology and pedagogy of higher education, cultural studies. Research methods: content analysis, analysis of work programs studied at the Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia disciplines, generalization of the results. Support of the Russian language and preservation of the culture of speech is one of the priorities of the state policy of the Russian Federation in 2024. In the Russian law enforcement system, the police occupies one of the key places, performing certain tasks and functions to protect the rights and interests of citizens from criminal encroachments and maintaining law and order in constant interaction with the population. The activity of an employee of the internal affairs bodies in the Russian Federation is aimed at obtaining a constructive dialogue with public authorities, organizations and institutions, public associations, with various categories of citizens, as well as with colleagues and subordinates, thus the possession of the word as a means of communication is one of the main criteria for the professional activity of a police officer.

Reasons for accelerating inflation in the Russian economy

The article shows that the increase in inflation in 2020—2024 is associated with the acceleration of the growth rate of the money supply. The main contribution to the growth of the monetary base was made by transactions with the National Wealth Fund, which were not sterilized. Following this, there was an acceleration in the growth rate of lending, supported by preferential programs and a decrease in the required reserve ratio, which was reflected in an increase in the credit multiplier. Accelerated growth in the money supply led to an increase in the growth rate of consumer prices. The current phase of the economic cycle, together with the labor shortage, is increasing inflationary pressure. Inflation growth could have been even greater if not for the increased demand for real cash balances and high rates of real GDP growth in 2023—2024. Along with a tight monetary policy, additional measures to reduce inflation may include slower indexation of regulated prices and excise rates; limiting the growth rate of the consumer and auto loan portfolio of commercial banks; increasing reserve requirements for them.

Federalism of modern Russia: problems and prospects

This article considers the processes of development of federative relations of Russia in the 21stcentury. These fundamental changes have touched many aspects of political life of the country: legislation, political institutions, relations between the subjects and the federal center. Undoubtedly, this complex step-by-step process was inseparably connected with socio-economic and spiritual spheres of public life. The article considers the topic of federalism development as a model of social progress and development of statehood from a problematic point of view. The authors emphasize that the uniqueness of each federal system created in the history of mankind allow us to consider modern Russian federalism as developing, including in connection with the emergence of new subjects, new configuration, new composition. In political science it is accepted that federalism is built in different degrees of decentralization of relations in favor of the subjects. However, at the present stage, Russian political practice demonstrates a new experience of building a simultaneously federal and centralized state, in which political elites maintain consensus on the distribution of powers, the solution of the national question, etc. This unique political experience has been attempted to present in a new way. The authors of this article tried to present this unique political experience.

Business activity in the Context of Western Sanctions and Turbulence in Russia’s Strategic Development

The article examines the trends in the development of the Russian economy in the period 2020 — April 2024. For this purpose, the Business Activity Index of the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IE RAS Index) is used, the construction of which is based on monthly statistical data on basic areas of the economy. The results obtained are compared with the Index of output of goods and services by basic types of economic activity of Rosstat (Rosstat Index). Authors analyze the impact of business activity on economic growth in 2020–2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, aswell as in 2022–2024 during the special military operation in Donbas and Ukraine (SVO). It is noted that the structural restructuring that began in Russia under these conditions has become the main factor in accelerating strategic development. Business activity also had a strong impact on this process. As a result, the authors conclude that the IE RAS Index provides a more accurate estimate of gross domestic product than the Rosstat Index. This is an additional justification for its advantages, which should ensure its wider application both in the analysis of trends in the economic development of the state, and in the forecasting and analytical work of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and Rosstat.

Development of Russia’s Metallurgical Industry under Sanctions Restrictions: Iran’s Experience

The relevance of this research topic lies in the crucial role of the metallurgical industry for the Russian economy as a whole. This industry is heavily relied upon by key sectors such as industry, the fuel and energy complex, and construction, which together account for more than half of GDP. The purpose of this article is to analyse the development of the Iranian metallurgical industry, which has been under the long-term impact of sanctions restrictions, in the context of its applicability to the Russian industry. Methods: The study was conducted by analysing official data from the World Steel Association, the Federal Customs Service, and other relevant sources. We used theoretical analysis and systematized information on the impact of sanctions on economic indicators. Scientific novelty: Based on the analysis of the long-term Iranian experience in countering sanctions restrictions and the efforts made by Russian metallurgical companies to operate their enterprises in similar conditions, the author suggests directions for the development of this sector of the economy. The results of the study: The article analyses the experience of Iran’s long-term development under the conditions of sanctions restrictions. We have identified and analysed the tools for levelling these restrictions. The author also analyses the measures of support for the metallurgical industry in Russia provided by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. These measures allow this sector of the economy to develop steadily in an unstable geopolitical situation. A comparative analysis of the counteraction to sanctions restrictions applied earlier for many years in the metallurgical industry of Iran and currently applied in Russia is presented. Practical significance: The results and conclusions of this article can be useful for both the scientific community and the heads of enterprises in the metallurgical industry in Russia in formulating medium- and long-term development plans.

Forensic characteristics of road traffic crimes involving car-sharing vehicles

The article highlights current issues in modern Russian society related to forensic characteristics of road traffic crimes involving car-sharing vehicles. The authors emphasize the importance of resolving these alerting issues. The article reviews the driver actions and their assessments in certain cases. It also provides the statistics involving these vehicles, and offers recommendations for improving the investigation process

Features and organizational forms of youth participation in scientific activity in modern Russia

The article is focused on the study of the features and main organizational forms of youth participation in scientific activity in modern Russia. The study aims to identify key factors driving young people’s engagement in research activities. The author proposes a structured approach to research and development at universities and research institutes. The article highlights the importance of an integrated approach, involving the provision of infrastructure, support by educational institutions and the state, mentorship, and access to information resources. Special emphasis is placed on developing educational programs that integrate academic and practical elements and introducing innovative learning methods such as scientific debate. In addition, the article discusses measures to promote student involvement in research, including access to scientific libraries and data analysis tools. The main findings of the study indicate the importance of continuous updating the information base and greater youth participation in scientific events, contributing to a more efficient distribution of resources and efforts

Роль цифровых платформ в изменении структуры отраслевых рынков

The article examines the theoretical aspects of the digital economy and digitalization, identifies the areas of influence of digital platforms, and characterizes the level of digitalization at the present stage. A comparative analysis of the state of digital platforms and the development of the digital economy in the Russian Federation is carried out. The main problems and prospects for the development of Russian industry markets for digital platforms are identified. Based on the analysis of the use of digital technologies in various sectors of the Russian economy, it is proved that the digitalization of the economy has an ambiguous character, has both positive and negative sides. The processes of formation of digital platforms are developing unevenly across Russia, which is manifested in a comparative analysis of indicators of digitalization indices, as well as statistical data on the use of information and communication technologies by the population and enterprises. The conclusion is made about the need for comprehensive support of digitalization processes, including in the regions, taking into account the indices and indicators considered in the paper.

Key social determinants of the Russian large family

The article presents a study of the state, dynamics, and social characteristics of large families in modern Russia. The authors analyse the social factors and features of having many children. The large families have undergone significant changes, have been greatly transformed in the process of social development and have a new social significance. Having many children is considered as the highest stage of family development and an indicator of a certain level of socio-economic development of society. It has been revealed that at the current stage of society’s development, quantitative indicators of the large families are decreasing in terms of the number of children, and childless marriages are becoming more widespread and popular. The key determinants and characteristics of the large families are identified such as the increase in their number, predominance of families with three and four children, spread of the large families depending on the region of residence. A negative trend persists which confirms the established pattern: with the birth of every next child, the family becomes low-income and less prosperous. In the large families, this pattern is confirmed: the number of poor family groups is increasing. It is determined that the amount of children affects family relationships, financial situation, and socio-psychological well-being. The focus on creating families with many children is considered a positive factor for the development of the family institution.

Education and happiness: strategies for achieving happiness in the context of educational policy

The problem and the goal. The topic of the relationship between happiness (wellbeing) and education has been immanently present in theoretical (philosophical, political, religious) discourse and in pedagogical practice since antiquity. However, it owes its relevance, first of all, to the value shift from the values of survival to the values of self-expression and positive education, which, at the same time, contributed to a bias in the consideration of this topic: The emphasis on the pros of this relationship and underestimation of its cons. The intention to draw a more balanced picture sets the following aim of the article: to identify the main strategies for happiness achievement and consider them in the context of educational policy. Materials and methods. The theoretical and methodological background includes comparative and discourse analysis, philosophical reflection of the ideas of ancient thinkers and modern Russian and foreign experts in the field of education and happiness, and their connection. The adjusted version of D. Leontiev’s two-level hedoeudaimonic model of happiness serves as a theoretical framework. Results. Two main strategies for happiness achievement have been established – the upward game and the downward game, which the authors, proceeding from M. Joshanloo’s concept, correlate with culturebased concepts of happiness – individualistic (Western) and collectivistic (non-Western). Characteristics and outcomes of these strategies in closed, liberal and conservative educational systems are presented. The problem is that these strategies are implemented by educational systems in a primarily hedonic rather than eudaimonic way, which results in the frustrating nature of the first strategy and the discriminating (academically unsuccessful and/or low–income students) nature of the second. Conclusion. The happiness construct plays a multifaceted role as an ideological instrument of educational policy and, in turn, education plays an equally intricate role in fostering happiness. The topic under discussion is closely intertwined with problems of cultural specificity, social inequality, meritocracy and justice.

Regulatory framework for prosociality development in a modern Russian comprehensive school

Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to develop prosocial behavior in young people as one of the main conditions for developing harmonious social relations in modern Russian society. The global trend toward implementing the idea of prosociality in education as a tool for developing prosocial communities is supported by leading global institutions and projects focused on the education system and upbringing of young people (for example, OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030, Global Education Futures). The study aims to identify the regulatory conditions for developing prosociality in a modern Russian comprehensive school. Materials and methods. The source base of the study was the regulatory documents defining the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of education and upbringing in comprehensive schools (federal laws, decrees of the government of the Russian Federation, the Federal State Educational Standard of Basic General Education, the Concepts of academic subjects “Fundamentals of the Spiritual and Moral Culture of the Peoples of Russia”, “History of Russia”, “Social Science”, methodological recommendations and materials developed by the Ministry of Education, and administrative documents of the central education authorities in the Russian Federation). During the study, a systematic approach was used, as well as scientific research methods: textual analysis, the comparison method, and the historical and genetic method. Results. The studied corpus of documents displayed normative regulation of activities to develop prosociality as a moral quality in line with the paradigm of the humanistic nature of education. Forming the civic activity of schoolchildren as an integral part of prosocial behavior is possible through the participation of schoolchildren in solving national problems, primarily in the format of volunteering. The greatest attention in Russian legislation is paid to issues of patriotic education of youth. Conclusion. A phenomenon of modern education is prosocial attitudes being introduced into the consciousness of young people, understood as a person’s ability to help others, take an active civic position, and act in the external environment.