Sphere Of Trade Research Articles

Межстрановые сопоставления безработицы и экономического роста в условиях пандемии COVID-19

Introduction. The factor of a sharp slowdown in economic growth in almost all countries since the beginning of 2020 has been quite atypical. Whereas previously we had seen shocks mainly related to economic processes, this time the “black swan” was a public health emergency – the new coronavirus pandemic COVID-19. A feature of this crisis was the unprecedented measures of states to restrict the movement of citizens, as well as the suspension of the activities of both industrial enterprises and enterprises in the sphere of trade and services. The aim of this work is to make cross-country comparisons of the impact of increased unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on different countries’ economic growth. Theoretical analysis. The relationship between the actual output gap and potential and cyclical unemployment rates has traditionally been studied according to the well-known law of A. Okun. Okun’s Law can be viewed as a linear algebraic equation for the function of real gross domestic product (GDP). The essence of the law is that with an increase in cyclical unemployment, total output should decrease, since the number of people employed in GDP production falls. Empirical analysis. Cross-country comparisons of economic growth and characteristics of the labor market in Russia, the USA, China, Canada and Germany from 2000 to 2020, including the period of the new coronavirus infection pandemic, were carried out. Results. Based on the analysis of time series of GDP and the unemployment rate, it is shown that, depending on the depth and effectiveness of state support measures for business in terms of maintaining employment, deviations of the actual values of GDP from those calculated in accordance with Okun’s empirical law are observed. The largest and smallest deviations in real GDP changes from the predictions for the first half of 2020 have been recorded in Germany and Canada, respectively.

Marketing Aspects of Innovative Development of Business Organizations in the Sphere of Production, Trade, Transport, and Logistics in VUCA Conditions

The objective of this study is to identify the main trends of integration and innovation of marketing, which will make it possible for business organizations, including industrial enterprises, trading companies, and transport and logistics companies, taking into account the feature of the modern world, to direct the marketing activities towards the sustainable innovative development. The research is focused on the impact of the modern world characteristics and features of the digital society on the innovative development of business organizations, as well as identifies the key areas of integration of marketing and innovation. As a result of the analysis of vacancies of the world’s leading companies, the requirements for marketers working in the field of innovation are generalized. Based on the results obtained, the basic principles of sustainable innovative development of business organizations are formulated, taking into account marketing and innovation integration.

Transparency in US Trade Policymaking: Inclusive Design or Exclusionary Process?

ABSTRACT This article aims to deconstruct the concept of transparency in trade policymaking and analyse its consequences on the redistribution of power among stakeholders. To do so, it examines the presidency of Barack Obama (2009–2016), who repeatedly promised to make transparency one of its central governing principles. The study relies on policy analysis of legislative reform, executive orders, and recent trade agreements as well as discursive analysis of government sources. It reveals that while transparency has gained traction in the trade sphere, it can have diverging meanings and even opposite effects. By providing greater information to the public, transparency mechanisms can foster inclusiveness and democratic accountability to the benefit of civil society actors. However, transparency rules also have exclusionary effects that can not only shut out non-state actors but also constrain democratically elected governments under the logic of free market expansion. Under the Obama administration, efforts to bring greater accountability to the trade policy process mostly failed, while the transparency narrative was instrumentalised to pursue national economic objectives and impose greater market disciplines on America’s trading partners. Evidence shows that the prevalence of exclusionary forms of transparency over inclusive mechanisms persisted under the Trump presidency.

Strontium isotope evidence for a trade network between southeastern Arabia and India during Antiquity

Cotton (Gossypium sp.), a plant of tropical and sub-tropical origin, appeared at several sites on the Arabian Peninsula at the end of the 1st mill. BCE-beginning of the 1st mill. CE. Its spread into this non-native, arid environment is emblematic of the trade dynamics that took place at this pivotal point in human history. Due to its geographical location, the Arabian Peninsula is connected to both the Indian and African trading spheres, making it complex to reconstruct the trans-continental trajectories of plant diffusion into and across Arabia in Antiquity. Key questions remain pertaining to: (1) provenance, i.e. are plant remains of local or imported origin and (2) the precise timing of cotton arrival and spread. The ancient site of Mleiha, located in modern-day United Arab Emirates, is a rare and significant case where rich archaeobotanical remains dating to the Late Pre-Islamic period (2nd–3rd c. CE), including cotton seeds and fabrics, have been preserved in a burned-down fortified building. To better understand the initial trade and/or production of cotton in this region, strontium isotopes of leached, charred cotton remains are used as a powerful tracer and the results indicate that the earliest cotton finds did not originate from the Oman Peninsula, but were more likely sourced from further afield, with the north-western coast of India being an isotopically compatible provenance. Identifying the presence of such imported cotton textiles and seeds in southeastern Arabia is significant as it is representative of the early diffusion of the crop in the region, later to be grown extensively in local oases.

Інноваційний розвиток сфери торгівлі

The article is aimed at examining the innovation activity of the world-wide and domestic companies in the sphere of trade; identifying global trends in the innovative development of trading companies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic; development of recommendations for further development and increase of the level of innovation by domestic companies in the sphere of trade, taking into account world trends. The latest data on Ukraine’s positions in the competitiveness and innovation activity ratings are considered and analyzed. The peculiarities of innovative development of both world-wide and domestic companies in the sphere of trade are researched. By analyzing activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic of the world’s most successful companies in the sphere of trade along with the companies – innovative leaders among retailers, it was possible to determine the main directions of innovative development in the world. It is also defined that companies seeking to become the strongest in innovation, taking into account the situation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, mostly prefer the frontline analytics, digital design and technology platforms. The article analyzes the current status and defines the main trends in the innovative development of domestic business entities in the sphere of trade. In the context of the crisis associated with the coronavirus outbreak, only those companies that are capable to create sustainable competitive advantages will take hold on the market. Trading companies need to focus on being open to innovation and digital transformation and changing existing business models accordingly to a more sustainable ones. The article develops recommendations for further development and increase of the level of innovation by domestic business entities in the sphere of trade, taking into account world-wide trends.

ВІЙСЬКОВИЙ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ РЕГІОНАЛЬНИХ ОБ’ЄДНАНЬ

At the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, large-scale interna-tional conflicts and wars between groups of individuals, unrecognized international actors and countries continue to unfold. In the context of globalization, the issue of forming and strengthening the military potential of the country largely depends on its international integration policy and participation in regional alliances. Relations between the members of regional organizations are formed in the spheres of trade, finance, technical and political cooperation, among which the most important issue is military cooperation, which strengthens their military potential on the world stage. The study found that in existing regional organizations, the degree of military interaction between countries differs significantly. The authors grouped regional organizations according to the power of military cooperation into three groups. The first group is regional integration organizations that do not have joint military forces, military programs and coordination structures. This group includes the vast majority of regional organizations. The second group is regional integration organizations, which have a small amount of military cooperation, conduct joint military exercises, carry out force programs and are able to solve problems with a consolidated military force. This group includes and studied: Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU). The third group is regional alliances, which have a strong military potential. These integration organizations have: an extensive system of international agreements; unified standards; joint military units; joint development programs; coordinating structures; carry out joint exercises and military operations. This group includes: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), European Union (EU). Based on the author's analysis of the military potential of regional organizations, recommendations for countries have been developed. For the countries of the first group it is necessary to determine the expediency of strengthening the military potential of the country by strengthening the integration process: within the membership of existing integration organizations; joining other integration organizations; creation of new integration organizations. For the countries of the second group, it is advisable to continue to support military formations, increase spending on the protection and defense of life and health of their citizens from terrorist groups and other illegal actions that may endanger the government and civilians. For the countries of the third group it is recommended to maintain cooperation in the military sphere, to increase the costs of improving military equipment and weapons. Conduct more joint exercises to gain new experience and skills in different conditions of use of military resources in civilian and military spheres. These most powerful regional alliances have an advantage in the military field precisely because of the number of troops, the number of weapons, military equipment, and joint military bases. And the main goal of these regional organizations is to create security for their citizens and the world as a whole, through the development of new effective mechanisms for global interaction.

РОЗВИТОК ТОРГОВЕЛЬНО-ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ВІДНОСИН КНР З КАЗАХСТАНОМ І УЗБЕКИСТАНОМ У 2013–2020 РР.: ПОРІВНЯЛЬНИЙ АНАЛІЗ

This paper explores the development of trade and economic relations between China and Kazakhstan, and China and Uzbekistan since the introduction of the "One Belt – One Road" initiative in 2013 until the economic slowdown in 2020. The author also compares the different ways in which China–Kazakhstan and China–Uzbekistan trade and economic relations were developed. The research reveals a significant role of the "One Belt – One Road" initiative in the rapid growth of bilateral cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, and China and Uzbekistan in the spheres of trade, infrastructure development, finance and energy. Kazakhstan and China put the emphasis on infrastructure development and trade, including the manufactured products. Uzbekistan and China focused on trade in energy resources. China's investment in both Central Asian countries grew equally, however Kazakhstan received more Chinese loans than Uzbekistan. China provided loans to both countries only on condition of their cooperation with Chinese companies operating in Central Asia. New transit routes were built within the framework of the "One Belt – One Road" initiative. China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan implemented joint highways projects such as the Kabul and Trans-Caspian corridors. While China and Kazakhstan developed continental infrastructure projects such as "Western China-Western Europe", China and Uzbekistan focused more on local programs such as the construction of the Kamchik tunnel. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan pursued different energy policies toward China. Kazakhstan was developing equal cooperation with China and Russia in energy sphere. Uzbekistan tried to pursue a policy of energy independence, and when it failed, it began to work more closely with China. Other significant differences between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan included their positions regarding the financial structures of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. During discussion of the SCO Development Bank project, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan supported Chinese and Russian projects respectively.

Гендерні особливості ринку праці в умовах пандемії COVID-19

The article is aimed at exploring the gender features of the labor market in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the impact of quarantine restrictions caused by the introduction of anti-epidemic measures to counteract the spread of coronavirus disease in Ukraine, on the existing balance of gender equality in Ukrainian society. The identified gender inequality manifestations in the labor market have intensified and received negative dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine restrictions and the limited activities of enterprises in the sphere of trade, culture, art, education, hotel business and others, in the structure of employment of which the women’s labor force prevails, have caused an increase in the number of unemployed and a decrease in the social protection of employees involved in these sectors. An increase in the wage gap between women and men during the period of quarantine restrictions both by type of economic activity and by region is identified. The proposals and recommendations are directed towards: taking into account gender needs in overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic; reducing gender inequality and injustice in employment and income; ensuring support for political activity of the female population, involvement in decision-making in the life of both the community and the State; strengthening liability for direct or indirect discrimination and gender inequality; taking into account in the programs of socio-economic development of territories of gender needs as to different age groups; introduction of training aimed at ensuring gender approach and gender equality in organizations and enterprises; financial, economic, legal and educational support for the development of women’s business. Prospect for further research in this direction is to determine the impact of the existing level of gender equality and the structure of employment by gender in the sectors on the possibilities of economic development of the country.

Обучение искуственной нейронной сети

The methodology of neural networks is even more often applied in tasks of management and decision-making, including in the sphere of trade and finance. The basis of neural networks is made by nonlinear adaptive systems which proved the efficiency at the solution of problems of forecasting.

МІГРАЦІЯ З УКРАЇНИ ДО ПІВДЕННО-АФРИКАНСЬКОЇ РЕСПУБЛІКИ ЯК МОЖЛИВИЙ ЧИННИК РОЗВИТКУ ТОРГІВЛІ

For the last decade external migration flows from Ukraine increased from 5.4 million (2010) to 5.9 million (2019) while, according to author’s calculations, Ukrainian migration to Africa has tripled during the same period. Due to the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and the corresponding changes in priorities in the international political arena, the development of trade and diversification of foreign economic partners have become crucially important for Ukraine. Many empirical non-Ukrainian studies prove the positive impact of international migration on trade between the country of origin and the destination of migrants. In this situation the issue of involving Ukrainian migrants in establishing economic cooperation between Ukraine and country of Ukrainian migrants’ residence, especially in the trade sphere, is very actual. According to the UN migration data, in the beginning of 2020 the number of Ukrainian migrants among all African countries was the highest in the Republic of South Africa, making 6.7 thousand people. Therefore, the aim of the article is to identify the possible impact of Ukrainian migration to South Africa on the growth of trade in goods from Ukraine to South Africa, as well as the factors that may cause it. The author of the article considers the dynamics of migration from Ukraine to South Africa, as well as the dynamics of exports of goods and services for the period 2000 – 2019 years. Analysis of data by approximation using CurveExpert software allow to trace the correlation between the dynamics of migration from Ukraine to South Africa and export growth: a quadratic relationship with a correlation coefficient R = 0.9345. The ratio of the share of exports of goods and services from Ukraine to South Africa of the 2000 – 2019 period is analyzed, and a conclusion is made about the significant dominance of goods in the overall structure of exports. The analysis of the commodity structure of exports of goods allows to explain the reason for the positive impact of migration on it: predominance of food products, which are in great demand among Ukrainian migrants in South Africa. An additional factor that may further stimulate the growth of trade from Ukraine to South Africa is the entrepreneurial activity of Ukrainian migrants in this country and their great interest in establishing and promotion of trade exchanges between their country of origin and the country of destination.

Детермінанти розвитку внутрішньої торгівлі в Україні

Intensification of globalization processes and transition of economically developed countries to the post-industrial stage of development determine the modern vector of structural and institutional transformation of the domestic market as a whole and trade in particular. The article is aimed at estimating the determinants of the development of domestic trade in Ukraine. The indicators of internal trade development are analyzed. The regional structure of retail turnover of Ukraine is provided. The risks and threats of foreign trade liberalization for domestic producers are characterized. The share of imported food and non-food products sold through the trade network of enterprises is computed. The commodity structure of imports by wide economic categories is provided. The risks of growing import dependence of the Ukrainian economy in terms of goods for final and intermediate consumption are identified. It is substantiated that one of the important vectors of improving the efficiency of the national economy is structural changes in the sphere of domestic trade. The prospects for the development of domestic trade in Ukraine are generalized, including those caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is argued that the coronavirus crisis is one of the key challenges for business in modern conditions, covering all its aspects – from sectoral to global supply chains. The priority of digital transformation of enterprises in order to protect their own position from high technologies of competitors and the opportunity to take advantage of greater functionality of digital business models with their adaptability and performance is determined. It is substantiated that the processes of globalization in the context of the coronavirus crisis have slowed down, which can lead to significant changes in the structure of the market, affect the distribution of online and offline trading. The prospect of further research in this direction is the forecasting of challenges and threats of the post-pandemic development for the domestic market of Ukraine.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ МАРКЕТИНГОВИХ КОМУНІКАЦІЙ У СФЕРІ РОЗДРІБНОЇ ТОРГІВЛІ В УМОВАХ COVID-19

The approaches to the interpretation of the concept of «marketing communication» in modern business conditions are singled out. The authors propose to consider this concept as an enterprise activity related to advertising, sales promotion, event sponsorship, public relations, direct, interactive, referral marketing, omnichannel interaction with consumers, digital transformation of the enterprise and fintech ecosystems. The development trends of the essential commodities market and some aspects of goods promotion in retail networks in the conditions of Covid-19 are analyzed. The turnover of retail trade in Ukraine and Lviv region in January-September 2021, monthly expenses for home food in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2021 are studied. It is established that for the 1st quarter of 2021 the equivalent total soaring per person averaged UAH 91.55. for one day. The dynamics of prices for basic necessities in Ukraine in 2021 is presented (in% from December 2020 to September 2021). Analyzing the prices of essential goods from December 2020, it was proved that egg prices fell sharply to -20% from May to August, and prices for sunflower oil rose sharply from March to September 2021. Online and offline tools for promoting retail networks in Ukraine are systematized. It is important to use and develop the system of online tools for promoting local product networks in the conditions of Covid-19, in particular «blogging», prize drawing and promotional offers in social networks, mail advertising related to loyalty programs, posting projects on crowdfunding platforms (indirect advertising) with the possibility to attract investments, sms-advertising or viber-advertising through the CRM-system of the enterprise, Internet advertising. The peculiarities of the functioning of the marketing communications system in the sphere of retail trade in the context of digital transformation and the CRM-systems using of enterprises are investigated. The authors propose to understand the development process of marketing communication system in the conditions of Covid-19 pandemic through the prism of the triad «health-security-mutual aid».

МІЖНАРОДНА ТОРГІВЛЯ І ГЛОБАЛЬНІ ВИКЛИКИ

The article is devoted to the analysis of trends in international trade in the conditions of current global challenges, including the pandemic that led to the introduction of quarantine restrictions, lockdown, and closure of national borders causing one of the largest economic crises in the last century. The article also aims to substantiate the role of exports for economic development of countries. Important global trends that have been observed are identified, the processes of development of the sphere of international trade are determined, and the position of the World Trade Organization in the researched issues is highlighted. The article outlines the peculiarities of the application of a number of measures aimed at regulating foreign trade flows including a significant restriction of exports of certain categories of goods and simplification of import procedures for goods needed to combat the pandemic in the countries of the world. An econometric model (a panel regression model) is constructed to illustrate the dependence of the gross domestic product of the twenty leading countries on their exports of goods and services. The study proves that the growth of exports of goods and services will directly lead to GDP growth. It is substantiated that, in the conditions of emergence and long-term action of the trends and with a simultaneous absence of means preventing the negative influence of global factors on international trade in general and foreign trade of separate countries of the world, there is a danger of reduction of their role as an important factor of economic growth. The trends of development of foreign trade of Ukraine are considered in the period of the pandemic, in particular its commodity and geographical structure, rates of change of volumes of trade flows. The stress is laid on the high export-oriented raw materials, the steady trend of import dependence and the preservation of the negative balance of the foreign trade balance of our country. The common features and differences in the processes of foreign trade operations by the EU member states and Ukraine are summarized. Emphasis is placed on the need to create effective response mechanisms at the state level that can reduce the negative impact of global challenges on the country’s foreign trade.

Маркетинговий аналіз експортної діяльності агрокомплексу України

The purpose of the article is to study the sphere of foreign trade in agrarian products using statistical methods and analysis of results; identifying business weaknesses in this sector, prospects and opportunities for the development of the agro-industrial sector in Ukraine. The article considers the essence of marketing research in the field of exports of agro-industrial products. The classification of agricultural products and its impact on the formation and activity of the market of agrarian complex are determined. The main commodity groups of agro-industrial products, the contribution of agriculture to the export activities of Ukraine and the role in the international market are identified. A structural analysis of exported products of the agrarian complex and a dynamic analysis on the basis of the export volumes in recent years are carried out, taking into account the division into commodity groups, according to which the progress of the export agribusiness sphere is determined. A dynamic analysis of the number of economic entities in this sphere is carried out, the factors that affect the attractiveness of the agrarian sector for doing business are defined. The commodity structure of agricultural goods is analyzed, determining the main goods in demand and the perspective directions of trade. The geographical structure of exports of agro-industrial goods is analyzed, indicating the main countries participating in the intensive trade. The impact of the COVID-factor on the development and change of agricultural export volumes is indicated. A SWOT analysis of the sphere is carried out, the main problems and possible ways of their elimination in order to further improve international trade in the field of agrarian complex are identified. A forecast of agricultural exports at the end of 2021 and for 2022 is carried out using the extrapolation method.

Моделювання системи оцінки підприємств роздрібної торгівлі на основі КРІ та процесного підходу

The article proposes a model for evaluating the activities of retail enterprise, which is based on five stages and allows determining ways to increase the efficiency of functioning, which will improve the adaptive properties of the economic object. The analysis of types of KPI is carried out, process and functional approaches are identified as the main ones for the direct development of key performance indicators, as well as the characteristics of the evaluation of effective marketing at enterprises, including those that function in the sphere of retail trade, are determined. The authors considered how modeling and forecasting of key financial indicators of an enterprise contribute to the creation of strategies for its development. The article notes that for the initial evaluation of a retail enterprise focused on long-term success, it is mandatory to conduct an audit aimed at assessing the efficiency of the economic object and defining how quickly the enterprise adapts to dynamic environmental conditions. The carried out analysis allowed to identify the key factors that contribute to an improvement of the enterprise’s operation. Also, on the example of the Isikawa diagram, the ratio of KPI, strategies and understanding of business processes was considered in order to set, control and analyze the achievement of goals.

Большая Евразия в условиях новой политико-экономической реальности

The COVID-19 pandemic has subjected international relations to a severe stress test - at the level of both individual states and multilateral associations. Among the obvious challenges are the economic crisis, the crisis of global governance, the growth of protectionist and isolationist sentiments, the growing military confrontation along the US-China axis. The article focuses on two important areas of integration of the Greater Eurasia project - in the field of defense and security and in the economic sphere in the context of the pandemic. The first part of the article examines the challenges associated with the defense and security sector of Greater Eurasia, using the example of military cooperation between China and Russia. It is concluded that by 2016, an «average» level of military interaction had been achieved in Russian-Chinese relations, which opens up opportunities for further integration. However, given that relations between the two great powers are built on the basis of respect for national interests and sovereign equality, further military integration of Russia and China is being questioned. It is noted that in the face of growing contradictions between the PRC and the United States, the pandemic contributed to a more self-confident and assertive behavior of Beijing in the foreign arena. The second part of the article examines the economic and geographical dimension of the integration of Greater Eurasia on the example of relations between the Russian Federation and the PRC in the trade and economic sphere. It is indicated that the absence of an agreement on an additional reduction in oil production between Saudi Arabia, Russia and other OPEC+ countries and the corresponding collapse of oil prices have a significant impact on the development of economic integration in Greater Eurasia. Scenarios for the further economic development of this regional international community after the pandemic are proposed.

ГЕОПОЛИТИЧЕСКИЕ КЕЙСЫ В ПРОЦЕССЕ УРЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКОГО КОНФЛИКТА

The article analyzes the features of the involvement of external actors in the process of resolving the Transnistrian conflict. The authors made an excursion to the genesis of registration of the regional system of relations, which revealed the specifics of the national interests of the world’s leading players in the region. The article also analyzes competition of geopolitical in- terests in the region, representing by its nature the reflection of the transform- ing basics of modern world order. Despite the term of Euro-Atlantic solidarity established in the scientific community, however, it is impossible to talk on the agreed position of the European and North American communities in ap- proaches to regional processes. The nature of the settlement of the Transnistri- an relations reflects an incomplete coincidence of the positions of the European Union and the United States in the process of resolving the conflict . At the same time, attempts to resolve the conflict bring to the surface the Romanian factor which every year is growing and exerting a great influence on Moldova both in the trade and economic sphere and in the political one. The authors mark a special place of the Russian Federation in the regional system of rela- tions. Possessing an extensive system of national interests in the region, Russia performs the functions of the guarantor of peace and stability. Moreover the creation of an effective system for the protection of its compatriots in Trans- nistria is of particular importance for the Russian leadership. The author’s article presents the Moldovan political forces – conductors of the interests of certain geopolitical cases. It reflects the tools of influence of external actors on the regional relationship architecture. Based on the analysis the authors draw conclusions about the presence of additional obstacles in the way to ensuring the inviolability of the security architecture in the region.

Change in legislation in consumer society

The article is devoted to the transformation of law-making and law-enforcement practice in the conditions of consumer society. The perception of a thing as an indicator of status, unjustified overestimation of the value of intellectual rights, property stratification, changes in the trade and financial spheres pose a threat to social, consumer and environmental security. The purpose of the article is to study the actual problems of legal regulation of such new manifestations of the era of consumerism as affluence, astroturfing, planned obsolescence, brand cult, etc. The analysis of the current situation makes it possible to state the need for wider application of public law methods of human rights protection. The author offers a study of the holistic concept of legal regulation in order to achieve an balance of private, public and public interests.

РОССИЙСКО-УЗБЕКСКИЕ ОТНОШЕНИЯ В ПОСЛЕДНИЕ ГОДЫ ПРЕЗИДЕНТСТВА ИСЛАМА КАРИМОВА

The article investigates the evolution of the Russian-Uzbekistani relations in the last years of the presidency of Islam Karimov (2012–2016). Based on a wide range of official sources and periodicals, it identifies the main trends, achievements and issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres. It determines the factors that influenced the interaction between Moscow and Tashkent, and pays a particular attention to the role of the presidents of the two states in the development and strength- ening of their cooperation. The author concludes that throughout the period under review the Rus- sian-Uzbekistani relations faced serious challenges. They were remarkably conflicting, unpredictable, inconsistent, and quite turbulent, what provoked the discussions about the correspondence of their real political condition to their high legal status (in 2004, Russia and Uzbekistan became strategic part- ners, and in 2005, allied states). Nevertheless, the two countries overcame most of their differences and took a course towards the further expansion and deep- ening, as well as modernization of their relations. As a result, at present Uzbeki- stan remains one of the most important Russia’s partners not only in Central Asia, but throughout the post-Soviet space, as well as within the framework of the leading international organizations.

ПОПИТ НА ПРАЦІВНИКІВ СФЕРИ ОПТОВОЇ ТА РОЗДРІБНОЇ ТОРГІВЛІ: РОЗВИТОК ЧИ ПЛИННІСТЬ КАДРІВ

The article analyzes the demand trends for workers in the field of wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles. Analysis of the data of the State Employment Service proves the constant demand for trade and repair workers. The share of vacancies in this area of economic activity in January-February 2021 was 14.0%, which corresponds to the second position after demand in the processing industry (18.8%). Staff turnover in the field of wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles exceeds the norm and reaches 51.7% and this trend has been observed in recent years. However, as our research shows, this is caused not so much by economic development as by staff turnover in this area of economic activity and professional group. The conditionality of the increased demand for workers within this sphere of economic activity is investigated. In the process of research it was found that the formation of demand is significantly influenced by staff turnover. To reduce staff turnover, attention should be paid to the level of wages and working conditions, social package, career opportunities, opportunities to receive a bonus for years of service, measures to form and maintain the social culture of the organization, and so on. The negative consequences of increased turnover in trade and services are low levels of productivity and labor organization, reduced responsibility in the performance of work and deteriorating quality of service delivery. Therefore, in order for the sphere of trade and services to promote economic development, it is necessary to think about the organization of labor in accordance with the principles of decent work. Strategic development of wholesale and retail trade; repair of vehicles and motorcycles requires the introduction of measures to retain staff in organizations through a management system, staff motivation, which is based on the principles of social responsibility, which will increase the use of labor potential, taking into account the interests of both employer and employee to increase competitiveness and the formation of a rational demand for workers in this area, which will help ensure the stability of the labor market.