MANUFACTURING ASPECTS OF OFFSHORE FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION

The research presented in this paper aim at identifying research commonalities between shipbuilding, offshore fabrication practices and manufacturing. As part of an exploratory effort a literature review and a case study of two offshore structures projects were performed. Research concerning shipbuilding and offshore fabrication, together with literature from other industries in construction, larger engineering projects and traditional manufacturing was reviewed. The two offshore structures projects were analyzed by means of interviews and complemented by direct observations and document reviews. The study concludes that there are gaps in the research concerned with holistic perspectives on the fabrication and installation phases of shipbuilding and offshore projects. The number of actors involved in any project of this magnitude increase barriers and communication interfaces. The dynamic nature of these types of projects was also observed and the changeability should always be a accounted factor when dealing with projects of this sort. The interviews held as part of the verification of observed phenomena in literature was limited to two projects and a single company and actors perceptions. However the collected data served well in being complementary to the literature review. It could be the task of academia to patch the gaps for overall project success, in the cases where single industry actors simply cannot see the benefit or do not have the recourses to fill them themselves. This study combines findings from traditional manufacturing industries, shipbuilding, offshore structures fabrication and large engineering projects in general.

Natural resources, settlement system and the role of single-industry towns in the spatial organization development of the Arctic Karelia regional economy

The article examines the Karelian Arctic region, formed due to the inclusion of a number of territories into the Russian Arctic. It provides a description of its geographical position and analyzes the dynamics of spatial development, the settlement system and mineral resource base, tourist, biological resource and fishery potential. The authors outline significant differentiation of the economic space of the region. They note that the natural resource and socio-economic potential is used extremely unevenly within the Arctic Karelia region. The authors reveal the decisive role of single-industry towns in the formation of trends in the spatial development of the region under study. Under existing conditions, they act as poles of economic growth and maintaining the population of the northern territories, with general trends of degradation of the settlement system and the aggravation of the sparseness of the economic space. The researchers analyze spatial localization of ongoing and planned investment projects in the region, determine and explain its regularities. The paper identifies the prerequisites for enhancing the economic development of the Belomorsk part of the Karelian Arctic, represented by two vectors: internal (from the existing economic centers within the region of the Karelian Arctic) and external (from the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions). The existing economic ties between the enterprises of the Belomorsk part of the Karelian Arctic, the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, as well as a number of projects in the mining, fishery, tourism and logistics spheres represent a significant potential for the interdependent development of the Arctic regions. For a more complete use of the existing development potential in these conditions, it is necessary to transform the role of single-industry towns in the formation of the regional economic space by improving the special economic regime and introducing institutional innovations. Improving the special economic regime of the Russian Arctic is one of the priority mechanisms for diversifying mono-profile economies, transitioning to innovative growth models and involving depressed territories in economic development processes.

Industrial special economic zone and single-industry town: Industry-branch orientation

Subject. This article discusses the problems of socio-economic development of monocities. Objectives. The article aims to consider the industry specialization of special economic zones (SEZ) and determine the extent of their mutual influence. Methods. For the study, we used a statistical analysis. Results. Based on the analysis of performance indicators of industrial special economic zones, the article breaks down economic zones and monocities by federal districts and describes their sectoral trends. The article emphasizes that when creating economic zones, the category the nearby monocities belong to was not taken into account, and there is no interaction between the zone and the monocity. Conclusions. On the basis of the studied, it can be assumed that when creating industrial special economic zones, the objective to improve the socio-economic situation of nearby monocities was not set at all.

The learning organization: the time is ripe for starting to certify the idea

Purpose To convince readers that the time is ripe to start certifying the learning organization and to outline what would be needed to accomplish such a certification. Design/methodology/approach This is an argumentative piece based on the author’s almost 30 years of experience from researching and authoring the learning organization. Findings It is argued that the idea of the learning organization is still “fluffy” and that it is not universally applicable as is. It is suggested that a broad, inclusive definition of the learning organization is taken as the starting point for the process of contextualizing the idea to reach a set of “contextualized standards”, which could be used when certifying the learning organization. Research limitations/implications Researchers are encouraged – in cooperation with practitioners – to sculpture one “contextualized standard” of the learning organization for each single industry. Such contextualized standards outline what, exactly, that could be demanded from organizations within the particular industry that want to become learning organizations. Practical implications There is a need for one – or some – non-profit association/s that could start to certify the learning organization on the basis of a set of contextualized standards. There may also be a need for consultants assisting organizations to transform themselves into learning organizations in accordance with these contextualized standards. Originality/value This is the first time (at least in writing) that it is suggested that the learning organization is certified.

Directions of socio—economic transformation of single—industry towns (on the example of the city of Kotovsk, Tambov region)

The article reveals the problems of socio–economic development of single– industry towns in Russia. The directions of socio–economic transformation of a monotown have been determined: formation of target documents for development; creation of zones of attraction for investors; diversification of production of the city–forming enterprise. It is concluded that the city of Kotovsk, as one of the monocities, needs to attract financial injections of small and large investors. At the same time, the successful implementation of all announced investment projects will have a positive impact on the diversification of the economy of a single–industry town, the growth of its tax base and the welfare of the population, as well as a decrease in the outflow of labor.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE STATE POLICY ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SINGLE-INDUSTRY TOWNS: RESULTS OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH (CASE OF ZHEZKAZGAN CITY)

This article examines the socio-economic development of monotowns in Kazakhstan on the example of Zhezkazgan city. The authors analyzed the satisfaction of citizens with the living conditions in monotowns, as well as identified the problems of sustainable development and prospects for socio-economic transformation of this region. The results of the study showed that the main problem of a monotown is its dependence on the city-forming enterprise. At the same time, respondents expressed a high desire to migrate to other regions (78% of respondents).

Demographic contraction as an indicator of the problems of single-industry municipalities

Migration processes associated with the outflow of the population from single-industry municipalities (monotowns) are becoming one of the components of global demographic changes on the territory of the Russian Federation. One of the tools to curb demographic contraction in the territory of single-industry municipalities can be the strengthening of diversification of the economy of monotowns, which should contribute to improving the quality of life of the population, including through a change in the structure of employment. The article analyzes the existing trends in the socio-economic development of single-industry towns of various types and shows that a significant number of them are characterized by demographic contraction, caused, among other things, by outflow of the working age population. Correlation analysis for a number of indicators characterizing demographic processes in single-industry municipalities showed a weak connection between them. Population survey data for 2016 and 2019 indicate a low assessment of measures to support single-industry towns by the population. The most significant factors for residents, indicating a favourable level of socio-economic development of the single-industry entity, in the opinion of the respondents, are employment opportunities, a decent level of wages, the quality of medical care, the quality of housing and utilities, and the ecological situation.