Assessment of Gender Differences Characteristic of the Main Stages of Entrepreneurial Activity

The article is devoted to the actual problem of the existing differences in the entrepreneurial activity of women and men. The aim of the study is to assess the current levels of participation of women and men in business activities in modern national economies. The study solved the problems of determining the values of indicators that characterize the initial stage of entrepreneurship, stabile entrepreneurship, as well as the exit of entrepreneurs from their businesses. As a starting point, the study used the results of surveys conducted in 59 countries during the implementation of the Global entrepreneurship monitoring project. In the course of the work, the assessment of nine indicators characterizing such stages as start- up and stabile entrepreneurship, as well as the termination of this activity, was considered. The study developed functions that show the distribution of indicators across 59 countries that describe the proportion of women and men in the three main stages of entrepreneurship. In addition, gender differences in these three stages were assessed. The results showed that in most countries there is a gender gap between the indicators of entrepreneurial activity, that is, women participate in it to a lesser extent than men. Comparing the values of indicators for Russia and foreign countries showed that both women and men in our country are less interested in an entrepreneurial career in contrast to other countries. The results obtained are new and original. They have theoretical and practical implications for governments and entrepreneurs. The methodological approach to assessing gender differences in entrepreneurship presented in the article can be used in further research. The new knowledge gained is of interest and can be used in the educational process at universities.

Factors Affecting the Competitiveness of an Educational Organization

The presented material discusses the issues of competitiveness in education, the competitiveness of an educational organization, its components. Currently, one of the topical issues is the question of the competitiveness of modern Russian education. Also, the topic of the development of competition in Russian education is constantly discussed by the world community. In discourses about the competitiveness of an educational organization in the modern educational market, such a problem as identifying/determining the factors of its increase is brought to the fore. According to various studies, the competitiveness of an educational organization is influenced by a variety of external and internal factors. In this regard, the main attention is paid to the identification of factors that ensure the competitiveness of Russian educational organizations in the educational services market. Now there is an increase in the competitiveness of Russian higher education in the international market, and therefore the competitiveness of education is considered on a global scale as the ability of the national education system to compete in the global scientific and educational market. It is worth noting that competitiveness is rightfully recognized as a complex concept, the meanings of which are considered in the broad and narrow senses of the word. When studying various aspects of the competitiveness of an educational organization, it is proposed to focus on the general definition of the concept of “competitiveness”, set out in the article. The competitiveness of an educational organization (like any other organization) is determined by the competitiveness of its personnel, and the competitiveness of personnel largely depends on the motivation of personnel to work, therefore, the article focuses on the factors that affect the competitiveness of an educational organization as a whole and in particular on the motivation of one of the categories of the main personnel of an educational organization (teaching staff) as a factor of increasing the competitiveness of an educational organization. The results of the research described in the article allow us to conclude that the constant study/monitoring of factors affecting the competitiveness of an educational organization is an important component of improving its competitiveness, which determines the need for further research and development in this area.

On the Relationship between Risk Sustainability and Economic Security in a Competitive Environment

The relevance of the chosen research topic is due to the fact that in modern conditions of economic instability and increasing competition, there is a high degree of uncertainty, both in the external and internal environment. All this forces business entities to constantly monitor the environment, look for alternative management solutions aimed at ensuring the risk resistance of the enterprise while maintaining the optimal level of profitability. Many obstacles exist in the conduct of business activities: information uncertainty, unstable economic environment, unpredictability of market conditions, prices, supply and demand, consumers’ ability to pay, low efficiency of the tax system. In this regard, an increasing number of enterprises are introducing risk assessment and analysis systems in their practice. However, due to the fact that each functioning enterprise differs in a number of specific features and, first of all, in economic activity, size, business processes, today there is no single methodological approach to risk management. In the scientific literature, there are many alternative methods for identifying risk factors and their assessment, but they are all considered through the prism of the specific characteristics of an economic entity. The purpose of the study is to develop theoretical foundations and methodological approaches to substantiate the relationship between risk resistance and economic security in order to ensure the strengthening of the competitiveness of the functioning of a small enterprise. Especially the authors of the article highlighted the review of scientific opinions of such concepts as “risk resistance”, “economic security of the enterprise”. The article is devoted to the consideration of such an important aspect of the life of an enterprise as ensuring its competitiveness. In this regard, the authors focus their attention on the relationship and impact on the economic security of the enterprise of its risk resistance. On a specific example, a model of the relationship between financial stability and economic security of a small enterprise is presented. The article examines the scientific positions and points of view of various researchers on this issue, formulates the authors’ opinion based on these observations, describes the main conclusions and recommendations.

Continuous Entrepreneurship Education: Formation of an Innovative Model (2021 Experience)

The article presents the results of the federal innovation project implementation “Model of an innovative system of continuous entrepreneurship education of higher education of the Russian Federation” in 2021, created in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation No. 1580 dated December 25, 2020, in the Synergy University. The goal of the project is to design, create and implement an innovative system of entrepreneurship education in a higher educational institution of the Russian Federation. It also analyzes the relevance and innovative implementation of the project from the standpoint of the current state of entrepreneurship education in the Russian Federation at the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Competencies that form the core of an entrepreneur’s professional competence are analyzed. Based on this analysis, the substantiation of the professional competency-based model of practice-oriented education is provided for the programs of lifelong entrepreneurship education. The sequence of the formation of universal, general professional and professional competencies at the levels of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in entrepreneurship programs is revealed. The described approaches formed the basis for the refinement and improvement of competency matrices. It is proved that the development of a harmonized curriculum should be based on the proposed approach to the formation of learning outcomes. The authors describe the design features of methodological content that contributes to the consistent application of practice-oriented approaches in the implementation of lifelong entrepreneurship education programs, as well as innovative techniques, technologies, entrepreneurship training, and the trajectory of individualization of training for undergraduate and graduate programs. Other issues that are considered in the article reveal the activities of the federal innovation project from the standpoint of scientific publications, the dissemination of experience in the scientific community. Based on the described results, recommendations are proposed for the further formation of an innovative system of continuous entrepreneurship education in the Russian Federation.

Quality of Education as a Factor of University Competitiveness

The strategic orientation of any modern educational organization is to achieve competitive advantages in the market of educational services. The competitiveness of the university is directly dependent on the quality of its educational services. Evaluation of the quality of education, in turn, goes to such concepts as the rating of the university and its accreditation. Discussion of this area of higher education is actively conducted in the academic community, but its research, especially in the realities of the digital economy, is insufficient, which makes this publication relevant. The purpose of the study is to identify the actual features of achieving high competitiveness in the conditions of digital transformation by a domestic university. To do this, it is necessary to analyze the existing experience of Russian higher education in terms of responding to the challenges of digital transformation and develop recommendations for achieving high quality education in modern conditions. The research methodology is based on the theoretical foundations of professional education and the competitiveness of Russian universities. The article analyzes the domestic and international experience in assessing the quality of education, while proving that the main criterion for assessing the competitiveness of a university is the quality of learning outcomes. Methods of comparative analysis, observation and generalization are used. The study proves that modern Russian higher education does not always adequately respond to the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation. A number of systemic problems hindering the achievement of high quality of modern higher education are identified. The necessity of combining the introduction of innovative technologies of the educational process with the preservation of the advantages of traditional education is confirmed. Promising directions of constructive interaction of the university with the most important stakeholders of higher education – employers are proposed.

Competitive Advantages as an Element of the Strategy of an Educational Organization (Based on the V. L. Kvint’s Methodology)

Competitive advantages are an important economic category that is receiving close attention from researchers. Any organization needs to have distinctive characteristics in order to distinguish it from other market participants. This rule is also relevant for educational organizations that operate in the educational services market, which is characterized by a stable increase in the level of competition. Thus, the relevance of this study is due to the necessity to find optimal methods for solving the problem of competition between educational organizations in the higher education system. The purpose of the study is to reveal the essence of the competitive advantages of an educational organization, as well as to study the factors contributing to their formation and development. In accordance with the goal, the following tasks are set: to reveal the content of the competitive advantages of an educational organization; to formulate the factors characterizing the competitiveness of an educational organization; put forward recommendations related to the formation and development of competitive advantages of an educational organization. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is the scientific achievements of domestic and foreign scientists on the issues of managing the competitiveness of an economic entity, including an educational organization. The author’s scientific conclusions are based on the theory of strategy and the methodology of strategizing by the outstanding scientist V. L. Kvint. To substantiate the achieved results, a set of scientific methods and approaches were used: analysis and synthesis, generalization, analogy, scientific theory. As a result of the research, based on the theory of strategy and the methodology of strategizing by V. L. Kvint, the essence of the competitive advantages of an educational organization as an element of its strategy is revealed. It is concluded that competitive advantages are an essential element of the strategic architecture, which, firstly, ensures the effectiveness of the strategy, and secondly, is a kind of filter in the goal-setting system of an educational organization. A number of recommendations related to the management of the competitive advantages of an educational organization are put forward.

From Competition to Competitive Cooperation: New Paradigm for Territories Development

The modern economic space demonstrates, on the one hand, the intensifying competitive struggle of various territorial entities for natural and financial resources, investments and business, for the population, qualified personnel, tourists, etc. On the other hand, the process of formation of competitive cooperation of territories, which does not exclude competition, and complements it, acting as a driving force for the development of the economy of regions and municipalities. The authors in the study assessed the current level and prospects of territorial competition, clarified the goals of competition of regions and municipalities. Consideration of the territory as a subject of competition is explained by the fact that the regions acquire the quality of a mega- enterprise. The potential of cooperation between the territories in the modern competitive economy is revealed. In modern Russia, competitive cooperation between territories is still very rare. A number of features of the evolution of competitive cooperation of territories are revealed: cooperation is specifically limited in time; any cooperation is inherent in risk; its formation and implementation always involve certain financial, intellectual, labor and other costs. The results of expert surveys conducted by the authors in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and in 2019 made it possible to highlight positive and negative results, as well as the consequences of interregional and intermunicipal cooperation in a competitive economy. An assessment of the readiness of territories (regions, municipalities) for cooperation is given. The paper draws attention to the fact that the regions and municipalities of Russia have different economic potentials, differ in the volume and specificity of resources, have features of spatial position, etc., which determines the possibilities for the development of their competitive cooperation. In the process of research, general scientific methods were used, in particular the dialectical method, the unity of the historical and logical, abstractions, analogies, expert surveys, etc. The results of the study can be used in the development and implementation of strategies for the socio-economic development of regions and municipalities in the modern competitive economic space.

Implementation of a Discount Policy the Shortage B2B Markets: a Marketing Ploy or Price Discrimination?

Modern research of B2B markets focuses on various aspects of information and economic interaction of market participants, but most often the features of marketing strategies in the field of promoting goods / services and building marketing communications are analyzed in order to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. The issues of effective pricing and the implementation of discount policy as a tool to stimulate sales in B2B markets have not been practically studied. The variability in the application of seller pricing policy instruments in B2B markets under conditions of a limited number of buyers can have a significant impact on the intensity of competition in the market and, as a consequence, lead to a change in the market structure, its transformation and loss of balance. Therefore, the pricing system in non-equilibrium, in particular, shortage markets, in which the inefficient use of discount mechanisms by sellers can take the form of price discrimination of buyers due to the increased market power of the seller, is of considerable scientific and practical interest. This article, being a continuation of the discourse started by the authors on price discrimination in scarce markets, published in No. 3 of the journal Modern Competition, and is devoted to the study of the feasibility of using discounts in equilibrium and scarce B2B markets. At the end of the series of articles on price discrimination in scarce markets [1], the authors intend to publish a third article, which will examine the case of a shortage solid-rolled wheel market in Russia in 2018-2019 from the standpoint of assessing the feasibility of preserving discount programs for certain categories of buyers in the specified oligopolistic B2B market.

Advertising Agency: the Specific Features of Working in a Competitive Digital Environment

The article is devoted to changes in the advertising market in the field of relationships between its main subjects. The author systematizes the problems that have intensified in connection with sanctions, restrictions and the global crisis caused by the global course of the pandemic 2020–2021. The research focuses on the advertising agency, its new role and functionality. Particular attention is paid to the agency’s work in the most dynamic segment of the advertising market – digital, and new tools, formats and technologies used in agency work. The study reveals a set of problems that arise in the digital environment and are associated, on the one hand, with man-made causes and features of information technologies 3.0, which are not so easy to adapt to solve marketing problems, and on the other hand, with the problems of communication management and updated agency functionality. Such a characteristic feature as transparency, which initially, at the dawn of the digital communication era, was a serious competitive advantage compared to classic advertising media, has now almost disappeared. This limits the possibilities for cooperation between advertisers, advertising distributors, and advertising producers. The movement towards transparency should be supported both at the macro-level of the industry and at the micro-scale of the individual agency, in order to help the agency business maintain its key role in the advertiser’s business and not push it to directly cooperate with advertising carriers, which will lead to a loss of content quality and media placement. In digital communications, the differentiation between the tasks of consistently strengthening the brand value and the tactics of quick advertising for immediate purchase is very serious, since these tasks are solved by completely different – not overlapping-tools. The authors consider integrated marketing in the digital environment as the implementation of the agency’s functions of planning, selecting promotion channels in accordance with the tasks set, budgeting, monitoring efficiency and building work with the subjects of the communication market.

Development of Dark Stores as a Competitive Form of Delivery of Goods

The aim of the scientific article is to study the transition of retail entities from the store format to the e-commerce format using the competitive advantages of dark stores. The subject of the research is competitive advantages when using high-tech and flexible forms of supply chains and in the delivery of goods. The relevance of the scientific article is due to the fact that the pace of development of online trade in 2018-2020 testifies to the growth of the largest companies in the e-commerce sector annually. This growth is due to high-tech trend trends that have been actively developing in recent years. They are structurally formed into a single system, the elements of which are: the use of Big data, the digital transformation of trade business processes, the integration of global marketing technologies, the use of smart forecasting and analysis of consumer behavior, personalization, orientation towards virtual content. This system is inherently aimed at the globalized development of trade relations. The authors investigate the essence of the concept of “dark store”, analyze the competitiveness of this phenomenon in e-commerce in modern conditions. Dark stores promote the development of a new generation of commerce, with competitive advantages, they do not interfere with existing production and distribution processes, but rather complement them. Currently, all large trade organizations of the food and non-food sectors are engaged in electronic commerce. First of all, online commerce is organized through online stores and marketplaces, but there are still many other electronic means of making a transaction - this is a page on a social network or a chatbot of a messenger, dark stores that require additional research. It is appropriate to characterize such marketplaces as aggregator sites playing the role of specialized structural intermediaries with a stable base engaged in the sale and distribution of the products of commercial agents. E-commerce in the dark store format thus contributes to the high-quality and competitive development of global economic ties.