Multi-agent systems for cooperative ITS

This article presents an original perspective upon the problem of creating intelligent transport systems in the conditions of using highly automated vehicles that freely move on the urban street-road networks. The author explores the issues of organizing a multi-agent system from such vehicles for solving the higher level tasks rather than by an individual agent (in this case – by a vehicle). Attention is also given to different types of interaction between the vehicles or vehicles and other agents. The examples of new tasks, in which the arrangement of such interaction would play a crucial role, are described. The scientific novelty is based on the application of particular methods and technologies of the multi-agent systems theory from the field of artificial intelligence to the creation of intelligent transport systems and organizing free-flow movement of highly automated vehicles. It is demonstrated the multi-agent systems are able to solve more complex tasks than separate agents or a group of non-interacting agents. This allows obtaining the emergent effects of the so-called swarm intelligence of the multiple interacting agents. This article may be valuable to everyone interested in the future of the transport sector.

Methodology for assessing the effectiveness of financing social expenditures considering the risk

  Currently, all the prerequisites have been met for transitioning to the qualitatively higher level of public finance management that correspond to the generally accepted principles and international standards. The responsibility for choosing the most effective methods of public expenditure management increases with the development of innovation economy. This actualizes the problem of improving the state financing of social expenditures. The subject of this research is the assessment of the effectiveness of government spending in the area of social policy, considering the range of indicators that reflect socioeconomic development of the regions. The score is suggested for assessing the effectiveness of government spending in the area of social policy based on the standardized values of the criteria that describe the aspects of social policy of the regions and the peculiarities of their economic development. The proposed methodology for integrated assessment of the effectiveness of government spending takes into account the trends in the criteria that characterize the level of economic development of the regions, as well as possible variability of budget flows aimed at financing social expenditures. Practical implementation of such methodology allows classifying the territories by the level of efficiency of social expenditures, which facilitates rational financial decisions on the formation of resources that ensure sustainable economic growth and development of strong human capital.  

Russian TV advertising: influencing perception and manipulating consumer consciousness

The subject of this research is the peculiarities of Russian TV advertising, as well as the functions of advertising with regards to the goals of advertisers, developers of advertising content, and consumers of advertising products. The article explores the specifics of modern Russian TV advertising, and analyzes the existing traditions of selective perception marketing, as well as advances the original concept of divergence of public values by the Russian media. The research employs systematic and axiological approaches, observation, system analysis, case analysis and content analysis of TV commercials, structural-functional and socio-psychological methods, as well as conceptualization and generalization techniques. The study considers 150 TV commercials broadcasted on the central Russian channels over the period from 2017 to 2020. The author reveals the peculiarities of the Russian advertising content, as well as the trends that established thereof in recent decades. The scientific novelty lies in the conclusion that the Russian TV advertising features a unique (compared to Western advertising) transformative function aimed at changing the national value system as the framework of Russian culture and mentality and the pillar of the Russian system of social values. The author also notes that many TV commercial use the techniques of manipulating consumer perception and consciousness. The acquired results can be applied in the area of protecting consumer interests in the Russian Federation, as well as bringing into correlation the interests of advertisers and consumers of advertising content for more effective promotion of products and services in tune with the interests of customers.

Real estate market in the time of pandemic: current trends and projections

The object of this research is the real estate market, while the subject of is the socioeconomic relations between all actors of the real estate market established in the context of implementation of restrictive measures due to COVID-19 pandemic. The authors examine the key theoretical aspects of the real estate market, analyze the dynamics in the housing (including premium segment), commercial, office and other property; make projections and align expert opinions on long-term development associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasis is placed on the impact of changes in mortgage lending with a lower interest rate under the State Support 2020 program development for the development of new-build property market. The following conclusions were made: paradoxicalness of the development of real estate market during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the obvious negative factors did not lead to a drop in property prices; ambiguity of forecasts for the development of real estate market after the coronavirus pandemic, considering its consequences; situation on the real estate market of China, Hong Kong, and the United States during the coronavirus pandemic indicate similar development scenarios, while the premium segment prices differ significantly. The authors’ special contribution consists in aligning various expert opinions and assessments on the particular elements of real estate market (reinforced by the statistical data of different countries), and formulating a general conclusion on the state of this economic segment under the current conditions of pandemic.

The impact of financial policy upon innovation activity in the Republic of Belarus

The object of this research is the financial policy and indicators that characterize it. Financial policy certainly has a significant impact upon the actions of innovation actors along with other important factors: access to scientific and technological information, availability of highly skilled personnel, level of innovation infrastructure, status of development of domestic and foreign target markets, availability of domestic market for foreign investment, protection of the rights of investors, trusts of the manufacturers in national currency, absence of obstacles to starting a business, consumer preferences, etc. Using the method of graphical analysis, the author illustrates the dynamics of innovation behavior of the Belarusian companies in the context of changing the key financial indicators. The management of available resources in the company – accrual, savings, or investment into innovation development – would depend on the economic conditions established in the country. The conducted analysis allows concluding on interdependence between the financial results of the companies and their innovation activity, the amount of borrowings and innovation costs, as well as currency rates on the investment in innovation.

Digital economy and “cloud” society

The object of this research is the process of management informatization in economic sphere. The subject of this research is the impact of active implementation of information management technologies upon transformation of this process. At the same time, the article does not dispute the effectiveness and feasibility of the segment of rendering digital services, but rather focuses on studying digital economy overall and its impact upon the modern information society. The relevance is defined by the fact that the expert opinions on digital economy and its prospects substantially differ, and the experience of rapid transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the number of potential problems. The application of systemic approach, methods of decomposition and comparative analysis, taking into account the experience of organization of remote work during the quarantine, allowed viewing the questions of digitalization of the economy as one of the spheres of human activity from a comprehensive perspective. The conclusion is made that digitalization of the economy, although not being a “know-how” in the direct sense, ensures taking the economic management processes to the new level, which due to changes in content of the processes in “real” economy, may substantially affect development of society as whole.

Health insurance reform in China after the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China

This article reviews the health insurance reforms in China for the period from 2002 to the present. It stated that 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China introduced significant amendments to health insurance system, balancing the negative impact of capitalist mechanisms, on the one hand, and justice and equality – on the other. This stage of development in China’s healthcare insurance system is described as the “second generation” in healthcare system, characterized with the change of government’s role in allocation of resources in healthcare sector: proliferation of “wild capitalism” in medicine is replaced with the concept of granting freedom to the market mechanisms under the government supervision. The reforms of PRC government in the area of health have a clear social focus. The state takes over responsibility for health of the citizens, which was released to a free market in the “new course” of the 1980s – 1990s. At the same time, the former paternalistic scheme is replaced by the equal system of interaction between society and the government. In all cases, the insurance funds are formed out of personal deposits of the citizens and deposits of local and central authorities. Municipalities are responsible for majority of decisions in the area of development of insurance schemes. The government’s role consists in establishment of minimum deposits and maximum coverage. This is how the central authorities, local administration and citizens are involved in insurance schemes on equal terms.

Principles for assessing efficiency of implementation of a corporate strategy

The subject of this research is the analysis of components constituting the efficiency of corporate strategy. The authors conduct detailed examination on the key elements of a competitive strategy proposing means for its assessment, and give recommendations in assessment of the efficiency of corporate development strategy, which plays the crucial role in realization and success of the activity of any company. The object of this research is the socioeconomic component of organization. An attempt was made to establish dependence between the key economic indicators of activity of the company and successful implementation of its strategy, which allowed formulating the main principles for its assessment. In the current context, the rapid changes in external environment force the companies to build more flexible development strategies and constantly adjust them in accordance with the dictated changes. At the same time, it is important to be able to assess the existing strategy through the prism of work performance indicators. The article substantiates the need for constant monitoring and assessment of the efficiency of existing corporate development strategy; establishes connection between the goals, resources, outlook, mission of the company with its strategy; as well as suggests the principles for assessing efficiency of corporate strategy that would facilitate timely determination of problematic areas from the strategic perspective and initiate measures for their elimination, which maintain the company’s competitiveness and help achieve long-terms success.

Problems and prospect of development of health insurance system in China

This article examines the current health insurance system in China. Emphasis is made on determination of the key features and peculiarities of Chinese health insurance system, as well as its flaws and ways for overcoming them. The author believes that resolution of major issues in Chinese health insurance system requires increased state involvement thereof, since the marked-based approach that has been in effect for the past 30 years lead to inequality and deterioration of the quality of healthcare. The following recommendations are made on the improvement of health insurance system: launch the targeted financing projects that would allow the citizens with especially dangerous diseases, such as cardiovascular, oncological, digestive and nervous system, diabetes, to be paid in full by insurance and state subsidies in receiving medical services and medications; forgo the principle of “annual limit” for medical services and medications under insurance coverage; unify insurance payment systems in different regions in order to improve the quality of rendering healthcare services in poor areas. The author also offers to consider the possibility of implementation of the universal guaranteed service standards that would ensure equal level of the quality of basic services regardless the type of insurance.

Managing accounting control in accounts receivable of the service industry companies

The subject of this research is the issues associated with management of accounting control in accounts receivable of the service industry companies for ensuring sustainability of financial position and efficiency of a business. The relevance of this topic is justified by the fact that due to the specificity of the work of service industry companies, the predominant type of transaction is payments from customers for services rendered. Attention is therefore given to the structurization of adequate accounting control system for payments. The novelty of this research consists in systematization of the key accounting aspects of managing payments from customers, substantiation of the need for structurization of the system of internal payment control for the purpose of uninterrupted payment monitoring and timely debt repayment. An important role is also played by the practical examination of the questions of accounting and control of customer payments based on the case of the Municipal Unitary Enterprise “Surazh Regional Water Services Company””, which will allow ensuring proper organization of the system of managing accounts receivable in the service industry companies.