Digital economy and Industry 4.0: new challenges for small and medium enterprises

Subject/topic. The article is devoted to the study of the issues of universal digitalization as a factor of new challenges for small and medium-sized businesses. The modern socio-economic system of doing business is more and more dynamic and difficult to predict from the standpoint of the effects of society's group behavior generated by it, the volatility of trends in demand for products and services, and the urgent need to personalize the products and services created. Such requests are a direct consequence of the development of the digital economy and the emerging new world order – Industry 4.0. Modern market realities directly dictate to business the rules of the game in the digital field, activating internal signals to transform the business model of generating customer value and the way it is delivered to the client. If earlier the digital infrastructure of business played the role of an auxiliary link or an image tool, then since the second decade of the 21st century, digitalization has confidently taken the role of a driver for smart business growth and its qualitative development within the framework of the trilogy: power – client – business. Research results. The article describes the key features of the development of the digital economy in Russia, provides statistical data on the innovative activity of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as provides a critical review of the current challenges, threats and opportunities for involving small and medium-sized businesses in the digital era, substantiates conceptual formulas for assessing potential damage in if cyber threats are implemented. Conclusions. The materials of the article are of practical value for managers of small and medium-sized businesses, anti-crisis managers, specialized institutions of financial and consulting support. Only a constructive and honest dialogue of the largest players in the information technology market with the business community can help build a real and strong digital economy in Russia.

Formation of an innovative type of employment in oil and gas companies

Subject/topic. At the present stage of both global and national economic development, there are a significant number of factors that have a significant impact on key areas of human activity, particularly, the development of globalization, increasing the standard and pace of life, intensive digitalization of the economies of the world, which lead to a change in labor relations and workforce management processes. In this connection, the active development of innovative technologies has led to the formation of a completely new type of activity - innovative employment. Goals/objectives. The aim of the study is to determine the features of the formation of an innovative type of employment in oil and gas companies. The object of the research is the theoretical concepts of employment. The subject of this research is the formation of an innovative type of employment in oil and gas companies. Results. The authors summarize the outcomes formed as a result of the analysis of the level of qualification of personnel of oil and gas companies, and suggest the active implementation of professional development programs.

Import substitution in the context of ensuring the economic sovereignty of the Russian Federation

The study is devoted to the assessment of the interim results of the implementation of import substitution programs in key sectors of Russian industry, as well as their relationship with the level of economic sovereignty of the country. Goal. To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the interim results of import substitution programs in key industries, to determine and characterize their impact on ensuring the economic sovereignty of the country. Research methodology. The study used a comparative and retrospective analysis of import substitution processes in Russia, as well as theories and concepts of ensuring the economic sovereignty of the state, the use of which allowed us to identify the importance of import substitution in the conditions of sectoral sanctions against Russian industrial enterprises. Results. The results of the scientific research allowed us to reveal the existing theoretical approaches to determining the place and role of import substitution in the system of state measures to ensure its economic sovereignty. The results of the assessment of the interim results of the implementation of import substitution programs in key industries are presented separately, the analysis of the factors preventing the achievement of key indicators in reducing import dependence and ensuring the required level of economic sovereignty of the Russian Federation is carried out. Conclusions/significance. In the course of the scientific research, the importance of applying the results of the implementation of import substitution programs in key industries in increasing the level of economic sovereignty of the country is proved. The results of the study allow us to assert that the sectoral economic sanctions imposed against Russia, in addition to the negative, had a positive effect, which consisted in updating the technological base of industrial and agricultural enterprises, in mastering the production of new types of products, in the structural reorganization of key branches of Russian industry that had begun. The correctness of the thesis that to ensure the economic sovereignty of the country, not full, but selective import substitution is required is confirmed. Otherwise, Russian enterprises will be deprived of access to new technologies and will not be able to implement their own diversification programs.

Classification of threats to the economic security of the oil industry development

Subject/topic. The article is devoted to the methodology of ensuring the economic security of the oil industry and the sustainable development of the oil and petroleum products market. The subject of the study is the analysis of threats to the industry market and the grounds for their classification. Goals/objectives. Based on the analysis of threats to Russia's economic security in the oil sector, it is possible to identify existing approaches to their classification and justify the need for a systematic approach to the sustainable development of the oil industry, the oil and petroleum products market. Methodology. The methodological basis of the article consists of general scientific methods-synthesis, deduction. In the course of the study of threats to the development of the oil industry, event-based and economic-legal analysis, as well as expert, structural and statistical analysis were applied. Results. The article analyzes various conditions and factors that create the possibility of causing damage to the oil industry of the Russian Federation. Based on expert analysis, available strategic planning documents in the field of ensuring national, economic and energy security, macroeconomic data on the oil and petroleum products market and scientific publications in the field of development of the domestic oil industry, the author's proposals are presented, specifically recommendations for identifying and systematizing threats to the economic security of the oil industry and the sustainable development of the oil and petroleum products market in order to conduct a balanced state policy and implement national interests in relation to the oil industry. Conclusions/significance. The novelty consists in the formulation of the concepts of «threat», «challenge» and «risk» and their distinctive features; in identifying the grounds for classifying threats in the oil sphere of relations. As a result of the study, the grounds for classification were proposed according to the source of the impact, depending on the operating conditions of the oil sector, the nature of the threat, depending on the scope of their implementation, and the scale of the impact of the threats. Application. The results of the study can be applied in practical terms when making managerial decisions by officials of state authorities on the implementation of the state's economic policy for the sustainable development of the oil industry.

The Power of Utopia

The article is a preface to the book by Petrakov N.Ya. Russian Roulette: an economic experiment at the cost of 150 million lives. It reflects a century-long period of development of our country. An objective diagnosis of the state of the economy, politics, demography is given. It is concluded that political, economic and social experiments had negative consequences in the fate of Russia and its people. The question is raised about the further scenario of the development of events.

Evolution of the scientific definition of «economic sovereignty of the state» in the classical and recent theories of crises (catastrophes)

Subject/topic. The article is devoted to the study of the genesis of the concept of «economic sovereignty of the state» in the classical and newest theories of crises (catastrophes). Methodology. In the process of preparing a scientific publication, a wide range of general scientific methods of the empirical group was used, such as observation, comparison, measurement, analysis and synthesis, logical reasoning, as well as certain specific scientific methods: statistical analysis, expert assessments, graphical method. To study the processes of evolution of the scientific and conceptual apparatus, taking into account the dynamics of external challenges and threats, as well as national priorities for the formation of the digital economy, problem-chronological and historical-genetic methods of scientific knowledge were used. Results. According to the results of the scientific study, it was found that the definition of «economic sovereignty of the state» is a complex multidimensional concept closely related to the economic structure of the state and its strategic goals. The authors carried out a retrospective analysis of the evolution of the definition of «economic sovereignty of the state» from the standpoint of classical and newest theories of crises, summarized the dynamics of the composition of indicators of the state economic sovereignty of Russia. Conclusions/Significance. As part of a scientific study, the authors concluded that it is advisable to use the principle of synergy and combine the postulates of classical and newest theories of crises (catastrophes), which allows us to present a conceptual vision of the concept of «economic sovereignty of the state» in the digital economy as a complex multicomponent indicator characterizing the independence of the implementation and protection of public economic interests, as well as the sustainability of objects of national economic infrastructure in the internal and external cyberspace of the country. Application. The results of scientific research can be used to develop the academic competencies of students in public administration and ensuring the national security of the country in the digital economy; practitioners to develop professional competencies in the field of cybersecurity, Foresight; analysts for the formation of long-term state programs of socio-economic development, taking into account the global trends of Industry 4.0.

«Silk Road of Health» – an innovative and infrastructural basis for the post-pandemic recovery of the world economy

The study is aimed at analyzing the content and main directions of the formation of the transit health economy on the example of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) and its most important component – the Silk Road of Health (SRH), as well as the measures of the Chinese authorities to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Goal. To identify and analyze the internal contradictions of the B&R Initiative, which the pandemic has clearly shown, to develop proposals for the mutual linking of the various directions of the Chinese project in relation to the development of the transit economy in Russia. Tasks. Description of the content and main directions of the SRH; analysis of measures to combat the spread of the pandemic carried out by the authorities of the People's Republic of China (PRC), its provinces, as well as Russia, other states involved in the B&R project, in the context of modes of transport and the transport and communication system as a whole in the form of restrictions on export-import and transit cargo and passenger flows, difficulties in crossing borders, ship calls at seaports and crew changes; analysis of the impact of the pandemic and measures to combat it on the development of the transit economy. Methodology. The research uses the methods of world system analysis, evolutionary and institutional theory, economic and mathematical modeling, expert and analytical assessments. Results. It is shown that the pandemic has revealed the relevance and importance of the formation and development of the transit economy of health as a key direction of the post-crisis recovery of the world economy and the Russian national economic system. It was determined that the reorientation of cargo flows to rail transport was particularly evident in the field of transportation, which before the pandemic was carried out by air, i.e., in the segment of expensive goods, for which it is important to reduce the delivery time. It is indicated that an important anti-epidemic measure is the growth and passage of containerized cargo. It was emphasized that the high degree of uncertainty with sanitary standards in China creates nervousness in the market of export and transit cargo transportation. The main directions of the formation of SRH in Russia are outlined. Conclusions. The pandemic has increased awareness of the critical importance of digital connectivity to enhance the adaptive capacity of the global community and the global economy to meet today's challenges. Of all the components of the B&R, the anti-pandemic areas of the Initiative, namely, the SRH, the Digital Silk Road (DSR) and the Green Silk Road (GSR), should have priority. Russia should actively promote its own initiatives and projects for the development of the transit economy of health.

Digital sovereignty of Russia: barriers and new development tracks

Subject/Topic. The article is devoted to the study of the concept, parameters, barriers and scenarios for ensuring the digital sovereignty of the Russian Federation in the era of Industry 4.0. Methodology. To study the concept of digital sovereignty as a scientific shortage, the authors used general scientific methods (observation, comparison, measurement, analysis and synthesis, the method of logical reasoning), when conducting an analytical study of indicators of the digital maturity of the national economy of the Russian Federation, the dynamics of high-tech challenges and threats specific scientific methods were used (static analysis, expert assessments, graphical method), to form scenarios of the future trajectory of the development of digital sovereignty, methods of strategic management – SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, Foresight tools. The validity and reliability of the results of scientific research is ensured by the correctness and rigor of the construction of the logic and research scheme. Scientific and applied research of Russian and foreign scientists in the field of innovative development, digital economy and public administration was used as a methodological and fundamental basis for the study. The initial statistical data for the analysis were taken from open sources of thematic reviews and analytical reports of the consulting agencies VC.RU, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Skolkovo Research Center, Digital IQ, PWC, statistical collections of the Higher School of Economics and Rosstat. Results. Currently, digital sovereignty is considered from a political, economic and technological point of view, which determines the presence of a pluralism of points of view on its meaningful definition in the scientific literature. The authors propose to understand by digital sovereignty the criterion of sustainability of the architecture of a socio-economic business model in front of external and internal digital challenges and threats of various origins, as well as its ability to adapt and proactively protect its own interests in the digital sphere. The development of the digital sovereignty of the Russian Federation is presented according to four scenarios: 1st – the Russian Federation is unable to build an effective national infrastructure and is dependent on these groups, digital sovereignty has become an object and means of influence of world leaders on the behavior of entire states and allied formations, an emphasis on military the political role of digital sovereignty; 2nd – the Russian Federation joins the digital infrastructure to the Asian group, and the Chinese conglomerate pursues a policy of soft absorption with the gradual assimilation of the cultural and value paradigms of the population into non-Chinese paradigms; 3rd – the collapse of the oligo-polistic power, the FAMGA group (USA) and the BAT group (China), the entire world economy is being reshaped into autonomous digital ecosystems that build relationships among themselves on the principles of win-win partnership; 4th – the USA, EU, Russia is actively developing digital infrastructure in Asia, Africa, South America to form a new colonial system built on the basis of digital technologies. Conclusions/Relevance. As part of the scientific study, it was found that the digital sovereignty of the state directly depends on the level of digital maturity of the national economy and the digital responsibility of society's behavior. Taking into account the passage of the global economic system to the point of no return – the onset of the era of Industry 4.0 - the issue of ensuring the digital sovereignty of the state is becoming a new priority in the agenda for future development. Application. The results obtained in the process of scientific research can be used by the authorities and management as a theoretical and practical basis for making appropriate decisions in the field of improving the processes of digital transformation of various levels of society, and by business representatives – for adjusting business development strategies based on taking into account relevant digital challenges and threats.

The application of platform solutions in the assessment of corporate resources of industrial enterprises

In this article the author examines the features of the use of digital platforms in the assessment and planning of corporate resources of industrial enterprises. The subject of the research is platform solutions and the use of artificial intelligence elements in the process of analyzing corporate resources of business structures. The purpose of the article is to analyze the possibilities of using digital platforms and elements of artificial intelligence in the analysis of the level of availability of necessary resources of industrial enterprises. Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the article consists of theoretical and applied research of Russian and foreign scientists, regulatory legal acts regulating the processes of digital transformation of industries and complexes. The author of the article uses such general scientific methods as analysis and synthesis to study the features of the use of digital platforms in the assessment of corporate resources of enterprises, system, structural, functional and situational approaches to study platform solutions as a system of interrelated and interdependent elements, the method of economic and statistical analysis to study the dynamic aspects and identify patterns of transformation of industries and complexes. Results. The article presents an analysis of the current state of corporate resources of industrial enterprises, and offers a universal method for assessing the level of human resources availability of business structures. Conclusions. In the current conditions of economic transformation, the use of platform solutions with elements of artificial intelligence in the analysis of technical, technological and information and communication support for industrial enterprises is becoming relevant and requires further research, especially in the context of providing industries with highly qualified specialists necessary for the effective operation of business structures. Application. The results obtained can be used for further analysis of the results and implementation of the methodology for evaluating corporate resources of industrial enterprises.

Memories of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences N.Ya. Petrakov

The article is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Market Economy Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is dedicated to the founder and the first director of the Institute since its foundation in September 1990, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Doctor of Economics Nikolai Yakovlevich Petrakov. He was a world-renowned scientist who made a significant contribution to the development of national economic science.