Distribution of creative works protected by copyright

This article addresses possible structural alternatives for the dissemination of the results of intellectual activity (RIA), which reflect setting of optimal price and level of technical protection. The paper argues that digital piracy is not always a negative factor for the author or copyright owner but may be a signal indicating an inefficiently of RIA distributing method. The developed model demonstrates the choice of RIA distribution strategy depending on various factors: author's popularity, the difference in quality between the original RIA and pirated copy, legal protection level. The findings regarding the possibilities of combining legal and technical protection, consumer behavior and the positive effects of digital piracy will help the regulator to apply more effective measures. The article is written on the basis of the RANEPA state assignment research program.

Key stakeholders of the urban planning design market and their preferences when choosing a design company

The article examines the interests and concerns of various groups of stakeholders in the urban planning design market influencing the choice of a contractor. The selected market is characterized by a significant decision magnitude, usually involves many groups of stakeholders, and often determines the long-term development of cities. The aim of the article is to identify the interests of key stakeholders in urban planning design market, factors that are significant for the selected groups of stakeholders when choosing a contractor, and to provide recommendations for promotional strategy for the considered groups of customers. The theoretical review identifies more than 150 factors that influence the choice of a contractor on b2b market, they are further divided according to the underlying principles of choosing a partner from decision-maker’s viewpoint. Based on the interviews conducted, we determine the main groups of stakeholders who influence or are influenced by the urban planning design decisions. The field study revealed significant differences in preferences among various groups of stakeholders of project organizations: developers, authorities, other project bureaus, real estate owners, management companies. The preferences also differ based on the size of the company. As a result, we have developed recommendations for dealing with different groups of stakeholders based on the identified preferences, decision-makers, as well as possible directions of a company’s differentiation. The structure of the article consists of the theoretical overview of previously conducted research of factors influencing the contractor choice in the industrial markets and finding ways to harmonize the interests of different stakeholders, after that the field research has been done of experts and decision-makers of choosing a proper partner in the planning design market. Finally, the authors offer recommendations that can focus the marketing strategy of project design companies in the urban planning industry. The article would be of interest not only for companies in the urban planning design market but also for all companies in the industrial market that face the contradictory interests of various groups of stakeholders.

Cyclic dynamic patterns of Russian macroeconomic indicators found by spectral analysis

The paper proposes a contemporary interdisciplinary method to identify consistent patterns within cyclical dynamics of GDP and its macroeconomics determinants in the Russian Federation. This method may contribute to better recognition of the stages of economic cycle and of potential early predicators to recessions and crises. We first identify the trend component of Russian GDP and then apply the spectral data analysis to its cyclical component which reveals its multi-frequency, and non-linear vibrations. These vibrations are then further investigated by transforming time series data on GDP and its determinants into a frequency spectrum series via Fourier transform techniques. Wavelength scanning of selected macroeconomic indicators shows the basic economic cycle of real GDP with duration time of approx. 3.13 years. Other procyclical indicators nevertheless discover asynchronous behavior towards GDP due to the relative autonomy of the sectors standing behind these indicators. Their autonomy lies behind differences in reaction forces (shifts) and periods (lags) to both internal and external shocks. We estimate differentials between the dynamics of GDP and its determinants by evaluating phase deviations of their pairwise harmonic components, mutual pairwise phase shifts, and by comparison of their pairwise cross-spectrum. The one of output is the quantification of time lags between GDP and key macroeconomic indicators of individual economic sectors. This result reveals the complexity of GDP dynamics that sends an aliased rather than a unit signal to economic agents. Our decomposition of this signal into signals from key economic sectors and quantification of phase discrepancies between sectoral signals may contribute to findings in early crisis predicators. We also estimate the depth and velocity of shocks penetrations into both economy as a whole and its particular sectors.

Estimation of factors affecting tax revenues to regional budgets

The purpose of this article is to identify and estimation of factors affecting tax revenues to the Russian’s regional budgets. The study identifies the following factors: gross regional product, average wage level, inflation rate, share of unprofitable organizations in the region, employment rate, share of agricultural sector, investment in fixed assets and share of exports. The model includes information on the areas of advanced socio-economic development in the region. The study is based on open data from 83 regions of the Russian Federation from 2010 to 2017, the total of 664 observations. Through the least-squares estimate of a model with fixed effects, a significant impact of the studied parameters is established. Thus, the paper identifies common features for all regions in the context of the analyzed indicators’ impact. The results of this study may be used in forecasting the revenue of regional budgets.

The higher education and the sphere of labor in digital economy: a new mechanism of interaction

This article explores the concept of macroeconomic stability originated from the theory of general economic equilibrium (GEE) by L. Walras. Modern macroeconomic models that do not contradict the GEE, a implement the principles of consistency of micro- and macroeconomic analysis, the interrelation of markets, and the effectiveness of market mechanism. Economic fluctuations generated by shocks are in dialectical unity with the state of equilibrium. The aim of macroeconomic policy is to maintain equilibrium (macroeconomic stability) through inflation targeting and effective public debt management. Within the framework of this policy a number of goals are met including the control over inflationary expectations, strengthening confidence in the central bank, and overcoming inflation. However, low inflation rates can produce liquidity traps, thus causing a need to adjust monetary policy and develop its new instruments. At the same time, the global crises of the 21st century, the Great Recession of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic, prompts to re-evaluate the contradictions between the theoretical concept of equilibrium and the real state of the economy, as well as measures needed to stabilize it during a recession. The policy of overcoming the crisis in 2020 includes large-scale discretionary fiscal and monetary stimulus according to Keynesian recipes, in the absence of which the loss of jobs, closure of enterprises, and lack of financial stability are inevitable. The gap between theory and reality, as it happened during the Great Depression almost a hundred years ago, once again raises the questions of further development of macroeconomics. The article may be of interest to teachers and students interested in the prospects for the development of scientific knowledge in this area.

The problem of trust and modern Russian pension system

The paper attempts to identify the relationship between trust viewed through private good, club good, private external effects and public good, and pension systems, presented in the form of vertical and horizontal social contracts. Guided by the typology of benefits in the analysis of trust, the author argues: trust in a horizontal pension contract develops in a network of transactions regarding the production of a pension good and is a combination of its various types. In a vertical contract, the possibilities of individuals' retirement planning and the position of private structures in the pension market are limited, that reduces the role of trust as a private and club good and strengthens the importance of trust in the form of a public good. The author shows that in a horizontal pension contract, trust is a basic prerequisite for all pension interactions. The effectiveness of a horizontal pension contract depends on the level of trust: low trust increases transaction costs and makes pension planning unviable. The author concludes that in conditions of low confidence, satisfaction of pension needs is easier to organize through a vertical type contract in which pension needs are satisfied centrally. At the same time, low trust of Russians to pension institutions is the result of a vertical pension contract.

Affordability of cigarettes and consequences of tobacco epidemic in Russian regions

The paper addresses the effects of the tobacco epidemic in Russian regions, including the impact of cigarettes affordability on mortality attributed to tobacco. As a characteristic of such consequences, the authors consider the standardized mortality rates from lung cancer in the Russian regions. Regression analysis of the factors of regional lung cancer mortality reveal a high level of losses in the northern and eastern regions as well as significant gender differences. It indirectly shows the incompleteness of female tobacco epidemic in Russia — men are more active in quitting smoking, especially those from high-income and highly educated groups of urban population. Decomposition of regional differences shows the dominant role of the territorial factor: 72% of differences among men and 55% among women are due to what of eight federal districts they belong. Gender wage gap is also an important factor for men (more equity corresponds to lower losses from tobacco epidemic). We explain this by greater tolerance towards male smoking in regions with higher levels of gender inequality. For women, other factors turned out to be significant: about 25% of differences are explained by the risk of secondhand smoke and another 13% — by poor environmental situation. Despite high price that Russia pays for the consequences of mass smoking, the affordability of cigarettes by international standards remains high. At the same time, econometric modeling shows no significant effect of prices on tobacco mortality: most likely, in Russia, the threshold value after which an increase in price significantly reduces the future losses from smoking has not yet been reached. The research is conducted with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) under grant No. 19-29-07546 mk “The Impact of Human Capital on Current and Future Economic Growth in Russia”.

Sociocultural specifics of Russia’s regions: common features and differences

There is abundant evidence of the correlation between culture (or sociocultural characteristics, by which we mean here values and behavioral attitudes shared by a certain community and changing slowly over time) and economic and innovation development. At present most studies have been carried out at national level. At the same time, sociocultural differences within the countries with a large territory and significant socio-economic and ethnic diversity (Russia, in particular) are understudied. The subject of the research is the differences in socio-cultural characteristics between Russia’s regions. The purpose of the paper is to determine the presence or absence of differences in socio-cultural characteristics according to G.Hofstede between the regions of Russia. The empirical basis for the study is data from representative polls, collected by the Russian Venture Company and the Institute for National Projects in 14 regions in 2018–2020. Econometric analysis (ecological approach) and univariate disperse analysis shows the existence of sociocultural heterogeneity between Russian regions measured with Hofstede characteristics: individualism and power distance (more pronounced differences) and uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation (less pronounced differences). Statistical differences between regions in masculine dimension are non-existent. Regions tend to form sociocultural clusters that are not explained by geographic, socio-economic or ethnic factors separately. The results are useful for the analysis of sociocultural drivers and barriers for regional development, as well as for institutional design, raising efficiency of formal institutions by harmonizing them with regional culture.

The concept of sustainable mobility: theory and practice

The article analyzes the theoretical foundations of the concept of sustainable mobility within the framework of its three key components. It shows that the problem of transport sustainability is holistic and interdisciplinary and is considered within environmental, urbanistic and transport approaches that complement each other and offer conceptually close solutions for modern urban development. The article discusses the main directions of sustainable mobility, laid down in strategic planning documents of foreign countries. The paper also provides examples of the implementation of the principles of sustainable mobility in the strategies of socio-economic development of Russia’s cities and regions developed by the authors. Population surveys conducted by the authors in Russian cities as part of the development of these strategic planning documents show that about 95% of the population prefer sustainable transport policy tools that have proven themselves useful in many cities around the world. The analysis concludes with the recommendations for Russia's transition to the «sustainable transport» paradigm.

Business groups and their internal capital markets: the foreign and Russian experience

Modern business groups have a powerful impact on the economic development of both developed and developing countries making it relevant to study the economic foundations of the success of these institutional structures. The article provides a systematization of international and national experience in the functioning of internal capital markets of business groups that can become one of most important strategic advantages of business groups by providing member companies with “exclusive” opportunities for efficient redistribution of intragroup funds. The methodological base of the study incorporates methods of systematization as well as statistical and comparative analysis. The study shows that business groups make a significant contribution to industrial production and, representing a large part of corporate sector (in terms of number of participants, industry coverage, size of assets, profits and market capitalization), play a significant role in the economic development of various countries. Internal capital markets of business groups are used to mitigate financing constraints and rescue weak member-companies, thus, help maintain and further strengthen the positions of integrated structures. Drawing on a wide range of empirical studies, the article highlights key effects of the redistribution of group financial resources in the context of three fundamental motives of controlling owners. The study demonstrates that under the current economic conditions Russian companies affiliated with business groups are imposed with more prerequisites to use internal capital markets to overcome external financing deficit. Estimated amounts of funds involved in financial transactions with related parties confirm the thesis on the growing role of Russian business groups’ internal capital markets in corporate financing activities. Results and conclusions of this paper can be applied in practice by consultants and financial managers seeking to improve the funding of companies affiliated with both Russian and foreign business groups.