Object. The article examines the organizational and institutional background of education, and proved the need for the establishment and effective operation of major transport and logical company operating on the principles of public-private partnerships to maximize the full development and realization of transporttransit potential of Russia. The purpose of the work. Put in the work and substantiates the hypothesis about the necessity of creation and functioning on the Federal level, the company responsible for the financing and implementation of projects on development of transport-transit potential of Russia on the principles of state-private partnership. The methodology of work. On the basis of use of methods of the evolutionary-institutional theory, systems analysis and historical approach, it is shown that the development of transit economy was and is based on multifaceted forms of interaction and mutual coordination of interests and efforts of state officials and the business community. The results of the work. It is shown that the institution of public-private partnerships should be considered in the broadest sense as all possible ways of interaction between government and business, aimed at increasing the value added within the country, and infrastructural growth of export of transport services. Formulate scientifically justified recommendations for improving the methods of regulating the transit of the economy and a new evolutionary strategy for faster growth. Conclusions. Proven to enhance and the effective use of revenues from exports of transport and transit services requires the creation of a large public-private transport company, able to compete with the global Maritime container services on the route Asia - Europe. The scope of the results. The results of the study can be used by the authorities of Russia and the Eurasian economic Union to eliminate the existing problems in the field of transport and transit systems and in the implementation of structural reforms. Developed proposals and mechanisms for the effective regulation of the transit of the economy and a new evolutionary strategy of priority development of Russia and other EAEU countries in terms of instability may be required for the preservation and strengthening of competitive advantages of national economies and the Eurasian economic Union as a whole.

This study examines the specifics of providing staff support to regional economies in various situations of shortage of competent personnel and mid-ranking officers. Aim. This study aims to substantiate the expediency and feasibility of using local labor potential in the regions in order to overcome personnel deficiencies. Tasks. This study aims to determine the role and capabilities of professional education systems to help overcome personnel deficiencies. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition and situational and institutional approaches. Results. An analytical description of a variety of situations involving a lack of competent personnel and mid-ranking officers in regional economies is provided. Several models for overcoming such deficiencies are proposed. The conditions under which regional professional education systems are ready to provide competent personnel and mid-ranking officers in regional economies in various situations is also determined. Conclusion. The problem of providing staff support in regional economies should be considered in conjunction with the problem of maximizing local labor potential. With such an aim in mind, regional professional education systems should be efficiently maintained through timely renovation of the institutional and infrastructural environment.

This study is aimed at the development and endorsement of a methodology for the identification of cluster formations from a territorial-economic perspective. Aim. This study aims to develop a cluster identification methodology based on such indicators as “leadership” and “propulsion.” Tasks. This study develops and endorses a new methodological approach to identify cluster formations within a region based on cluster classifications into “neutral,” “overtaking,” and “propulsive” and analyzes the dynamic development of various types of economic activities in the regions of the Central Federal District (CFD). Methodology. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition, economic-mathematical modeling, and statistical analysis to develop approaches to identify various cluster types. Results. A proprietary methodology for cluster identification based on an iterative approach is produced, and cluster groups are identified from an industrial perspective through the example of the CFD regions. Conclusion. Activation of propulsive clusters in regions and the implementation of a selective funding policy is particularly important during an economic downturn.

Aim. This study aims to identify key directions in strategic planning for the efficient functioning of the Russian Arctic Transport System. Tasks. This study examines the effect of the development of the Russian Arctic Zone (RAZ) as a mega-project on the creation and transfer of a value chain, including the development of the Arctic Transport System. It shows that development of the RAZ should be a single mega-project incorporating a project that develops its transport and logistics scheme for efficient functioning along with a project that develops the Northern Sea Route, rather than coming down to a set of disparate projects with no correlation in terms of schedule and financial indicators. Results. Without the development and implementation of a project on the functioning of a transcontinental Arctic line as part of a single mega-project on the development of the RAZ, it would be impossible to exploit new resource bases and territories in the RAZ efficiently in the interests of the Russian economy and expand the country’s export potential. Conclusion. With the development of the RAZ, support of its territories, construction, exploitation, and commercialization of products and enterprises located within this territory (involved in the exploration, extraction, and processing of minerals, fisheries, etc.) is only possible provided the Northern Sea Route is developed with appropriate infrastructure.

This study is dedicated to substantiating the prospects for the development of tourism in the Irkutsk region and identifying trends in the improvement of tourism management at the regional level. Aim. This study determines the prospects for further development of the tourism management system in the Irkutsk region. Tasks. This study examines the current characteristics and prospects of tourism development in Russia as a whole and the Irkutsk region in particular, identifies problems in the development of the tourism industry in the Irkutsk region, and determines promising directions for the improvement of the tourism development management system in the region. Methods. General scientific methods, strategic documents of federal and regional significance, data of the Federal State Statistics Service, and accounting documents of the Tourism Agency of the Irkutsk region serve as the methodological basis of the study. Results. The results of tourism development are analyzed, and factors that impede the development of domestic and inbound tourism in Russia and the Irkutsk region are identified. Special attention is paid to the prospects for further development of tourism in the Baikal region within the framework of a program- and goal-oriented approach. The process of execution of the policy documents that serve as the basis for public tourism management is analyzed. Conclusion. Further development of public tourism management should be associated with the intensification of investment in projects on the development of tourism infrastructure, diversification of sources and structure of funding of investment projects, improved quality of personnel in the tourism industry, increasingly accessible information and consultation services, involvement of the institutional resources of the system for the support of small and medium enterprises into the process of tourism development.

The problem of import substitution in Russia, which has been repeatedly brought up during the period of relative economic stability and high international prices on energy carriers, has become particularly crucial due to the exacerbated international situation and economic sanctions imposed on Russia. The need for import substitution measures in some branches of industry is stipulated not so much by the potential economic benefit, but by national security considerations as well as social and strategic expediency. Aim. This study aims to identify factors that necessitate import substitution in Russia and develops a mechanism for the preselection of import substitution projects. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition. Results. This study analyzes factors that necessitate import substitution in Russia and mechanisms for its implementation. Market factors that require large volumes of domestic consumption and a desire to drive foreign competitors out of the market should be identified only from the economic perspective, unlike factors that are associated with national security and foreign policy considerations. Based on the conducted analysis, a tool called “import substitution index” is introduced, which allows ranking import substitution measures by their overall importance for the national economy and assessing the expediency of implementation of certain measures. The authors propose a mechanism for the preselection of import substitution projects for the subsequent analysis of the expediency of their implementation based on the achieved import substitution index values.

The current state of development of the economic space is aimed at mobilizing all available resources, including spatial potential as a factor of sustainable economic growth. Therefore, formation of new approaches to the qualitative assessment of the Russian economic space at the macrolevel is crucial nowadays. The inconsistency of the evolutionary dynamics of economic space theories determines the prospects for the formation of new theoretical approaches to economic space assessment that would best reflect the existing spatial potential and use its competitive advantages in a flexible manner. Aim. This study aims to analyze the evolution of the theories of economic space development and evaluate the quality of the economic space of the Russian Federation based on a comparative analysis of world indices. Tasks. This study traces back the historical formation and development of economic space theories, analyzes the indices of globalization, economic freedom and prosperity of Russia compared to the world’s leading countries, and determines its place in the world in terms of economic space quality. Methods. This study uses comparative historical methods to analyze the evolution of economic space theories and systematize the results of a rating assessment of world indices that characterize the quality of economic space based on the methods of scientific cognition, comparative and statistical analysis. Results. The performed analysis makes it possible to identify major theories of the formation and development of economic space as well as key components of spatial potential. The place of Russia in the global economic space is determined based on the comparison and analysis of world indices of globalization, economic freedom and prosperity, which characterize the elements of spatial development, and the dynamics of the corresponding indicators over a five-year period is analyzed. The quality of the global economic space is evaluated in the context of globalization. Major directions in the integration of the Russian economy into the global economic space are substantiated. Conclusion. The performed historical analysis of the formation of the science of spatial economic organization makes it possible to present the theories of its development in a structured fashion. Comparative analysis of the indices of spatial potential development, which reflects the results of the conducted study, allows tracing the dynamics of the indicators of qualitative development of the Russian economic space, facilitating the existing competitive advantages, and create new growth areas.

At various levels of economic management, particular attention is paid to the problem of increasing energy efficiency. However, its implementation has revealed a number of obstacles. Opportunities to intensify current government policy that has energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency as its key elements in order to develop the Russian economy are being explored with the aim of changing the present situation. Aim. This study aims to identify the problems and determine possible solutions for improving public administration processes in the field of energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency. Tasks. This study identifies the key facets of the institutional structure that determine the key focus of the Russian energy policy and determines the obstacles to solving the problem of increasing energy efficiency in the Russian economy. The study proposes steps for intensifying energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency at various levels of economic management in the context of innovative modernization. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition and methods of systems analysis as well as analyzes the contents of regulation and policy documents in the field of energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency. Results. A conceptual model for the formation of a mechanism for intensifying energy conservation and increasing the energy efficiency of the Russian economy is proposed based on their high priority in the innovative development of the Russian economy. Conclusion. Intensifying energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency are possible because they are closely integrated with the processes of innovative development. The results obtained can serve as a foundation for the further improvement of public administration processes in the fields of energy conservation and energy efficiency in the context of innovative modernization of the Russian economy.

In view of the ongoing economic recession, devaluation of national currency and other adverse external factors, the Russian investment and construction complex is currently being in search of new milestones on the way toward sustainable development. There are certain factors that could be instrumental in this regard, such as unsatisfied consumer demand in 60% of households that need their housing conditions improved and the multiplicative character of the construction sector, which is the driving force behind national economic growth, as suggested by the global experience. Aim. This study aims to identify ways of improving the efficiency of the investment and construction complex during the implementation of residential development projects. Tasks. This study systematizes the aspects of residential development value formation, proposes and substantiates means of reducing the cost of housing construction including those based on the increasing innovativeness level of the construction of residential development objects. Methods. This study uses general research methods, systems analysis and synthesis, analytical articles, official statistic data and results. Results. Ways of regulating residential development are systematized with a view to improve the functioning of the investment and construction complex and solve the housing problem in the Russian Federation. A model for the formation and assessment of the innovative construction level is developed. Conclusion. A mechanism for regulating the affordability of residential property needs to be implemented, which would facilitate a reduction in investment costs by reducing property value on the one hand and improve the purchasing power of the population on the other hand. Following the implementation of such mechanism in the residential property market, an equilibrium price is set, which corresponds to the purchasing power of the majority of households. The growth of the Russian economy, increase in the solvency of the population, and improved efficiency of the Russian investment and construction complex are the main ways of solving the housing problem, which is the essential objective of socio-economic development in Russia.

Considering the growing budget deficit in Russia, low consumer demand, tightening sanctions for default in taxpayers’ duties and increasing periods of limitation for criminal tax offences, expanding parameters of the collection and exchange of tax data, rapid growth of the technological level and expertise of tax authorities, slump in business activity and increased exchange risks, the matters that predetermine the formation of a particular type of risk become especially crucial, and the need for an efficient management system grows. Aim. This study aims to identify methods for the analysis and management of tax risks with the purpose of creating a monitoring system adapted to the specifics of business and the external environment. Tasks. This study assesses the consequences of tax risks for taxpayers, identifies the reasons for the formation of tax risks instigated by the actions of taxpayers and tax authorities, and recommends qualitative methods for the analysis of tax risk level as well as a system of methods for tax risk management. Results. The concept of “tax risk” is explained, and potential tax risk threats for taxpayers are identified. The level of tax burden is evaluated by type of economic activity and consequences for the deviation from its average value. The importance of tax risk analysis methods as a toll for minimizing risks is emphasized. Methods for reducing tax risk level are proposed (diversification, accumulation of reserve, risk localization, rationing, insurance, risk transfer).

This study is dedicated to the examination of more than a decade of international cooperation at St. Petersburg State University. Aim. This study aims to systematize the experience and identify key directions of cooperation between SPbSU and other universities across the world. Tasks. This study conducts a factor analysis with the view of identifying the most significant factors that affect university rankings, and a cluster analysis for the distribution of the world’s universities, aiming to determine the relations of international cooperation. Methods. Factor analysis and cluster analysis conducted using the iterative method of kmeans. Results. The conducted research examines the role and place of international cooperation in the system of interacademic relations. The emphasis is placed on the importance of such relations as a tool for promoting Russia on the global scale, which leads to the development of the opportunities of Russian students and academic workers for cooperation, initiative, realization of creative potential, socialization and personal development. The cooperation between Russia and the world’s leading countries at the level of universities is maintained in almost every possible field of knowledge. High cost-effectiveness of research projects and the opportunity to put competitive research into practice are the characteristic features of such development. Additionally, the main results of the scientific relations between St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU) and other universities across the world achieved over the past decade are determined, and the nature of the formation of a coherent image of the professional activity of SPbSU and other universities is examined. It is stressed that the relations between SPbSU and other universities across the world are maintained in accordance with a new professional paradigm. Conclusion. Key directions of cooperation between SPbSU and other universities across the world with the view of enhancing competitiveness and improving rating are identified using factor and cluster analysis.

The subject of this study is heat supply as a component of the Russian economy. The study focuses on cogeneration, i. e., the centralized supply of heat generated along with electricity. Throughout the 20th century, cogeneration had been the backbone of the Russian (Soviet) heat-power industry, and so it remains today. Cogeneration is studied in a historical context. Aim. This study aims to conceptualize the evolution of cogeneration in connection with the prospects for the development of the Russian heat-power industry. Tasks. This study aims to: (1) determine the correlation between the technological and economic parameters of cogeneration, (2) identify the impetus and conditions for the introduction and establishment of cogeneration, (3) highlight the features of cogenerative energy engineering, (4) evaluate the economic efficiency of cogeneration compared with other heat supply methods, (5) assess the current state of cogeneration, and (6) outline the future prospects of the Russian heat-power industry. Methods. This study uses a historical-genetic approach. The continuous correlation between the economic, technical, and technological aspects of cogeneration is methodologically notable. This study also uses statistical data that are recalculated for each particular point and presented in tables for better interpretation. Results. This study reveals the following: (1) the economic benefits of cogeneration with regard to cogenerative heat production technology, (2) the correlation between the introduction of cogeneration and the industrial implementation of steam engines, (3) the connection between the country’s industrialization and the development of cogeneration, (4) cogeneration models typical of various historical periods of economic development, (5) the competition of cogeneration against other heat-supply systems, (6) the current poor state of cogeneration using statistical data and determination of the causes for such a state, and (7) the long-term benefits of electric heat supply development. Conclusion. During the 20th century, cogeneration had been an important economic and technological accomplishment for the Russian economy. It rightfully served as one of the energy pillars of the national economy. However, today it requires modernization. New technological opportunities and economic conditions have paved the way for other heat supply methods with electric heat supply being the most promising.

This study is dedicated to examining the development of retail enterprises in Russia over the past decade and estimating the need for the accelerated implementation of innovations in order to enhance its competitiveness. Aim. This study aims to analyze the impact of import substitution on the nature of innovations in retail. Tasks. This study analyzes retail turnover figures across the Russian Federation, evaluates the supply of agricultural products, provides insight into the innovative activity of organizations, and determines the level of competition in retail chains. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to examine the effect of import substitution on the innovative activity of Russian retail enterprises in various aspects. Results. Retail turnover growth rates over the past decade are analyzed nationwide, in the North-West federal district, and the Leningrad region. The level of supply with agricultural products and foodstuffs in 2015 is calculated. Conclusion. Trade organizations that are more successful in implementing technological, organizational, and marketing innovations, will have significant advantages over their competitors since they will rely on internal reserves to enhance the commercial appeal of the end product.