This study describes the government’s focus on enhancing and promoting regional competitiveness by investing in the formation, improvement, and development of human capital with the aim to implement it in the process of social reproduction at the current stage of the country’s economic development. Aim. This study aims to expose the crucial problems faced by government authorities in promoting regional competitiveness, sustainable economic growth, and people’s quality of life. Tasks. This study examines human capital as a key factor in enhancing competitiveness of St. Petersburg and shows that the quality and efficient use of human capital affect market economy conditions. Methods. Objective and complex assessment of human capital and investment processes in the city is used as a basis for taking managerial decisions that affect the city’s competitiveness. Availability of human capital in St. Petersburg largely determines the efficiency of the investment processes and serves as the main force that drives the development of the said processes. Results. At the current stage of economic development in St. Petersburg, analysis and comparison show that economic growth and national competitiveness is hindered by underutilization of human capital. Conclusion. The study reflects the active measures undertaken by St. Petersburg for efficiently forming and developing human capital for economic development.

Subject. This study examines the forms and tools of the national cluster policy, shows the mechanisms of formation and realization of risks during the implementation of such policy based on the international and Russian experience in the study of this problem with regard to cross-border clustering. Aim. This study aims to examine the structure of risks in the implementation of a national cluster policy as well as fundamental differences in the market and public administration trajectory of cluster formation, and substantiates the ways of optimizing government support of economic clustering. Methods. Using methods of structural systems analysis and content analysis of regulatory and reference sources, this study shows that domination of government in clustering processes may reduce the efficiency of clustering by limiting the potential of market instruments of clustering self-organization, including its cross-border aspect. Results. This study shows that cross-border clustering serves as a mechanism of growth for developed and competitive economies, demonstrates the correlation of such clustering with the market process, substantiates the concept of risks (drawbacks) of a national clustering policy, the effect of such risks on reducing the efficiency of clustering, and the necessary measures aimed at optimizing the corresponding policy in order to maximize its general economic effects. Conclusion. This study proves that cross-border clustering as a dominant vector of the national clustering policy and formation of adequate conditions (protection of rights, transparency, freedom of trade, trust in the economy) are the prerequisites for improving the efficiency of the national clustering policy. Such approach should be complemented by the government shifting the focus of its efforts from market “substitution” (which has no system-wide effect) towards harnessing the market effect of clustering. Scope of the results. The results of this study can be used in the modernization of the national clustering policy, drafting of documents regulating this process, development of strategies and programs on forming economic clustering conditions in the fields designated above (protection of rights, trade, international cooperation).

This study is dedicated to substantiating and finding forms of cooperation and integration of the enterprises of flax production subcomplex of the Russian agroindustrial complex. Aim. This study aims to substantiate the necessity of an integrated approach to manage the enterprises of the flax production subcomplex of the Russian agroindustrial complex. Tasks. This study analyzes the current state and development trends of the flax production subcomplex of the Russian agroindustrial complex. It does so by analyzing the technological chain of flax product movement between different enterprises during production, processing, and sale; it then proposes possible organizational forms of integration and cooperation and determines government support and development measures. Methods. This study applies complex analysis and synthesis to the functioning of enterprises in different fields of the flax production subcomplex of the Russian agroindustrial complex. Results. The production of flax and flax goods in Russia is currently on the decline, resulting in degradation of rural areas. Russia has gradually lost its status as a global leader in flax export. Since the primary product of common flax (flax straw) in its pure unprocessed form has no practical application, its transportation is costly due to large volumes and low specific weight. The flax production subcomplex requires special government regulation under the authority of a single federal center, a single coordinated policy, and cooperation and integration. Flax production and processing requires government support in terms of tax and loan policy measures. Considering the need for a coordinated technological chain of flax production, integration and cooperation in agricultural consumer cooperatives, private flax processing enterprises (including holdings), cooperative-public partnerships, private-public partnerships, and flax clusters is required. Conclusion. A complex approach to the development of flax production and flax processing would make it possible for Russia not only to regain leadership in the global market but also to improve employment and income levels in rural areas.

This study examines the phenomenon of tourism destination sustainability and aims to develop a methodology for its assessment. Aim. This study aims to substantiate the parameters of a theoretical model of sustainability of a tourism destination and develop a methodology for its assessment in order to manage sustainability of territories with high concentration of tourism services. Tasks. This study specifies the organizational and economic foundations of the functioning of the tourism industry and develops a theoretical model of tourism destination sustainability by substantiating the composition, content, and metrics of the calculation of its assessment. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to specify the organizational and economic foundations of the functioning of the tourism industry and the content of the theoretical model of sustainability of its development, which makes it possible to propose a calculation method for its assessment. Results. The organizational and economic foundations of the functioning of the tourism industry are examined. The content of the concept of tourism location sustainability is specified. The authors propose an interpretation of this concept as balanced intentional progressive development of territories with high concentration of production and consumption of tourism products that involves improvement of the field of tourism services, which in turn facilitates national (regional) economic growth amid dynamic changes in the internal and external environment and has a positive effect on the country’s (region’s) image. A methodology for the assessment of tourism destination sustainability comprising five groups of metrics according to a number of key factors of tourism destination sustainability is proposed based on the analysis of methods and algorithms of assessing the level of development and competitiveness of tourism destinations used in the Russian tourism industry. Conclusion. Specifying the content of the theoretical model of tourism destination sustainability along with substantiating the key factors and principles of its assessment enables proposition of a working methodology for managing the sustainability of territories with high concentration of production and consumption of tourism products.

This study aims to analyze and assess the efficiency of an innovative development strategy of a small innovative enterprise. Aim. This study aims to develop an integrated efficiency indicator of an innovative development strategy of a small innovative enterprise with limited resources. Tasks. This study analyzes the scope of using a balanced scorecard in the formation of an innovative development strategy. It develops an efficient innovative development strategy based on the optimal use of available resources. Methods. This study uses balanced scorecard and linear programming methods to assess and frame an innovative development strategy of an enterprise based on several criteria. Results. Examination of the applicability of a balanced scorecard reveals the advantages and drawbacks of this method for assessing the efficiency of strategic innovative development of an enterprise. The interdependence and correlation between the major components of an innovative development strategy are analyzed along with the importance of selecting the indicators that reflect innovative activity of enterprises. An integrated indicator is developed based on the balanced scorecard, which allows selecting the most efficient innovative development strategy for a small innovative enterprise. Conclusion. The integrated efficiency indicator developed on the basis of the balanced scorecard makes it possible to substantiate the directions of the innovative activity of an organization while looking for a source of funding.

This study is dedicated to examining new requirements for the vessels that operate in the northern seas and provides a method for assessing the reduction of the costs of construction and exploitation of shipbuilding technologies by altering the regulations. Aim. The existing Regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping have become obsolete. The intensive development of the Arctic fleet prompts not only these regulations to be updated and improved, but also new regulations to be developed. Tasks. This study aims to assess the financial and economic factors in the regulation of the ice durability standard for ships and icebreakers, the reduction of the costs of construction and exploitation of the vessels of the ice fleet by specifying the allowance for corrosion and abrasion wear of the hulls of Arctic vessels, cost reduction by reducing the weight of ice strengthening constructions through the implementation of forward strength calculation and specification of calculated ice loads. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to identify and systematize major prerequisites for the development of new regulations for ice-class vessels operating in the northern seas. Results. Modern shipbuilding requires new technical standards that would make it possible to reduce the costs of construction of ice-class vessels without compromising their safety. The new regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping are aimed at the current requirements of the industry and make it possible to design and build ice-class vessels with maximum efficiency. Conclusion. A steep increase in the volume of goods transported via the Northeast Passage along with the improving efficiency of transport operations requires the cost per ton of cargo to be reduced. In this regard, the study examines the possibility of reducing the costs of construction and exloitation of the vessels of the ice fleet.

This study examines the prerequisites for the development and implementation of occupational retraining of the population in monotowns as an integral part of their development diversification. Aim. This study aims to bolster a monotown development program by implementing an occupational retraining project. Tasks. This study determines the prerequisites for the development and implementation of occupational retraining of the population in monotowns. Methods. This study uses general scientific (analysis and synthesis) as well as specific scientific research methods (traditional document analysis and classification method). Results. Prerequisites for the development and implementation of occupational retraining of the population in monotowns are determined. Problems associated with overcoming the multi-occupational structure of labor supply in complex investment plans for monotown development are analyzed, identifying differences and proposing a classification of the documents. Russian monotowns are classified on the basis of socioeconomic status according to the degree of diversification of occupational educational organizations of secondary vocational education. Conclusion. The occupational retraining project should be implemented as an integral part of the monotown development program. Analysis of the current state of the town’s vocational education system is an important prerequisite of such a project since monotowns are significantly different in terms of the degree of diversification of occupational educational organizations of secondary vocational education.

This study examines the ways of facilitating scientific research in Russian universities based on the traditional and new models of network implementation of educational programs. Aim. This study aims to structure the major models of network implementation of educational programs and substantiate their role in improving the efficiency and quality of higher education thorugh the development of scientific research in Russian universities. Tasks. This study determines approaches to the definition of “network implementation of educational programs”; identifies periods in the development of network education in Russia; determines the role of network implementation of educational programs in the development of scientific research and improvement of the quality of education; proposes new directions for creating models of network cooperation between universities. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition: analysis and synthesis, comparative and statistical analysis, and systematization. Based on these methods, the study shows the necessity of developing educational programs in order to promote deeper cooperation between education, science and production, as well as the role of network educational programs and their application in the development of scientific research in Russian universities. Results. This study proposes to expand the practice of network education, dedicating particular attention to cooperation with other organizations based on model 2.4 “Educational base organization - academic institution - enterprise” and model 2.5 “Educational base organization - government authorities”, which allows for the implementation of joint scientific and educational projects, scientific research and experimental developments, establishment of laboratories carrying out scientific and technological activities, and specialized departments carrying out educational activity using actual achievements of science and practice. Conclusion. The examination of the role of network implementation of educational programs in the development of scientific research in universities shows the necessity of development of such implementation in Russian universities, identifies the networking models that are more relevant to the current period of the country’s development, and proposes potential directions for the impact of higher education on the country’s socio-economic development (including the spatial aspect).

This research examines the effect of consumer behavior on the current state of regional social security of the Volga Federal District (VFD). Aim. This study aims to structure major factors that affect the state and functioning of regional social security systems with for adapting territorial management tools according to the specifics of the economy and the social sphere of particular subjects of the Russian Federation. Tasks. This study identifies the peculiar aspects of the regional economy in the VFD and the composition of factors that have a significant effect on the dynamics of mesoeconomic indicators, examines the composition of risk-contributing factors and the specifics of their manifestation in regions with due regard for government statistics data, and specifies the role of consumer spending in neutralizing threats in the regional social security system. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition and specific methods including mathematical modeling in economics and multivariate statistical analysis as well as various methods for collecting and processing statistical data. Results. Comparative analysis of regional socioeconomic development indicators in the VFD from 2010 to 2015 shows significant differences in the composition of absolute and relative advantages that determine the direction and type of changes in the economic and social indicators. Examination of the threats of regional social security systems shows the increasing role of consumer spending, which positively affects the functioning of the social security system. Important factors that determine the dynamics of spending in the retail consumer goods market include personal income; the state of the institutions in the labor market and education services market; financial culture of the population; engineering and housing infrastructure; social, labor, and demographic processes; dynamics of budget spendings; and regional and budget deficit. Conclusion. The above factors allow accurate prediction of consumer spending, which is essential for forecasting changes in the mesoeconomic indicators, developing efficient regional management tools, and including them into the tool set of social security risk management.

This study is dedicated to developing a mechanism for the identification of priority industries for import substitution in Russia. Aim. This study aims to structure the elements of the proposed mechanism for the identification of priority industries for import substitution in Russia as means of ensuring their sustainable development. Tasks. This study identifies the industries capable of becoming the drivers of the import substitution strategy; examines the existing methods of import substitution implementation; determines the structure of the proposed mechanism for the identification of priority industries for import substitution in Russia; substantiates the role of government institutions as a catalyst of import substitution development by changing the institutional environment. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to examine the strategy of implementation of equipment and technology import substitution in various aspects and identify trends in the current state and development of the implemented strategy. Results. Restrictions on the import of technologies and advanced equipment coupled with the steep depreciation of ruble significantly limit the opportunities for the sustainable development of the Russian industry. This study proposes a ranking mechanism that would allow the government to focus their efforts during import substitution strategy implementation on the industries that are of no interest to the private capital. The ranking mechanism would make it possible to facilitate rapid achievement of the objectives of import substitution strategy implementation. Conclusion. The proposed mechanism for the identification of priority industries for import substitution in Russia makes it possible to rank the efforts of the government and public capital in the achievement of economic security and its sustainable development in Russia. This is particularly important in the context of the extension of sanctions by the global community or their further toughening.