In the context of the tightening of anti­Russian sanctions by the US and their extension by D. Trump, Russia and Vietnam show a high level of cooperation in the major industries and in the implementation of innovative projects. Along with China, Vietnam consistently remains Russia’s major strategic partner in East Asia, supporting any peaceful initiatives of the Russian leadership. The official visit of Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyễn Xuân Phúc to the Russian Federation in May 2019 serves as another proof of the high degree of trust and responsibility between Vietnam and Russia.

Aim. The presented study aims to examine the achievements and problems of the economic relations between the two countries and the perspective directions for their development.

Tasks. The authors evaluate the importance of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Russia for joining the ranks of developed countries in the 21st century.

Methods. This study uses general analytical methods in the field of international trade and economic relations, which are relevant to the development of new, innovative solutions.

Results. The study shows that Russia and Vietnam have enhanced cooperation in major industries in the context of comprehensive strategic partnership.

Conclusions. Vietnam continues to maintain the policy of economic cooperation with Russia despite the increasing pressure from the current US administration aimed at containing Russia’s presence in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Vietnam views Russia as a reliable trade and economic partner and their cooperation as a way to join the ranks of developed East Asian countries.

The presented study examines methodological approaches to the assessment of the natural resource rent and the efficiency of its use.

Aim. The main aim of the study is to develop modern methodological approaches to the examination of the natural resource rent from the perspective of three key categories of rent recipients (economic entities in rent-generating industries, the government, and consumers, who have the ability to purchase rent goods at prices below the equilibrium price).

Tasks. The authors examine the issues of exploitation of natural resources, generation and use of the natural resource rent in the Russian economy, determine the ways of maximizing profits from the use of the natural resource rent, and assess the efficiency of these methods.

Methods. The methodology of this study integrates comparative and statistical research methods, which makes it possible not only to calculate the natural resource rent (in the context of the key categories of rent recipients), but also to analyze the level of economic (including budget and finance) and social value of the natural resource rent relative to conventional activities and the public contribution paid by domestic consumers of rent goods for the opportunity to purchase the latter at reduced prices.

Results. The obtained results indicate that the rental model that has formed in the Russian economy is becoming less relevant, and the natural resource rent is used with low efficiency, with a tendency towards further decrease. The results of the study can be used in the theoretical, methodological, and practice­oriented building of new models of the national economy.

Conclusions. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that:

• first, the allocation of cognitive, material, technical, budget, and investment resources between the rental and non­rental sector of the national economy cannot be regarded as socially and economically fair;

• second, a new scientific platform is required for the institutional optimization of the functioning and development of rent­generating industries in the national economy.

The presented study addresses the problems of further expansion of the Eurasian Economic Union through the potential accession of the Republic of Tajikistan and analyzes the positive and negative effects of such accession for the Union members and for Tajikistan.

Aim. The study analyzes the economic effects of further integration of Eurasian countries through the potential accession of the Republic of Tajikistan into the EEU.

Tasks. The authors determine the prospects for EEU expansion and analyze the impact of economic transformation in Tajikistan on its potential accession into the EEU.

Methods. This study uses the dialectical and systems approach to the examination of integration processes in the Eurasian space and opportunities for EEU expansion.

Results. Examination of transformation processes in the economy of Tajikistan shows that the country has not achieved high economic indicators. Structural changes have led to a reduction in the share of industrial products, increased unemployment and poverty rates. The reforms introduced to resolve these issues have failed to produce a meaningful effect. Analysis of the regional trade between Tajikistan and the EEU member states indicates close cooperation with only two EEU members, which does not contribute towards deep integration.

Conclusions. Heavy reliance of Tajikistan’s economy on donor assistance and foreign investment calls into question the country’s rapid and full-fledged accession into the EEU. Therefore, the geopolitical interests of this relatively small mountainous country prompt it to maintain multidirectionality in economic relations as a priority.

At the time of cooperation with the USSR, North Korea was one of its major economic partners in Northeast Asia due to the use of multiple subsidized loans provided by the Soviet Union. The dissolution of the USSR in 1991 had the most severe repercussions in Asia on North Korea and Mongolia. Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-il tried to maintain economic ties, but his sudden death in 2011 appeared to conclusively terminate relations with post-Soviet Russia in favor of China. In the context of US sanctions, the Russian leadership initiated a rapprochement with North Korea, now led by Kim Jong-un.

Aim. The presented study aims to examine the conditions, prerequisites, and opportunities for the transition from stagnation towards the development of economic relations between Russia and North Korea.

Tasks. The authors assess the readiness of the two countries for the development of large-scale cooperation.

Methods. This study uses scientific methods of cognition to examine the experience of foreign relations between large and small countries, decisions of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and publications on the subject of this study.

Results. By building upon the experience of trade and economic cooperation during the Soviet era and establishing a political dialogue between V.V. Putin and Kim Jong-un, Russia can return to North Korea and guarantee peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Conclusions. Returning to North Korea will strengthen the military and political alliance between Russia and China, reducing the US military threat on the eastern borders of the Russian Federation.

The presented study analyzes the results of the transformation in the People’s Republic of China, the implemented model of state market capitalism, and the problems that the Chinese economy is facing at the present stage. For many countries who have made the transition from planned towards market economy, China’s path would appear to be exemplary, which makes analyzing the Chinese economic model and its resilience to modern challenges a highly relevant task. The practical significance of this study is substantiated by the importance of China’s experience for the countries that have opted for the transition towards a market economy, including the former Soviet republics, Central and Eastern European countries, and some East Asian states.

Aim. The study aims to evaluate the efficiency of the state market capitalism model that has been implemented in the People’s Republic of China and its resilience to China’s current economic problems.

Tasks:

• to examine the theoretical approaches to the transformation of planned and administrative management systems into state market capitalism;

• to analyze the economic potential and major problems of the Chinese economy at the present stage;

• to assess the resilience of the state market capitalism model implemented in China to the country’s economic problems.

Methods. This study uses theoretical and comparative analysis, observation, synthesis, generalization, description, and graphical modeling.

Results. The analysis of the examined problems of the Chinese economy shows that the unique state market capitalism model, which implies direct cooperation between public authorities and enterprises and a coordinated development policy pursued by the country, enables the Chinese economy to overcome the challenges it is facing and continue to develop at a slower yet still sufficiently high rate.

Conclusions. The state market capitalism model combines the benefits of an open market with the effective protection of the key economic sectors and the ability to coordinate resources to solve economic problems. China’s successful experience of implementing a state market capitalism model deserves careful attention from emerging economies.

Under the current economic conditions, spatial development of territories is essential. Due to the differences in economic development, each constituent entity of the Russian Federation faces the need for comprehensive analysis and subsequent assessment of its economic potential.

Aim. The presented study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of regional development in the Russian Federation in the socio-economic, innovative, and environmental aspects.

Tasks. The authors examine the socio-economic, innovative, and environmental aspects of regional development from the perspective of spatial economics and provide a theoretical justification of various approaches to addressing the problems of the spatial development of territories proposed by foreign and Russian scientists.

Methods. This study evaluates the level of spatial differentiation using multivariate comparative analysis by calculating various rating coefficients based on a comprehensive assessment of various groups of indicators. Statistical, analytical, graphical methods, and the method of comparison are used for the analysis.

Results. The study identifies positive and negative trends in regional economic development, which need to be taken into account in the strategic planning of the spatial development of the national economy.

Conclusions. When assessing the level of intra-regional spatial differentiation, it is necessary to make allowance for a set of indicators that characterize the economic, social, innovative, and environmental aspects. Therefore, there is a need to determine an integrated rating of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Such an assessment makes it possible to identify economic growth centers, the operation of which would facilitate the development of peripheral territories.

The presented study analyzes the phenomenon of the ‘soft power of tourism’ as one of the specific modern phenomena in expanding the boundaries of international exchange.

Aim. The authors attempt to determine the role of young people as the subject of the ‘soft power of tourism’ in the context of globalization, with a particular focus on the development of this process in specific Russian regions.

Tasks. In the geopolitical environment that has developed over the past decade, it is important to solve the problem of defining soft power and identifying the boundaries of its application. On the basis of this theoretical foundation, this study resolves the issue of developing strategies for soft power application in completing the priority objectives of the society and the state.

Methods. In spite of the increasingly obvious tendency towards the transition of youth relations and tourist contacts into the domain of international politics and public diplomacy, in practice there are strong regional imbalances associated with the different level of opportunities for the youth environment itself. This approach makes it possible to draw attention to the problems of examining the channels for receiving feedback from foreign young people in the context of regional development.

Results. The study addresses certain problems of building the image of territories in the regional aspect as a result of this interaction within the framework of Russia’s foreign cultural policy and identifies the major problematic aspects and factors that characterize the prospective role and place of an organized youth environment as a relevant instrument of the ‘soft power of tourism’ and a mutual regional influence channel in the international exchange system.

Conclusions. Exploration of the phenomenon of the ‘soft power of tourism’ opens up new opportunities for intercultural and international interaction, economic and cultural cooperation.

The presented study examines the institutions engaged in the innovation process in Russia: their typification, distinctive features, and history of creation.

Aim. The study aims to provide recommendations on the transformation of institutional support for innovative entrepreneurship in the context of economic digitalization.

Tasks. The authors determine the sequence of actions for the transformation of institutional support for innovative entrepreneurship in the Russian Federation in the context of economic digitalization.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to examine institutions engaged in the innovation process in Russia in various aspects, identify trends, and determine major directions.

Results. The new factors of social development – globalization and digitalization – have a significant impact on the economy. This calls for an increase in the requirements to the efficiency of the activity of public and semipublic structures involved in the innovation process. The ultimate goal of such activities is to reduce the time of implementation of scientific developments, to facilitate the commercialization of innovations and the financial interest of innovators in their work.

Conclusions. It is necessary to create a single web portal for innovation support that would provide exhaustive information about all support institutions and government programs. It is also necessary to streamline the bureaucratic processes relating to government support. The system for the assessment of the performance of innovation support institutions is currently underdeveloped or inefficient. This calls for unified quantitative and qualitative performance indicators for these institutions.

The presented study builds a reference model of top-level business processes for the development of architectural solutions for FMCG chain retailing companies.

Aim. The study aims to build a reference model of top-level business processes for the development of architectural solutions for FMCG chain retailing companies.

Tasks. At the initial stage of building a reference model, it is necessary to provide a definition of business processes and consider the main differences between business processes and business functions. Furthermore, it is necessary to successively identify the basic, managing, and supporting business processes of FMCG chain retailing companies. Determining the relationship between them would make it possible to build a reference model of top-level business processes, which is a prerequisite for the development of architectural solutions for FMCG chain retailing companies.

Methods. Building a reference model is one of the stages in the development of a business architecture for chain retailing companies. This study defines the major types of business processes in FMCG chain retailing, formulates the main differences between business processes and business functions, and successively examines basic, managing, and supporting business processes. Examination of business processes of chain retailing companies has revealed a key feature that identifies specific business processes as pertaining to a certain type.

Results. Based on the conducted study, the authors define three types of top-level business processes of FMCG chain retailing companies: basic, managing, and supporting. The direct effect of each business process on use value creation is viewed as the key feature that identifies specific business processes as pertaining to a certain type. Successive examination of basic, managing, and supporting business processes and identification of the relationship between them makes it possible to build a reference model of top-level business processes, which is a prerequisite for developing architectural solutions for FMCG chain retailing companies.

Conclusions. Building a reference model of top-level business processes makes it possible to develop an optimal architectural solution that would create new opportunities for FMCG chain retailing and business in the age of digitalization, when increased manageability, monitoring of performance indicators, and security control make possible the transition towards predictive models and proactive (goal-oriented) management of FMCG chain retailing companies.

The presented study examines the theoretical and methodological aspects of the ‘quality of work life’ model.

Aim. The study examines the methodological aspects of the modeling of a service organization’s successful activity by ensuring an adequate quality of work life for its employees.

Tasks. The authors generalize methodological approaches to identifying an efficient tool for the assessment of real employee satisfaction with work, which should be based on the same principles as customer satisfaction assessment.

Methods. This study explores the feasibility of using a combination of various approaches in a way that would make the initial screening of job applicants include rigorous testing of their professional and ‘moral’ aptitude. In this scenario, the assurance of a high ‘quality of work life’ for those who have completed such screening functions as a reward for the temporary inconvenience and is an attractive aspect of the offered job.

Results. The study proves that management and resource strategies oriented primarily towards financial results can guarantee employment and employee satisfaction. A win-win situation for both the employer and the employee, while not mandatory, is very likely. It is established that the factor of improving the quality of work life should be prioritized, while the traditional approach is based on reducing the cost of labor.

Conclusions. Mutual striving of the organization and its employees for a common goal creates the prerequisites for the coincidence of corporate and personal interests and an increase of the value of the product offered to the market. An organization’s efforts to guarantee employment and material benefits for its employees have a stimulating effect on them, thus improving the financial situation, which yields benefits to all participants in the process, particularly investors and customers.

A positive synergistic effect is currently a key characteristic of a cluster formation. Therefore, studying the risks that prevent this effect is an urgent objective that would ensure the efficiency and practicability of creating enterprise clusters.

Aim. The study aims to develop a comprehensive risk assessment methodology for cluster enterprises.

Tasks. The authors analyze scientific publications on risk assessment; substantiate the practicability of using the results of activities of cluster enterprises in various areas as risk projections; develop a system of risk-oriented diagnostic indicators for a cluster enterprise; propose a general expert survey algorithm to study the risks of a cluster enterprise; propose a three-criteria spatial risk assessment model for a cluster enterprise; conduct an aggregate risk assessment for a cluster enterprise based on an expert survey.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition, comparative and statistical analysis, and expert assessment methods to present the results of risk assessment for a cluster enterprise.

Results. According to the results of the scoring of cluster risks, it can be concluded that there is an ongoing negative trend of increasing threats caused by the examined risks. While in 2018-2020 these risks qualified as average, by 2020 they are classified as high, with the negative trends still in effect. In 2018, the aggregate risks in most groups were average (except for internal and natural risks, which were low). In 2022, only natural risks will be low, while internal, cluster, and domestic risks will shift towards high, with global risks becoming very high.

Conclusions. A comprehensive risk assessment methodology for cluster enterprises is developed based on the functional-target approach, which views a cluster enterprise as a socio-economic system comprised of three basic subsystems: management, production, finance and economy.

The presented article examines the mechanisms of public and municipal administration, interaction between public and municipal authorities, management companies engaged in business activities with social implications, and owners of residential and non-residential property in apartment buildings (mostly newly built).

Aim. The study aims to improve upon the existing mechanisms of interaction between public and municipal authorities, management companies, and owners of facilities in apartment buildings.

Tasks. 1) to determine the legal mechanisms, grounds, specific aspects, and nature of the business activity of management companies in the maintenance of apartment buildings; 2) to examine the basis for interaction between public and municipal authorities, management companies, and owners of facilities in apartment buildings; 3) to identify the major problems of government regulation of the housing sector in the field of interaction with management companies in the maintenance of apartment buildings; 4) to propose solutions to the identified problems in the maintenance of apartment buildings.

Methods. The methodological basis for the consideration of the problems in this article includes general scientific methods, systems, structural, functional, and institutional analysis.

Results. The study thoroughly examines the fundamentals of the government housing policy, public and municipal administration, and business activity of companies engaged in the maintenance of apartment buildings, their impact on the socio-economic well-being of the owners of facilities in apartment buildings, identifies problems associated with the considered questions, and formulates proposals on how to improve government regulation of the business activity of housing management companies.

Conclusions. Articles 25 and 40 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation determines that everyone shall have the right to a home. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of his or her home. The bodies of state authority and local self-government shall encourage housing construction and create conditions for exercising the right to a home. The current implementation of the housing policy is far from perfect. There are challenges both for management companies engaged in the business activities associated with the maintenance of apartment buildings and for the owners of facilities in these apartment buildings. The identified problems and proposed mechanisms of government regulation of the business activity of housing management companies serve to improve the existing housing policy.