The presented study analyzes the opportunities for North Korea to capitalize on its competitive advantages in foreign trade in the context of sanctions.
Aim. The study aims to identify mechanisms that allow North Korea to engage in foreign trade in circumvention of UN sanctions and to analyze their impact on the national economy.
Tasks. The authors analyze the structure of North Korea’s national economy, its initial competitive advantage, identify the specific features of North Korea’s foreign trade in the context of sanctions, and determine the consequences of illicit trade in circumvention of sanctions for the national economy.
Methods. This study uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines the classical theory of competitive advantage with the concept of rent seeking, with the concept of rent seeking and analysis of trade flows.
Results. The study shows that, despite the restrictions imposed by sanctions, North Korea strives to make the most of its advantages, such as resource availability and cheap labor, in global trade. The country builds its own export-import chains in circumvention of sanctions. These chains are rather mobile, flexible, and controlled by the elite. As a result, benefits from trade that could be evenly distributed among the population are concentrated in the hands of a narrow segment of society. ‘Rent seeking’ makes it possible to formulate the negative consequences of these processes for the North Korean economy and the international community.
Conclusions. Solving the North Korean issue requires an economic transformation in the country through the replacement of restrictive sanctions with more constructive ones. The exclusion of North Korea from open global trade leads to the country’s marginalization and impairs the transparency of international commodity flows.

The digital economy is currently making a great contribution to the development of the global economy and economies of different countries, being one of the priority development areas. The problem of identifying trends in the development of the digital economy that will determine global trends in the future remains relevant. In this regard, the authors attempt to identify trends in the development of the digital economy based on scientometric databases.
Aim. The presented study aims to determine the place and role of the digital economy in the current global transformation processes and trends in its development as part of a study of  scientometric databases.
Tasks. The authors present the hierarchy of directions for the development of the digital economy in Russia and its systemic decomposition, identify changes in scientometric indicators in the field of the digital economy through the analysis of the Scopus abstract and citation database and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) database, and describe changes in the scientometric indicators and publication activity in the field of digital economy.
Methods. This study uses the international Scopus database, the RSCI database, correlation and regression analysis, and mathematical statistics methods.
Results. It is established that interest in the digital economy grows every year. The authors present a hierarchy of directions for the development of the digital economy in Russia and a systemic  decomposition (model) of the digital economy. It is noted that most publications on digital economy focus on the application of digital technologies. Analysis of scientometric databases for 2010–2018 reflects trends in the development of the digital economy.
Conclusions. The conducted study shows trends in the development of the digital economy in Russia and identifies priority directions for the development of the national economy as a whole, which specifies the direction for future research. 

The presented study examines the current state of the digital transformation of management, economy, and social sphere. The authors analyze the fundamental features of the digitalization of management, economy, and social sphere, namely: the mechanism of transformation of a considerable part of social and business interactions within the information and telecommunications space; development of remote forms of employment and transmission of information; active commercialization and use of digital currency and smart contracts; development of digital management.
Aim. The study aims to substantiate the theoretical and methodological provisions on the current state of management, economy, and social sphere, and to develop practical recommendations on the improvement of the digital transformation of management, economy, and social sphere.
Tasks. As part of the realization of the set aim, the authors solve the problems of examining the legal and regulatory framework of formation and development of the digital transformation of management, economy, and social sphere; analyzing the content of the digital transformation of management, economy, and social sphere in modern Russia; identifying the problems of the digital transformation of management, economy, and social sphere, and prospects for its development.
Methods. The methodological basis of the study comprises the fundamental provisions of the modern economic theory, theories of public and municipal administration and those describing the functioning of the social sphere. The information basis of this study includes the laws and regulations of the Russian Federation, statistics of public institutions and science centers on the implementation of new
information technologies, materials of national programs for the digitalization of the economy and social sphere.
Results. The authors substantiate that at the current stage of development of management, economy, and social sphere, information and computer technology has a decisive impact on the technological and institutional environment within the society.
Conclusions. Examination of indicators associated with the transformation of digital technology in management, economy, and social sphere makes it possible to conclude that the Russian Federation as a whole is making good progress in the digitalization of the examined sphere. However, by independently integrating into a digital reference system, Russia faces a key problem in the field of management. Digital technologies will not work without establishing relations between economic actors and their management in general. Without this synchronization, they cannot develop properly.

The presented study examines the neo-institutional and behavioral concept of labor productivity using an interdisciplinary approach.
Aim. The study aims to conduct an empirical assessment of labor productivity using the fundamental provisions of the neo-institutional and behavioral economic theory.
Tasks. The authors determine the attitude of workers to their labor productivity and analyze the results of a statistical sample survey using an interdisciplinary approach.
Methods. This study uses analytical and content research methods, including a sample survey of workers, the results of which are processed using economic, statistical, and mathematical methods. 
Results. The surveyed workers show signs of labor (economic) and social inertia, which may be due to the dominance of informal institutions over the perception of labor and low efficiency of formal norms and rules that regulate labor relations in modern society. The authors propose a reformation of the institutions that provide benefits (including pension and medical benefits) to the working population and the citizens who do not declare income officially. This proposal is based on the assumption that greater responsibility of workers for their future improves the efficiency and effectiveness of their labor. The obtained results and conclusions presented in the study can be used in the development of federal and regional socio-economic programs and in the creation of personified approaches to employee motivation in organizations and enterprises in the real and financial sector of the economy.
Conclusions. Labor productivity should be viewed not only as a result of the labor activity of workers, but also as the ability of an individual to use knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve top performance, including in areas that ensure the most equitable distribution of socio-economic benefits.

Mainstreaming of the issue of resources in the implementation of enterprise development strategies makes it necessary to determine the extent of its impact on the efficiency and quality of labor, with a focus on the formation and use of a whole range of social resources. The presented study is based on a decade of comparative research that covers 19 industrial enterprises across Saint Petersburg to examine the effects of resources on the efficiency of an enterprise in pursuaing its strategic objectives.
Aim. The study aims to substantiate the way resources increase performance and improve the efficiency of development strategy implementation in indusitral enterprises.
Tasks. The authors perform a theoretical and empirical analysis of the problem of using the social resources of industrial enterprises, analyze risks of insufficient management support in a market economy, and develop a set of measures aimed at optimizing the use of internal resources to increase the performance of industrial enterprises.
Methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study includes the interview method, expert assessment, content analysis, and findings of foreign and Russian scientists in the field of social and labor relations, development of labor potential, improvement of the enterprise management system, formation of behavioral practices among employees to improve labor efficiency.
Results. This study provides a practical assessment of social resources at industrial enterprises in terms of the social expectations of employees, the level of trust between individuals and groups, commitment to the goals and values of the enterprise, opportunities for creative and professional fulfilment, perception of the fairness of compensation, social and psychological climate, etc. It is established that disregard for the resource component leads to social and psychological division, divergence of values, spiritual and moral positions, employee performance benchmarks, and impaired productivity in general. The study substantiates the importance of coordinated goals for each functional unit; procedures for continuous collection and analysis of enterprise performance data; development of
professional knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience; the need to identify, assess, and provide managerial support for the socially important qualities of employees.
Conclusions. The obtained empirical data make it possible to develop a set of measures for industrial enterprises to identify, assess, and provide managerial support for the socially important qualities of employees, and to optimize the use of internal reserves that are the most significant resource for the enterprise development strategy.

The presented study addresses the issues of implementation of an import substitution policy in the Russian oil industry. Support of domestic production is a key objective specified in the message of the President of the Russian Federation in 2019. In light of the current economic situation and considering the importance of the oil industry for the Russian economy, an import substitution policy could help achieve the objective set by the President.
Aim. The study aims to identify the problems and ways of implementation of an import substitution policy in the Russian oil industry.
Tasks. The authors analyze scientific publications on import substitution and the state of the Russian oil industry at the current stage of development; determine the directions and fundamental trends in the development of the oil industry; identify obstacles that hinder the implementation of an import substitution policy in the oil industry; describe conditions that facilitate the development of the  investment process in the oil industry; propose comprehensive methods and ways to intensify investments and optimize costs for enterprises in the oil industry.
Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition, comparative and statistical analysis to identify problems in the implementation of an import substitution policy in the oil industry.
Results. Examination of the current state and development prospects of the oil industry allows the authors to identify obstacles to the development of import substitution. The study shows their impact on the potential of import substitution, which has a negative effect on the prospects of intensification of investment processes, and proposes comprehensive methods and mechanisms that could neutralize the impact of the identified obstacles, thus facilitating the formation of a positive investment climate. 
Conclusions. Investment climate is shown to have a decisive impact on the potential of import substitution in the Russian oil industry, and ways of overcoming negative trends in the development of the oil industry are proposed.

Aim. The presented study aims to gauge the reactions of Russian and Chinese consumers to the use of neuromaketing tools. In the course of the study, several hypotheses are tested using statistical analysis.

Tasks. The authors assess the awareness of the respondents in the field of interest and their attitude as consumers (individuals) to neuromarketing and the use of neurotechnology in Russia and China. 

Methods. The hypotheses are tested in practice using a questionnaire survey of the respondents (by means of a handout questionnaire or an online questionnaire). The assessment of the attitude to the use of neuromarketing tools by the citizens of the Russian Federation and China is examined. The respondents are asked questions with one answer, multiple answers, and Likert scale questions. Data are processed in IBM SPSS Statistics 24 using such statistical methods as frequency analysis, contrast of means, etc.

Results. The opinion of Russian and Chinese consumers on the use of neurotechnology for commercial purposes is comprehensively assessed. The study analyzes the issues of the awareness of Russian and Chinese citizens about neurotechnology, their own consumer behavior, and their attitude to the use of neurotechnology. Consumer opinion is examined to determine the risk of public discontent and prejudice against the implementation of neurotechnology.

Conclusions. Both Russia and China are facing potential threats to the development of neurotechnology from public opinion. The risk of a statutory ban on neurotechnology due to public discontent and low perception of the ethical aspect of this tool by consumers in Russia and China is vastly overstated by contemporary researchers and media. Consumers are actually rather tolerant of the examined tool and show no signs of discontent or fear. The long-term relevance of the obtained data is
obvious.

The presented study explores the nature of factors that facilitate the purchase of “green milk”, which serves as the most appropriate term for defining environmental and organic milk of animal and vegetable origin.
Aim. The study aims to identify factors that affect the indicators of disposition towards purchasing green milk.
Tasks. By summarizing previous studies, the authors put together a set of factors influencing green consumer behavior, conduct an empirical assessment of the impact of these factors, and specify the criteria for facilitating an environmental perception of food products by the consumer.
Methods. This study is based on empirical quantitative-qualitative research. Its qualitative section involves a series of semi-structured interviews aimed at gaining insights. The quantitative section is processed in IBM SPSS 23.0 using а regression analysis. Alpha level 10 % is chosen as the p-value. The respondents are selected using the snowball method with allowance for the niche component. Some respondents are micro-influencers running their own blogs, active on social media, and managing digital communities. From the age perspective, the respondents include millenials living in the capital of the Russian Federation (born in 1982-2000, according to V.V. Radaev) [1]. According to Nielsen, the consumption of organic products by millenials increased by 14 % in 2018, which makes them the fastest growing consumer segment in the eco-market. Moscow accounts for 70% of the Russian ecomarket [2]. Based on the above, the examined group of respondents can be regarded as innovators and early supporters of the emerging green milk market.
Results. Literature analysis reveals factors that could potentially affect green consumer behavior. The constructed regression model shows health concerns to be the main motive for buying green products. Despite certain difficulties in distinguishing between the terms “ecological” and “organic” in the context of the topic, it is established that milk (of vegetable and farm origin) can be both ecological and organic. The majority of consumers of these products are women. The key factors that consumers pay attention to when choosing environmental or organic food products are ingredients and eco-labels.
Conclusions. Based on the obtained results, marketers working with green products should focus on their health benefits. Ingredients and eco-labels are the key criteria for identifying a product as green. Therefore, it is necessary to provide information about the health benefits of the ingredients on the packaging, and it also advisable to put an eco-label. The results of the study make it obvious that consumers cannot tell the difference between official and non-official certification marks on green products. Thus, such words as green, organic, vegan, eco may not increase sales, but will help define the product as green. When developing a marketing communication strategy, it is necessary to keep in mind that women are the target audience in most cases. A potential business opportunity that deserves attention is organic products for men’s health, which will help to differentiate a new product. 

The presented study examines the digital banking model in the context of globalization.
Aim. The study aims to analyze the nature and current state of digital banking and to determine perspective directions for its development in Azerbaijan.

Tasks. The authors examine the major trends in the development of digital banking, determine its classification relative to the Russian digital banking market, and identify perspective directions for its development in Azerbaijan.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to examine in various aspects the models of development, its trends, characteristic features, and perspective directions in Azerbaijan. 

Results. The progress of both Internet banking and mobile banking is closely associated with e-commerce. Out of 30 banks operating in Azerbaijan, 27 use Internet banking and 25 use mobile banking. At this point, 25% of current account transactions in Azerbaijani banks are conducted via electronic payments. According to the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce Index, Azerbaijan ranks 68th among 144 countries in terms of e-commerce development. Therefore, the most important strategic priorities for the country include improving the variety, quality, and services in the field of digital payments by consolidating the institutional and legal framework of these services, increasing the infrastructure capacity, and facilitating mass use. Expanding the scope of application of digital payments in the context of transparent economic transactions would reduce the costs associated with cash and operating losses of banks and institutions, which would in turn open up new opportunities for modern financial services, thus enhancing economic growth.

Conclusions. Development of digital banking is a path toward economic transparency, shrinking of the underground economy, and an increase in tax revenues, the number of jobs, and GDP. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) is taking systemic measures aimed at expanding the digital transformation of the banking service and payment system. The implementation and development of innovative banking products should be reflected in the strategy of every bank. Digitalization could become one of the forces driving the development of the baking system and increase the level of trust between depositors and banks, making this sector more transparent. However, there is one major obstacle: a lack of understanding that business should be urgently transformed using digital technology.

The presented study examines the crucial problem of our time — the need to develop an infrastructure mortgage mechanism that would maintain and reproduce infrastructure resources.
Aim. The study aims to consider the possibility of using infrastructure bonds for public-private partnership projects.
Tasks. The authors determine the features of infrastructure bonds, briefly analyze foreign experience of their use, and outline an infrastructure municipal loan.
Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to consider the possibility of using infrastructure bonds for public-private partnership projects.
Results. Infrastructure bonds issued for public-private and municipal-private partnership projects can serve as a financial tool for infrastructure development or as a mortgage payment. Infrastructure bonds should be long-term and targeted, issued for the corresponding infrastructure projects. A competent approach to the preparation and implementation of an infrastructure loan requires the issuer’s professional agents to formulate the optimal loan concept and then put this concept into practice based on the optimal issuance parameters determined according to loan marketing among potential investors.
Conclusions. The issuance of infrastructure bonds will make it possible to meet the demand of  publicprivate partnerships for investment resources and sustainable investment projects. An infrastructure mortgage scheme should accommodate the interests of both the investor and infrastructure users.

The presented study examines the value and motivational aspects of employee personality in the monetary and financial sector in 2017–2019.
Aim. The study aims to perform a sociological analysis of value and motivational aspects and to substantiate their regulatory role in improving employee performance in the monetary and financial sector.
Tasks. Based on the proposed methodology for the diagnostics of the value and motivational aspects of employee personality in the monetary and financial sector, the author performs an empirical analysis of the professional activity of different employee categories, identifies the major orientations and preferences, and develops a five-step plan to improve employee motivation in professional activity.
Methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of this study includes findings of Russian and foreign authors in the field of value systems, motives, personal priorities, their formation, dynamics, and impact on individual and social development.
Results. The study determines the essence of value and motivational aspects; develops a refined methodology for the diagnostics of the value and motivational aspects of employee personality in the monetary and financial sector; performs a comparative analysis of value and motivational aspects, including detection of statistically significant differences depending on employee affiliation with professional qualification and status groups; identifies patterns in the dynamics of the value-semantic space of monetary and financial organizations in the field of social and labor relations.
Conclusions. The main conclusion to be drawn from this study is that the structure of value and motivational aspects, which are an attribute of the quality and performance of employee labor in the monetary and financial sector, differs significantly depending on employee affiliation with a certain status or professional qualification group. Analysis, modeling, and monitoring of the value and motivational aspects that characterize certain social and professional roles, interpretation of this information and its application in the regulation of social and labor relations are the crucial components
of management of labor quality and organizational performance. 

The presented study examines public-private partnership with respect to investments in the Russian infrastructure.
Aim. The study aims to assess the feasibility of using public-private partnership for investments in the country’s transport infrastructure.
Tasks. The author examines the projected investments in the Russian transport infrastructure, determines the segment of the transport infrastructure that needs the most investment, and analyzes the possible applications of public-private partnership for investments in transport infrastructure. The task is to examine the existing legal framework for the implementation of public-private partnership in the investments in transport infrastructure.
Methods. The study uses such methods as analysis, synthesis, and comparison.
Results. The author identifies the major directions for investments in transport infrastructure, determines the priority area in the implementation of public-private partnership in infrastructure — transport infrastructure, in which roads are the main area for the application of public-private partnership. The types of implementation of public-private partnership for the construction of roads are examined.
Conclusions. It is established that there is an increasing need to apply public-private partnership to the development of the country’s infrastructure and its transport sector, and the major mechanisms for the implementation of public-private partnership in the construction of roads are revealed.