Aim. The presented study aims to analyze the opportunities and formulate directions for the development of prospective centers within the St. Petersburg metropolitan area in the context of implementation of the polycentric development model.

Tasks. The authors substantiate the need for a polycentric model for the development of the St. Petersburg metropolitan area; identify the features and directions of development of prospective sub-centers within the St. Petersburg metropolitan area at the current stage; formulate the limitations and directions of development of one of the agglomeration’s prospective subcenters — the Tosnensky municipal settlement.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition, such as generalization, analysis, comparison, deduction and induction, methods of analytical assessment of statistics in the field of socio-economic development of territories, and analysis of fundamental scientific works of the Institute of Problems of Regional Economy of the RAS.

Results. To form a polycentric model of the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, the authors propose developing its prospective sub-centers. The study mainly focuses on the Tosnensky municipal settlement, which represents the major directions of socio-economic development of this sub-center within the St. Petersburg metropolitan area in accordance with the chosen vector of territorial socio-economic development.

Conclusions. Advanced foreign practices convincingly prove that the application of the polycentric model and the formation of prospective sub-centers for the development of metropolitan areas along with the heart of the agglomeration — a metropolis — are extremely relevant. From a strategic perspective, the examined sub-center can become a self-sufficient pole of the agglomeration’s economic growth. Examination of spatial aspects and formation of methodological and conceptual foundations for the development of agglomerations is a major fundamental research endeavor for Russian and foreign science.

Aim. The presented study aims to develop mechanisms for improving the efficiency of measures taken during the implementation of regional policies in the field of labor and employment.

Tasks. Based on the analysis of scientific literature, the authors identify global and local trends in the labor market; determine positive and negative consequences of labor and employment trends for the economy; formulate recommendations for efficient regulation of the labor market at the regional level with allowance for the HR policies and strategies of enterprises and or- ganizations.

Methods. This study is based on the analysis of the current laws and regulations and the prac- tices of implementing regional labor and employment policies in the subjects of the Northwest- ern Federal District (NWFD). The HR policy in the Northwestern Federal District at small, medium, and large enterprises operating in the field of innovation is examined by interviewing managers and HR experts. The authors also propose to study value orientations in the field of labor activity and professional preferences of the younger generation and older age groups.

Results. Based on the results of the study, the authors formulate proposals that can improve the efficiency of interaction between stakeholders in the implementation of regional employment policies and regulation of labor relations.

Conclusions. The study provides recommendations for improving the efficiency of state regula- tion of the regional labor market and implementing the national employment policy. After be- ing discussed by the expert community, these recommendations can most likely be successfully implemented at the regional level through educational activities and the work of specialized and interdepartmental commissions without significant financial and time expenditures. The proposed approaches are relevant due to the need to find new guidelines for the social policy and to react swiftly to emerging challenges and demands of labor market participants, while also making use of opportunities and prospects for the digitalization of the national economy.

Aim. The aim of this paper is to examine the importance of the entrepreneurial epigonism for the development of entrepreneurial activity, as well as to substantiate the fundamental difference between it and the economic imitation.

Tasks. The main objectives of this paper are to conceptualize the phenomenon of entrepreneurial epigonism for economic growth and development, to justify its importance for the development of entrepreneurial competencies, and to substantiate that imitation serves as a constraint for the development of innovation.

Methods. The methodological basis of the paper is a transdisciplinary approach that combines achievements in the field of cognitive sciences, ethics, linguistics, organizational theory, and economic disciplines.

Results. This article analyzes the meaning of the imitation phenomenon, contrasted with the entrepreneurial epigonism. Having some similar features (e.g. the lack of the unique idea), these types of activities are based on the opposite motives. Imitation is the copying/borrowing of other people’s ideas; it pursues exclusively economic goals and hinders the development of innovations, thereby economic development itself. While the entrepreneurial epigonism, which is driven by the need of initiators (epigones) for self-realization, on the contrary, stimulates the process of the economic development, since it implies the disclosure of the creative potential of economic agents, having as its goal the development and dissemination of an innovative idea. The article proposes a new concept of the “entrepreneurial epigonism”, which is understood as an activity, which is aimed at obtaining economic benefits, and as a result of which the process of development of the creative component of an innovative idea or its improvement occurs. That is, the epigone, not being an independent creator of an innovative idea, acts as its successor, thereby contributing to its further improvement and development.

Conclusions. Imitation is an impersonal phenomenon that has become so widespread due to the development of “the mass” as a product of globalization, which can be called a sign of modern civilization.

That is why imitation has become a macroeconomic concept, while epigonism as a concept refers to the instrumental apparatus of the theory of entrepreneurship. Further studies of the phenomenon of entrepreneurial epigonism should focus on the creative element in the process of implementing an economic activity. It is a promising direction for the development of entrepreneurial competencies.

Aim. To consider the features of the shared consumption phenomenon that require specialized legal regulation.

Tasks. To highlight the problems of the legislative framework in this area; to give suggestions for solving the identified problems.

Methodology. The study was conducted in the context of the economic and legal science theory and methodology, using methods of information synthesis and analysis, expert evaluation; scientific and popular scientific publications of domestic and foreign authors were researched.

Results. The concept of the shared consumption economy is revealed. The legal aspects of digital platforms for the shared consumption economy are considered, the experience of the European Union (EU) and the results of the Russian Federation (RF) achieved in this area are analyzed. Based on the analysis, the authors propose to apply the principles and mechanisms of integration law for the regulatory regulation of the new socio-economic model.

Conclusions. It is shown that integration law will best use the accumulated practical experience of legal mechanisms’ timely adaptation to the variability of the external environment in the conditions of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. It is concluded that the concept of “good governance” can be successfully used for the legal regulation of the shared consumption economy platforms.

Aim. The presented study aims to identify the most significant changes in the global and national development agenda associated with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tasks. The authors analyze the performance of the financial sector; summarize the assessments of leading consulting companies and the results of public opinion polls regarding the actual and projected state of the global and Russian economy and changes in consumption patterns; determine challenges that national authorities are currently facing.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition: observation, generalization, comparison, deduction and induction, methods of institutional and structural analysis.

Results. Major trends of socio-economic development during the post-crisis period are examined and analyzed; factors affecting changes in the social structure and potential directions of managerial influence are determined.

Conclusions. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has been a huge stress for the established management systems at all levels, generating additional public demands that need to be reflected in the social contract. Changes in the main trends of socio-economic development caused by quarantine measures determine the parameters of a different environment for national and social development. Production and industry are affected by regionalization, while consumption is becoming increasingly globalized. Human capital is undergoing transformation in response to the digitalization of the economy, which creates the prerequisites for increasing inequality.

Aim. The presented study aims to illustrate that by making use of industrial localization tools, the one business space (OBS) system solves the problem of replacing global value chains with local ones, leading to positive innovation-oriented structural sectoral transformations and the development of the economy’s export-oriented potential.

Tasks. The authors examine the types of localization and the strategy of an automotive company for the formation and operation of regional sectoral OBS systems over time (2012–2019) through the example of the petrochemical and metalworking industries in the Republic of Tatarstan, showing the possibility of transforming industrial localization into import substitution.

Methods. This study uses modern achievements of the theory of knowledge, innovation-driven development, methods of systematization and analysis, empirical research, including the collection, examination, and generalization of practical material, forecasting, analysis of the works of Russian and foreign scientists in the field of technological and non-technological activities, principles of change management.

Results. By using industrial localization tools for the formation of multiple value chains in the host region within the framework of a partnership, it is possible to create an industry-wide vertically integrated management system for the innovation-driven development of automotive components production at the regional level. Horizontal integration into the social, scientific, and educational spheres of regions is a mandatory aspect for the development of such systems, which leads, among other things, to the development of scientific potential while also improving the quality of human capital. Within the framework of OBS, regional value chains are formed — from the extraction of raw materials to the final assembly of the car — with a total average annual turnover of 25 billion rubles. A significant number of jobs are created, as well as new automotive components and materials with unique properties for the Russian industry. This facilitates the production of Russian analogues in the interests of other OEMs and consumers, as well as the transformation of industrial localization into import substitution. In addition, products of localization are beginning to replace their analogues in the global supply chains of automotive components, thereby developing the export-oriented component of the regional economy.

Conclusions. In certain cases, industrial localization in OBS systems is transformed into import substitution, significantly increasing the efficiency of industrialization in the region and the country as a whole.

Aim. To analyze the concept of “artificial intelligence”, to justify the effectiveness of using artificial intelligence technologies.

Tasks. To study the conceptual apparatus; to propose and justify the author’s definition of the “artificial intelligence” concept; to describe the technology of speech recognition using artificial intelligence.

Methodology. The authors used such general scientific methods of cognition as comparison, deduction and induction, analysis, generalization and systematization.

Results. Based on a comparative analysis of the existing conceptual apparatus, it is concluded that there is no single concept of “artificial intelligence”. Each author puts his own vision into it. In this regard, the author’s definition of the “artificial intelligence” concept is formulated. It is determined that an important area of applying artificial intelligence technologies in various fields of activity is speech recognition technology. It is shown that the first commercially successful speech recognition prototypes appeared already by the 1990s, and since the beginning of the 21st century. The great interest in “end-to-end” automatic speech recognition has become obvious. While traditional phonetic approaches have requested pronunciation, acoustic, and language model data, end-to-end models simultaneously consider all components of speech recognition, thereby facilitating the stages of self-learning and development. It is established that a significant increase in the” mental “ capabilities of computer technology and the development of new algorithms have led to new achievements in this direction. These advances are driven by the growing demand for speech recognition.

Conclusions. According to the authors, artificial intelligence is a complex of computer programs that duplicate the functions of the human brain, opening up the possibility of informal learning based on big data processing, allowing to solve the problems of pattern recognition (text, image, speech) and the formation of management decisions. Currently, the active development of information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence concepts has led to a wide practical application of intelligent technologies, especially in control systems. The impact of these systems can be found in the work of mobile phones and expert systems, in forecasting and other areas. Among the obstacles to the development of this technology is the lack of accuracy in speech and voice recognition systems in the conditions of sound interference, which is always present in the external environment. However, the recent advances overcome this disadvantage.

Aim. The presented study aims to examine the essence of factoring and explore potential directions for its development in the current economic environment.

Tasks. The authors determine the economic substance of factoring, making allowance for the turbulence of the global market environment and the impact of new challenges for the Russian economy.

Methods. This study analyzes legislative and regulatory acts as well as works of Russian and foreign scientists regarding the theoretical and practical problems of funding companies through factoring.

Results. The factoring market is actively developing, particularly at the times of macroeconomic instability, which slows the turnover of funds in the economy and increases the need for funding sources among market participants. The stability of the factoring market during the COVID crisis serves to illustrate the heightened interest of business entities in factoring as a tool for solving a number of problems in corporate financial management. Some characteristic trends in the development of the Russian factoring market include its synchronization with the international market, active development of blockchain technologies, growing number of market participants and expanding range of services provided within the framework of factoring transactions.

Conclusions. Having summarized the theory and practice of factoring development in Russia and abroad, the author concludes that factoring retains its potential as a tool for funding commercial organizations in the context of the development of digital technologies. The demand for factoring services among business entities will continue to grow in the post-COVID economy, which substantiates the practicability of further developing the factoring market and improving the technology behind factoring transactions.