Aim. The presented study aims to determine the role of management in the system of adult continuing education and major strategic directions for its development and improvement, paying special attention to continuing professional education.
   Tasks. The authors analyze Russian and foreign scientific publications on the problem under consideration; investigate management practices in the system of adult continuing education in a particular educational organization, paying special attention to the system of continuing professional education; substantiate the key role of management in an educational organization, including staff competencies, management technologies, focus on building a quality management system (QMS) aimed at improving the efficiency of the adult continuing education system; determine key trends in the development of the adult continuing education system from a strategic perspective.
   Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition in various aspects to investigate the system of adult continuing education and to identify trends in its current state and development as well as major areas for improvement.
   Results. The results of the study make it obvious that IT infrastructure, staff development, and management are the most significant factors for the introduction of digital media in adult continuing education organizations. Digital and mobile technologies are important resources supporting individual training of specialists in various areas of expertise. In addition to that, various population groups require flexible educational routes in the context of changing social development factors and emerging challenges and threats, further professional development of staff in adult and continuing education, training programs focusing on the needs of students with allowance for the regional labor market, and state support for professional training and continuing professional education for the most vulnerable population groups.
   Conclusions. The conducted study makes it possible to identify key trends in the development of the adult continuing education system, which must be taken into consideration in order to improve management in this field.

   Aim. The presented study aims to analyze the development dynamics of payment system operations using electronic money (e-money).

   Tasks. The authors analyze the main indicators of the development of payment systems using e-money; calculate the concentration coefficient and the Herfindahl–Hirschman index; determine the degree of competition between e-money operators.

   Methods. This study analyzes financial statements and statistics available on the Bank of Russia website and uses the methods of scientific inference, comparison, abstraction, mathematical and static analysis.
   Results. On the basis of statistics, the authors analyze the development dynamics of payment system operations using electronic money and calculate the market concentration coefficient and the Herfindahl–Hirschman index, which show a low degree of competition between e-money operators.
   Conclusions. The results of the study make it obvious that the development dynamics of payment systems using e-money in recent years has been unstable according to many indicators. That said, “the amount of operations using electronic means of payment to transfer e-money” shows stable growth, which is a positive sign. The calculated concentration coefficient and Herfindahl–Hirschman index indicate a low level of competition between e-money operators. Despite this, e-money has prospects for development.

   Aim. The presented study aims to develop a scientifically based method of obtaining quantitative indicators for the staffing of priority areas through the training of highly qualified scientific personnel.
   Tasks. The authors create a methodology for comparing the topics of dissertation research (scientific specialties and dissertation topics) with the priority areas formulated in the Strategy for the Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation (STD RF); conduct a survey of candidates of sciences to learn their assessment of the compliance of
dissertation research topics with the priority areas of the STD RF strategy and to identify the peculiarities of the professional development of candidates of sciences after the defense of their dissertations; analyze the staffing of the priority areas of the STD RF strategy through the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) based on the results of the survey and the developed methodology for matching the topic of the dissertation with the topics of the priority areas of the STD RF strategy and the retention of the trained HQP in the scientific and technological field corresponding to such priority areas; identify Competence Centers for the training of HQP for the staffing of the priority directions of the STD RF strategy.
   Methods. A methodology of step-by-step matching of dissertation research and priority areas according to the criteria of "scientific specialty" and "dissertation title" is developed using three approaches: expert, keyword-based, and embedding-based. A sociological survey of 8,402 candidates of sciences was conducted to obtain quantitative indicators.
   Results. It is found that only one out of three candidates of sciences who defended a dissertation in one of the priority areas continues to engage in scientific activity on the subject of his dissertation after the defense. Over half of the candidates of sciences (around 60 %) whose dissertation topic corresponds to the priorities of the STD RF strategy occasionally engage in scientific activities on the subject of their dissertation research. Around 12 % of candidates of sciences stopped developing their research topics after defending their dissertations.
   Conclusions. The potential of HQP trained in the subject of priority areas is not fully realized. The number of HQP that remain focused on the topics of the priority areas of the STD RF strategy can serve as a benchmark for the formation of indicators of staffing efficiency in the priority areas of scientific and technological development.

   Aim. The presented study aims to analyze the statistics of water transport accidents to identify the most common cause of such accidents and to propose an innovative solution to this problem.
   Tasks. The authors investigate the frequency of water transport accidents in 2017–2021; systematize their causes and identify the most common ones; examine the statutory regulation and supervision of water transport; identify its drawbacks and propose an unconventional solution to the problem of regulation and supervision of water transport, which can be considered as innovative.
   Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition: analysis, synthesis, generalization, visualization, and forecasting to analyze data on water transport accidents in 2017–2021, establish cause-and-effect relationships of accidents, and predict the dynamics of individual indicators.
   Results. Data on water transport accidents are grouped, the causes of accidents on river and sea vessels are ranked, and the vector of changes in the accident rate is predicted (adjusted for the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic). The authors propose the idea of combating the main cause of most water accidents – the human factor.
   Conclusions. The human factor causes 74% of water transport accidents, and existing methods of supervision and control are not effective enough. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce a professional social rating for workers and employees in water transport and its infrastructure. This will make it easier for shipowners to hire personnel, improve control and supervisory procedures and investigation of incidents, and increase the motivation of personnel to perform their duties diligently, while also positively affecting the level of safety and economic efficiency of water transport enterprises and their infrastructure. This proposal seems appropriate in the context of the national project “Digital Economy”.

   Aim. The presented study aims to propose an integrated approach to ecosystem structure formation in modern realities.
   Tasks. The authors analyze and assess existing research approaches to the formation of ecosystem structure; propose its major components from the perspective of interaction between subjects; briefly formulate conclusions relevant to practical guidance for the managers of platform holders.
   Methods. This study uses the methodology of complementarity and relationship marketing, as well as methods for identifying cause-effect relationships, descriptive research, research and historical design.
   Results. An analysis of theoretical developments and business practices shows that ecosystem structure is composed not only of entities jointly creating value and having a certain status, role, and contribution of each platform participant. The conceptualization of the construct should consider the interdependence between companies and their activities, making allowance for the many nonlinear interactions that sometimes lead to unexpected, disproportionate consequences. The structural components of an ecosystem are defined in two aspects: in the context of its understanding as a set of integrated entities and from the perspective of the configuration of their interactions. A pool of new questions for future research is proposed.
   Conclusions. The rapid platformization of the sectors of the Russian economy and the transition from dual to multilateral market relations with a synergetic effect make it possible to consider the formation of optimal ecosystem architectonics as a key component that needs to be studied and understood in the context of global and national digital transformation. In this regard, the developing business practices of companies are ahead of their scientific and methodological justification. Thus, it is important to study and scientifically substantiate processes that content undergoes. Brief conclusions serve as a basis for making the right management decisions to choose the optimal structure options for a particular ecosystem.

   Aim. Based on the developed general theoretical provisions, the presented study aims to formulate practical recommendations for increasing the competitiveness of restaurant business enterprises in the Republic of Crimea.
   Tasks. Based on the analysis of existing interpretations, the author formulates an original definition of the competitiveness of a restaurant business enterprise and identifies its key characteristics; investigates factors affecting the competitiveness of enterprises in the examined field; develops theoretical and methodological provisions for assessing the composite indicator; tests the developed assessment model on restaurant business enterprises in the Republic of Crimea.
   Methods. This study uses a wide range of general scientific methods such as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, analytical method, expert assessment method, grouping, comparative analysis, modeling, and abstractionn.
   Results. The competitiveness of restaurant business enterprises is relative and depends on the competitiveness of the provided services and the competitive potential of the restaurant, indicating its ability to withstand competition without compromising the environment within a certain market segment and time. The following groups of external factors have the most significant effect on the examined composite indicator: economic, political and legal, technological, socio-cultural, environmental, sanitary and epidemiological situation. The predominantly negative impact of these factors during the analyzed period can be neutralized by an effective organizational competitiveness management system based on a certain model for assessing the achieved level of competitiveness. The author proposes an assessment algorithm and a methodology for calculating the level of competitiveness, defines a scale of the competitive status of restaurant business enterprises depending on the numerical value of the target composite indicator. Through the example of enterprises operating in the Republic of Crimea, the level of competitiveness is assessed and several proposals to strengthen the current competitive status in the public catering services market are formulated.
   Conclusions. The criteria of competitiveness of modern restaurant business organizations include the following major components: the quality of services, the effectiveness of marketing activities, the organization's financial state, and the restaurant's market position. Since the qualitative parameters of the activities of restaurant business enterprises have the strongest impact on the final composite indicator, mitigating the so-called consumer discrepancy is the fundamental direction for increasing competitiveness. That said, a list of measures for a particular enterprise can be determined based on the results of a comprehensive assessment of the competitiveness level by analyzing the values of its components.

   Aim. The presented study aims to propose major directions for improving the taxation of the agro-industrial complex in the context of new sanctions.

   Tasks. The authors consider the changes and peculiarities of tax policy in relation to the practice of applying the unified agricultural tax; analyze the pros and cons of value added tax (VAT) use by agricultural producers; propose ways to improve tax regulation of agricultural producers.
   Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to analyze key changes in the procedure for paying the unified agricultural tax (UAT).
   Results. According to the major goals and objectives of state tax policy in the development of the agricultural sector, it is necessary to improve the system of taxation of agricultural producers. This will create favorable economic conditions for the development of the industry.
   Conclusions. For the sustainable and efficient development of the agricultural sector, it is necessary to improve the instruments of state tax regulation that help ensure high economic results and increase the investment attractiveness of the industry in the context of risks and uncertainty under sanctions and restrictions.

   Aim. Theoretical study of the development of financial monitoring in world and Russian practice, development of trends and conclusions about the development of financial monitoring and the impact of economic processes on it.

   Tasks. To analyze the development of financial monitoring in world and Russian practice, to consider the evolution of the object in the categories of the method “The order of goals”, to consider the possibilities of the impact of financial monitoring on the activities of an industrial enterprise, to study the basic state of financial monitoring.
   Methods. In the work, the author uses methods of generalization, comparison, critical analysis, tabular, categorical method — “The order of goals”.
   Results. The conclusion about the evolutionary development of financial monitoring is formulated. A list of trends in the development of financial monitoring in world and Russian practice has been developed, a conclusion on the change in financial monitoring has been formulated; recommendations for further study of financial monitoring for use in the industrial sector of the economy have been given.
   Conclusions. The conducted research shows that the development of financial monitoring can be compared with the change in financial management, the evolution of financial monitoring depended on an increase in the complexity of financial processes and the required assessments of the organization's activities, the results of the study will contribute to further study of financial monitoring.

   Aim. The presented study aims to consider opportunities for expanding the range of tools for implementing investment policy in the fuel and energy complex.
   Tasks. The authors determine the essence of investment policy; propose the concept of information and analytical support for the formation of investment policies of industrial complexes; establish a correlation between the development of industrial engineering and investment activity in the fuel and energy complex.
   Methods. This study uses system-wide methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as methods of graphical, economic, mathematical, and statistical modeling.
   Results. The fuel and energy complex plays a decisive role in the socio-economic development of Russia and a number of its regions. However, it still needs to be further developed – there-fore, an industry-wide investment policy is being implemented. Such a policy is specific to the sector and territory, which should be taken into account during its implementation. The key factors identified in the course of the study include the relationship between the activities of industrial enterprises with the state of the natural environment in their home regions and the significant dependence of production and investment activity on the degree of development of the industrial engineering sector. When developing and implementing an investment policy, it is recommended to take these factors into account to improve its quality.
   Conclusions. The presented investment policy tools for the fuel and energy complex, which make allowance for the specific factors of both regional and sectoral orientation, make it possible to develop recommendations for the formation of investment policy based on an integrated approach. They are aimed at making informed, discrete decisions and avoiding inefficient dissipation of financial resources. The implementation of the proposed mechanism is universal for most regions where enterprises of the fuel and energy complex are located, and it also makes it possible to consider individual territory- and sector-specific features.

   Aim. The presented study aims to assess the current state and possible vectors of changes in the Russian medical services market by analyzing the results of secondary data of Russian researchers.

   Tasks. The authors analyze existing scientific and theoretical approaches to the problem under consideration; identify patterns in the development of the medical services market in Russia; determine regulatory mechanisms for the medical market.
   Methods. This study is based on multidisciplinarity, methods of related scientific disciplines, quantitative and qualitative tools. The diversity of research tools is due to the specifics of a particular subject area and its social necessity.
   Results. The structure of the medical services market, which includes related sectors associated with the development of pharmaceutics, medical equipment, and specialized software, poses a wide range of challenges for researchers. There is an ongoing discussion in the Russian scientific community about the mechanisms for the incentivization of such a market. The number of publications by Russian authors on this problem is growing.
   Conclusions. Competition in the medical services market is caused by the existence of public and private medicine (some researchers also distinguish the informal shadow sector). The emergence of competition has a positive effect on the quality of medical care and medical services, making it possible to enhance the prestige of the medical profession and the income of medical workers. However, there are also specific regional problems related to pricing in private medicine and compliance with quality standards. Other significant issues include overcoming the existing state paternalism and forming a new perception of medical services in general, which most consumers in Russia find difficult to accept.