Certain socioeconomic problems of development of the Arctic territories

The article discusses general problems of sustainable socioeconomic development on the foreign and Russian Arctic territories. We revealed examples of the Arctic territories where the best results in balanced socioeconomic development are achieved, i.e., Iceland, the northern provinces of Norway, and Sweden. The main challenges and risks for sustainable development of the Russian Arctic zone are indicated.     

Organizational issues of expert review and evaluation of macroregional development projects in Russia

Abstract—This article identifies particular characteristics of expert appraisal of projects included in macroregional development programs. These features are determined by uniqueness of these administrative-territorial entities, which is exemplified by the Russian Arctic Zone. This article also analyzes the potential of organizing expert appraisals (first of all, government expert appraisals) in Russia for use when analyzing and assessing Arctic projects. The basic guidelines and provisions are substantiated with regard to organizing an expert appraisal of the project component of development projects for the Russian Arctic Zone and other Russian macroregions.     

Prospects for the production and transportation of oil and gas resources from the western Russian Arctic

The article discusses the growth in the volumes of oil and gas production and transportation in the western regions of the Russian Arctic in the next few decades due to the presence of unique resources located there. The assessment of the possible development of these regions shows great prospects for the oil and gas sector under the conditions of expansion and modernization of their existing transportation systems, as well as favorable market conditions.     

Macroeconomic assessment of the state of regional labor markets in the Asian part of the Russian Arctic

The article analyzes the current conditions of the sector of employment and labor market in the regions of the Asian part of the Russian Arctic (about employment in the European part of the Russian Arctic see No. 1, 2016). Major changes in the structure of the sources of the formation of the manpower resources and its distribution by sectors of activity have been studied. An inertial assessment of the medium-term dynamics of the basic parameters of the regional labor markets has been given.     

Assessment of Russian aviation development for long-term prospects with the regard for Arctic developing: reproductive and technological aspects

The article considers the conditions of developing the aviation industry for long-term prospects taking into account factors such as changes in purchasing aviation equipment, progress in developing the Russian aviation market, and works for reconstructing and modernizing transport infrastructure in the Russian Arctic. The author aims to coordinate the Government programs for developing new aviation equipment and equipment for air transport via the program of Arctic Exploration and Development, as it is necessary to integrate various cycle flows with regard to high-tech capital.     

Macroeconomic assessment of the regional labor markets in the European part of the Russian Arctic

The article analyzes the modern condition of the sector of employment and the labor market in the regions of the European part of the Russian Arctic. Major changes in the structure of the manpower resources formation and its distribution based on sectors of activity are studied. An inertial assessment of the medium-term dynamics of basic parameters of the regional labor markets is given.     

Relationships between development factors of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation

The article describes long-term possibilities for participation in domestic machine engineering in major economic projects. The basic relationships between economic, institutional, and technological factors of regional development are identified. Some ideas are proposed for the substantiation of innovative development programs for the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.     

Investment and innovative technological efficiency: Case study of the Arctic project

This paper explores the efficiency of investment and innovative technological activities pursued by regions that take part in the Arctic Development Program of the Russian Federation. The study is based on the use of specific methods and tools applied for assessing the effects generated by these activities taking into consideration the priority development of manufacturing and machine-building industries.     

Outsourcing Noncore Activities of Industrial Enterprises in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation

The growing competition and increasingly diversified structure of the world economy and consumption of various resources require the intensification of innovative industrial activity in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and enhancement of its management effectiveness. The paper has considered theoretical foundations for industrial service development. It has been shown that participation of small innovative businesses in industrial outsourcing can promote the introduction of innovative technologies and the corresponding equipment for industrial enterprises.     

Socioeconomic modernization of Russia and its Arctic regions

This paper deals with the socioeconomic and technological development of Arctic regions of the Russian Federation in the context of a modernizing world. The methodological basis of the comparative analysis is the concept of primary and secondary modernization or integrated modernization for developing countries.     

Tsarist Russia and the World Wheat Market

Russian grain trade, production, and consumption during the Tsarist period (1861–1914) is empirically evaluated. Russia was the world's largest wheat exporter during this period. Tsarist Russian agriculture is often characterized in the literature as having been “backward” and not well-integrated with international markets. In contrast to this view, this analysis finds that the Russian grain trade was significantly influenced by international prices and was well-integrated with the international commercial wheat trade. Our results indicate that after 1880 regional wheat markets in Russia were linked and that a strong connection had been established between Russian ports and cities at the center of the world wheat trade. Deviations from equilibrium price relationships were found to be eliminated more rapidly for trade between Odessa and England than for wheat trade between New York and England. In addition, grain trade is shown to have been positively influenced by the development of the rail system.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of government programs of socioeconomic development of regions of Russia

The article shows the importance of assessing the effectiveness of government programs due to the increasingly widespread use of the program approach in the system of public administration, strategic planning, and the formation of budgets at all levels. The problems and the possibilities of assessing the effectiveness of government programs, “Socioeconomic Development of the Far East and the Baikal Region” and “Socioeconomic Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation up to 2020” have been considered.     

Sociodemographic limitations of the sustainable development of Murmansk oblast

This article discusses the adequacy of human resources for the sustainable development of the territories of the Russian Arctic. By using the example of Murmansk oblast, the negative dynamics of the population and labor potential is shown, actual forecasts of the declining life expectancy are given, and reasons for the high mortality rate, especially among working-age people, are discussed. In conclusion, the need for priority measures to overcome the increasing migration outside the region and the development of the social and healthcare areas is given.     

Forecast scenario for the development of the meat market in Russia until 2020

The forecast scenario for the development of the domestic meat market until 2020, on the basis of the author’s approach to the analysis of markets of commodity substitutes, which is related to the study of the behavior of structural changes in the consumption of these commodities, is presented. Reasoned criticism of measures for supporting the Russian meat production complex, which are suggested by the Russian Meat Union, is conducted.     

On the assessment of the potential expansion of agricultural production and its structural shifts

This paper deals with retrospective trends in the development of Russian agriculture and the longterm potential for agricultural production growth. Based on this analysis, the importance of adjusting agricultural policy is justified.     

Assessment of the impact of human capital on economic growth

This paper presents updated figures on the dynamics of human capital in the Russian economy. Time series of human capital are obtained for major types of economic activity that cover up to 85–90% of the total human capital in the Russian economy for 1992–2012. An analysis of the impact of accumulated human capital on economic dynamics is performed by means of the production function model. An original approach to assessing the production function based on the method of principal components is introduced.     

Long-term development of the Russian economy and the problem of labour productivity

This paper analyzes the limitations imposed by the development of the Russian economy on human resources. The contribution of productivity to economic growth in recent years is determined. The key factors affecting the productivity of labor in the Russian economy are revealed. The possible dynamics of production in high-tech sectors under the impact of restrictions on labor resources is reviewed.     

Russian Enterprises in Spring 2018: Skepticism about the Quality of the Economic Policies of the State and Complication of the Situation with Labor Resources

The paper analyzes and comments on the results of a regular survey of Russian enterprises in the real sector, which was conducted by the Institute of National Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It presents the assessments which the enterprises gave to the federal and regional authorities for the quality of their economic policies. The paper reflects the views of the Russian enterprises on the role that the state must play in the economy. The viewpoint of the enterprises regarding the level of bureaucracy and corruption in various state authorities is presented. The data on the current investment activity of the enterprises and their short-term investment intentions are presented. The impact of the ruble exchange rate on the production activity of the enterprises is considered. The assessments of the enterprises about the current level of competition with foreign producers in Russian markets are reflected. The current situation with the labor demand of the enterprises is assessed.     

Russian Companies at the End of 2017: Absence of Significant General Economic Changes and Progress in the Machinery Industry

The results of a regular poll of Russian companies in the real sector carried out by the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences have been analyzed and commented on. The companies’ opinions on which macroeconomic problems in modern Russia they consider to be the most urgent have been presented. The data has been given on the methods the companies use to solve their production, financial, and marketing problems, as well as on the frequency of using these methods. The companies’ answers to questions on how mutual sanctions between the West and Russia have affected their activities have been considered for the fourth time. The estimates of the companies on the quality of the Russian machines and equipment, as well as a comparison of the quality of the Russian equipment with foreign analogs have been presented. The opinions of companies on the economic policy of the regional authorities have been studied. Information about the character and level of cooperation between the Russian companies and banks has been given. The current situation with provision of the companies with the labor resources has been presented.     

Macroeconomic analysis of production efficiency in the real sector of the economy: Methods and results

The paper looks at the procedural and instrumental aspects of building an overall index of production resource use efficiency. The use of production function (PF) tools for this purpose is justified. The macroeconomic PF for the real sector of the Russian economy is identified. The dynamics of production efficiency in the period of economic reform is analyzed. The relation of the rate of change of production efficiency and the scale of innovation is investigated.