Contents | Issue 4 (2024)
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Economics and Management
Decentralized major renovation funds’ accumulation: Aspect of stakeholder interactions
Irina N. Tkachenko, Ivan A. Chechulin
P. 5–23https://doi.org/10.22394/2304-3369-2024-4-5-23PDF
Abstract
Introduction. The purpose of this study is a systematic analysis of the stakeholder relations on the issue of the formation and management of decentralized capital repair funds. The high social significance of capital repairs of residential real estate, coupled with a high degree of wear and tear, determines the need for coordinated and effective stakeholder interaction, the involvement of public authorities in co-financing expenses and the development of effective mechanisms for the rational allocation of funds from decentralized capital repair funds formed in special accounts in banking organizations and protecting them from inflationary processes.

Materials and methods. The authors explore institutional factors in the implementation of major renovations of apartment buildings, identify the key stakeholders of these processes, their interests and risks, and reveal the presence of an agency problem. Based on statistical data and regulations, the authors conduct economic modeling of the formation of a decentralized capital repair fund using the example of an existing homeowners' association, and calculate target indicators for the efficiency of capital repair fund management.

Results. The conducted research revealed inconsistency of the current management approaches and the impossibility of forming major overhaul funds in sufficient size to replace elevator equipment after the shelf life expiry without external financing. The authors conduct a study of the agency problem that arises when managing funds placed in special accounts for major overhaul, and identify the presence of informal institutional factors that prevent the formation of a "mature real estate owner".

Discussion. Based on the results of the study, the authors proposed regulatory measures that could positively affect the effectiveness of relations on the issue of formation and management of decentralized capital repair funds. In addition to regulatory measures, the authors consider it necessary to involve municipal deputies in awareness-raising activities aimed at creating a “mature property owner.” The scientific novelty of this study consists in the development of management and regulation methods for the formation of decentralized capital repair funds on the basis of the synthesis of stakeholder and institutional approaches.
Social Management
‘Demographic’ factor of fertility: Assessing territorial potential on the example of the Nizhny Novgorod region
Nadezhda Yu. Egorova, Irina V. Sitnikova
P. 25–40https://doi.org/10.22394/2304-3369-2024-4-25-40PDF
Abstract
Introduction. Despite the implementation of serious measures in the framework of state family policy to stabilise the demographic situation, it remains difficult in most regions. This is due, firstly, to the new challenges the country is facing, and secondly, to the complexity of the very processes that need to be controlled. Population size, being a complex quantitative indicator of the stability of society, is determined by a number of demographic processes, among which fertility remains the main one. The number of studies attempting to identify the factors determining fertility trends is growing. All of them demonstrate the complexity and multifactorial nature of the process and the changes taking place. More and more often attention is paid to the demographic characteristics (sex-age and marriage structure) of the population as a starting point from which to begin the assessment of the territory and its reproductive potential.

Nizhny Novgorod region, being a typical Russian region, has been demonstrating an unfavourable scenario of demographic situation development in recent decades. The article attempts to describe and assess the reproductive potential of the region, to identify the possibilities and limitations of fertility growth in the current conditions, based on the analysis of the ‘demographic’ factor.

Materials and methods. The analysis and conclusions are based on the data of the Federal State Statistics Service on demographic processes in Russia and the region for 1990-2023 (population size, birth rate, marriage rate, divorce rate), as well as on the data of regional sociological studies on fertility and family/reproductive behaviour.

Results and discussion. The results of the study provide little basis for a favourable forecast in the region. On the one hand, the sex and age structure of the population is not yet characterised by disproportion in fertile ages, except for the oldest groups. However, there is a high probability of its appearance in younger ages under current conditions. In addition, active and potential fertile groups of women are significantly smaller than older groups. The marriage structure is becoming more stable, but with a high probability of divorce, acceptability of cohabitation, and a shift of births to older groups. The studies record a persistent gap between the desired and actual number of children in different socio-demographic groups, which, from the authors' point of view, is important and requires careful research to correctly stimulate fertility.
Self-preservation practices of the population
Inna B. Nazarova
P. 41–53https://doi.org/10.22394/2304-3369-2024-4-41-53PDF
Abstract
Introduction. Based on the available data, the main practices of self-preservation behavior of the population 15 years and older are studied. An individual’s self-preservation behavior is considered in two main areas: everyday life - behavior for preventing illness and during illness (contacting a medical professional).

Materials and methods. State statistics data were used as an empirical basis; results of selective monitoring of the population’s health status for the period from 2019 to 2023; database of the Russian Monitoring of Economics and Health (RLMS-HSE) for the period from 1994 to 2022. The data made it possible to consider the problem of self-preservation behavior in dynamics and in the context of socio-demographic groups.

Results. In Russia, there are few people with a high commitment to a healthy life: 7.0% of men and 10.9% of women. Few people eat enough fruits and vegetables every day: 14.2% of the population (2022 - 12.0%), rural population - 15.9%, urban population - 13.6%. There are regional differences in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, which may be related to the availability and eating habits of the population.

In some types of behavior, people began to behave more responsibly. The majority of the population (68.8%) do not smoke and have not smoked before; 12.3% have quit smoking. For women, the dynamics have not changed over 26 years, but men began to smoke 18.6% less. Alcohol consumption has decreased significantly; representatives of the 35-54 year old group (every tenth) consume it more often. Positive dynamics in physical activity; currently, more than half of citizens are systematically involved in physical culture and sports - 56.8% (according to the Ministry of Sports). In case of health problems, one third of Russians (37.8% of men and 39.5% of women) went to a polyclinic, to a doctor, the majority treated themselves, the situation worsened with the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Conclusion. In general, the behavior of the population for the purpose of health prevention has a positive trend, but remains at a low level and cannot make a significant contribution to improving the health of the population. At the same time, population activity during the period of illness also remains at a low level, and there is no positive dynamics. Against the backdrop of increasing morbidity, more than half of citizens do not consult a doctor during illness and engage in self-treatment.
Corporate Management
Artificial Intelligence in human resources management: Opportunities and threats
Oksana P. Ovchinnikova, Darya V. Lebedeva
P. 55–66https://doi.org/10.22394/2304-3369-2024-4-55-66PDF
Abstract
Introduction. Digital economy has generated a completely new model of human-machine interaction based on the active use of digital technologies in almost all spheres of human activity. Most information systems used by organizations are integrated with big data analytics, which requires higher qualified staff. The job responsibilities of employees change according to industry and corporate needs. The requirements for staff qualification are increasing, urging the company HR service to find, attract and retain specialists of the required qualifications, and organize staff development in the organization. Innovations in decision-making algorithms make artificial intelligence the most useful tool for implementing a human resource management strategy in an organization.

Materials and methods. The article uses general scientific research methods, such as qualitative analysis, observation method, synthesis, logical induction method and others. The information basis of the article consists of scientific research works, official documents, and information posted in the media. A secondary analysis of the research on the topic under study was carried out.

Results. Despite the fact that the processes related to personnel management have always been a human cognitive ability, artificial intelligence technologies can currently provide technical solutions in the field of recruitment and further staff development. Artificial intelligence plays an important role in collecting candidate data from various sources, and is able to evaluate the required candidates based on a job description more effectively and objectively than a HR officer. Artificial intelligence can more accurately describe a job that corresponds to the business process in skills. Artificial intelligence technologies can play an important role in the process of organizing professional development and retraining of staff. The use of artificial intelligence provides for obtaining more personalized and understandable results excluding the "human factor". In this article, special attention is paid to artificial intelligence technologies, which can be effectively used in staff management. The opportunities to increase the HR employees’ productivity are considered, main risks of artificial intelligence introduction are highlighted and recommendations for its efficient application are given. The research novelty is in identification of the scope of the use of artificial intelligence in the organizational personnel policy, making it possible to realize the opportunities for revealing the creative potential of the organization’s employees and increase competitiveness.

Discussion. It is absolutely clear that AI is becoming an integral part of business ecosystems, and necessary to maintain and increase the level of competitiveness of economic agents. Nevertheless, AI is constantly evolving, which allows companies to expand the functionality of its use. However, it is important to define the boundaries of AI use, including how human-machine interaction will be ensured, which functions can be given to AI, and which can be abandoned.
Public Management and Public Administration
Modern pension paradigm in Europe
Oscar A. Molina, Vyacheslav Yu. Yarin, Maya I. Lvova, Larisa I. Yuzvovich
P. 68–79https://doi.org/10.22394/2304-3369-2024-4-68-79PDF
Abstract
Introduction. Pension systems are a key element of social protection for the elderly. They are designed to provide senior citizens with stable income not from work. However, pension systems currently being developed in Europe are increasingly exposing the working-age population to the risk of poverty in old age. The European pension paradigm strives for an adequate level of pension payments and builds financial protection against poverty, while the future evolution of wages and prices remains unknown for Europe as a whole.

Methods. Scientific research is based on general and special methods of scientific cognition. In the process of forming the concept of the scientific article, modern scientific methods of studying economic and social phenomena were used, including methods of system-structural, functional, factorial and comparative analysis, as well as categorical, logical and structural analysis and synthesis, detailing and generalization, grouping and comparison, identification of cause-and-effect relationships. The authors proceed from an understanding of the scientific hypothesis of reforming the pension system, which ensures long-term investment by the working-age population with income in the future. The empirical base of the study was made up of current data from cross-country comparative studies of Europe in terms of typology of state pension systems.

Results. Based on the functional method of cognition, the authors of the scientific article systematize the main types of state pension systems of the European Union, representing the complex content of the indicator value of pension payments. It is noted that in the context of reforming the pension systems of the European Union countries, the reorganization of the functional and ideological components of pension provision, aimed at protecting consumers of pension savings, makes it possible to increase the socio-economic standard of living. Although EU pension systems differ in many respects, they all have one common problem - finding ways to maintain the financial sustainability of the budgetary system while paying pensions in the long term against the backdrop of an aging population and the problem of increasing the ratio of pensioners to the working-age population.
The levels of digital inequality: Features of the impact in the Ural federal district
A. A. Chizhov
P. 80–93https://doi.org/10.22394/2304-3369-2024-4-80-93PDF
Abstract
Introduction. Access to information, digital products and services contributes to reducing barriers in individual’s interaction with state, organizations, and other individuals, also providing opportunities for human development. The author assesses the digital inequality level of the constituent entities of the Ural Federal District.

Materials and methods. Theoretically, the research is based on the concept of three levels of digital inequality, according to which inequality can be manifested at the level of access to Internet and information and communication technologies; at the level of the users’ digital skills and competencies; at the level of benefits obtained from the use of digital technologies and impacting individual life chances. The materials used are: statistical data of the Russian information society development monitoring, research on the digital literacy of the Russian population, conducted by the Analytical Center of the National Agency for Financial Research, the Russian Association of Electronic Communications, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation and the National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, as well as the results of an expert survey conducted by the author in 2023 with state civil servants of the Sverdlovsk region and employees of “Electronic government operator”, the state budgetary institution of the Sverdlovsk region.

Results. The article reveals the specific features of digital inequality of the entities of the Ural Federal District. The geographical features of the region paradoxically affects the digital inequality level. The more compactly located territories of the Sverdlovsk, Tyumen and Chelyabinsk regions provide for the appropriate infrastructure with better broadband Internet access. A social consequence of low Internet access in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug is, in part, that not all medical organizations can be connected to the Integrated National Health Information System. In addition, there is no direct correlation between Internet access and digital skills development. On the contrary, remoteness and inaccessibility of territories act as drivers for the development of digital competencies of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and Yugra residents, who are more efficient in using digital technologies in e-commerce and public services.

Discussions and conclusions. “Bridging the Digital Divide” federal program implementation will increase the information infrastructure availability. Conscious and focused effort is required to improve digital literacy and cyber hygiene of the population.