In the modern economy, human capital is the main strategic resource for development, which has a direct impact on economic growth and social welfare. The purpose of the research is to examine the features of human capital development in the context of current structural changes in the economy due to changes in technological and world economic paradigms, and to identify its parameters to be evaluated and managed. The subject of the research is economic relations arising in the process of formation and use of human capital at different stages of economic development. The main results of the research are as follows: determination of the main structural components of human capital (physiological, labor, social and intellectual), identification of the trends in their participation in value creation when changing technological and world economic paradigms, as well as identification of institutional elements that affect their development and use. The scope of the results obtained is determined by the possibility of including key parameters of human capital in strategic plans for socio-economic development and improving the competitiveness of the national economy.

Human behavior in the face of new challenges of changing economic reality is of interest not only to Economics, but also to other social Sciences. In this regard, the question of creating a universal human model as a tool for interpreting and predicting behavior remains open. The article analyzes the formation of human model in the economy comparing neoclassical and alternative approaches. The purpose of the work is to identify the possibilities of methodological development of the model not only as a tool for analyzing economic phenomena and processes, but also as an independent object of knowledge. The results of the study show that drawing on the interdisciplinary approach of new institutional Economics, behavioral Economics, and social Sciences, you may perform a more profound study of behavioral assumptions, including an appeal to the motivational component of behavior, which expands the explanatory power of the model. The findings can be used both for promising theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis of an individual as an economic entity, and for solving practical problems.

The crisis of modern competitiveness model of Russian economy, particularly acute after the introduction of financial and technological sanctions, requires the search for new concepts of long-term development. In accordance with the basic laws of dialectics, this task can be solved only on the basis of historical experience. The article provides a retrospective analysis of Russian models of national development, the features of which must be critically interpreted. To achieve this goal, the work identifies positive and negative characteristics of the Russian experience in improving the competitiveness of the economy in the years 1820–1991. The author offers recommendations concerning the formation of a new model of the Russian economy’s development on the basis of ensuring national self-sufficiency. The results of the work can be used in elaborating national programs for long-term development of the economy. Among the basic elements it is necessary to highlight the priority development of industry based on cluster approach, ensuring the import independence of the economy and ample beneficial use of national resources.

The article presents the results of research on the effectiveness of scientometric indicators use in science management in Russia (on the example of economic science in 2005-2018). The investigation rests on empirical base of publications indexed in the Russian science index. The author argues that the use of bibliometric indicators (in the form they appeared in government documents between 2009 and 2018) encourages the publication activity rather than actual scientific results. The paper offers the method to evaluate the effectiveness of a scientific paper differentiating the ways and effects of dissemination of scientific ideas in a scientific community. The method helped identify a significant increase in the overall number and the share of articles which do not influence further development of science (i.e. ineffective papers). The drop in the number of effective papers is accompanied by a significant cost rise, which also means a drop in effectiveness (3.9 times according to the empirical data).

The Russian officials extensively apply antitrust prohibitions in the domestic markets. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly determine the presence of dominant companies in the market. The article examines the signs of collective dominance in the antimonopoly practice in Russia. For this purpose, the author examines judicial acts for cases on cancellation of decisions of the Russian Antimonopoly authority concerning collective dominance for 2007- 2017, and considers type I and type II errors arising in establishing collective dominance. The empirical analysis of the factors influencing judicial reviews shows that the predictions of economic theory are not sufficiently taken into account in law enforcement.

Financial constraints reflect either company’s lack of capability to raise the necessary external financing or excessively high cost of such financing. One way to reduce financial constraints is to diversify company’s activities. The article presents a comparative analysis of the impact of different types of diversification (geographical and product) on telecommunication companies’ financial constraints. The sample consists of 103 companies over the period from 2010 to 2018. The level of financial constraints is measured as ASCL-index which allows for more comprehensive characteristics of companies’ financial capabilities on the basis of four indicators: average cash flow, average financial leverage, age and size of the company. The impact of diversification on financial constraints is analyzed by evaluating several models of ordered logit regression. Regression and statistical analysis shows that both product and geographical diversification reduce the company’s level of financial constraints. Moreover, in developing countries, geographical diversification is a priority strategy of reducing financial constraints level for telecommunication companies. The findings of the study can be used by companies’ management to choose an optimal diversification strategy.

The article provides the analysis of banking sector functioning in Kursk region. The purpose of the study is to determine the main advantages of regional credit institutions over large banking structures in the regional economy. Drawing on structural and dynamic data analysis, the paper reveals basic trends in developing the banking sector of the region and also determines its role in the local economy. The article examines the role of PJSC Kurskprombank as a sole credit institution in the economy of the region explored. The paper analyzes the credit portfolio of the institution against various criteria in order to determine the specifics of the Bank’s work in the field of issuing loans to customers.

The aim of the work is: 1. assessment of the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the performance of domestic companies before and after the imposition of sanctions in the industry context; 2. Evaluation of the performance of export-oriented domestic companies during the period of sanctions. As the assessment methodology were used panel regression, calculation of the Malmquist index, DEA analysis, and calculation of spillover effects. The empirical base of the study included more than 65 thousand companies for 2012-2018. It was found that the highest efficiency of companies with FDI compared to companies without FDI was observed in the following sectors: metallurgical production, chemical production, retail. Export companies show higher rates than national enterprises.

The article explores various types of crypto-assets and justification of differentiated regime for their regulations. The purpose of the article is to determine the main economic and legal approaches of interpreting crypto-assets and identify the features of taxation of various types of crypto-assets in developed countries and Russia. Drawing on economic and functional features of crypto-assets, the study offers the classification of virtual assets. Having analyzed various approaches to crypto-assets tax regulation in the UK, Switzerland and Singapore, the authors determine the specificity of crypto-assets taxation and offer recommendations for crypto-assets taxation in Russia. The paper concludes that in countries where regulatory authorities make a clear distinction between different types of crypto-assets the taxation of virtual assets is also differentiated. A differentiated approach to taxation of crypto assets in Russia seems to be most promising since it encourages the development of certain segments of crypto asset market and offers a clearer mechanism for tax control over the turnover of crypto assets in the country.

Intensive development of the global pharmaceutical industry has led to a significant increase in its attractiveness to market investors. At the same time, there is a clear lack of academic work in world financial science that would reveal the specifics of the shares pricing for pharmaceutical companies, including the nature of the influence of various types of news information. The study made it possible to partially solve this problem, significantly expanding the range of available scientific conclusions. Based on a situational and econometric analysis, the authors characterized the influence of a wide range of news information on the dynamics of stock prices and trading volumes, assessed the possibility of insider trading. It is shown that usage of news information by investors can potentially lead to extra profit on market transactions. The findings of the study can be useful to both private and corporate investors, including portfolio managers, in transactions with shares of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

The article analyses the essence of Special Economic Zones and modern trends of its development. It considers the main creation stages and success factors of SEZ, it studies the special economic zone of Shenzhen and its contribution to the development of the Chinese economy. It proposes the author’s vision of the modern problems and future development of SEZ. The analysis is based on the research of Chinese, and domestic economists, historical facts, and statistics in the field of Special Economic Zones and «the policy of reform and openness». Considerable attention is paid to the publications and statements of the creator of SEZ Deng Xiaoping. The findings of this study about the impact and nature of Special Economic Zones can be used further for a more detailed study of themes related to the Chinese economy.

The article is devoted to an overview of the possibilities of modern scientific, technical and technological solutions in achieving the goals of sustainable development, implemented by the UN. The article was prepared on the basis of an analysis of the issues raised during the online discussion “Green Cities and Economies: Solutions from Academia”, held on July 21, 2020 in the framework of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The article presents analytical materials that reveal the prospects for using modern scientific and technological achievements in the creation of ecologically clean cities. Possibilities and feasibility of using advanced composite materials and multifunctional nanocoatings in the fight against urban noise have been determined. The advantages of special noise-insulating panels based on composite materials and nanocoatings to reduce the negative effects of city noise are noted. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen the participation of the academic community in achieving the goals of sustainable development and the practical use of scientific discoveries in the practice of creating “green” cities.