Purpose: is to substantiate strategic orientations and mechanisms for the formation of an interstate cluster in the Caspian region based on the comprehensive assessment of the potential of the territories.

   Methods: the assessment of five 5 components of the potential of the Caspian littoral states was carried out: economic, scientific and technological, human, infrastructural and investment based on the use of the data normalization method. This made it possible to conduct the comparative analysis and calculate integral indices of the socio-economic development indicators.

   Results: the interrelation between the components of the socio-economic potential of the Caspian littoral states has been established, which creates the basis for determining the priority directions for the development of interstate cooperation within the framework of the creation of an oil and gas high-tech cluster. Based on the comparative analysis, the differences in the levels of scientific and technological development of the states of the Caspian region are identified and shown. The study proposed a three-level classification of the Caspian littoral states based on their scientific and technological potential. As a result of the revealed imbalance between the accumulated potential of socio-economic development and the level of development of high-tech industries in the states of the Caspian region, the necessity of formation and implementation of state policy measures aimed at the structural transformation of regional economic systems is determined.

   Cconclusions and Relevance: the Caspian region has the necessary prerequisites for the formation of a high-tech oil and gas cluster due to the combination of resource base, human capital and the scientific and technological potential. It is proved that the cluster development strategy should be focused not on obtaining high incomes from the raw materials sector, but on creating a system of income transfer to the development of innovative technologies that provide the states of the Caspian region with the leading position in the Eurasian space. For the effective cluster organization, it is necessary to be guided by the principles of the development, creating a unified infrastructure and institutions that promote the development of innovation activity. The key condition is the creation of mechanisms for interstate coordination, including intellectual property management, joint financing of research and promotion of technology transfer.

   Purpose: of the article is to identify the specific characteristics of family entrepreneurship that determine financing specifics in the capital markets and the prospects for their public offering (IPO) on the stock exchange.

   Methods: the study is based on the analysis of small and medium-sized enterprises into the capital market issues, content analysis of scientific, scientific-practical, expert as well as regulatory documents and methodological recommendations of the stock exchanges on the issue of companies entering IPO. The methods of scientific generalization and classification, economic, expert and statistical analysis are used.

   Results: the comprehensive diagnosis of the specific features of family-owned companies that affect the ability to attract financing, primarily in the capital market, has been carried out. The value characteristics of family entrepreneurship are considered in the context of the impact on the local and regional economy. Recommendations are given on measures to support family business companies in order to encourage them to attract financing. An assessment of the current situation with the use of crowdfunding and exchange-traded financing tools by family enterprises has been carried out. The factors contributing to the IPO of family companies have been identified: the long life span of the company, the value orientations of the family business, a long-term development strategy based on trust; social aspects of the activity, adherence to the principles of ESG, the development of local brands. The factors preventing the entry of family companies into the IPO have been identified: the lack of transparency of the corporate structure; difficulty in registering the ownership rights of business owners; unwillingness to let part of the company's property out of control.

   Conclusions and Relevance: the conducted analysis indicates the prospects of using the IPO tool to attract investment capital by family business companies. Family-owned companies are expected to appear on the Russian stock market. A crowdfunding tool for family business companies operating in the B2C segment deserves special attention.

   Purpose: is to form the methodological approach to the development of the strategy for the digital transformation of an industrial enterprise, taking into account current industry trends.

   Methods: the research used methods of analysis and synthesis, a systematic approach, methods of bibliometric, statistical and content analysis of literary sources. The source of information was the Scopus and eLibrary databases. The depth of the study covers the period 2022–2023. To consider individual analytical sections, the depth of the study increased until the 1980^s.

   Results: in terms of identifying trends and factors of successful digital transformation, the methods of systematic review of relevant scientific publications, results of empirical studies and analytical reports, as well as the analysis of statistical data were used. The justification of decisions in the field of developing the digital strategy of an industrial enterprise is based on approaches to the identification of strategic archetypes, concepts in the field of increasing the flexibility of the strategies and the method of matrix structuring.

   Conclusions and Relevance: based on the conjugation of the features of the identified strategic archetypes with the conditions of their effective application and the trends of digital transformation of Russian industry, the model for the formation of the digital strategy of an industrial enterprise «digital crossroads» was developed. The peculiarity of the proposed model, which provides increased flexibility of the strategy, is the situational nature of recommendations depending on the chosen direction of development (in terms of products and markets), taking into account the pace of digital transformation of the industry (market) and the level of digital maturity of the enterprise. The specific list of strategic actions, as well as the possibility of supplementing them, will ensure the full implementation of the preferred strategic alternative in a continuously changing digital environment.

   Purpose: of this article is to substantiate an analytical structure (framework) of industrial business model archetypes in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).

   Methods: the study employed methods of system analysis, comparative research, and structural modeling. Approaches were applied to assess technological trends, analyze business model architecture, and identify factors influencing their evolution.

   Results: the analysis of key Industry 4.0 trends showed that in high-tech manufacturing, the formation of competitiveness factors for industrial business models has become as crucial to the company's development strategy as enhancing product and technology competitiveness. A major challenge in introducing innovations to the market lies in forming an optimal industrial business model, which should include three key components: a TVP framework that ensures the connection between technology, value, and product; forecasting the evolution of the technology life cycle, allowing technologies to be integrated into various market scenarios, thus extending their life cycle and stakeholder analysis that targets groups interested in technological exchange and value chain development. Successful practices of using these tools in high-tech companies are presented.

   Conclusions and Relevance: the framework proposed by the authors integrates the technological component in the design of the industrial business model architecture with the value creation process. This allows for the deeper understanding of the relationship between technological solutions and economic results and creates a basis for developing scientifically based methods for adapting these models to the conditions of Industry 4.0.

   Purpose: of the article is to develop the model for assessing and analyzing the systemic balance of the regional economy using the methodology of Bayesian intelligent measurements and the spatiotemporal classification of the economic systems.

   Methods: the article utilized the methods of system analysis, correlation analysis, and Bayesian intelligent measurement methodology. These approaches were applied in conditions of uncertainty, inaccuracy, and incompleteness of data.

   Results: the extensible hierarchical information model of the regional economy has been developed, which makes it possible to assess the level of balance of economic subsystems, the components of which are elements characterized by resultative characteristics – the GDP by region by type of economic activity. The methodology for determining the norms for performance characteristics is applied in three variants: on the average, taking into account influencing factors and taking into account weighted (by assessing correlation dependencies) influencing factors characterizing the operating conditions of the elements of the economic system and their uncertainty within the framework of spatiotemporal classification. The system balance is determined by the harmony coefficient for four types economic subsystems with linguistic representations. Based on the data for 2017–2022, models were built for 17 regions of the Central Federal District, each of which includes 19 partial and 5 integral performance characteristics, as well as 55 factor characteristics. The systemic balances of the economies of the Central Federal District regions are assessed and analyzed.

   Conclusions and Relevance: the proposed model and methodology for assessing the systemic balance of the regional economy makes it possible to adequately assess and analyze its state in conditions of uncertainty and incompleteness of data for the subjects of the Russian Federation. It has been revealed that with the general decrease in some performance indicators over the last assessment period, the economy of the regions is in a balanced and close to normal state, although the risk of losing this position is quite high.

   Purpose: is to determine the impact of Russian digital platforms and ecosystems on the processes of innovative development and clustering of the economy of Russian regions.

   Methods: the research is based on the scientific concepts and models within the framework of the theories of cluster development and digital transformation of the economy, in particular, the model of development of territorial innovation clusters. The following methods of statistical research were used: summary and grouping of statistical information, sample observation, correlation analysis.

   Results: the attributive features of economic ecosystems are highlighted, which include innovation clusters, digital platforms and ecosystems. The theoretical approaches to defining a digital ecosystem are discussed, and the author provides definitions for the following concepts: digital platform, digital ecosystem, digital service, innovation cluster, industrial cluster, and innovative business networks. The features that characterize digital ecosystems are identified, and 12 Russian ecosystems are identified based on these features. Development models are systematized, classification criteria and types of digital platforms are clarified. The current trends in the development of digital platforms and ecosystems are considered, and the level of development of Russian ecosystems is assessed. The analysis of the use of digital platforms and other modern information technologies in Russian regions is carried out, the influence of the use of digital platforms on the processes of innovative development and clustering of subjects of innovative activity at the regional level is considered.

   Conclusions and Relevance: the development of innovative and hybrid (innovation-transactional) platforms within the Russian digital ecosystems, as well as their integration with innovation clusters, are considered as a factor in the digital transformation of the economy of Russian regions. The author's model of an innovative hypercluster, which is a type of innovation clusters developing on the basis of digital platforms, is proposed as a new organizational form of this integration. The features of the innovative hypercluster model are multi-industry specialization, the trans-regional nature of economic activity and the multicore structure of network interactions of participants.

   Purpose: the study aims to present the author's method for assessing the global competitiveness of Russian regions, focusing on key criteria such as industrial specialization, transport infrastructure, and export potential.

   Methods: the article employs ranking methods, as well as calculations of specialization indices, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, export intensity, economic openness, and the Uspensky coefficient.

   Results: the definition of the global competitiveness of the region is proposed. The method has been developed and tested that includes ranking and three-dimensional typology of regions according to the level of global competitiveness according to the complex criterion "production specialization – transport security - realization of export opportunities" and takes into account the shortage of statistical data after 2022. "Distortions" in the development of regions have been identified and directions for adapting strategies to strengthen competitiveness have been proposed.

   Conclusions and Relevance: the global competitiveness of regions is determined by three key factors: industrial specialization, transport infrastructure, and export potential realization. The most successful regions are those with diversified industries and developed infrastructure. The typology highlights significant disparities: only 25 % of Russian regions fully utilize their export potential, while 34 % have weak infrastructure, limiting their global competitiveness. Sanctions in 2022–2023 did not drastically alter Russia’s export structure but exacerbated data scarcity and geopolitical risks, particularly for western regions. Long-term global competitiveness requires investments in infrastructure, innovation, and production diversification. The proposed research method, featuring a two-stage analysis with specialized indices and coefficients, made it possible to overcome data limitations and update strategic planning.

    Purpose: is to assess the impact of EU sanctions on the dynamics of inflation in the Russian Federation in 2022-2023, caused, among other things, by rising gas prices for the population in the context of a decrease in revenue from gas sales by Gazprom due to a decrease in Russian natural gas exports to Europe.

   Methods: the research used statistical analysis, comparative analysis, financial analysis of the company, synthesis, deduction, graphical method, econometric modeling.

   Results: the structure and dynamics of Russia's natural gas exports are assessed. A financial analysis of Gazprom has been conducted. An assessment of the dynamics of gas prices for the population and their impact on the CPI, as well as a comparative analysis of forecasted utility prices, including gas prices for the population, has been performed.

   Conclusions and Relevance: in the context of the Nord Stream diversions, reduced transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine and sanctions shocks in 2022–2023, Russian natural gas exports, mainly pipeline gas, decreases to Europe, with partial reorientation of supplies to China and the domestic market. It affects the dynamics of Gazprom's net profit, the fall of which partially compensates by the growth of prices for network and liquefied gas to the population with the planned indexation increase in 2024–2025. In turn, it further stimulates the growth of inflation, which is most influenced by the CPI on services, in the context of linking the indexation of utility tariffs to the forecast average annual inflation. Identification and control over endogenous and controllable factors of inflation growth, which include gas prices' indexation to the population, improve the effectiveness of Russia's anti-inflationary policy in the conditions of forcing inflationary pressure on the Russian economy.

   Purpose: is to present the author's model of the relationship between types of organizational structures of companies management, their determining factors and characterizing their parameters.

   Methods: the research methods used were systematic, analytical, graphical, and inductive. Expert assessment methods were used in the ranking of the impact of factors on the change of management structures and in the development of the model.

   Results: factors that determine the choice of the type of organizational management structure and the direction of its improvement have been identified, classified and ranked. Factors were divided into five groups during systematisation: 1) general, directly influencing management structures; 2) caused by changes in production structures; 3) associated with changes in the management system; 4) influencing the change of structure, but generally determined by it; 5) caused by changes in the external business environment. To improve management structures, the neural network model was developed showing how types of management structures are linked, what factors determine them and how they are characterised.

   Conclusions and Relevance: the study identified key factors determining management structures. It was found that the most significant of them are: the size, complexity and scale of the business entity's activities; goals, strategies, principles of its functioning; type of activity and the level of its specialization. The model in the article allows characterise each management structure and determine how to improve them in a changing business environment. The developed model creates conditions for managers to make adequate decisions on the modification of individual elements and parameters of the management structure for the further successful development of the company.

   Purpose: is to identify the key determinants of increasing the innovative potential of human capital in the regions of the South of Russia.

   Methods: the study used the systematic approach, methods of statistical analysis, tabular and graphical presentation of data.

   Results: the comparative analysis of the socio-economic situation of the regions of the South of Russia – the Southern Federal District (SFD) and the North Caucasian Federal District (NCFD) was carried out. The lagging position of the NCFD in terms of development rates, especially in terms of innovation, has been revealed. Consideration of the structure of the employed population by the level of education in the economy of the regions showed that the number of employed people with higher education in the SFD is less than in the NCFD. However, based on the results of comparing the districts by the ratio of the level of education and GRP per capita, it was revealed that the SFD creates more added value. All other things being equal, one of the reasons for this is the insufficient level of training of specialists in the higher education system. In addition, the process of creating added value is influenced by various factors, and in this case the explanation lies in the plane of the difference in the level of innovative potential of human capital in the studied regions. The main criteria of the requirements imposed on the innovative potential of human capital in modern economic conditions are defined. A number of priority competencies have been identified that specialists should possess in the digital economy.

   Conclusions and Relevance: for the regions of the South of Russia, which today are characterized by low rates of economic development, the most important task is to improve the efficiency of human potential management. Increasing the innovative potential of human capital, including through the use of appropriate methods and tools aimed at training specialists with innovative competencies in demand, will allow these regions to stabilize the socio-economic situation and embark on the path of sustainable development.

   Purpose: is to develop and test the methodology for assessing the digital development of regional personal services markets based on the calculation of the "digital" index.

   Methods: the methodological basis of the work was the theory of regional markets and the theory of digitalization. The research is based on a systematic methodological approach and spatial analysis methods that identify regional digital personal services markets as components of the regional consumer market in general and the regional services market in particular. The work is based on the application of general scientific methods – analysis, synthesis, comparison, as well as methods of economic and statistical analysis of dynamics and groupings, analytical data processing, analogies, scientific generalizations, monographic analysis.

   Results: the methodology for assessing the digital development of regional personal services markets based on the calculation of the "digital" index based on government and departmental statistics is proposed and tested. The analysis of the indicators characterizing the supply and demand in the regional markets of personal services, reflecting the processes of digitalization, is presented. The assessment of the accessibility of the sphere of digital personal services to the public is carried out. The expediency of using the "digital" index of regional markets of personal services in the processes of strategic and program-oriented planning of the development of the subjects of the Russian Federation is substantiated.

   Conclusions and Relevance: digitalization has a significant impact on regional markets for personal services, leading to the emergence of new types of services. The methodology proposed in the article made it possible to calculate the "digital" index and identify trends in the digital development of regional personal services markets, which together made it possible to develop recommendations for regional governments in the field of regulating consumer markets. The results obtained can be used in the development of strategies and programs for the development of the service sector and consumer markets at the regional level.