Purpose: to determine the value and labour orientations of Russian youth in the context of current modernization of the society.

Methods: the methodology is based on the integrated application of general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, systems approach) and specialized sociological techniques. The empirical base consisted of a survey of the representative sample of Penza Oblast youth followed by a statistical data analysis, comparative intergenerational analysis of semi-structured interviews with the youth to identify qualitative characteristics of value transformations.

Results: the study confirms the adaptive transformation of traditional orientations across different generations of youth in the context of economic modernization and digitalization. It clarifies the mechanism for selective continuity of values, ensuring the integration of traditional attitudes into modern work strategies without losing core cultural patterns.

Conclusions and Relevance: the study refutes the hypothesis of generational conflict of values, demonstrating adaptive transformation of traditional youth orientations. Synthesis of traditional (stability, duty, respect) and modern (flexibility, self-realization) values is identified, shaping work strategies without breaking with cultural patterns. An evolution of value orientations is established, from idealism (Generation A) through pragmatism (Z) to ethical-practical synthesis (Y), reflecting natural process of socialization. The results provide an analytical basis for developing targeted public policy in education, human resources management, and implementation of national projects, considering value profiles of young people. The research prospects include studying the mechanisms of adaptive value transformation, analyzing the translation of traditional patterns in the digital environment, and comparative studies of intergenerational dynamics in different sociocultural contexts.

Purpose: to develop a dynamics approach to substantiating management decisions for in-demand professions. The second part of the article substantiates a dynamics approach to finding solutions on in-demand professions and proposes to develop a ranking draft of All-Russian Register of in-demand professions of the economic and socio-humanitarian orientation.

Methods: when displaying the relationships of the mental schemas’ elements and processing empirical data on solutions for in-demand professions, methods of formalization, gamma distribution, modeling linear regressions, ranking and grouping were used to build a draft of the ranks register of economic and socio-humanitarian orientated in-demand professions.

Results: a loopy shaped regularity of the in-demand professions changes has been revealed. It has been disclosed that decision makers accept solutions of four types for in-demand professions based on the frequency approach of the vacancy’s ratio to job seekers. The logic and analytical tools of applying a dynamic approach to finding solutions for in-demand professions are set out.

Conclusions and Relevance: at the frequency approach, stochastic transitions of quantitative changes from in-demand professions to qualitative ones (such as ordinary, then ordinary to unclaimed professions and vice versa) follow a loopy shaped regularity. The dynamics of transitions is characterized by the "vacancies" indicator, identified with the concept of "demand" for labour. The decision makers based on "loopy shaped" curve intervals of the in-demand professions take into account four types of solutions based on the ratio of vacancies to job seekers: "outstripping growth" of vacancies; compensation for the outflow of labour by an increase in the supply of vacancies; "stabilization" of vacancies supply; "shortage" of vacancies supply. The emergence of online job search sites, the need for decision makers to improve the efficiency of labour resource management form the modernization prerequisites for the methodology and tools on finding solutions to in-demand professions, including the development of new registries for them.

Purpose: to update the methodological foundation of meso-level economics research through a systematic bibliometric analysis that identifies and structures its key thematic areas and theoretical and methodological approaches.

Methods: the paper employs a systematic bibliometric analysis using the VOSviewer tool to construct terminological maps, cluster data and analyse the dynamics of topics. The present study is grounded in a selection of publications from the Scopus database (2008–2025), which have been filtered by mention of the meso-level of economy. The methodology encompasses a retrospective analysis of the mesolevel concept evolution, the identification of central terms, and the application of а cluster analysis to terminological domains.

Results: the context of the development of meso-level economics research is defined. Eight thematic clusters reveal a paradigm shift: from static structures to dynamic transformations, and from theoretical to applied management tools. The sustainable development agenda – particularly its environmental dimension - emerges as central, enabled by digital transformation. Critical gaps include: (1) weak conceptualization of integration forms, and (2) insufficient attention to socio-demographic and geopolitical factors. Stakeholder approaches are essential for harmonizing interests in quasi-integrated structures. The meso-level is redefined as a dynamic space for harmonizing stakeholder interests and resources to enhance interorganizational efficiency.

Conclusions and Relevance: the meso-level confirms its role as a pivotal adaptation space for global crises and sustainability. Methodological pluralism and deeper theoretical integration are imperative. The future research should prioritize developing rigorous conceptual frameworks for business integration forms.

Purpose: to develop a model of a payment token based on the analysis of its key economic characteristics, such as backing, price stability, liquidity, and volatility.

Methods: heterodox, systemic, structural-functional, institutional, cybernetic, and pragmatic methodological approaches to the formation of a cross-border payment infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology; methods of mathematical modeling: descriptive statistics method, index method, normalization method, numerical optimization methods.

Results: a payment token model based on a stable currency basket has been developed. Optimal quantitative characteristics of the payment token for use in a cross-border payment infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology have been determined. For the cross-border payment space of the BRICS countries, it is advisable to use a payment token backed by a stable currency basket consisting of the Chinese yuan, Russian ruble, Indian rupee, and Brazilian real. By minimizing the optimization function, the coefficients of the national currencies in the stable basket backing the payment token of the BRICS cross-border payment space have been determined. An alternative model of a payment token backed by a currency basket of Western countries – the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, and yen – has been developed. It is shown that the volatility of tokens based on currency baskets with weights optimized within the proposed model is significantly lower than the volatility of any single currency.

Conclusions and Relevance: in the money circulation subsystem of a cross-border payment infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology, it is rational to employ a payment token that meets the economic characteristics of backing, price stability, liquidity, and low volatility. Such a token will ensure the uninterrupted functioning and accessibility of cross-border settlements for economic agents of the BRICS cross-border payment area. The application of an invariant index of the currency value in the design of the payment token model provides a methodological foundation, independent of the choice of a base currency, for optimizing the numerical indicators of its economic characteristics.

Purpose: to systematize scientific knowledge about digital twins (DT), considering their potential as a tool for digital modernization of socio-economic systems within the innovation-driven economy, with an emphasis on identifying key trends, terminological discrepancies, and factors of interdisciplinary development.

Methods: the methodological basis includes bibliometric, comparative, and content analysis of publications indexed in ScienceDirect and eLibrary (2000–2024). Classification, systematization, thematic modeling, and interpretation were applied. The analysis considered quantitative and qualitative indicators: publication dynamics, terminology, disciplinary orientation, and national research traditions.

Results: a steady growth of publications was established, especially over the past 5 years. Most studies are concentrated in engineering, computer science, and medicine, reflecting the technological orientation of the discourse. Differences between international and domestic publications were found in terminology, priorities, levels of interdisciplinarity, indicating asynchronous development and limiting transfer of engineering solutions into the socio-economic sphere. A classification of application areas and a taxonomy of implementation methods of digital twins were developed, supporting terminology unification and guiding applied research. At the same time, significant untapped potential was revealed in managerial and organizational-economic practices – from logistics and maintenance to strategic planning and sectoral digital programs – making digital twins an important instrument of modernization in the innovative economy.

Conclusions and Relevance: the analysis confirmed the high potential of digital twins for integration into management processes, strategic planning, and industry programs within the innovation-driven economy. The practical significance of the study lies in creating a unified knowledge base for strategic management and modernization of the innovative economy. The future research should focus on terminology institutionalization, development of interdisciplinary models, and empirical case studies of technology implementation.

Purpose: theoretical and analytical substantiation of the directions and mechanisms of digital tools and platform-based solutions impact on the transformation of economic policy and public governance systems in the BRICS countries (with a focus on Russia, India, and China).

Methods: research methodology is based on a systemic and institutional approach, involving the use of comparative and structuralfunctional analysis methods, content analysis of regulatory and statistical data, as well as elements of the platform economy theory and the concept of «state as a platform» to assess the impact of digital instruments on the formation of new economic policy in the BRICS countries.

Results: study's findings demonstrate that digital tools and platform solutions are becoming a systemic factor in the transformation of economic policy in the BRICS countries, creating the preconditions for sustainable economic growth and improved public administration efficiency. The development of a platform economy is found to facilitate the transition from traditional forms of government regulation to an ecosystem-based governance model based on network effects, reduced transaction costs, and the personalization of public services, thereby enhancing the transparency and adaptability of institutions. The concept of «state as a platform» is substantiated as an institutional basis for the formation of a new digital model of an interaction between the state, business, and society, aimed at increasing technological sovereignty and inclusiveness of socio-economic development.

Conclusions and Relevance: study examining the fundamentals of platform economy development using Russia, India, and China as examples confirmed that digital tools are a key driver in the formation of new economic policies in the BRICS countries. The transition from fragmented digitalization to a platform model is shaping a new architecture of economic relations based on the principles of openness, networking, and technological sovereignty. The need to adapt national strategies to the conditions of the digital economy and develop institutional mechanisms to ensure the sustainability and inclusiveness of digital transformations in the BRICS region is emphasized.

Purpose: to identify the dependence of the results of environmental projects of non-profit organizations (NPOs) on the quality of their project applications to improve the grant support system.

Methods: the information base of the work was the indicators of 1280 environmental projects supported by the Presidential Grants Fund and completed up to and including December 31, 2023. The study utilized content analysis, descriptive statistics methods, calculated correlation coefficients, and constructed ordinal regression equations.

Results: this study examined the results of applying the current grant application evaluation methodology used by the Presidential Grants Fund. It was found that, for Russian NPO projects focused on environmental conservation, there is no correlation between the quality of the project application and the assessment of the project outcomes. The study demonstrated the differential impact of grant applicant experience on the success of the project preparation and implementation; it confirmed the existence of a certain category of applicants who do not take past experience into account when writing the project applications. Factors hindering mutually beneficial cooperation between NPO representatives and the government were identified.

Conclusions and Relevance: the study found that the grant applications that receive the highest ratings do not always transform into the best environmental non-profit projects. The theoretical significance of the study lies in its formalization of a project logic model for improving the grant support system for NPOs. Of practical value are the recommendations formulated for representatives of the Presidential Grants Fund and NPOs, aimed at increasing the effectiveness and predictability of non-profit projects.

Purpose: to assess the impact of a border position on trade interaction between Russian and Belarusian regions.

Methods: the study used statistical methods for analyzing indicators of socio-economic development of the regions, general logical methods of comparison and generalization, as well as gravity and Dixit-Stiglitz-Krugman models.

Results: as a result of assessing indicators of socio-economic development of the Russian-Belarusian border regions, it was found that the influence of the border position on the regions’ foreign trade interaction is heterogeneous and depends on a combination of spatial and sectoral factors. Calculations of elasticity coefficients have shown that for the border regions the volume of industrial production and transport accessibility are significant determinants of foreign trade flows, while the price factor is less stable. Comparison of the industry profiles of the Russian regions bordering the Republic of Belarus (Smolensk, Pskov and Bryansk) made it possible to identify groups of the regions with pronounced industry connectivity, primarily in the chemical industry, mechanical engineering and process manufacturing.

Conclusions and Relevance: the results obtained confirm that the presence of a border position itself is not a sufficient condition for formation of stable foreign trade relations and requires taking into account the sectoral structure of the regional economy. The spatial and sectoral interpretation of the results made it possible to identify the complementary specialization profiles of the regions, which allowed substantiating directions of cross-border cooperation development and clarifying the guidelines for spatial development of Russia and Belarus border regions. The practical significance of the study lies in possibility of using the findings in the development of regional policy measures and strategies for the socio-economic development of the border areas.

Purpose: to examine the dependence of households' inflation expectations on the values of observed and actual inflation, as well as the key rate of the Central Bank of Russia and its inertia.

Methods: the main tool in the article is econometric analysis. The least squares method is used to test the level of dependence of inflation expectations on indicators of actual inflation, observed inflation, and the key rate of the Central Bank of Russia for the period 2014-2025. The source for the simulation is statistical data from the Central Bank of Russia. The assessment of the inertia of inflation expectations, i.e. their dependence on previous values, was carried out using an autoregressive model with lags.

Results: the results obtained indicate that Russian inflation expectations are close to irrational ones. The indicators of observed and actual inflation have a significant impact on their formation. The current key rate has a weak impact. The lagged autoregressive model shows a high dependence of Russian inflation expectations on previous values, indicating the adaptive nature of these expectations. However, the farther back in time the previous results are, the less impact they have on the respondents' current assessment.

Conclusions and Relevance: the average and median values of Russian inflation expectations are about twice as high as the corresponding official inflation indicators, and there is a moderate positive correlation between these two variables. The dependence of inflation expectations on the key interest rate remains weak, which indicates the irrational nature of Russian households' inflation expectations. Due to this weak relationship, tightening monetary policy through high interest rates does not have significant impact on household inflation expectations, so the effectiveness of the monetary policy interest rate channel should be compensated for by active communication from monetary and fiscal authorities.

Purpose: to assess parental well-being among taxi drivers in the context of platform employment compared to parents working in other forms of employment.

Methods: the empirical basis of the study was formed using the method of a personal structured survey. To assess the impact of platform working conditions on parental well-being, a method for comparing the average level of parental well-being both in digital and non-digital types of employment was used. The analysis of quantitative data was carried out using methods of mathematical statistics, including oneway analysis of variance.

Results: the working conditions of taxi drivers with platform employment are characterized. High job satisfaction in this field was also found, confirmed by the fact that the majority of respondents consider self-employment as the optimal legal status for combining professional activity with parental commitments. Respondents' self-assessment of their well-being regarding combining work and parenting does not depend on the level of income; in the group of taxi workers, it is lower than in other employment formats. The main reason for the increased number of female taxi drivers is the inability to work full-time due to motherhood and the need for additional earnings.

Conclusions and Relevance: despite the high workload and income instability, parental well-being among taxi drivers working on a platform is higher than among those working in other forms of employment. The main determinant of parental well-being is flexible working conditions. A significant number of parent-taxi drivers consciously forgo social security and income stability in favour of flexible working hours. The study's findings highlight the importance of developing flexible work arrangements in the context of demographically diverse corporate support for parent-employees.

Purpose: to identify the degree of macroeconomic, industry, and internal factors influence on the fair value of PJSC Norilsk Nickel shares in the context of macroeconomic and geopolitical instability.

Methods: сorrelation and regression analysis were the primary methods used to identify statistically significant relationships between fair value and various corporate, industry, and macroeconomic indicators. The analysis was conducted using R programming language, with statistical packages and visualization tools. Stationarity of time series was confirmed using ADF testing; non-stationary components were differenced. Multiple linear regression was used to build the model, followed by residual diagnostics.

Results: correlation analysis indicated that global nickel prices and the IMOEX index are key positive drivers of the fair value for Norilsk Nickel shares. Notable inter-variable relationships were observed: global nickel and copper prices are correlated; the IMOEX index and USD/RUB exchange rate show a positive connection; RVI (Russian Volatility Index) and OFZ yields relate, reflecting growing uncertainty and interest rates. ROA and ROE are logically linked, while the debt burden shows a weak negative correlation with ROE. The final model demonstrates high statistical significance, stability, and absence of multicollinearity and heteroscedasticity. It explains the majority of fair value variation during 2015–2024.

Conclusions and Relevance: the study confirms the significance of both industry-specific and general market factors in determining the fair share value for metallurgical companies. The resulting model holds forecasting potential and aids decision-making amid uncertainty. The findings can help investors assess the investment attractiveness of PJSC MMK Norilsk Nickel and assist corporate governance in strengthening resilience to external shocks.