No 4 (2024)
ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ТЕОРИЯ
Coproduction of Merit Goods as a Way to Reduce Information Asymmetry
Abstract
Introduction. Free medical services are characterized by the presence of information asymmetry, as well as a positive effect of consumer participation in production. This makes it relevant to study the impact of coproduction on information asymmetry.
The research objective of this work is to explore the possibilities of coproduction to reduce information asymmetry in the process of providing citizens with medical services as merit goods.
The research methods include the analysis of relevant domestic and foreign scientific publications, the Russian legislative framework, synthesis, analytic and graphic modeling.
Results. In the sphere of production of medical services as merit goods, the condition of complementarity of the public sector contribution and citizens’ individual efforts is realized, which suggests the presence of coproduction here. The impact of coproduction on reducing information asymmetry in the medical services market occurs through two main channels. Firstly, the growing contribution of citizens increases their awareness of their own health status and the factors influencing it. Secondly, the less formal attitude of health care providers to the informed consent of patients transforms it from a formal document removing risks from the service provider into a tool that increases patients’ awareness and level of trust in medical professionals. This enhances the contribution of citizens to the production of respective merit goods and also reduces the negative effect of the low level of interpersonal trust inherent in modern Russia.
Conclusion. The study of the essence of coproduction allows us to reveal the mechanism of reducing information asymmetry through increasing the contribution of citizens to production. In the case of free medical services, this means an increase in health capital, improvement of the healthcare system economic efficiency, and a rise in the level of interpersonal trust.
6-14
A Housing and Communal Service as a Collective Good
Abstract
Introduction. The acute need to modernize the housing and utility infrastructure
and improve the quality of housing and communal services requires deep institutional
and technological transformations in this sector.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the economic nature of housing and communal services as a collective good and analyze their characteristics from the institutional theory perspective.
The research methodology involves a thematic review of the scientific works by classics (P. Samuelson, R. Coase, D. North) and modern institutionalists (A. A. Adebayo, K. R. D. Lulofs, M. A. Heldeweg) on the topic of the study.
Key results. Housing and communal services (HCSs) are of a complex economic nature since they combine the characteristics of both private and collective goods. As a collective good, HCSs are defined by consumption indivisibility and difficulty in excluding users, which necessitates their state regulation and subsidization. The primary challenge in HCS provision consists in balancing between economic efficiency and social equity. On the one hand, the housing and utilities sector requires substantial investments in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance due to its capital intensity and extended payback periods. On the other hand, the low solvency of certain segments of the population and the high social significance of these services limit the possibility of their full commercialization. The reform of the housing and utilities sector aims to eliminate monopolization, introduce transparent tariff mechanisms, and foster the development of a competitive environment. This involves not only institutional reforms, such as the reallocation of property rights and creating conditions for public-private partnerships (PPPs), but also the intensification of the use of digital technologies. Modern digital tools help increase transparency in consumption accounting, reduce costs and improve control over service delivery. An institutional approach to managing the housing and utilities sector involves a clear division of responsibilities among the state, businesses and consumers.
Conclusion. Modernization of the housing and communal services must integrate economic efficiency, social equity, and innovative technologies. The integration of digital platforms, the creation of a competitive environment, and the removal of institutional barriers are the key drivers for the sustainable development of the sector and for meeting citizens' needs.
15-27
РЕГИОНАЛЬНАЯ И ОТРАСЛЕВАЯ ЭКОНОМИКА
A Logical-Structural Model for Managing the Innovative Development of the Regional Economy
Abstract
Introduction. The relevance of the study is explained by the demand for a logical-structural model for managing the development of the regional economy, on the basis of which it is possible to determine the level of economic development of the region, and subsequently manage the development of its clusters and segments.
The purpose of the study is to develop a logical-structural model for managing the development of the regional economy.
Methods. The study uses a comprehensive approach, as well as the abstract-logical and tabular-constructive methods.
Results. The article presents the developed logical-structural model for managing the innovative development of the regional economy on the basis of segmental clustering, as well as reveals the relationship between segments and clusters, the relation between economic agents in the region, and that between segments in the region. The article also describes the interaction processes within the segments of the region and the interrelation between clusters in the region. The authors have built a process map of the interactions between economic agents in a regional cluster. The map
reflects the regional authorities’ preferences to work with legal entities, accountable companies for which it is possible to collect data and keep visual statistics. The work considers the most common cluster composition and the economic agents which are included and not included (non-cluster economic agents) in the cluster of the region. It is to be noted here that as the practice of cluster formation shows, organizations which are not included in any cluster have their own reasons for this, such as insufficient concentration of large enterprises of one specialization, underdeveloped infrastructure, weak support from the regional authorities, lack of research organizations, shortage of natural, labor, or financial resources in the region. Conclusion. The developed logical-structural model for managing the innovative development of the regional economy on the basis of segmental clustering allows a more complete assessment of the economic potential in the region. The results of this study can be used in designing programs of socio-economic development of the region.
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Analyzing and Forecasting the Construction Volume in the Municipal Districts of the Republic of Mari El
Abstract
Introduction. The development of the construction industry is an important indicator of the state of the economy of a region and the quality of life of its population. The conducted analysis of research works indicates a wide range of construction sector problems being investigated. At the same time, the studies are carried out with regard to the subjects of the Russian Federation in general, without detailed consideration of the territories within them. However, the level of economic development of districts can differ significantly, which has diverse impacts on the state of the construction industry in the region as a whole.
The purpose of the study is to analyze and forecast the volume of housing construction in the districts of the Republic of Mari El depending on the level of their welfare development.
Methods. The construction of models of contract work volumes in the regional municipal districts is based on the stepwise algorithm of regression analysis, which enables assessing the influence of a set of factorial features on the modeled indicator, both in their totality and for each factor individually. To develop forecasts of the housing construction volume, the algorithm of the exponential smoothing method has been used that enables the creation of accurate forecasts taking into account the presence of a trend and periodic fluctuations in the development of a phenomenon.
Results. The active development of the construction sector in the Republic of Mari El in recent years has led to a significant expansion of the housing sector and an increase in the number of industrial and civil facilities. Based on the analysis, the dynamics of the residential building construction in the municipal districts of the Republic has shown an upward trend over the past 16 years. According to the forecasts obtained, the largest volume of housing construction is expected in the Medvedevsky and Zvenigovsky municipal districts of the Republic and will reach 107.1 million square meters by 2025, which is explained, inter alia, by the immediate proximity of the Medvedevsky district to Yoshkar-Ola, the capital city of the Mari El Republic. In Volzhsky, Mari-Tureksky, Morkinsky and Sernursky districts, the housing commissioning will amount to 37.5 million square meters by 2025; in Gornomariysky, Kilemarsky, Kuzhenersky, Novotoryalsky and Yurinsky districts, construction of residential buildings will reach 21.7 million square meters by 2025. In Paranginsky and Sovetsky districts, the volume of housing construction will amount to 10.8 million square meters by 2025. The smallest volume of residential space commissioning is predicted for Orshansky district, where it will reach 6.3 million square meters by 2025. Conclusion. The forecasts obtained are indicative of the active development of the construction industry in the municipal districts of the Republic of Mari El. The housing construction volume is predicted to increase in all classification groups of districts.
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Financial Mechanism for Sustainable Development of Housing Construction
Abstract
Introduction. The significant changes in mortgage lending terms, the high level
of the Bank of Russia key rate, the growing tax burden and the shortage of skilled workers determine the relevance of the issue of the comprehensive improvement of elements of the financial mechanism for housing construction development. The article aims to present the results of a study of potential directions in the development of methods for measuring the effectiveness of the financial mechanism in housing construction from the standpoint of promoting sustainable growth of the level of housing provision for the population based on the principles of the systemic approach.
Methodology. An analysis of housing construction and its financial mechanism as a complex socio-economic system was carried out including the definition of its subjects, goals, functions and structure.
Results. The financial mechanism of housing construction was defined as a way to organize monetary relations between the state, the population, the construction sector, financial institutions and infrastructure intermediaries, as well as to form and use their money funds most effectively ensuring a sustainable improvement of the quality of life for all segments of the population due to the increasing quantitative and qualitative level of housing, a favorable social and ecological environment along with sustainable balanced development of the construction industry and businesses directly related to it. A method for assessing the effectiveness of the financial mechanism on the basis of the housing affordability index was proposed. A number of key
directions for improving the housing construction financial mechanism towards its sustainable development were formulated.
Conclusion. Only coordinated, comprehensive development of elements of the housing construction financial mechanism (HCFM) allows achieving the goals of the system and its individual subjects. When using certain financial instruments for stimulating housing construction, it is necessary to focus on the sustainable development of the entire industry and all of its participants, and ultimately, the national economy and society as a whole.
53-64
Price Elasticity of Demand for fish Products: Practice of the Russian Market
Abstract
Introduction. The development of the country's fisheries complex is characterized by faster growth of sales prices for the industry’s products compared to the increase in the catch volumes of aquatic biological resources. To find the optimal strategy for market pricing, it is expedient to analyze the macroeconometrics of the relationship between prices and production as well as sales of aquatic biological resources. This will help identify patterns in the formation of the corresponding proportions in order to optimize them.
The purpose of the study is to test the hypothesis suggesting that the results of the fishing industry performance are characterized by an inelastic demand with respect to the sales prices for aquatic biological resources, which is determined by the fact that the price index exceeds the growth rates of the catch volumes of aquatic biological resources. This, in turn, requires the adoption of appropriate state regulation measures to curb the unjustified rise in prices of fish products.
Results. The authors built a regression dependence of the coefficient of elasticity of the dynamic aggregate demand with respect to the sales price of fishery products in 2006–2023. It was found that an insignificant correlation does not allow using the numerical indicators of the computed regression of price demand elasticity to apply them in practical steps for optimizing the price parameters of demand and supply of the fishery products. The change in the calculated arc price elasticity of demand for the catch
of aquatic biological resources over 18 years (2006–2023) made it possible to obtain a satisfactory result of the regression correlation. The authors analyzed the dependence of the increase in the sales price on the ratio of the annual index of production of aquatic biological resources.
Conclusion. The hypothesis of the study was confirmed by means of the regression economic and mathematical apparatus. The results of the fishing industry performance are characterized by an inelastic demand with respect to the sales price, which is manifested by the fact that the price index exceeds the growth rates of the catch volumes of aquatic biological resources.
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ФИНАНСЫ
Improving the Mode of Using a Separate Account within the State Defense Order
Abstract
Introduction. Certain provisions of the regulatory legal documents related to the state defense order (hereinafter referred to as GOZ, abbr. gosudarstvennyj oboronnyj zakaz) place significant constraints on the ability of the head executors and executors of GOZ
assignments to manage the funds held in separate bank accounts (hereinafter referred to as SBAs). The existing approaches to GOZ financing are aimed at ensuring a high level of control over the expenditure of budgetary funds and transparency of settlements between counterparties. At the same time, the current restrictions on the movement of funds between SBAs create high risks of reducing the financial and economic stability of industrial organizations.
The purpose of the study is to develop practical proposals for improving the mechanism for financing contracts in terms of the mode of using SBAs, which will help reduce the debt burden of enterprises of the military-industrial complex.
Results. The article highlights the recent changes introduced to the GOZ regulatory and legal framework, considers the factors limiting the movement of funds between different contracts, and specifies a list of key prerequisites for the formation of significant SBA balances during the implementation of GOZ contracts. Legislative recognition of the possibility of cross-financing the contracts within the state defense order would allow industrial organizations to redistribute their funds for ensuring the fulfillment of obligations with lagging financing at the expense of unused cash balances under other contracts, early repay the loans attracted for the GOZ purposes, as well as to reduce the loan debt burden and thus increase their profitability. This will enable industrial enterprises to generate an additional volume of temporarily available funds that can be redistributed in order to develop the production and technological base and ensure technological independence.
Conclusion. The proposed possibility of using one state contract for settlements under another one will definitely have a positive impact on the state defense order implementation and the financial and economic performance of defense industry enterprises.
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Forestry Budget Efficiency in the Context of Sustainable Forest Management
Abstract
Introduction. At the present stage of economic development, forestry management is aimed at ensuring sustainable forest management, innovative and efficient use, conservation, protection and reproduction of forests for the accelerated growth of the forest sector of the economy, social and environmental security of the country.
The purpose of the study is to assess the budget efficiency of forestry management and lay the groundwork for achieving the targets set forth in the Forest Code of the Russian Federation in terms of organizing sustainable forest management based on the rational, inexhaustible and multi-purpose forest use. Methods. The study employed a system approach, as well as a historical method, formal logical methods (abstract logical, deduction, qualitative and quantitative content analysis, induction, synthesis, classification, and systematization).
Results. The study has explored the dynamics of payments for the use of forest resources in consolidated budget revenues in recent years. It has been established that budget revenues exceed forestry expenditures funded by subsidies from the federal budget and budgets of the subjects of the Russian Federation, i.e. budget efficiency in forestry management is achieved. The revenues to the budgetary system of the Russian Federation from the use of forests, including those per 1 ha of forest fund lands, exhibit an upward trend, formed, among other factors, under the influence of measures aimed at supporting the forest complex by the state and diversification of international markets. At the same time, the growth rate of expenses on the implementation
of state forest management functions lags behind both the dynamics of payments for timber and the total costs of exercising powers in the field of forest relations, which generates economic and social risks in forestry management.
Conclusion. In order to improve the sustainability of forest management, it is necessary to build a system for monitoring the performance of the subjects of the Russian Federation in the execution of the delegated powers in the field of forest relations and, as a result, the budget efficiency of forestry.
84-95