Vol 8, No 5 (2025)

religion is a complex and multifaceted system of worldview, including a set of spiritual and social practices, beliefs, norms and institutions. As a multidimensional sociocultural phenomenon, it covers various aspects of human existence and performs many important functions in society. In the ontological dimension, religion offers a holistic picture of the world, explaining the origin of being, the meaning of human life and the place of the individual in the universe. It forms a system of values and moral norms, setting axiological guidelines for the individual and social groups. The anthropological dimension of religion is revealed through ritual practices that structure the emotional and spiritual experience of believers. Rites and sacraments create space for transcendental experiences, allow the individual to go beyond everyday life and come into contact with the sacred. The social role of religion is manifested in integration processes. It acts as a powerful mechanism for consolidating society, forming a collective identity, solidarity and mutual understanding between people. The cultural dimension of religion is revealed through its influence on artistic practices, literature, art, and architecture. The psychological dimension of religion is associated with the human need for existential security, experiencing peace of mind, and overcoming the fear of death. The political dimension of religion is manifested in its ability to influence state institutions, social processes, and international relations.

this article analyzes the evolution of youth policy strategy in Russia; from pre-revolutionary and Soviet paternalism to contemporary forms of institutional partnership and self-organization. The study is based on a diachronic, historical, and institutional analysis, integrating legislative, sociological, and psychological sources, in order to understand the transformation of the role and function of youth in Russian society. The study identifies three consistent models: the paternalistic model, characterized by hierarchical control and low youth autonomy; the institutional model, based on the formalization of structures and the gradual recognition of youth as potential social actors; and the partnership model, which promotes social projects co-construction, active participation in society’s life, and self-organization. The results demonstrate that youth policy modernization relies on a combination of institutional support, cross-sector partnerships, and individual empowerment, enabling young people to actively participate in local and national development. The study also highlights the central role of youth organizations and associative movements in structuring social practices, civic innovation, and the formation of social capital. Finally, this research provides a theoretical and methodological basis for developing public policies adapted to contemporary sociocultural and economic transformations, strengthening social cohesion while simultaneously developing the skills and independence of the younger generation.

civil society groups often participate in shaping public policy, programmes and national development strategies through consultations, discussions and public hearings, often representing the interests of broader stakeholder groups. Contemporary research emphasises the increasingly important role of civil society organisations in protecting against instability, exploitation and informality, supporting cultural diversity and national minorities, and creating conditions for the free use of one's native language. The relationship between civil society and the social and legal state is particularly relevant in the context of the ‘hyper-diversity’ of modern society, which has resulted from intensive globalisation processes. This, in turn, determines the need for a more nuanced understanding of the various forms of social relations and the characteristics of social capital formation in the context of the development of the rule of law. Taking this into account, the article is devoted to defining the interaction between civil society and the social and legal state through the prism of socio-cultural relations, taking into account ‘hyper-diversity’. Particular emphasis is placed on the results of sociological discourse, which has revealed the meaning of the interaction between civil society and the rule of law in a socio-cultural context. The area of intersection between civil society and the social and legal state in conditions of ‘hyper-diversity’ is also highlighted. The author offers his view of the matrix of relations between civil society and the state in the socio-cultural sphere, highlighting four separate quadrants. The theoretical conclusions formulated in the course of the study are confirmed by empirical data obtained during a sociological survey conducted in Russian cities.

the relevance of the research topic is determined by the role of social education in the modern conditions of the transformation of social relations, the growth of social inequality and the need to develop effective mechanisms of social support for various categories of the population. Social pedagogy and social work represent areas of practical implementation of social education, forming professional potential for solving social problems and challenges of our time. Training specialists through the system of social education turns into an investment in social stability and sustainable development of society. The nature of social pedagogy and social work as interdisciplinary and practice-oriented areas requires continuous improvement of educational models. The purpose of writing the article is to analyze the specifics of social pedagogy and social work as the main areas of implementation of social education and to identify their integrative potential in training highly qualified specialists for the social sphere. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve problems aimed at defining the role of social education in modern society, identifying the specifics of social pedagogy as an educational practice, analyzing social work as an applied area of implementation of social education. The study's results include a clarification of the concept of "social education" and its role in training social specialists, as well as an identification of the potential of social pedagogy and social work in social education. The theoretical significance of this article lies in exploring the development of professional competencies for effectively addressing social problems in a changing reality. Its practical significance lies in the potential for using the study's findings in developing and updating educational programs in the fields of "Social Work" and "Social Pedagogy" to optimize the professional training of social educators and social workers. Results: an analysis of social pedagogy and social work as a field of social education was conducted. Conclusion: the study reveals modern approaches to social pedagogy and social work as a field of social education.

the use of artificial intelligence and big data analytics tools has become a determining factor in the transformation of the banking industry, accelerating its digitalization and increasing the technological maturity of processes. These innovative technologies provide new ways to improve the optimization of customer interactions, productive risk management and the formation of a flexible model of operational efficiency. In addition, they allow for more effective risk management, automation of routine operations and the creation of flexible models of operational efficiency. The integration of artificial intelligence and big data analysis allows not only to reduce costs and improve the quality of services, but also to move to decision-making based on analytically confirmed information, rather than intuition, which significantly increases the competitiveness of banks in the domestic and international markets. This strengthens their resilience to rapid changes in the financial environment and requires continuous improvement of the technological infrastructure. This article examines in detail the trends in the implementation of artificial intelligence and big data in the banking sector, analyzes the opportunities that these technologies open for improving efficiency, innovative development and improving the level of customer service, and discusses the challenges and prospects for their further use.

the main objective of this article is to conduct an in-depth study of ways and methods for organically combining data-driven decision theory and the basic principles of the digital economy (such as data elementisation, network effects, platformisation, flexibility, and ecological synergy). Through this integration, we aim to create a more scientific, rigorous, and systematic framework for strategic decision-making. This framework is designed to go beyond traditional empirical decision-making and fully leverage the vast data resources, real-time feedback mechanisms and the advantages of interconnectedness characteristic of the digital economy era, in order to provide a solid theoretical foundation and practical paradigm for strategy development in complex and dynamic business environments. To achieve this goal, this study focuses on the deep integration of multidisciplinary knowledge, incorporating theoretical insights and practical tools from diverse fields such as management science, computer science, systems science, behavioural economics, and even complexity science into the decision-making model-building process. In addition, we systematically employ advanced quantitative modelling technologies, including, among others, big data analysis, machine learning algorithms, simulation modelling, operations optimisation, and dynamic systems modelling. The application of these technologies allows us to transform abstract strategic elements, complex market dynamics, and potential behaviour patterns into quantitative, analysable, and predictable variables, which significantly enhances the scientific rigour of the decision-making process (Enhancing Scientific Rigor),improving predictive accuracy and, ultimately, boosting the effectiveness and adaptability of strategic decisions, enabling organisations to make more informed and forward-looking strategic decisions.

the article examines the role of digital transformation as a key resource for import substitution and ensuring the strategic autonomy of the Russian agro-industrial complex. It is noted that in conditions of sanctions pressure and limited access to foreign technologies, the problem of import dependence in mechanical engineering, seed production and product processing remains highly relevant. The analysis of domestic and foreign studies on the digitalization of agriculture, innovative development and circular economy is carried out. The results show that the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies (artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, Big Data, robotics, blockchain, digital twins) is becoming a strategic tool to reduce transaction costs, improve product efficiency and quality, and create domestic digital solutions that replace imported counterparts. Special attention is paid to international experience: centralized big data platforms in China, European Farm Sustainability Tools, inclusive innovation systems in South Africa, circular economy projects in Italy and the development of e-commerce in agri-food chains. It is concluded that the digital transformation of the Russian agro-industrial complex should be considered not only as a technological, but also as an institutional process involving the development of a regulatory framework, personnel training and the involvement of small farms. Import substitution in the agro-industrial complex is possible only under the condition of integrated integration of digital technologies, which will ensure the strategic autonomy and sustainability of the domestic food system.

in recent years, eSports has demonstrated rapid growth and is becoming a significant social, cultural and economic phenomenon, reflecting the trends of global digitalization and integration of society into the information space. In the article, the author examines the features of the formation and institutionalization of eSports in the international and Russian context, substantiates its relevance as a new direction of sports and entrepreneurial activity, as well as a promising source of investment. The author pays special attention to the issues of classification and systematization of eSports events, which allows identifying the key criteria for their analysis, determining the place of various forms of competitions in the competitive hierarchy and outlining the role of systematization in the formation of effective management practices.

this article analyzes risk management as a key tool for achieving enterprise strategic resilience in the face of modern challenges. It examines the fundamental concepts of risk management and strategic resilience, emphasizing their interrelationship and role in ensuring long-term competitiveness. Particular attention is paid to the risks of 2024-2025, including cyber threats, economic instability, and legislative changes. Based on international standards (ISO 31000, COSO ERM) and the latest research, approaches to risk management, their digitalization, organizational innovation, and integration into strategic planning are analyzed. Examples of successful risk management at Russian (Lukoil, Magnit) and international (Toyota) companies are examined, as well as challenges in implementing risk management systems. The article concludes with recommendations for using digital tools, insurance products, and ESG factors to enhance business resilience. The article emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to transforming risks into growth opportunities.

the purpose of this article is to analyze the existing organizational and economic mechanisms for supporting import-substituting projects in industry, identify their limitations and suggest improvements. Methods: the study used a comprehensive methodological approach. Qualitative aspects were assessed based on a systems approach and expert assessment method. Results: the article analyzes the current organizational and economic mechanisms for supporting import-substituting projects at Russian industrial enterprises, including financial, tax and infrastructure measures. The limitations of current forms of support are identified - from persistent raw material and technological dependence to insufficient coordination and personnel shortages. The article presents the results of the analysis of production localization in key industries and the effectiveness of existing tools. The discussion section proposes an improved organizational and economic mechanism for supporting import substitution, aimed at stimulating R&D, developing human resources, improving logistics and supply chain sustainability. Conclusions: The implementation of the proposed measures will increase the technological sovereignty and competitiveness of the industry by reducing critical import dependence and strengthening the innovation base. This will not only replace imports, but also turn Russian enterprises into full-fledged participants in global innovation markets, thereby strengthening the country's economic potential in the long term.

the article examines modern approaches to the economic valuation of ecosystem services and their role in ensuring sustainable regional development. A comparative analysis of Russian and international studies is carried out to identify key methodological approaches and determine their applicability in regional economics. Particular attention is paid to the classification of ecosystem services, the analysis of their spatial distribution, and the possibilities of integrating them into territorial planning systems. Based on the generalization of empirical data, the advantages and limitations of the applied methods are highlighted, and the prospects for the introduction of integrated valuation models are outlined. It is concluded that it is necessary to expand the statistical base and legally consolidate the inclusion of ecosystem services in order to increase the effectiveness of regional policy.

the article examines the transformation of the credit risk analysis and control system in a commercial bank under the influence of various factors of modern conditions. The relevance of the work is due to the need to move from lagging traditional risk management methods to proactive, predictive approaches based on big data analysis. The purpose of the article is to develop the concept of a modern credit risk analysis system that integrates advanced artificial intelligence technologies at all stages of the credit lifecycle. The scientific novelty lies in the proposal of a comprehensive architecture for a hybrid intelligent system combining predictive analytics and generative models to automate decision-making processes and improve their accuracy. The conducted research demonstrates that the organization of a modern credit risk analysis and control system in a commercial bank is inextricably linked with the integration of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The architecture of a hybrid system proposed in the article, combining predictive machine learning analytics and the operational capabilities of generative AI, allows us to move from reactive to proactive risk management. The greatest synergistic effect is achieved with the end-to-end application of AI at all stages of the credit lifecycle: from scoring using alternative data to automating monitoring and collection using generative AI.

the article is devoted to the construction of an integrated methodology for analyzing technology startups, where financial indicators are linked to operational indicators of the product, market and organization. The relevance is dictated by the shift of the assessment from purely accounting metrics to data on the growth of the user base, retention, conversion and digital maturity of analytics. The novelty is expressed in the formation of a unified logic linking the dynamics of MRR, cash flow and the unit economy with the trajectory of LTV, CAC, virality and the results of experimentation. The paper describes the principles of the metrics layout, the conditions of portability between the stages of the life cycle, and the procedure for interpreting early success signals. The mechanisms of predicting the achievement of break-even, assessment of non-material factors (TRL, team, network of partnerships) and the influence of media tone on the probability of the next round are studied. Particular attention is paid to the applicability of the balanced scorecard to the startup environment. The aim of the work is to develop a reproducible metric integration scheme for the diagnosis and prediction of sustainability. To achieve this goal, comparative analysis, systematization of literature, logical and statistical substantiation and conceptual modeling are involved. The conclusion describes the practical rules of dashboards and interpretation thresholds, useful for founders, analysts and investors.

the investment climate in Iraq in 2025 continues to combine significant opportunities related to its vast oil and gas reserves, infrastructure modernization, and growing international partnerships, with persistent challenges such as corruption, regulatory opacity, security risks, and economic volatility. Thanks to moderate GDP recovery in 2024 following a decline in 2023 and recent announcements of $450 billion in investment opportunities across various sectors, Iraq is positioning itself for diversification beyond the oil sector. Imports from the US reached $1.7 billion in 2024, highlighting potential in energy, agriculture, construction, and consumer goods. The semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region provides a more investor-friendly environment with 100% foreign ownership, although disputes with the central government over oil revenues continue. This study analyzes Iraq's evolving economic landscape using the U.S. Department of State's 2025 Investment Climate Statement and scholarly literature to provide foreign investors with insights to navigate the political, economic, and regulatory dynamics. The objectives include assessing the impact of political stability on investor confidence, analyzing economic diversification measures, and critiquing regulatory barriers. The research findings can be practically applied to develop risk mitigation strategies for investing in Iraq, promoting sustainable economic growth and regional stability. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for reforms to attract foreign direct investment and diversify the economy, which is particularly relevant in the context of the global transition to green technologies.

the relevance of this study is driven by sustained interest from private investors in retail real estate amid rising prices, declining vacancy, and spatial differentiation of the market, which heightens the need for rapid decision-making tools without access to proprietary analytics and complex models. The aim of the research is to develop an applied rapid-assessment methodology based on public sources and basic return metrics, enabling comparisons of alternative assets and scenarios at the early screening stage. The initial context is illustrated with data on the Moscow market in 2024, which recorded price growth, lower vacancy, and pronounced differences across districts and formats. A stepwise procedure is proposed that includes calculating gross potential income and effective gross income with vacancy and collection loss, deriving NOI, selecting a market capitalization rate and obtaining value via direct capitalization, as well as checking the payback period and a simplified DCF with terminal capitalization. For verification, cross-checks are introduced using the sales comparison approach based on public listings and the cost approach as a lower bound of reproduction cost accounting for depreciation. The methodological framework relies on standardized terminology (NOI, CAPEX, Cap Rate, Discount Rate, DCF, NPV, IRR, Payback, Terminal Value), ensuring comparability of calculations and reproducibility of results. Validation on market cases showed that simplified income-approach valuations are consistent with benchmarks set by listings and analytical reviews, while heightened sensitivity was found to vacancy parameters, rent indexation, and the choice of Cap Rate. For assets with pre-signed lease agreements, payback periods are closer to the lower bound of the range, whereas for secondary stock without anchor tenants the timelines lengthen due to a discount reflecting lower demand quality and CAPEX requirements. Including terminal capitalization makes it possible to account for residual value and reveal the investment’s margin of safety under variations in key assumptions.

the increasing processes of deglobalization, which include, among other things, increasing the mechanisms for implementing external pressure as a tool for ensuring the global competitiveness of individual countries, significantly raise the urgency of studying adaptive directions for the implementation of import substitution policy. The most important of them should include a comprehensive analysis of import dependence from the perspective of determining the most critical groups of product nomenclatures supplied to the regions. This approach will allow not only to determine the degree of vulnerability of regional economic systems to import restrictions on critically important products, but also to develop tools to assess the impact of import localization on the sustainability of regional economic development. This article is devoted to solving this problem, the purpose of which is to develop methodological tools for identifying critically important commodity nomenclatures imported from abroad, and to develop models that determine the relationship between critical imports and regional economic growth. The methodological basis of the study is determined by the tools for identifying critical imports within the framework of its three-stage authentication: import volumes, the share of its participation in creating added value of the final product of the region, and country affiliation. The volume and cost parameters obtained form the basis for spatial analysis of panel data, which determines the impact of critical imports on economic development prospects. The subjects of the study are the subjects of the North-Western Federal District of the Russian Federation. The result of the study is the identified commodity groups that form the framework of critical imports for the regions of the Northwestern Federal District, as well as the degree of their influence on the industrial growth of the subjects of the Northwestern Federal District.

the article examines the current state of the Russian elevator industry in 2025, covering key challenges and trends. Elevator production in Russia continues to decline, with volumes expected to decline in 2022-2025 due to the withdrawal of Western companies and sanctions, which are leading to supply disruptions and increased component costs. At the same time, there is an increase in elevator and component imports to meet demand, particularly for the replacement of outdated elevators nearing the end of their service life. Russian manufacturers have mastered the production of elevators with speeds of up to 2.5 m/s, but are unable to fully meet the needs of high-rise construction for high-speed equipment. A shortage of qualified personnel and challenges in training specialists for the industry are noted. The article analyzes technological barriers to localization, a shortage of key components such as winches and frequency converters, as well as difficulties with cooperation and investment in the context of sanctions. Elevator safety and the development of domestic safety components are important development factors. The presence of large production capacities and individual successful enterprises is a positive development. However, overcoming the crisis requires investment, innovation, and improved project management in the Russian elevator sector.

the bankruptcy of a cooperative is a complex and socially stressful process that has fundamental differences from the bankruptcy of traditional commercial organizations. The purpose of this article is to identify and analyze these features through the prism of accounting organization and financial analysis methodology. The study examines how the membership base of a cooperative and the principle of share contributions create unique challenges.: In the field of accounting, the problem of reflecting unit contributions and the correct allocation of shareholders' property from the bankruptcy estate. In the field of analysis, there is a need to adapt standard coefficients and use specialized indicators to assess solvency. Special attention is paid to the specifics of bankruptcy of various types of cooperatives: housing and construction, where citizens' housing rights are at stake; credit, whose activities involve the risks of financial pyramids; and agricultural, which have a special legal regime of property. The article serves as a practical guide to understanding the key risks and procedural nuances in the bankruptcy of cooperatives, offering a systematic view of the problem of protecting the rights of both creditors and numerous shareholders. Results: The analysis of legislation and law enforcement practice allows us to identify the following key results that determine the features of cooperative bankruptcy: the dual legal nature, the specific composition of property, the special subject composition of creditors, the presence of subsidiary liability of members, the obligation to make additional contributions, difficulties in determining the signs of bankruptcy. Conclusion: the bankruptcy of a cooperative is a specialized institution in which the general rules on insolvency are applied with significant features arising from the cooperative model of membership, property isolation and mutual responsibility of shareholders.

milk and its products have always been in high demand on the food market. In the country, there are regulations for the consumption of milk as a healthy food. This article analyzes the market for milk and dairy products in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It presents data from various sources, including the Federal State Statistics Service, Yakutsk Gormolzavod, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Policy of RS(Ya), and Soyuzmoloko. Yakutia has a rich tradition of traditional milk dishes that are popular with the local population. The paper provides information about the volume of state support for the dairy industry in the republic, the number of cows, the products sold, and analyzes prices and consumption of dairy products in the region. It also discusses the need to support milk production in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as well as the unique features of Yakutia's dairy market and the interest in exploring it.

the purpose of the study is to substantiate the need for businesses to transition to sustainable product packaging and to identify the economic barriers that affect the speed and scale of implementing environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Methods: the study employs analytical-comparative, economic-mathematical, and economic-analytical methods, as well as elements of modeling and comparative analysis of open data. The empirical basis includes open data from packaging material manufacturers and the results of cost assessments comparing traditional and sustainable packaging. Findings: the study presents comparative models and calculations reflecting the relationship between costs and benefits in the use of traditional and sustainable packaging. Using VANPACK packaging solutions as an example, it was found that despite the higher short-term cost of sustainable materials, in the long term their use contributes to reducing total expenses and increasing business competitiveness. Conclusions: the transition to sustainable packaging is an economically and strategically justified direction of sustainable business development. The findings confirm that the implementation of eco-friendly packaging solutions enables companies to adapt to new environmental regulations, strengthen market positions, and build an ESG-oriented corporate image, thereby providing additional qualitative justification for the transition.

the article examines the problem of spatial inequality in the socio-economic development of Russian regions. Particular attention is paid to the role of geographical factors such as transport accessibility, border location, and natural resource potential in shaping interregional disparities. The study is based on official statistical data, regional strategies, and international databases, using methods of statistical and econometric analysis, GIS-based spatial visualization, and cluster analysis. The results show that spatial polarization is strengthening: major agglomerations concentrate investment and human capital, while peripheral territories face stagnation and depopulation. The research highlights institutional limitations that reduce the effectiveness of regional policy and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing disparities. Practical recommendations include the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, support for cross-border cooperation, stimulation of cluster initiatives, and strengthening of innovation potential.

in the context of the development of the digital economy, the digital transformation of retail enterprises requires a systematic restructuring of the personnel training system, with the shortage of technical personnel becoming a serious obstacle to this transition. The purpose of this work is to analyze innovative approaches to the formation and development of a personnel reserve at Pangdonglai Trading Group Co. This study on Pangdonglai uses a combination of approaches, including theoretical and case studies, to construct a four-dimensional synergistic model of personnel training covering “skills-culture-mechanisms-incentives”, which allows us to explore ways to develop digital personnel in regional retail enterprises. The study discovered that deeply integrating service culture with the development of digital competencies effectively mitigates conflicts between traditional service philosophies and digital values. A three-dimensional interrelationship mechanism, including “digital skills certification – salary increase – career growth”, significantly improves employees' proficiency with digital tools and organizational efficiency. The developed dual training system of “academic-entrepreneurial cooperation + internal incubation”, along with scenario-based micro-course development models, provides cost-effective and replicable solutions for small and medium-sized retail businesses.

the aim of the research is to develop and test a methodology for improving organic link promotion in social media marketing using the example of an online store marketing company. Methods: an adaptive experiment was applied in the social network VKontakte with the publication of four types of posts (type No. 1 – link before the text, type No. 2 – link after the text, type No. 3 – link inside the text, type No. 4 – link in the comment) at different time intervals, collecting data on reach, reactions, clicks, and sales, as well as subsequent regression analysis to identify significant factors in content distribution, as well as analyzing four metrics: effectiveness (conversion rate), attractiveness (content value), persuasiveness (content quality), and intensity (volume dynamics content) Results: it was found that user reactions have a key impact on the coverage of publications, while posts with links in comments provide the greatest cumulative effectiveness. Based on an empirical study conducted for qualified specialists in the field of social media marketing, a methodology for improving organic link promotion in product promotion is proposed. Conclusions: the proposed methodology allows you to manage the organic reach and engagement of the audience without using paid promotion, which expands the tools of professional digital marketing.