Pobedin Aleksandr A.

Introduction. In the context of increasing global competition and rapidly changing economic realities, regions
face the challenge of ensuring sustainable development and improving competitiveness. The concept of smart specialization
represents an innovative approach to the regional development based on identifying and developing
unique competitive advantages of the region.
Materials and Methods. The analysis of strategic planning documents of the Sverdlovsk Region is presented in
accordance with the criteria of "smart regional specialization," including consideration of regional specifics, alignment
of targets with smart specialization principles, stakeholder engagement, measures for developing the innovation
ecosystem, human capital and institutional environment, and the presence of a monitoring system. Case study and
content analysis methods were used.
Results. The comparative assessment of strategic documents revealed their strengths (detailed analysis of the
region's industrial, scientific-technical and human resource potential, clear goal-setting for innovation infrastructure
development, presence of specific development projects) as well as problematic aspects, including the lack of detailed
implementation mechanisms for set objectives, weak development of monitoring and evaluation systems effectiveness,
as well as weak connection between goals and performance indicators, and of clear mechanisms lack for engaging
stakeholders in the implementation of strategic priorities.
Discussion. The development of a new socio-economic development strategy for the Sverdlovsk Region provides
a unique opportunity for systematic implementation of the smart specialization concept. Achieving this goal requires
a comprehensive approach, including detailed analysis of scientific-technological and industrial potential, identification
of sectors with maximum competitive advantages, development of public-private partnership mechanisms and
tools for engaging representatives of science, business and civil society.

Introduction. A distinctive feature of international economic sanctions is their focus on solving political rather than economic issues. The question of the legitimacy of sanctions application is debatable, since it is about interference in the activities of sovereign states. Besides direct economic damage, sanctions can have an impact through the threat of their application, acting as an tool of symbolic power.

Materials and methods. The aim of the article is to specify the structural elements of international ecоnomic sanctions and to consider options of sanctions episodes development. The main research methods used are structural analysis and case study.

Theoretical review. Domestic and foreign scholars’ approaches to understanding the essence of economic sanctions are considered, their key features are identified and summarized, and the author's definition of international economic sanctions is proposed.

Results. The author identifies the following structural elements of sanctions episodes: initiators, target, goals and objects of sanctions; and provides the characteristics of each element, among which special attention is focused on the dynamic characteristics which determine the development of sanctions episodes. Based on a combination of various characteristics of the sanctions elements, basic scenarios for the applica- tion of sanctions measures, and also their options, are modeled, which provides for the novelty of the au- thor's approach. The role of the initiator and the target of sanctions restrictions in the world economy, the dependence degree of the episode participants on the global economy, as well as the nature and significance of the pursued goals have a significant impact on the nature and dynamics of sanctions episodes.

Discussion. The proposed author's approach to modeling sanctions episodes was tested in relation to the sanctions measures implemented against the Russian Federation. The following specific features of the cur- rent sanctions against Russia have been revealed: a wide range of measures, affecting various areas of for- eign economic activity, including foreign trade; credit and financial operations and investment activities; unprecedented amount of sanctions restrictions; a high degree of influence of the sanctions regime on the de- velopment of the world economy in general, especially on the energy market; considerable number of coun- tries, joining the initiators of sanctions

Purpose. To analyze key theoretical approaches to macroeconomic cycles, to develop a countercyclic tools system of sub-federal regulation level Methods. In the course of the research methods of comparative analysis, system analysis, economic analysis and macroeconomic modeling have been used. Results. The authors analyzed theories of macroeconomic cycles, identified key tools for regional countercyclic regulation, including macroand micro-tools, planning and programming tools. They also considered the possibility of their implementation in modern Russia. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the research is in identification of the key factors of macroeconomic cycles at the sub-federal level, in developing the national countercyclic regulation system at the level of certain RF regions.

To analyze economic methods of assessing the regulatory impact of legal acts applied in foreign countries and in Russia, to reveal the problems of regulatory impact assessment implementation in the Russian Federation. Methods. In the course of the research methods of comparative analysis, economic analysis, methods of regulatory impact assessment: costs-benefits analysis, standard costs model, costs and effectiveness analysis, multi-criteria analysis have been used. Results. The economic methods of regulatory impact assessment of legal acts have been analyzed, specific features of their implementation based on international experience have been characterized, the key components of methodology of implementation of the economic methods of regulatory impact assessment are identified which are recommended for implementation in Russia, the main failings of the implementation of assessment of economic consequences of the legal regulation adoption in Russia are revealed. Scientific novelty. Scientific novelty of the publication is: in analyzing and generalization of foreign practices in implementation of regulatory impact assessment, in revealing methodologies applicable in the frames of the procedure of regulatory impact assessment of normative acts in the RF; in identifying failings and problems in preparation of conclusions of the regulatory impact assessment in Russia.

Purpose. Assessment of prospects and problems of public-private partnership in the Russian Federation in the field of infrastructure development of municipalities. Methods. Comparative analysis. Analysis of the scientific literature. Analysis of regulative acts. Statistical analysis. Results. The article describes forms and models of public-private partnerships from international experience, characteristics for such forms of public-private partnership in Russia as agreements on public-private partnership and concession agreements are given. The public-private partnership tools implementation in the RF is assessed. Scientific novelty. Key problems are identified of development and implementation of public-private partnership projects for infrastructure development of municipalities in Russia.