No 1 (2024)

Introduction. The problem of improving the quality of health capital creates motivation for a more detailed study of the theoretical justification for the emergence of merit goods and correlation of their current interpretation with the key features of modern Russian healthcare.

The purpose of the research work is to substantiate the methodological approach to the study of medical services provided to Russian citizens within the framework of free medical care as a merit good. To reach this aim, the following research objectives have been achieved: the content and fundamental characteristics of the concepts “merit good” and “merit need” have been analyzed; the relationship of these concepts with key concepts of modern economics describing individual and collective choice has been explored; the existing institutional structure of providing free medical care to Russian citizens is correlated with the concepts of merit needs and goods.

Research methods include the analysis of relevant domestic and foreign scientific publications, the Russian legislative framework, synthesis, as well as analytic and graphic modeling.

Results. The concept of merit goods proposed by R. Musgrave came into conflict with one of the key provisions of the economic mainstream – methodological individualism. Attempts to eliminate this contradiction gave rise to a scientific debate, which over time influenced ideas about the independence of individuals' preferences and created the need to partially rethink the nature and role of the public sector of the economy, complementing the toolkit of supporters of state paternalism. Public choice in the case of merit goods represents (aggregates) individual political preferences. These policy preferences, in turn, can be seen as higher-order preferences that override the individual preferences that are revealed by market mechanisms. The healthcare for Russian citizens, to the extent that it is guaranteed by the state, is an example of such preferences. The list of free medical services (merit benefits) included in it is fixed in each subject of the Russian Federation by a program of state guarantees for the provision of free medical care to citizens, however, the actual content of such programs depends to a greater extent on the financial security of the subject than on the real merit needs.

Conclusion. The volume and range of merit goods are determined by normative procedures for making collective decisions. In the case of the Russian healthcare system, they are recorded in the program of state guarantees for the provision of free medical care, which do not always serve as a mechanism for identifying and satisfying merit needs due to institutional and resource limitations.

Introduction. The global population’s growing needs for food, promotion of healthy eating, revision of climate and environmental agendas, and the search for alternative pathways of agriculture development have contributed to the increasing popularity of organic agriculture. The development of this sector both worldwide and in Russia is considered to be one of the objectives in building a modern model of agriculture, as well as a basis for the transition of rural areas to sustainable development and the formation of green economy.

The purpose of the study is to assess the level of development of organic agriculture in Russia in the current economic conditions and work out measures aimed at the development of this sector.

Methods. Along with traditional methods of research (observation, comparative economic analysis and synthesis, analysis of statistical reporting, generalization), special methods were used (economic and statistical, abstract and logical, calculation and constructive, monographic and expert-based ones).

Results. While there are certain positive trends in the development of organic agriculture in Rusia, the sector has not realized its existing potential and is still in its infancy. The development of the sector in Russia is most significantly hampered by the insufficient level of the population’s real disposable incomes (effective demand) and the absence of a comprehensive system of direct government support, not a lack of supply of organic products. Measures have been outlined, the implementation of which will contribute to the development of domestic organic farming and livestock farming.

Conclusion. The introduction of organic agriculture development mechanisms proposed in the course of the present study will assist in achieving the economic, social and environmental effects. Programs for organic agriculture development should act as one of the main tools of the stimulating state policy and be taken into account in general programs aimed at the development of the agricultural sector in Russia.

Introduction. The phenomenon of culture is relatively new to modern economic science; it is studied exclusively within the context of behavioral economics. This work has characteristics of a scoping review based on analyzing the most well-known experiments in the field of psychology in connection with economic behavior, culture and social norms. The theoretical model of cultural transmission has existed since the 1980s, though it didn’t become really popular until 2014–2016, when behavioral manifestations, especially noticeable in the economic and social domains, were analyzed in relation to the migration crisis in European countries.

The purpose of the study is to identify the indicators of the influence of social norms and cultural identity determined by them on people’s economic behavior.

Research results. Recent publications on the topic show that there is one key objective criterion, namely language, for identifying an individual as belonging to a certain culture. It is language that shapes a person’s mentality as a perceived image of the world, including the cultural image, as well as his or her identity and self-identity. People’s economic behavior varies across countries and within countries depending on a great number of factors. In Russia, research on people’s behavior depending on their identity with particular ethnonational groups is not carried out because, according to the social norms of the Russian society, all people are equal. In the United States of America, there is a basis for such research. Statistics show that, compared to European Americans, Asian Americans tend to accumulate more human capital, more often participate in tax-advantaged programs and accumulate savings. Cultural identity significantly influences people's economic behavior determining consumer utility.

Conclusion. Cultural identity is basis on ethnonational, religious, linguistic and other features. Adherence to social norms is associated with cultural identification and impacts economic behavior in terms of responsibility and willingness to take risks. Economic behavior determines consumer preferences and influences social norms.

Introduction. Marketing research of territories is necessary for a comprehensive situational analysis and strategic planning of sustainable socio-economic development of territories at the local, regional and federal levels. The fact of uneven development of territories and their competition in terms of historical and contemporary factors affecting the attractiveness of a territorial product for stakeholders should also be taken into consideration.

The purpose of the article is to present methodological provisions (substantiation of the problem, conceptual apparatus, principles and methods) for the preparatory stage of marketing research of territories, which allows for a comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic development of the territories (constituent entities of the Northwestern Federal District, NWFD)

Research methodology. The work is based on a critical analysis of the sources of secondary data that are highly cited in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), a qualitative study carried out using the guide interview method, as well as the use of the methods of comparison, logical argumentation and generalization.

Interpretation of research results. The factors influencing the investment attractiveness of the NWFD regions and the competitiveness of the territorial product have been assessed. The validity of using the guide interview method in obtaining and processing valuable marketing information has been confirmed. The main advantages of the method include consistent structuring of the information, effectiveness of communication between the interviewer and the respondent; simplification of the analysis and comparison processes, as well as its versatility.

Conclusion. The practical value and applicability of the guide interview method in the marketing research of territories at the stage of identifying value orientations, as well as in the process of stakeholders’ decision-making on a territorial product, have been substantiated and tested. The information obtained is most valuable in planning the socio-economic development of unique territories.