Abstract: This research is aimed at determination and interpretation of the factors that influence the indicator values of innovation activity of enterprises in the Russian Federation. The author sets the following goals: carry out factor analysis of innovation activity of companies in the Russian Federation using the method of principal components and maximum likelihood; determine and interpret the factors; compare the acquired results; develop recommendations on improvement the composition of statistical indicators used for efficiency assessment of innovation activity of companies on meso- and macro levels. The empirical basis contains the data provided by Rosstat on 10 indicators for the period from 2009 to 2016 (657 observations). The scientific novelty consists in identification of latent generalizing characteristics and correlations between the indicators used for assessing the innovation activity of companies in the Russian Federation. Both methods, of principal components and principal factors, allowed similarly distinguishing the two factors: via the method of principal components: development of science in the region and specialization of the region in high-tech industries; via the method of principal factors: research organizations in the region, their number and indicators; specialization of the region in high-tech industries. The second factor reflects commercialization of research and development. A relatively small number of indicators is used for assessing commercialization of research and development. The author notes the lack of statistical data for assessing the efficiency of innovation activity of companies. The statistical indicators of innovation activity of enterprises should include the economic effect indicators. This would allow using the performance indicators of research and development not only on micro-, but also meso - and macro-levels in elaboration and assessment of measures stimulating innovation activity of businesses at the country level.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to analysis of the process of economic growth and development in African countries southward Sahara – the least industrializes region of the world. The main prerequisites for industrialization and economic growth in of African countries southward Sahara are the high urbanization ratios: the growing number of workforce, their qualification level, high portion of youth within the population structure, expanding domestic market, growing middle class, de-escalation of internal political confrontations and attenuation of cross-country armed conflicts, advancement of digital technologies. The information and empirical basis is comprised of the data of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the World Bank. The scientific novelty consists in determination of the points of growth in Africa southwards Sahara by means of application of the methods of statistical data analysis. The authors analyze the indicators of economic growth and industrialization of African countries southward Sahara, substantiate the increasing role of this region for the global economy. The article reveals spatial aspects of industrialization of African countries and allocation of the industrial production. The authorities of African countries must manage the industrialization processes, namely focus on the development of infrastructure, improvement of investment climate, transparency of legislation, reduction of administrative expenses for businesses, reduction of corruption, and prevention of armed conflicts. The regional integration would contribute to solution of the aforementioned issues. The key vectors in cooperation of African countries southward Sahara and Russia are the areas of oil extraction, energy sphere, information and communication technologies, and agriculture.

Abstract: The object of the research is the foreign models of innovation vouchers. The subject of the research is the following parameters of the foreign models of innovation vouchers: the voucher value; criterias to be satisfied by a receiving company and service providers; co-funding requirements; kinds of services covered by the innovation voucher; the procedure for selecting a winning company,e tc. The authors of the article view such aspects of the topic as the pluses and minuses, risk factors, efficiency of innovation vouchers, and 'delicate adjustment' factors for this tool of innovation policy. They also describe the models of innovation vouchers used in the Netherlands, Ireland, Great Britain, Denmark, Bulgaria, and CIS countries. Based on the systems approach to the object of the resaerch, the authors have also applied historical, logical, monographic methods and comparative and structural analysis. The author conclude that the popularity of innovation vouchers can be explained by their simplicity and efficiency. However, considering that the long-term efficiency of innovation vouchers have not been proved yet, the model of innovation vouchers should be combined with other tools. Implementation of innovation vouchers in CIS countries is complicated due to the underdeveloped market mechanisms and high corruption level, thus it requires additional risk coverage. 

Abstract: Human capital assets accumulation is one of the “engines” of economic growth and the key factor of economic and social wellbeing of contemporary societies. The research subject unites the processes and conditions of human capital assets reproduction. The research object is the condition of “human forming” sectors of the economy in Russian regions, particularly, in Volgograd region. The authors analyze the processes of human capital accumulation in Volgograd region in comparison with the Russian Federation and the Southern Federal District, and offer the methods of its accretion. Special attention is paid to the recent changes in Russian legislation determining the reduction of social expenditures both on the federal and on the regional levels. The authors apply general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, the dialectical method, system analysis, and comparative analysis. For human capital assets accretion calculation in the regions of the Southern Federal District the authors use the method of national wealth accretion calculation model introduced by M.V. Ledenyova, and statistical and mathematical methods. The authors come to the conclusion that human capital assets reproduction in the region and in the country is the result of a complex interaction between the state, the population, and the business structures, and the most important investment sources are the federal spendings on the educational system, public health service, and social protection, and the citizens’ personal incomes, primarily, the salaries. For human capital accumulation it is necessary to form the investment basis for human capital reproduction and development, and to intensify the state participation in organizing the process of its accumulation via strengthening and development of state structures in these spheres. The human capital accretion in the regions of the Southern Federal District in 2010 – 2014 is calculated according to the formula of human capital relative gain of M.V. Ledenyova. The analysis defines the tendencies of human capital gain in Volgograd region.