Abstract: The online population is growing each year, affecting and at times determining the external and internal development factors of the socioeconomic systems at micro-, meso-, and macro levels. Such trends also influenced the Russia-Belarus relations within the framework of development of the Union State. On May 12, 2016 Minsk held the 45th session of the ongoing seminar under the Belarus-Russia Parliamentary Assembly regarding the “Common Information Space of the Union State”. Deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly, representatives of Standing Committee of the Union State, national parliaments, ministries, departments, scientific academies, scientific and educational organizations, as well as leading Russian and Belarus mass media, have discussed a broad spectrum of questions concerning the development of common information space of the Union State. At the same time, the questions of ensuring and assessment of economic potential for the development of information space did not draw due attention, while the author believes that it deserves meticulous scientific and methodological examination. Considering the intensive growth of Internet users, special attention is given to the questions of implementation of information and communication technologies in public administration processes, including ensuring the investment attractiveness of the regions that can become one of the key drivers in efficient integration of Russian and Belarus, as well as development not only information, but also economic space of the Union State.

Abstract: In the modern and rapidly developing world, under the conditions of advancement of the information and communication technologies (ICT), crowdsourcing gradually encompasses one sphere after another. Increasingly frequently, such instrument is applied not only in business and social projects, but also the public administration system. Thus, in terms of social and political transformations, crowdsourcing takes over a sizeable place among the well-known methods, technologies, and instruments of control, conducing the integration of efforts of the state, business, and society in resolving the socioeconomic issues, which defines the reasonableness of examining the possibilities and forms of development of the aforementioned technology in the work of government bodies of all levels. Methodological foundation of this research leans on the analysis of the Russian practice of realization of the crowdsourcing projects, which allowed identifying the critical spots in theory and practice of their implementation into the system of public administration. Relevance of the topic at hand is substantiated by the insufficient methodological elaboration regarding the introduction of crowdsourcing into the work of government bodies on the background of rapid development of ICT and growing number of the Russian crowdsourcing projects, which possess great potential for development of the system of relations between society, business, and government agencies.

Abstract: CIS countries typically demonstrate a rather low level of R&D/GDP intensity and low share of expenditures for science, low development of hightech economic sector and negative saldo of the trade balance in relation to innovative products. At the same time, problems of transnational integration in the sphere of innovation within the Union State started to attract interest of researchers at the turn of the 2011 - 2012. One of research aspects is the need to develop efficient instruments that would ensure efficient transnational integration of Russia and Belarus in the innovation sphere. The object of the present research is the integration of Russia and Belarus within the Union State. The subject of the research is the combination of institutions that provide for the integration of the Union States in the innovation sphere. The authors of the article pay special attention to institutional issues and integration prospects of the Union State members in the innovation sphere including the need to develop a single strategy that would guarantee productivity and efficiency of all institutions under research. The methodological basis of the research involves analysis of fundamental researches and modern theoretical researches in the sphere of institution development, innovation activity and transnational integration including that within the Union State. Based on the analysis carried out, the authors have defined the key problems and development prospects for Russia's and Belarus' institutions that ensure the development of integration processes in the innovation sphere. In conclusion, the authors agree with experts and researchers, both Russian and Belorussian, and come to the conclusion that despite numerous institutional and political issues, the authorities, business entities and social communities of the Union State members understand the need to activate the innovation cooperation. In 2012 during the Union State Programs Forum held in Minsk it was underlined that innovation activity is the guarantee of stability both of an individual entity and state in general, that being true for the Union State, too. Thus, it is important to develop transnational information research data base of fundamental and applied problems that would ensure active information exchange between specialists from different countries and strengthen legal basis in the sphere of protection of rights to intellectual activity products as well as to activate process of creating and developing regional and national innovation networks. Implementation of the above described transformations will require to create new institutions as well as to develop institutions that already exist in the innovation sphere which makes the rationale of the present research.  

Abstract: The authors consider the problems of the struggle against corruption within the higher education system. The authors study organizational and methodological aspects of anti-corruption measures’ effectiveness monitoring in Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and form the unique basis, which can serve as a principle for theoretical and applied developments in this sphere and can be used not only in Russian institutions of higher education, but also within the public authorities system responsible for the implementation of the national educational policy. The research methodology is based on the analysis of scientific works devoted the problem of the struggle against corruption in Russia and abroad, the synthesis of the best Russian and foreign practices, and the long-term observations of the authors, evaluated in Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. Based on these methods, the authors develop recommendations for anti-corruption measures’ effectiveness monitoring in institutions of higher education and educational organizations. The authors develop methodological recommendations for the organization of regular monitoring of anti-corruption measures’ effectiveness in higher education institutions, which can be widely applied both in the theory and the practice of the struggle against corruption within the educational system of Russia. 

Abstract: The subject of this research is the indexes of monitoring of the quality of educational activity in the Russian universities. The object is the sphere of education in Russia. The article reveals interconnection between the status of the system of monitoring in educational sphere and quality of university education. The authors define the forms and methods of contribution to the education process in light of establishment of pool of the education facilities that will represent Russia in international level. List of parameters that ensure increase in the quality of attestation of the universities alongside the monitoring of their efficiency is being determined. Methodological basis of the research consists in the analysis of indexes of educational activity efficiency, as well as results of monitoring of the Russian universities, which became the foundation for formulations of the author’s suggestions and recommendations. Special interest represents the authors’ recommendations on amending the Federal Law No. 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation” of December 29, 2012 that could allow grading the educational facilities and expand the perception about the efficiency of their activity. The scientific novelty substantiates that the proposed methodological approach may gradually transform the system of monitoring and attestation procedures by significantly increasing their efficiency. Implementation of the proposed by the authors indexes and similarity of the selected methodological approach with the world standards must contribute into the quality integration of universities into the international educational space.

Abstract: This article examines the development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation in the context of realization of the principles of sustainable development of the territory, including the aspects of ensuring national security of state and society. The object of this article is the Russian Arctic Policy; while the subject is the economic, organizational, and legal mechanisms that ensure sustainable development of the Arctic territories within the framework of implemented policy. Special attention is given to the aspects of realization of the Arctic Policy in foreign countries, as well as the key challenges and opportunities of sustainable development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. In conclusion, the authors determine the priorities and prospects of implementation of state policy in Arctic, taking into account the importance of preservation of socioeconomic interests of the state alongside the potential of strengthening the national security. The scientific novelty consists in identification and systematization of the key challenges and opportunities of implementation of the state policy, which ensures the sustainability of development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. This allows concluding that at present stage, Russia’s strategy in the Arctic must be oriented towards the search for resources and opportunities for ensuring the sustainable socioeconomic development of the territory, as well as the preservation of its status as a world’s territory and constructive international cooperation, fortified by the military presence that establishes the balance of powers within the region and the state’s national security.

Abstract: The author of the study considers theoretical and applicative aspects of preventing and fighting against corruption both in Russia and abroad. The research object is the system of relations between public authorities, business, and society in combating corruption. The research subject covers the processes of development and introduction of new instruments and mechanisms of preventing corruption. Special attention is paid to the experience of combating corruption in the BRICS countries, and to the issues of effective use of information and telecommunications technologies in this sphere. The research methodology is based on the analysis of international studies, and the ratings of organizations involved in the system researches of fight against corruption.  The synthesis of practices of legal regulation in this sphere, and the detection of the basic corruption origins in foreign states, the detection of the negative socio-economic, political, and ethical consequences, endangering the state’s sustainable development capacities, are the basis for the development of recommendations about forming intolerant attitude towards corruption in the society. Bearing in mind that, being an integral part of social life, corruption adapts to its development and acquires new forms, the novelty of the paper lies in studying the problem of forming a complex understanding of this phenomenon in the society, and detecting the new directions, mechanisms, and instruments of combating corruption.