Abstract: The subject of the study is the essence of microfinance and the factors that influence its development. During the analysis of a range of factors the author demonstrates the content of microfinance and the features of its mechanism. The article defines two types of functions that make microfinance competitive. Social functions: a means of poverty reduction, stimulation of entrepreneurship, a mechanism to minimise business criminality, reduction of shadow economy, and, a consequence, growing transparency of loans. Economic functions: growing financial sustainability of small businesses, distribution of small business, increase of range and quality of microfinance services, general improvement of Russian financial system, creation of the history of customer financing under small loans - increased financing opportunities. The methods of the research are systems analysis, which allows to define the features of microfinance and the factors of its development, as well as statistical analysis, that gives an opportunity to evaluate the dynamics of the microfinance market.  Novelty and conclusions. It has been justified that the main factors defining the microcredits are the short terms of the credit and significant credit rates. At the same time it has been shown that microfinance services are intended to satisfy the need for financial resources of small companies that cannot afford the services of banks and other credit institutions which are not particularly interested in operations with small loans. The research also specifies the range of microfinance institutional structures: formalised, semi-formalised, formalised, hybrid.

Keywords: microfinance, microfinance system, microcredit, rate, backlog of orders, investments, loan term, competitive advantage, criminality minimisation, financial system improvement

Abstract: The subject of the research is the analysis of clusters as a practical instrument of territorial development. In modern practice there is no unanimous opinion about what structures should be referred to clusters, which creates problems for the elaboration of regional development strategies based on the cluster initiatives. The aim of the present article is to evidentiate the distinctive features of clusters and to determine, whether territorial economic structures that are being actively implemented in Russia at the present time, can be referred to clusters. Our analysis allows to state that clusters, being network (hybrid) structures, possess important distinctive features. From our point of view, the key feature, together with the territorial base of formation, should be the fact, that while consisting of different organisations, they do not establish a common mechanism of coordination of cooperation. Instead, a vast diversity of partnerships is formed. Cooperating with each other, these partnerships become a basis for a cluster. Examination of territorial structures created in Russia demonstrates that they cannot be referred to clusters, first of all, due to the administrative voluntary mechanism of their formation.  

Keywords: clusters, territorial economic structures, hybrids, networks, territorial development, network structures, hybrid structures, mechanism of coordination of cooperation, different types of organisations, diversity of partnerships

Abstract: The subject of the research is the understanding of the term "public interests" in the legal theory, as well as the value which it has for legal regulation. Classification of interests and the place of public interests in concepts of philosophy and sociology of law are analysed. Special attention is paid to consideration of public interest in cultural progress from the point of view of paradigm approach. It is shown that the same public interest allows various interpretations and impacts the legal policy. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis have been used in the research, as well as historical-legal and formal juridicial methods. The author draws a conclusion that the most relevant problem is the gnoseological one, reflecting the need for timely identification and adequate interpretation of public interests. The author sees the legal task in the choice of adequate legal tools and correct embedding of significant public interest into the legal system of the state.

Keywords: sociology of law, legal system, legal epistemology, paradigm approach, public interests, public interests, interest, interest law, public good, intellectual rights

Abstract: The article is devoted to a company’s imitation strategy as an alternative to innovative development. The author of the article defi nes peculiarities and methods forming the basis of imitation strategy. Companies functioning in one fi eld tend to become homogenous which is explained by the author from the point of view of institutional isomorphism. According to the author, this is why we can see similar features in different companies acting on the same market. Homogenization however is not a spontaneous process but a rather deliberate strategic step towards improving company’s performance. For example, through imitating more successful companies and particular elements of their organizational structures, processes and products many companies that are world-famous now have achieved their leading positions on the market. Global experience shows proves the imitation strategy to be no less or sometimes even more effective than the strategy of innovation-based development. As the topic of research imitation and mimesis have been growing more important lately.

Keywords: imitation, mimesis, isomorphism, mimetic isomorphism, innovation strategy, homogenization, company’s fi eld, imitators, innovators, company’s development.