Abstract: The subject of this research the analysis of compliance of the established system of higher education with the potential transition of the Russian economy into the phase of the fourth industrial revolution. The author pattern the long-term economic cycles of national economy, based on which conduct the analysis of cornerstone factors that generate its phase shifts. The implemented assessments, based on the methods of economic and mathematical modelling, allowed determining the prospects and time horizons in transition of the Russian economy onto the track of the fourth industrial revolution, carrying out a factor analysis and revealing the role of the higher school within the system of subsequent generating transformation. The authors were able to identify the focal problems in the Russian system of higher education from the perspective of the rates and quality of the development of Russian economy in accordance with the newly emerging global principles and mechanisms of economic growth. The scientific novelty lies in the formulated conceptual approach towards determining the key directions in development of the higher school, considering the global trends in transformation of the reproduction processes and anticipated phases of economic transformations in the national economic system. In conclusion, it is argued that the development of scientific research potential within the modern Russian economy explicitly demonstrates the change in descending trends during the period from 1996 to 2002.

Keywords: research potential of economy, component analysis, system problems, scientific and technological development, role of the Russian higher education institutions, long-term business cycle, the higher school, the fourth industrial revolution, quality of economic growth, calls of future transformations

Abstract: This article reflects the results of examination of the cost of metallurgical factories. First part of the article describes the essence of manufacturing cost, its types and methods of cost accounting. It is demonstrated that one of the main indexes of cost is its structure, the precise manifestation of which is defined by the measures of cost reduction. In such material-intensive productions as metallurgy, the cost strongly depends on the applied technology. The author provides the results of research of the industry indexes – cost effectiveness, technological coefficients, structure of cost. It is determined that on the background of crisis economic phenomena, the efficiency of work of the metallurgical factories has decreased; one of the causes is the high consumption of raw materials, which in its value appreciation led to reduction of profit. Structural analysis of financial report of one of the Russian metallurgical manufacturers – JSC Ural Steel allowed determining the significant portion of the revenue as the cost, the key component of which, in turn, is raw materials, which expenses increase over time. Analysis of costs for raw materials of the manufacturer revealed that its consumption at this particular factory are higher if compared to other, which underlines the suboptimal technological regime of the organization of production, as well as necessitates certain improvements for the purpose of reducing the cost. For resolving such issue, the author suggests using a complex approach with the algorithm for planning modernization of the major manufacturing funds, within the framework of which, the assessment of efficiency of projects is realized in accordance with the two additional criteria: transparent cost accounting and consumption coefficients. Implementation of the algorithm will help directing modernization towards resolving the cost reduction problems, as well as chose and include into the investment program such projects that greatly affect its reduction. The main technical solutions are systematized and assessed from the perspective of need for obtaining additional equipment, as well as impacting the portion of capital and current expenditure.   

Keywords: technological modes, structural and dynamic analysis, profitability, technological factors, cost , steel products, ferrous metallurgy, modernization, principles of cost optimization, transparent cost accounting

Abstract: This article analyzes the two approaches towards understanding of project engineering, which include design and the modern stage of technology development. The author reconstructs establishment of the “traditional” (architectural and technical) engineering in culture, as well the role of architectural activity, engineering and technology in this process. The work introduces the idea of "project thinking", which analyzes the two aspects: means of the "language of engineering" (sketches, models, design norms, knowledge), and the "logic of engineering". In conclusion, the article discusses the transition from the "traditional engineering" to "nontraditional", which represents the non-project practices with the elements of engineering. As a result, the author was able to separate the existing approaches towards understanding of project engineering, analyze the prerequisites and establishment of this type of activity, give characteristics to the project thinking, as well as put forward a hypothesis regarding the key trend in the development of project engineering. It consists of two stages: the establishment and development of “nontraditional engineering” and the transition towards the “nontraditional engineering”.

Keywords: logic, program, project, sketch, concept, thinking, activity, design, object, technology

Abstract: Being the fourth economy in the world and the second most-populous country, India, sooner or later should have become an important segment of the air transport market. Indian aviation industry has great potential due to the dynamic growth of the middle class, increasing disposable personal income, state support, rising foreign direct investment. In addition to internal resources, the aviation industry in India has great potential in terms of the opportunities for international cooperation, both as a member of BRICS, especially as a country whose representative – the President of the New Development Bank BRICS and as an active participant of the Asian dialogue platforms. India is a leader of South Asia, where Open Skies Agreement is in force, which allows international airlines to carry out operations in the airspace of the signatory powers. The synergetic effect of cooperation with developing countries (China, Russia, and Brazil) will contribute to the gradual resolution of the fundamental problems which Indian aviation industry faces nowadays (overcapacity, high level of debt loads, liquidity shortage), and as a result – to strengthening of the competitiveness of the sector at the global level.Considering all these factors, in the long run India can become one of the leading players in the global aviation market.

Keywords: Population, State-private partnership, Middle class, SCO, Open skies, BRICS, Infrastructure, Airports, Aircraft industry, India

Abstract: The subject of this research is the change in housing policies. Housing and utilities, as one of the strategically-important institutes of society, is undergoing a series of significant changes all around the globe. There is no singular, universal scenario, but the most successful examples are used as models that are being adapted to the demands and realities of Russian housing and communal services. The author examines foreign experience of enhancing the quality of labour and supplying resources by implementing innovative methods. As the object of research, the author chose housing and communal water supply and drain enterprises: The Joint stock company "Azersu" (Azerbaijan) and the Municipal Unitary Enterprise "Housing and Utilities "Kholmskiye" (Russia, Krasnodar Region). The method of this research is the comparative analysis of the differences between the models of administration between foreign and Russian Housing and utilities from the standpoint of domestic policies and economy development. The scientific novelty of this work is based on studying the cutting-edge foreign experience that permits to discover the main directions of its application in Russia conditions in light of implementing new technologies, enhancing the quality of service, motivation of labour, supplying resources, etc. The author gives recommendations on implementing such novelties into Russian practices. As applied to the enterprises being examined, a program for enhancing the quality and motivation of labour has been introduced.

Keywords: depreciation, fixed assets, debt population, financial resources, foreign experience, innovative modernization, human resources, resource conservation, water resources, monitoring