Headings of the journal
"Economics and Management"

Annotation: The article examines banking mechanisms of housing construction savings as an instrument for financing housing construction in Kazakhstan. The theoretical foundations of the housing construction savings system are analyzed, which is based on a combination of savings and credit mechanisms of bank financing for housing acquisition. Particular attention is paid to the role of banking institutions in the formation of long-term financial resources for the development of housing construction. The study evaluates the economic efficiency of the housing con- struction savings system and its impact on the development of the construction industry, the expansion of bank lending opportunities for the population, and the improvement of housing affordability. Based on the analysis of statistical data and scientific research, the key advantages of this model are identified, including the formation of a sustainable resource base for banks, the reduction of credit risks, and the stimulation of investment activity in the housing sector. The main constraints on the development of the system related to institutional and market factors are identified. Directions for improving the banking mechanisms of housing construction savings are proposed, aimed at increasing the efficiency of housing construction financing and expanding their role in the development of the national housing market.

Annotation: The article examines labor force competitiveness in conditions where artificial intelligence has ceased to be merely a tool for automating routine work operations. The study involved a systematic analysis of Russian and interna- tional scholarly research devoted to the theoretical and methodological foundations of labor force competitiveness, macroeconomic regulation of employment issues, enhancement of specialists’ competitiveness in the labor market, the specifics of competitiveness formation among young workers, and digital competencies as a component of em- ployee competitiveness. The study finds that existing competitiveness models do not reflect the qualitative changes in the Russian labor market since 2022–2023. Traditional professional skills are no longer a competitive edge – they have become a baseline requirement, with new demands emerging on top of them. It was concluded that the author’s integral three-level model of specialist competitiveness requires supplementation with new determinants: non-replicable competencies, cognitive capital, the ability to work in conjunction with artificial intelligence, adap- tive educational potential, digital professional presence, and ethical responsibility for decisions made.

Annotation: The article examines the systemic challenges that Russia’s innovation environment faces in the era of global digital transformation and external constraints. An analysis of international rankings (Global Innovation Index, Nature Index) reveals the Russian Federation’s systemic lag in key innovation development indicators. Based on statistical data from Rosstat, the National Research University Higher School of Economics, and expert assess- ments, the article identifies underlying structural problems in Russia’s innovation sector, including high import dependence in many critical sectors, insufficient commercialization of R&D, a shortage of private funding, personnel imbalances, institutional contradictions, and growing digital inequality across regions. It is shown that sanctions pressure has exposed and exacerbated these systemic dysfunctions. It is concluded that systemic modernization of the national innovation system and its adaptation to the conditions of digital transformation are necessary to ensure technological sovereignty, which requires a transition from targeted measures to a com- prehensive strategy of structural transformation.

Annotation: The article examines the implementation of state policy for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Russian Federation under the national and federal SME projects (2019–2030). Drawing on a comparative analysis of planned and actual values of key indicators, along with official reports from the Ministry of Economic Development and data from the Federal Tax Service for 2019–2026, the study identifies methodological risks inherent in the target indicators specified in the project documents. The findings show that the current indicators allow for multiple interpretations, are difficult to verify, and replace meaningful assessment of structural change with formal quantitative and fiscal tracking. The practical significance of the research lies in demonstrating the need for a methodological shift in evaluating state support for SMEs – a move from broad quantitative metrics to a system of qualitative indicators that reflect the sector’s actual contribution to the economy. The conclu- sions can be used to refine the project management framework and develop target benchmarks for future state programmes supporting entrepreneurship.

Annotation: The article examines the features of the modern online pharmaceutical market and identifies future trends in the global and Russian pharmaceutical markets related to the development of online sales and customers’ desire for quick checkout and ease of purchase. Based on secondary data from specialized agencies and research firms, comparative analysis, and a review of the regulatory framework governing the pharmaceutical market, the authors identify trends in the development of the Russian and global online pharmaceutical sector. They also characterize the development model of the Russian pharmaceutical market in comparison with Western and Asian models. Based on an empirical study conducted using an online survey of 200 respondents, the authors conclude that in the country, purchases of over-the-counter drugs by young target audiences on marketplaces and online phar- macies are only gaining popularity, and consumers are skeptical about purchasing medicines. The results of the study are relevant for further research into consumers’ positive or negative attitudes toward online purchases.