ISSN 1995-459X print E-ISSN 2312-9972 online ISSN 2500-2597 online English
Editor-in-chief Leonid Gokhberg
|
2007. vol. 1. No. 2
|
Strategies
|
4–13
|
Which scenario will be evolved in the Russian economy over the next three years? Will the investment activity and the level of consumer credit be sustainable? Will the ruble be strengthened, or his position once again will be shattered? These and many other questions are of constant worrying by the Russians. It is certain to say that virtually every major financial and economic developments in the country or the world is a cause for debate. It is known that the Russian government's medium-term forecast, covering the next decade, does not imply any defaults, but every crisis, and financial in particular, can become a cruel reality that violates all the plans. |
|
14–19
|
Increasingly, teachers, employers, students and their families talk about the importance of identifying promising areas of education, of giving him the ability to meet the strategic needs of the growing and changing economy, a dynamic society. We need to understand a feasibility of such a task, possibility to identify future needs for skilled workers, availability of a chance to develop an approach that is applicable in different circumstances. We proceed from the assumption that the flexibility of demand in the labor market doesn’t allow to predict a high degree of accuracy the structure of the economy's needs in the workforce. However, this problem can be seen not only in quantitative terms, but above all with the content, i.e. answering the question, what should be the content of a student training. The value of this perspective is obvious: the huge resources are concentrated in education, at the same time the rapidly changing economic life requires constant updating of the trainings’ content as well as approaches to their organization. In this case, as is known, changes in any system are impossible as long as the goal remains undefined and is not accepted by the key actors. The paper considers a number of challenges currently facing higher education and discusses methodological approaches to determining the future directions of its development. |
Innovation and Economy
|
22–26
|
Many developed economies, industries and companies have to struggle with the consequences of weak economic growth, market saturation and overproduction arising out of the time frames of economic cycles. Panacea for sluggish growth is usually seen in new technologies, innovation and economic changes. Vulnerability of such a familiar approach is that it overlooks the importance and transformational impact of cultural change as an engine of economic growth. A careful look in terms of social culture on the future of innovation and economic growth provides controversial perspectives for both companies, as well as for markets and society in general. Good news: the quest for improvement and growth will continue. The bad news: the pursuit of improvements and the corresponding growth path are gradually leading us into a zone of slow progress. Consumer needs are constantly changing, and the search for increasingly sophisticated products and services is accompanied by a growing desire for quality of life, enriching individual experience and the design of personal emotional worlds. Such a shift in consumer needs should be considered in the innovation and marketing strategies. |
|
28–36
|
Scientific and technological development of the past 30 years, and a breakthrough in the field of biotechnology resulted in appearance of new knowledge-based industries related to knowledge and technology, interdisciplinary life sciences. It covers a variety of sectors, products, processes and services, entering into such sectors as health, agriculture, food processing, environmental protection, new materials and energy sources. Biotechnology industry is far from an organizational maturity, as its capabilities in terms of practical applications and business processes have not yet been fully exploited. Nevertheless it managed to mobilize private and public investment into generation of knowledge and technologies, their distribution and use at the international level. Biotechnology industry plays an important role in the knowledge economy of Brazil. The country is characterized by rich biodiversity, and the last ten years have witnessed a rapid concentration of resources and talents in the field of biotechnology development, innovation and entrepreneurial activity. |
|
37–45
|
The study of knowledge-based services sector conducted by the author is in line with pioneering areas of scientific development because this sector was formed relatively recently. The tradition of its separate consideration has emerged in the context of studies of post-industrial society. |
Science
|
46–49
|
According to statistics in 2005, there were 813,000 people in Russia employed in research and development. A gloomy picture comparing with 1.5 million in 1992. The share of expenditure on research and development in the country's GDP takes 30th place in the world, R&D costs per scientist is about 19 thousand dollars a year compared to 100 thousand dollars in China, 131 thousand dollars in Germany and 147 thousand dollars in Korea. Russia occupies 11th position in the ranking of countries by number of publications in leading journals of the world. The absence of drastic positive change in science hinders economic development. So what might encourage them to start? The editors asked Yevgeny Yassin to comment the historical context that led to the current situation in domestic science, as well as share his opinion on the way out of this situation. |
|
50–59
|
In the previous issue we examined in detail the "image" of science that has emerged among the Russians at the beginning of XXI century. In this case, we presented relatively contradictory views of the widest strata of the population: on the need for state support of science on research priorities (economic development, improved healthcare and education, the environment and strengthening national defense); on unfairly low prestige of scientists as compared with other professions but at the same time on the positive attitudes to academic careers of their own children; about sluggishness of innovative behavior and the negative impact on him by the media. The four general attitudes - "paternalism", "faith in science", "technicism" and "syndrome of crumbling science." It should be noted that the "faith in science" approach is manifested in the form of strong scientistic positions and hopes for it in instrumental terms, but it is not supported by personal cognitive interest. We try to illustrate it in this publication. The article presents the results of six Russian representative opinion surveys conducted in 1995-2006. For international comparisons we use data from surveys implemented in the countries of the European Union, published in special Eurobarometer reports and materials from the report by the National Science Foundation, reflecting the results of similar surveys in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, China and Malaysia. |
Government
|
60–68
|
The article summarizes the results of an audit of scientific and technological activities in Kazakhstan. The study was conducted during 2006 by the US National Academy commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan. The objective of the audit was to identify priority research and technology areas that deserve special government support in the next five years. Of course, the importance of these priorities is dependent on adequate science and technology policy, research capacity of public and private sectors, development of scientific and technical services of domestic and international markets for Kazakhstan's technology and quality human resources. |
Master Class
|
68–77
|
Canada is now one of the most progressive and influential countries in the world. Rich natural resources, cutting-edge industry, developed service sector, scientific and human potential, would seem to allow Canadians to look confidently into the future. However, the pace of world change, the emergence of new problems, without which it is impossible to maintain the competitiveness, lead to the need for radical change in approaches to the assessment of future challenges and develop strategies aimed at strengthening the country's position in the first place by supporting innovation and efficiency research and development. Both national and regional authorities of Canada are well aware of the importance of forming long-term development strategies, and their experience in using Foresight tools for this case is indicative. |
Presentation
|
78–80
|
In April 3-5, 2007, the HSE took the VIII International Scientific Conference "Modernization of economy and public development." The HSE Institute for Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) and the International Academic and Research Foresight center Center Forsyth HSE have organized two sessions - "Science and Innovation in Russia: the direction of reform" and "Foresight: long-term prospects of science and technology." |
|
|