2024 Issue №4

The development of the northern territories of the Russian Federation is a crucial element of the country’s sustainable development, as emphasized by the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation until 2035. In light of the active policy of import substitution, which is a key component of the national goal of “Technological Leadership,” increasing attention is being paid to the manufacturing industry, including in the Far North. This study analyzes data on the operations of manufacturing enterprises in the cities of the Far North and equivalent regions from 2016 to 2022, utilizing municipal and state statistical sources as well as databases such as SPARK-Interfax, zavody.rf, and fabricators.ru. As a result, the sectoral structure of the manufacturing industry in the Far North was identified, forming the basis for a proposed classification of industrial hubs divided into four categories. The study also highlights general trends in the development of the supporting frameworks of the manufacturing industry in the northern territories of Russia in recent years. The findings indicate that the manufacturing industry in the Far North has undergone minimal transformation in recent years, with changes primarily limited to the modernization of existing facilities or the closure of unprofitable enterprises.

The article examines the factors shaping spatial differences in consumer preferences when using online automotive classifieds in Russia. The study employs content analysis of major automotive online platforms—Avito.ru, Auto.ru, and Drom.ru—highlighting the functional comparability of these services. To identify the causes of regional differences, a series of in-depth interviews were conducted with residents from various Russian regions. Additionally, comprehensive and cartographic analysis methods were used to study the spatial component. The study revealed spatial characteristics associated with the use of automotive online classifieds in different macro-regions of Russia. Furthermore, the research identifies key factors influencing spatial differences in consumer behavior: the geographical location of the region, the socio-historical context of the spread of automotive online classifieds, the presence of local alternatives, the economic interest of online services in expanding their activities in specific regions, and the intensity of their advertising campaigns.

The challenging situation in the labor market of the Russian Federation, both nationwide and in individual regions, necessitates the search for new solutions to address workforce shortages. Currently, there is virtually no region where this problem has been fully resolved. Government measures have made it possible to establish various approaches to overcoming labor resource shortages. In the Kaliningrad region, one such initiative has been the implementation of a career-guidance tourism project for school students. Career-guidance tourism is among the most popular forms of educational tourism, and its positive impact on territorial and economic development is becoming increasingly evident. Career guidance projects are attracting growing interest not only from local governments but also from businesses operating in the regions. The goal of this study is to track the dynamics of the transformation of the Kaliningrad region’s career-guidance project “PRO Opportunities.” The study employed comparative analysis methods to assess annual results and cartographic methods for a visual presentation of the distribution of career-guidance tourism sites across the region.

Amber classification plays a crucial role in its study, extraction, use in jewelry and amber art, various industrial sectors, and trade. This article provides a comparative analysis of classification systems and principles that have existed historically and are currently adopted in the main amber-producing and amber-processing countries (Russia, Poland, and Ukraine). The study does not address geological and mineralogical classifications of fossil resins or their physical and chemical properties. Instead, the focus is on classification systems used for practical production and commercial purposes during amber extraction, sorting, processing, and trade. Three fundamental levels of classification criteria for raw amber are identified: (a) weight or size, (b) stone structure (monolithic versus layered, presence or absence of cracks and impurities), and (c) decorative properties (natural shape, color range, and transparency). Additionally, the presence of animal and plant inclusions in amber, which hold both scientific and commercial value, is considered separately. The article concludes that the most advanced system of commercial amber classification in recent years has been developed and implemented at the Kaliningrad Amber Plant.