The socioeconomic development of Russia : some historical aspects

The study is devoted to the analysis of the socioeconomic development of Russia in the context of changing technological paradigms. The authors determined the main theoretical characteristics of changing technological paradigms in the context of developing socioeconomic systems. They introduce characteristics of technological paradigms, identify processes that occurred during changing technological paradigms in the world's leading countries, and present the analysis of social, technological and economic development in Russia from the late 19th century until now.peer-reviewe

The increasing risk of mortality in breast cancer: A socioeconomic analysis between countries

Abstract. The risk of mortality in breast cancer among women is a critical health issue worldwide. Scholars argue that breast cancer mortality rates have decreased in many advanced countries overall. However, about 50% of world population in 2017 was in poor and developing countries (more than 3,652 million with 50.24% female) and breast cancer mortality rates differ among nations also because of socioeconomic factors. This study investigates, at global level, breast cancer mortality in association with breast cancer incidence and some factors of socioeconomic ecosystem between poor and rich countries, to explain trends that can be used to gain insights into country-level “best practices” for health improvement. Global data regarding breast cancer incidence and mortality as the age standardized rate per 100,000 population in 78low-to-middle income countries (LMICs), 50 upper-to-middle-income countries (UMICs) and 63 high income countries (HCIs) were obtained from IARC/WHO for 2012 and 2018. Data regarding GDP per capita, population and mammography (MMG) were obtained from World Bank, United Nations and WHO. Data, transformed in log scale to have normal distribution, were analyzed with descriptive statistics, partial correlation, regression analyses and paired-Samples T Test procedure to assess the statistical significance of increase or decrease of mortality and incidence in breast cancer from 2012 to 2018.Results reveal that a 1% higher level of breast cancer incidence, increases the expected mortality by 0.79% (p-value < .001) in LMICs, by 0.50% (p-value <.001) in UMICs and by 0.31% (p-value < .008) in HICs. These results, confirmed by other analyses here, seem to suggest that breast cancer mortality is increasing over time worldwide in rich and in particular developing countries. The global analysis here reveals that though an improvement of wealth and wellbeing worldwide, the risk of incidence and mortality in breast cancer is increasing. This result suggests that situational factors in the ecosystem of countries support the growing increase and mortality of breast cancer that improvement in healthcare and medicine of the last 40 years are not been sufficient to slowdown. These conclusions need for much more detailed research to investigate into the interaction between factors of socioeconomic systems, health improvement, and breast cancer causes.Keywords. Breast cancer, Wealth of nations, Epidemiology.JEL. I14, I15, I18, I39, O10, O3, O55, Q50

Critical decisions for crisis management: An introduction

In the presence of crisis, such as global COVID-19 pandemic crisis, governments have more and more take critical decisions to cope with consequential environmental threats in the presence of highly restricted time. This chapter provides a simple description of techniques of decision making in different environments/conditionsof crisis management and how that process is influenced by manifold social, economic and/or technical factors; ultimately it is presented how the approach of improvisation can support the process of decision-makingto cope with unforeseen and new events, rapid changes, turbulent environment and/or specific situations of emergency.Keywords. Critical decision, Decision making, Decision support, Uncertainty, COVID-19, Crisis management, Problem solving, Bounded rationality, Improvisation.JEL. F21, F68, O53, K23

Metabolism of public organizations: A case study

Abstract. This study suggests the concept of Metabolism of organization that explains how public organizations use and/or transform inputs (mainly public funding) to produce and supply products and services. This approach is useful for analyzing costs and supporting best practices of management to increase efficiency of organizations. An application of this approach is showed on one of the largest public research organizations in Europe. Results indicate, from 1997 to 2015 period, that the cost of personnel has a very high growth rate (167.87), total cost of CNR has a high one (127.44), whereas total revenue (state subsidy) has a lower growth rate:118.72. This result suggests an imbalance of growth rates between dynamics of total revenue and vital costs within this PRO, generating economic issues and inefficiencies for this organization in the long run. R&D management implications conclude this study.Keywords. Research organizations, R&D funding, Cost management, Cost analysis, Budget system, Metabolism.JEL. N30, O30, O31, I23

What are the characteristics of revolution and evolution?

Abstract. This conceptual paper describes some characteristics of revolution and evolution. Revolution here is an historical process that generates a rapid and structural change in society. Instead, evolution is a progressive growth and change, generating a transition from simple to complex systems. Overall, then, this study suggests that revolution and evolution are a result of human activity in society originated to satisfy specific needs and/or to cope with and adapt in the presence of environmental threats and changing contexts. Keywords. Radical change, Rebellion, Coup d’état, Insurrection, Struggle, Internal wars, Growth, Social progress, Advancement, Development.JEL. B50, B59, I00, I10, I30

An introduction to the methods of inquiry in social sciences

Abstract. The purpose of this paper is an introduction to methods for conducting inquiries in social sciences. A method of inquiry is an organized and systematic scientific approaches used by scholars for controlled investigations and experiments to efficiently solve theoretical and practical problems, generating discoveries and/or science advances. The paper here presents, briefly, the development of models of inquiry in the philosophy of science. After that, it introduces general methods of inquiry (deduction, induction, abduction and hypothetical-deductive approaches) and specific models of scientific inquiry in social sciences, such as multiple working hypotheses. In general, modern scientific research is multifaceted and requires different approaches for generating new concepts, new hypothesis and theories. Different methods of inquiry directed to solve problems in science can be complementary approaches that foster knowledge creation within and between research fields.Keywords. Methods of inquiry, Philosophy of science, Models of inquiry, Scientific research, Conduct of inquiry.JEL. A20, A29, B40, B49