Vol 33, No 3 (2025)

Introduction. The effect of digital technology on productivity of service industry is imperative regarding economic growth of the world economy especially where service industries dominate GDP in developed economies. The paper looks at the aspect of digital transformation in relation to its impact on service productivity in 176 economies between 2009 and 2023 in terms of disparities in income levels, economies of scale perspectives, and structural moderni zation.
Materials and Methods. In the investigation of the association between service labor productivity and digital technology (as evaluated using the ICT Development Index), we used a cross-nation panel data and fixed-effects regression generalization. Testing of the mechanism involved economies of scale analyses of mediation as well as structural modernization. UNCTAD and the World Bank were used as sources of data regarding 176 economies, and the period was 15 years.
Results. Each unit increase in the ICT Development Index stimulated a 0.43 percent growth in the service labor productivity (p < 0.01). The 8.8 percentage productivity growth was attributed to high-income countries than the middle and low incomes nations. The improvement of productivity through economies of scale and structural modernization led to digitalization; however, it had minimal impact in the developing regions because of the mismatched infrastructure and missing integration in the developing areas.
Discussion and Conclusion. In high-income economies, digital technology has a very strong environment in increasing service productivity but in the lower-income contexts, it has less significant effects. The policy implications are that there should be specific investments in digital infrastructure, institutional preparation, and human capital provision to achieve growth on an inclusive basis. There are data availability and heterogeneity of regions. Digital inclusion strategies and the firmlevel dynamics should be investigated in the future. This paper contributes to the quantitative data
on unevenness in digital transformation around the globe and it guides on how policy makers can utilize it to achieve a sustainable economic growth.

Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to strengthen the competitiveness of regions through the use of marketing and branding tools to extract additional resources. One of the important groups of stakeholders are residents, who ensure the stable and progressive development of the territory. In order to attract and retain valuable residents, as well as ensure their long-term attachment to their place of residence, authorities must constantly improve the quality of life and create a comfortable urban environment. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the factors that increase the attractiveness of the brand of territories for residents.

Materials and Methods. The empirical basis for the study was provided by ratings and indices related to the study of demographic, social, institutional, political, economic, scientific and technical, communication, reputational, and global development of countries and regions in areas such as standard of living and quality of life, education, healthcare, and the environment; the level of public relations, health, and public safety. A comparative analysis of 98 international and Russian ratings was conducted, including a factor analysis of indicators.

Results. An analysis of existing quality of life assessments revealed factors that reflect residents' attitudes toward the territory. It was established that in order to assess this indicator, it is necessary to focus not on global ratings and indices, which provide generalized results and a rather conditional picture, but on studies limited to national or regional frameworks. Moreover, the narrower the focus of the rating, the more indicative the subjective criteria component will be.

Discussion and Conclusion. The appeal of a place brand is based not only on its positive image, but also on the creation of an attractive living space and long-term attachment to it by citizens. It has been established that the factors contributing to the attractiveness of a place brand for residents are stability, demonstration of successful development, and prosperity in the development of the territory. At the same time, the assessment categories for each of the indicators vary depending on the territory.

Introduction. The policy of patriotic education in modern conditions acquires a special meaning and significance for Russia and Belarus, the Union State as an integration association based on common values. It is interpreted as multidimensional, embodying the guidelines of national development and union building. The purpose of the study is to summarize and detail the positive results and remaining vulnerabilities in the approval of the policy of patriotic education in the Union State, taking into account a combination of internal and external factors.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on official documents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the field of patriotic education, materials from the Internet resources of the Union State, documents of an integration nature, and the results of an expert survey. The main methods are system multilevel analysis, comparative analysis, qualitative analysis of documents, and SWOT analysis.

Results. A range of brief analytical scenarios of the evolution of the policy of patriotic education within the framework of the Union State is presented. The key elements of the evolution of the policy of patriotic education at the national and union levels are shown. The SWOT analysis parameters in internal and external dimensions are highlighted, and strengths and weaknesses in the considered perspective are determined for each of them. Opportunities and threats have been identified and ranked. The risks correlating with manipulations of nationalist sentiments, deformations in the fields of education, culture, youth policy, scientific and technological development, in political systems, with the difficulties of rooting the idea of a “common Motherland”, and the weakness of integration tools are emphasized.

Discussion and Conclusion. Several scenarios for the development of the policy of patriotic education in the Union State have been formed. The scenario of deepening the institutionalization of the policy of patriotic education at the union level is recognized as the basic one. The optimistic spectrum includes the scenario of the approval of the policy of patriotic education as one of the main directions of union building, linked to federalization. In the pessimistic sense, the sovereignization of the policy of patriotic education presupposes the degradation of integration interaction. The circumstances of the current stage determine its interpretation as unlikely. The implementation of one scenario or another is associated with possible internal political and integration changes. The results of the study may be in demand by national and union authorities and administrations to improve integration policy, the humanitarian dimension of union building, and the policy of patriotic education.

Introduction. The South Caucasus remains an area of geopolitical rivalry between the United States, Russia, China, and the European Union, driven by its role in energy transit and the East-West military balance. The Georgian-American partnership is a defining factor in regional dynamics, but its implications for the politics, defense, and economy of the South Caucasus remain understudied. The goal is to identify the scope and direction of the influence of US-Georgian cooperation on regional processes.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on an analysis of intergovernmental agreements (2008–2024), strategic documents, statistical data, and media discourse. A set of qualitative methods was applied: historical-political analysis of partnership phases; comparative assessment of responses from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, and Iran; critical discourse analysis (CDA) of security rhetoric; and event analysis of key initiatives (military exercises, infrastructure projects).

Results. Georgia has faced strategic dilemmas: enhancing defense capabilities through Javelin missile supplies and the Noble Partner exercises has increased its dependence on the US. Economic projects have transformed the country into a transit hub but have also created competition with Azerbaijan. Russia has reinforced its base in Gyumri, Iran has developed a transport corridor, and China has intensified its initiatives. Collectively, these developments have contributed to heightened societal polarization, constrained autonomy, and increased sanctions risks for Georgia.

Discussion and Conclusion. While the partnership with the US has facilitated infrastructure and armed forces modernization for Georgia, it has also rendered the country vulnerable to external market conditions. Ensuring the resilience of the South Caucasus necessitates the diversification of foreign policy strategies and balanced engagement with regional actors. These findings are applicable for developing energy security strategies and managing transit risks.

Introduction. The relevance of this research stems from the sharp increase in global instability and the shifting balance of power, which compel the European Union (EU) to reconsider its security strategies. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the EU’s military-strategic transformation in the context of its rearmament plans by 2030 and to assess the potential implications for international relations, particularly given the escalation of tensions with Russia, the United States, and the growing influence of China.

Materials and Methods. The study employs systemic analysis, comparative methodology, and expert assessments. The research is based on open-source materials, official EU documents (such as the White Paper on European Defence, the “Readiness 2030” Rearmament Plan, and the EU Internal Security Strategy), as well as analytical reports from leading Russian and international scholars. This methodological approach enabled the identification of key trends and constraints affecting the implementation of EU defense initiatives.

Results. The research reveals that the EU faces significant challenges, including limited resources, dependence on US technologies, internal economic disparities, and a lack of consensus on critical issues such as the formation of European nuclear forces. The analysis indicates that achieving the stated objectives by 2030 is questionable, and that current strategic initiatives require additional coordination and funding. Special attention is given to the risks posed to Russia and the broader implications for global stability

Discussion and Conclusion. The article concludes that the EU’s rearmament is not only a response to external threats but also an attempt to adapt to internal challenges. The practical significance of the study lies in providing an analytical foundation for forecasting the development of European defense policy and for devising response strategies for national and international actors. Future research should focus on the EU’s interactions with global powers (the US, China) and on assessing the impact of new initiatives on the architecture of international security. The study’s limitations include insufficient transparency of military budget data and uncertainty regarding political decision-making within the EU.

Introduction. In the realities of modern Russian society, characterized by increasing social differentiation and the risk of increased intergroup tension, there is an acute shortage of effective mechanisms for maintaining public consensus and integration at the municipal level. This is why studying the models of interaction between local governments and civil society structures in the process of social design becomes particularly relevant, as it represents a potential tool for reducing the risks of social disintegration.

Materials and Methods. The methodology of the empirical study is based on a case study strategy. Six municipal districts of the Perm Territory were used as case studies. The materials were based on the results of an expert survey of representatives of municipal authorities, heads of socially oriented non-profit organizations, as well as youth and volunteer associations in the selected municipalities (a total of 32 interviews were conducted between October and December 2024). The expert survey was conducted using the classic method of qualitative in-depth interviews. The analysis of the data obtained was based on the method of analytical induction. This method made it possible to identify and characterize models of interaction between subjects.

Results. A typology of models of interaction between various social actors in sociocultural projects was developed, identifying three distinct models: from limited mobilization at the grassroots level to institutionalized cross-sectoral partnerships. The important role of public organizations and socially responsible enterprises as catalysts for grassroots activities was identified, as well as the importance of systematic dialogue and the involvement of local opinion leaders in strengthening trust, increasing the legitimacy of projects, and ensuring social cohesion in territorial communities.

Discussion and Conclusion. The effectiveness of interaction between various social actors involved in sociocultural projects largely depends on the socioeconomic potential of the territory itself, the availability of financial resources, information and communication technologies, and the activity of the local population. Public organizations and socially responsible enterprises play an important role in activating local communities and establishing effective interaction with government agencies. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying its results to the development and support of socio-cultural projects and the activation of local residents, which will ultimately contribute to strengthening socio-cultural security in the territories.