Within the framework of this study, the authors have constructed a forecast of electricity consumption in China, disaggregated by economic sector, for the period up to 2040. The initial data were the input-output tables for 2022, compiled by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The exogenous conditions for the forecast are based on macroeconomic projections for China produced by the Australian Lowy Institute. It is assumed that, as per capita income in China rises, the sectoral structure of energy consumption will increasingly resemble that of higher-per-capita-income countries, particularly Japan. Forecasting electricity demand in China is carried out by solving an optimisation problem. The objective function in the optimisation model is the projected gross domestic product (GDP) index of the Chinese economy for 2040 relative to 2022. The main constraint is the minimisation of the total discrepancy between the sectoral structure of energy consumption in China and the corresponding structure of Japan in past years. The model also takes into account anticipated technological changes that affect the volume of energy consumption in economic sectors. Electricity demand in each industry is determined by the product of the final demand for goods or services in that industry and the total input coefficient for that industry. The main structural changes in China’s energy consumption by 2040 are driven by changes in the sectoral structure of final demand for goods and services. A decline in electricity demand from the construction sector and an increase in demand from households are expected. The electricity consumption growth index is projected to be no lower than the GDP growth index.

This study examines the complex relationships that exist between socioeconomic outcomes and governance indicators — particularly political stability, rule of law and control of corruption — in different regions of the world, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected governments. By providing a thorough analysis of the governance-socioeconomic nexus through the integration of quantitative World Bank data, this study sheds light on critical patterns and trends. The study reveals that strong governance significantly improves economic performance and literacy rates, with stark contrasts observed in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In these regions, pervasive governance deficits characterised by political instability and weak rule of law exacerbate socioeconomic challenges, resulting in low levels of foreign direct investment and limited access to education and healthcare. Conversely, regions with more robust governance frameworks, such as Southeast Asia, experience improved socioeconomic conditions characterised by higher literacy rates and economic growth. The study also highlights the critical role of health and education, illustrating how investments in these sectors can amplify the benefits of good governance and promote long-term economic development. The results of the mediation analysis show that government effectiveness fully mediates the relationship between unemployment and political stability, suggesting that most of the effect is indirect.

The current stage of economic development, characterised by the emergence of a new resource-based paradigm and widespread digital transformation, is marked by a shift towards the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The dynamic development of Industry 4.0 technologies highlights the need to ensure flexibility and rapid adaptation of industrial enterprises to turbulent changes in the external environment. The objective of this study is to develop a methodological approach to constructing an enterprise’s industry-specific production and economic system based on Industry 4.0 technologies, integrating advanced technological solutions and modern management paradigms. The methodological basis of this study is a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of several scientific approaches: systems-cybernetic and mathematical, evolutionary-synergetic and nonlinear approaches within the industry, organisational-managerial and potential-oriented approaches within the industry, as well as key tenets of the theory of complex adaptive systems. Combining the principles of adaptive management with the tools of these paradigms has enabled the formation of a holistic theoretical foundation for the study. The results oof the study are presented as a set of interconnected propositions based on the principles of cyber-physical integration, digital twins, and autonomous control loops. The author proposes a classification of adaptation types for industrial production and economic systems in the context of Industry 4.0, which allows for a unified description of adaptive scenarios and serves as a basis for designing a digital ecosystem.

The relevance of this study stems from the structural changes taking place in the global oil market, accompanied by the fragmentation of trade flows, the rerouting of exports, and the diminishing role of price benchmarks established by international commodity exchanges. Owing to the direct linkage between price indices and the actual purchase and sale contracts concluded for the delivery of physical oil cargoes, as well as the declining influence of these indices on pricing more broadly, market participants are reshaping the very architecture of oil trading. The aim of this paper is to analyse the formation of new seaborne oil hubs, to define their functional role in the redistribution of Russian oil flows, and to assess the impact of these processes on pricing mechanisms. The study demonstrates that the transformation of export logistics has led to the emergence of a decentralised network of alternative hubs, which not only perform their primary logistical functions but also facilitate the development of local price indicators. It is argued that, amid the fragmentation of the global oil market, a logistics-driven pricing model is taking shape, in which transport costs, sanctions risks, and transaction structures play a key role. The paper presents a simplified formula for calculating oil prices in alternative hubs. The prerequisites for and limitations on the formation of new price benchmarks for Russian oil are identified, including issues of liquidity, transparency, and institutional trust. The authors conclude that a hybrid pricing system is emerging, combining the use of traditional indices with the development of regional and alternative price references. The scientific novelty of this research lies in advancing an approach to analysing the oil market as a decentralised system in which seaborne hubs act as key elements in the generation of price signals, thereby reinforcing the importance of logistics for all participants in trading transactions and for the economies of the countries involved.

The article examines the transformation of the business education market under the influence of global digital platforms, which function not merely as channels for knowledge delivery but as autonomous economic agents reshaping the competitive landscape for traditional universities and business schools. The study aims to systematise the business models employed by leading educational platforms, as well as to identify and comparatively analyse the adaptation strategies that Russian educational institutions are developing in response to the platform-driven challenge. Methodologically, the research is based on an analysis of relevant scholarly publications from the period 2020– 2025, a study of case examples from both global and Russian educational platforms, and a comparison of management practices across universities that demonstrate varying approaches to digital transformation. The findings reveal that the evolution of platforms is progressing from simple course aggregation towards ecosystem-based solutions that integrate learning with corporate procurement, competency analytics, and career support. Four distinct adaptation strategies are identified for Russian universities: insulation, in-house platform development, partnership with global players, and deep business model transformation. Each strategy is shown to carry measurable advantages and limitations, with hybrid models — combining academic control over content with platform-based mechanisms for scaling and service delivery — proving the most resilient. The results contribute to the understanding of institutional change in higher education, enable forecasting of intensifying platform-based competition, and may be applied in developing university digital transformation strategies as well as in academic courses on educational systems management.

This study examines how Italian brands adapt video advertisements when entering Eastern European markets, employing Hofstede’s cultural dimensions framework to bridge the gap between theoretical cultural models and their practical application in international advertising. Through a qualitative content analysis of Gucci and Barilla campaigns in Italy and Poland, the research addresses gaps in the existing literature: the underrepresentation of Eastern and Southern European markets in international advertising research that applies Hofstede’s dimensions, and the lack of studies that cover all dimensions together. The analysis employed a three-point scoring system (–1, 0, 1) for each dimension, applied to four video advertising elements: messaging, visual style, characters, and narrative. Findings revealed a hierarchy of cultural dimensions in video advertising representation. Power Distance, Individualism versus Collectivism, and Masculinity versus Femininity frequently proved difficult to convey visually, whereas LongTerm versus Short-Term Orientation and Indulgence versus Restraint demonstrated clearer representation and more successful adaptation across campaigns. Based on these findings, the study proposes a comprehensive tool for international marketing specialists, comprising a cultural profile engine, an AI generation module and a recommendations system, serving as an informed starting point to inspire culturally sensitive creative directions.

The article analyses the transformation of the international monetary system under the influence of digitalisation and geopolitical factors. It examines the consequences of disconnecting Russian and Belarusian banks from the SWIFT interbank messaging system and the freezing of Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves, both of which stimulate the search for alternatives to the dollar-centric architecture. Particular attention is paid to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), their technological advantages, including high speed, low transaction costs and operational transparency, and their ability to facilitate cross-border payments without the use of the US dollar and Western financial infrastructure. The analysis focuses on the programmability of central bank digital currencies and asset tokenisation, regarded as factors that enhance the efficiency of financial transactions and foster the development of the digital economy. The role of stablecoins is examined separately, including the implications of the adoption of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which legitimises the use of dollar-denominated stablecoins as an instrument for maintaining the global dominance of the dollar in the digital era, while simultaneously creating risks for emerging markets. The concept of decentralisation is critically assessed using Bitcoin as an example, revealing tendencies towards centralisation in two key dimensions — logical and political. The final part of the article identifies the competitive advantages of the Republic of Belarus in the context of digital transformation, which include a mobilisation-based approach to digitalisation, the objective need for accelerated development of financial markets, and the necessity of improving the regulatory framework for initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptoassets in line with the MiCA regulation and FATF recommendations. The article substantiates the need to launch an initiative to create a regional legal infrastructure within the SCO and BRICS+ frameworks.