This book is the result of recent research by contemporary scientists on topics which were discussed at the conference of the same name in Volgograd, Russia in April 2017. The global economic system is currently in a stage of active formation and development: its boundaries and conditions of existence are constantly changing, which is accompanied by crises that influence the economic systems of its member countries. In order to solve problems emanating from global economic crises, a new direction was formed in modern science – global crisis management. Development of this direction requires the formation of the accompanying categorical apparatus, the development of a corresponding scientific and methodological basis, and the engagement in extensive practical research.

This book studies the variety of organizational strategies selected to cope with critical uncertainties during crises. This research formulates and applies an institutional sense-making model to explain the selection of strategies for coping with uncertainties during crises to answer the question why some organizations select a rule-based strategy to cope with uncertainties, whereas others pursue a more ad hoc-based strategy. It finds that the level of institutionalization does not affect strategy selection in the initial phase of responding to crises; that three rigidity effects can be identified in the selection of sense-making strategies once organizations have faced the failure of their selected strategies; that discontinuities in the feedback loop of sense-making do not necessarily move organizations to switch their sense-making strategies, but interact with institutionalization to contribute to switching sense-making strategies. This book bridges the gap between institutional thinking and crisis management theorizing. A major step forward in the world of crisis management studies! ——Professor Arjen Boin, Leiden University, the Netherlands In a world of increasingly complex, sociotechnical systems interacting in high-risk environments, Professor Lu’s analysis of how organizations manage uncertainty is both timely and profound. ——Professor Louise K. Comfort, Director, Center for Disaster Management, University of Pittsburgh, USA Prof. Lu greatly enhances our understanding of how organizations cope with uncertainty and make sense of their challenges under the pressures of catastrophe. ——Dr. Arnold M. Howitt, Faculty Co-Director, Program on Crisis Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School, USA This book provides not only a theory of crisis management but also a key concept around which research and practice can be conducted. ——Professor Naim Kapucu, Director of School of Public Administration, University of Central Florida, USA A generic institutional model for analyzing and managing hazards, disasters and crises worldwide. ——Professor Joop Koppenjan, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands This book has done an excellent job in opening the black box of how organizations make sense of the crisis situations they face and develop strategies to respond. It should be read by all of us who wish for a peaceful and safe world. ——Professor Lan Xue, Dean of School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, China

The book presents the best contributions from the international scientific conference “Growth Poles of the Global Economy: Emergence, Changes and Future,” which was organized by the Institute of Scientific Communications (Volgograd, Russia) together with the universities of Kyrgyzstan and various other cities in Russia. The 143 papers selected, focus on spatial and sectorial structures of the modern global economy according to the theory of growth poles. It is intended for representatives of the academic community: university and college staff developing study guides on socio-humanitarian disciplines in connection with the theory of growth poles, researchers, and undergraduates, masters, and postgraduates who are interested in the recent inventions and developments in the field. It is also a valuable resource for expert practitioners managing entrepreneurial structures in the existing and prospective growth poles of the global economy as well as those at international institutes that regulate growth poles. The first part of the book investigates the factors and conditions affecting the emergence of the growth poles of the modern global economy. The second part then discusses transformation processes in the traditional growth poles of the global economy under the influence of the technological progress. The third part examines how social factors affect the formation of new growth poles of the modern global economy. Lastly, the fourth part offers perspectives on the future growth of the global economy on the basis of the digital economy and Industry 4.0.

This book presents a system view of the digital scientific and technological revolution, including its genesis and prerequisites, current trends, as well as current and potential issues and future prospects. It gathers selected research papers presented at the 12th International Scientific and Practical Conference, organized by the Institute of Scientific Communications. The conference “Artificial Intelligence: Anthropogenic Nature vs. Social Origin” took place on December 5–7, 2019 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The book is intended for academic researchers and independent experts studying the social and human aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the associated transition to the digital economy and Industry 4.0, as well as the creators of the legal framework for this process and its participants – entrepreneurs, managers, employees and consumers. It covers a variety of topics, including “intelligent” technologies and artificial intelligence, the digital economy, the social environment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its consequences for humans, the regulatory framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the “green” consequences, prospects and financing of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This book presents advanced research studies on the topic of artificial intelligence as a component of social and economic relations and processes. It gathers research papers from the International Research-to-Practice Conference “The 21st Century from the Positions of Modern Science: Intellectual, Digital and Innovative Aspects” (May 23–24, 2019, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) and the International Research-to-Practice Conference “Economics of Pleasure: a Science of Enjoying Economic Activities” (October 3–5, 2019, Prague, Czech Republic). Both conferences were organized by the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization “Institute of Scientific Communications” (Volgograd). What sets this book apart from other publications on the topic of artificial intelligence is that it approaches AI not as a technological tool, but as an economic entity. Bringing together papers by representatives of various fields of social and human knowledge, it systematically reflects on various economic, social, and legal aspects of the creation, application, and development of artificial intelligence. Given the multidisciplinary nature of its content, the book will appeal to a broad target audience, including those engaged in developing AI (scientific research institutes and universities), and Industry 4.0 enterprises interested in its implementation, as well as state regulators for the digital economy.

This book is a comprehensive economic and legal study of the theoretical and practical aspects of the problems of increasing energy efficiency; self-motivation of energy saving by business entities within the framework of their corporate responsibility; regulatory mechanisms to stimulate energy conservation in the economy; civil-law regulation of foreign trade turnover of energy resources between economic entities of the Russian Federation and companies of member states of international integration associations – the CIS, EEMP, the EU and BRICS. It argues that technological energy saving plays a key role in reducing the energy intensity and increasing the energy efficiency of the economy, and substantiates the need for institutional support – including legal support for the participation of the Russian Federation – in various forms of international cooperation. Lastly, based on an analysis of current legislation, programs and recommendations, judicial and contractual practices, customs and trade procedures, it offers proposals for the developing, improving and unifying civil law regulation of obligations in the sphere of international trade in energy resources, as well as methodological recommendations for drafting foreign trade contracts in the energy sector.

This edited volume explores and dissects Africa's economic growth and sustainable development using an optimal conceptual model of the progressive continent's development up to and until 2030. Africa is studied not against the background of developed (OECD) and leading developing (e.g. BRICS) countries, but as a separate economy and as a self-sufficient region which follows its own priorities, and implements its own unique opportunities and vectors of growth and development. This first volume addresses the contemporary and topical issues of inclusive growth, digital modernisation, and sustainable development, recommending policy outcomes for the future.

This book redefines the essence of the information society and the digital economy, offering a new approach to their management and organization based on big data. The novelty of the new approach is that it ensures the use of the advanced technological capabilities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to accelerate socio-economic development. The success of the new approach is based on progressive social institutions and advanced big data technology. Theoretical issues, methodological developments, and the author’s applied recommendations are consistently presented in forty chapters distributed in five sections. The book contains cases that reveal the practical experience of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The intended readership of the book is scientists. The book is interesting and useful for them because it presents an innovative model of information society and digital economy development driven by big data.