The article examines the concept of digitalization of public services, defines the target guidelines for this process taking into account the practice of the last decade of providing public services to the population in Russia and trends in the development of their technological forms of implementation online. The parameters that can be changed in relation to the digital process of providing public services both statically and dynamically are determined, and directions for their use for calculating economic efficiency are proposed. An attempt was made to develop a holistic pattern for modeling an economically efficient process of digitalization of public services, both positive and negative factors in terms of economic efficiency were identified, which can be identified and used in combination to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of digitalization of public services. Considerable attention in the scientific article is paid to the problems of the historical evolution of the digital model of organizing public services in Russia with the definition of qualitative and quantitative results achieved in the framework of the transformation of the super platform «Gosuslugi» from a local tool for transferring part of the offline services to the online format into the central platform for interaction of the triad state – business – citizens.

The article systematizes modern ideas about the features of using artificial intelligence tools in order to analyze and optimize financial flows. The relevance of the topic is argued by the rapid growth in the volume of transactions in the global economy, combined with the inability of traditional methods to provide truly effective processing of multidimensional dynamic data in real time. In the current conditions, there is an urgent need to develop new approaches to managing cash flows, primarily based on artificial intelligence technologies. The purpose of the study is to systematize the theoretical and methodological basis for the use of AI in the analyzed area, as well as to identify specific advantages and limitations (in relation to this, the author’s view of the situation is proposed, which it is advisable to consider as a starting point for subsequent research to determine checks and balances for the use of artificial intelligence). In the scientific literature, there are contradictions between theoretical models of using AI and the practical possibilities of their implementation, as well as disagreements in evaluating the effectiveness of various types of neural networks for financial forecasting. The issues of information security and legal regulation in this area have not been sufficiently studied. It has been established that the most promising areas are the use of deep neural networks for time series analysis, reinforcement learning methods in order to optimize management decisions, and the introduction of natural language processing technologies for working with unstructured financial documents. The importance of graph tools in detecting suspicious patterns of funds movement and preventing fraudulent actions is emphasized. The article is of interest to analysts, specialists in the field of artificial intelligence, heads of financial departments.

Successful innovation activity is one of the most important factors in the development of the national economy of the country. One of the main roles in achieving this goal is played by state stimulation of the process in the form of implemented programs and development strategies. The article analyzes the innovative maturity of the Russian Federation based on international and national indicators. The authors substantiate the importance of educational organizations in the formation of entrepreneurial and research competencies of future specialists, as well as their role in the innovative activity of the country. The subject of the study in the article is the forms and areas of participation of educational institutions in the innovative activity of the country using the example of chemical industry enterprises. The research results include the development of an interaction concept of educational institutions in innovative processes based on the integration of higher education institutions with secondary vocational education institutions into a single complex. The factors of successful implementation of the proposed mechanism are identified, which are aimed at increasing the interest of potential candidates in training in sought–after specialties, as well as further work at chemical industry enterprises. These factors include: the quality of the working environment and conditions in the region of residence of workers, as well as the automation of management processes in the company. The implementation of these factors was considered using the example of the activities of JSC OKH Uralchem in the field of implementing ESG strategy and digitalization of HR processes.

This article examines an approach to conducting a strategic analysis of the competitiveness of regions by  individual factors in order to identify prerequisites for creating cluster type structures in the region. A balanced system  of private indicators necessary for developing a single indicator of the usefulness and effectiveness of integrated cluster
 formations in the region has been formed.
 The materials of the article can be used by university teachers, postgraduate students, masters and students studying  the disciplines of the Regional Economics module, as well as specialists involved in forecasting the development of  regions.

The article systematizes and analyzes the factors that affect customer retention in the women’s footwear segment on e–commerce platforms. The relevance of the topic is determined by transformational processes in this area, characterized by permanent modification of consumer strategies, as well as the need to develop innovative approaches to customer interaction. The problem focuses on a comprehensive analysis of the conceptual foundations, identification of the system–forming conditions that determine loyalty in the digital economic space. The study revealed the main contradictions between: the technological capabilities of platforms and the real needs of customers; mass marketing strategies and the demand for individualization; information redundancy and the quality of communicative interaction. Main conclusions: customer retention is a multifactorial system that requires a thoughtful approach, strategic vision (in connection with which the author’s recommendations on strategy development are proposed); technological innovations should be based on a deep understanding of consumer psychology; The communicative steps and actions of the platform are fundamentally more important than the technical characteristics of the product. The article will be useful for managers of electronic trading platforms, marketers, researchers in the field of digital economy, specialists in consumer behavior, developers of conceptual models of client–centered interaction, the potential of which extends to various online resources in the segment of women’s shoes.

The article analyzes the retail market, taking into account the fact that digital tools and tools that help improve the efficiency of their activities are relevant at the current stage of economic development. Traditional approaches to product promotion, customer search, and expanding the geography of sales have become ineffective, as society is on the path to a new era of informatization and the availability of all kinds of online resources. Now not only large retailers, but also small businesses are actively switching to modern digital tools.

 The subject of the study is offline retailers offering online trading services.

The research methodology includes a theoretical overview from the point of view of the author’s scientific approaches to understanding the essence of digitalization and its specifics in retail trade, as well as using the analysis method to study the dynamics of the retail market in current conditions, the comparison method allows you to evaluate and compare the main indicators in this area. Using the generalization method, conclusions are drawn and the results of the study regarding further trends are described.

 The results of the study contain generalizing conclusions regarding trends in the further development of digitalization and the introduction of innovative tools in the retail sector. The main trend highlights the need to develop new business strategies and approaches necessary for effective adaptation, flexibility and increased competitiveness of the modern trading market.

The appearance of financial fraud in the modern economy is taking on new forms. Initially aimed at the  vulnerable segments of the population, the illegal mechanism of financial fraud is taking over more and more space.  Forms aimed at entrepreneurs are emerging, and businesses are becoming the target of fraudulent activities.

The subject of the research in the article is the increasing role of networking, its specifics in the business environment  of modern Russia and its potential in overcoming «pseudo–franchising». The research results are aimed at identifying  a new role of networking that has emerged in the 21-st century.

The article discusses issues related to the rationale and characteristics of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in automating decision–making processes in project management. The relevance of this topic is predetermined by the rapid development of technologies, their powerful and increasing impact on improving management efficiency (including reducing time to complete tasks, leveling risks, optimizing resource utilization). The purpose of the study was to analyze the possibilities of using AI to support decision–making, identify its advantages and limitations, and offer recommendations for integrating relevant developments into practice. The paper points out the presence of contradictions in the literature: some studies focus on the strategic capabilities of AI, others are limited to considering individual technological aspects, which makes it difficult to form a holistic view. It is concluded that the introduction of AI into project management should be based on a systematic approach, represented by training team members, adapting existing processes, and ensuring the transparency of algorithms. The author’s scientific contribution consists in the systematization of approaches to the use of AI in the field under study, in the proposal of a conceptual «framework» regarding the allocation of tasks and control of the stages within the framework of project management (using artificial intelligence). These materials will be useful for project managers, developers of AI solutions, as well as researchers studying automation of management processes.

This article explores the concept of a balanced approach to business management, emphasizing the harmony between three key aspects: customers, the team, and the business itself.

 The first section examines the importance of a personalized approach to customers, service customization, staff training in customer care, process standardization, and feedback management. The second section focuses on the role of the team in business success, discussing corporate culture, employee well being, employer branding, and creating a healthy work environment. The third section highlights the significance of systematic management, covering performance metrics analysis, resource accounting, and maintaining cleanliness and organization in business operations.

 The author concludes that maintaining a balance between these three aspects is crucial for sustainable business growth. Over–prioritizing any one of them can lead to lower service quality, employee demotivation, and financial losses. The article also provides practical tools to help entrepreneurs quickly implement balanced management principles in small service businesses.

The article examines and analyzes the problems and dynamics of economic growth in 2024 under the influence of external and internal factors and conditions, the dynamics of the key interest rate and inflation, and ways to reduce the volatility of the Russian ruble. The new rules for calculating the official exchange rate of the Russian ruble against the dollar and euro, introduced on June 13, 2024, based on data from credit institutions based on the results of interbank conversion operations on the over–the–counter foreign exchange market, and the currency exchange rate calculation system changed at the very end of December 2024 based on combined data from exchange and over–the counter market segments to ensure a more representative exchange rate are analyzed the Russian ruble. Suggestions and recommendations are given for the successful functioning of the country’s economy in the context of geopolitical tensions and sanctions restrictions.

Due to the rapidly changing trends in the economic spaces of the world’s countries, the question has recently arisen not only about the transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world, but also the issues of developing new mechanisms of interaction between counterparties which will be based on conceptually new approaches.

 One of these approaches may be the Islamic economy, which currently has a theoretical basis, although in its practical part it is advisable to note the largest functioning mechanism — this is Islamic finance. At the same time, the main engine of Islamic finance is money, which, at the same time, functions in classical, Western economic models.

The purpose of the article is to analyze the concept and essence of money from the point of view of Islam as a fundamental element in terms of a fundamental understanding of the essence of money from the point of view of religion. In this regard, a comparative analysis of the concepts of money in the Western and Islamic economic scientific directions was carried out on the basis of which appropriate conclusions were drawn.