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During the past decade, Russian federal authorities have tried to build an effective national innovation system, strongly emphasizing a well-functioning science sector. The purpose of this paper is to look at future developments of Russian science from the perspective of recent policies and their perceptions by Russian scientists. Special emphasis is placed on the so-called “efficient contracts” policy for researchers which should make the remuneration system of public R&D organisations more competitive.

The paper examines the results of an extensive survey of almost 1,500 Russian scientists and managers at universities and public research organisations conducted by the authors in 2013 and recent statistical data and policy documents.

The paper concludes that some of the ambitious science and technology goals set by the government will be hard to achieve in the next decade. The scientific landscape is likely to experience certain structural changes but will probably face many of the existing problems. Improvements in overall R&D performance will largely depend on how well the “efficient contracts” policy is implemented.

The future development of Russian science is discussed based on major recent policy documents and the opinions of Russian scientists. The findings might be important for policy makers not only in Russia but other countries as well.

The purpose of this chapter is to determine the basic characteristics of information economy, including consideration of the theoretical features and distinguishing the analytical aspects of functioning of this phenomenon under modern conditions. The authors offer a hypothesis that basic characteristics of information economy are transformed under the influence of digitization and the change in telecommunication interaction.

The following methodological tools were used: analytical introspection (determining estimate phenomena of the studied object with the help of practical materials analysis), theoretical cognition (grouping and synthesis of scientific studies of foreign and Russian scholars in the sphere of information economy), and group evaluation of phenomena (studying the modern regularities of information economy development).

The following conclusions are made: the theory of information economy is based on presenting information as a tool of economy management (information is the main economic value that creates national wealth); the modern idea of information economy is connected to the aspects of digital and telecommunication interaction; the information economy of the twenty-first century is aimed at monetization of information on households; and a new basic direction of information economy is information and program economy.

The sphere of application of the received results is rather wide. They will be of interest for practitioners, government employees, and researchers in the sphere of macro-economic development of the country during the period of transformation of the paradigm of economic growth. The main direction of future research is substantiation of approaches to formation of a new economic thought based on information and digital technologies.

The purpose of this chapter is to develop the algorithm of the strategy of implementing the information economy’s optimization model in modern Russia.

The method of systemic, problem, and logical analysis, synthesis, and the method of compilation of block schemes are used.

The algorithm of the strategy of implementing the information economy’s optimization model in modern Russia is presented. It has a cyclic characteristic and is variable, successfully adapting the conceptual model of a well-balanced information economy to the practical peculiarities of the social system of modern Russia and ensuring flexibility of the developed strategy of its application in the Russian economic practice. The offered algorithm of the strategy of implementing the information economy’s optimization model in modern Russia is a logical continuation of the developed strategy, supplementing its scientific and theoretical significance with the possibilities and perspectives of successful practical application. The offered algorithm shows clarity and simplicity of the general internal structure of the process of implementing this strategy with a simultaneous high complexity of specific measures.

The developed algorithm explains the logic of successful realization of the strategy of implementing the optimization model of a well-balanced information economy in modern Russia and is recommended for usage as a practical guide for implementing this strategy.

The purpose of this chapter is to study the conceptual provisions of the theory of information economy and to determine its notion and essence.

The research methodology is based on the application of traditional methods of economic science, including the methods of systemic, problem, and comparative analysis, method of analysis of causal connections, systematization, classification, and formalization of scientific data.

The authors systematize the existing conceptual provisions of the theory of information economy and classify the conceptual approaches to its study as process approach, resulting approach, and combined approach; a comparative analysis of these approaches is also conducted.

The authors conclude that the evolutional development of modern socio-economic systems is dominated by the information economy concept, which should be the basis of the future developmental model of the global economic system. This concept develops within the combined approach, based on the previous concepts of digital economy and internet economy, which is a part of the process approach proclaiming technological capital, the key factor of reproduction, by focusing on the development of socio-economic systems and the concept of knowledge economy, which is a part of the resulting approach that emphasizes human capital and innovations as a target result of the development of economic systems. The information economy concept includes the features of previous concepts, emphasizes the importance of technological and human capital, applies information and communication technologies, and achieves results that are connected to highly effective creation, storage, distribution, and usage of information. It also supplemented them with a new sense of proclaiming information on the most valuable resources as well as provision of free and continuous interaction of economic subjects – the highest priority of socio-economic systems.

The purpose of this chapter is to study perspectives of formation of the optimization model of a well-balanced information economy in modern Russia.

The research methodology includes the complex SWOT analysis of the environment, wherein the optimization model of a well-balanced information economy in modern Russia is implemented; this analysis allows determining threats and possibilities for its formation. Also, the method of formalization is used that allows tablulation of results.

The authors show a number of prerquisites for the formation of a well-balanced information economy in Russia, as well as multiple internal barriers on the path of its development. One of the barriers is deficit of resources. Also, there exist large perspectives of formation of the optimization model of a well-balanced information economy. These perspectives include improvement of legal conditions of financing of development of digital economy, intensive development of the ICT spheres and online business, growth of innovational activity and efficiency in the information sphere, and creation and stimulation of implementing the possibilities for feedback in the course of information economy’s formation. Based on the analyzed tendencies, it is concluded that these perspectives will allow overcoming the major barriers on the path of implementation of the strategy of building the optimization model of a well-balanced information economy in modern Russia, related to deficit of resources, structural imbalance of the noosphere, low efficiency of information, and linear direction of the process of management of information economy.

The authors determine that successful practical implementation of this strategy is largely predetermined by the capability of state regulators for a highly effective management of internal and external factors. It is recommended to pay attention to the management of these factors in the process of practical implementation of the strategy of forming the optimization model of a well-balanced information economy in modern Russia.

The purpose of this chapter is to develop a framework strategy for implementing the optimization model of information economy in modern Russia, aimed at its adaptation to the peculiarities of the Russian economic practice.

The methods of induction, deduction, synthesis, and systemic analysis are used, as along with goal-oriented approaches, such as the method of modeling of socio-economic systems, and the method of formalization.

The authors develop the framework strategy of implementing the optimization model of information economy in modern Russia that takes into account specifics of socio-economic development and informatization of the Russian economic system at the modern stage. This strategy differs from the strategy of formation of an information economy implemented in modern Russia. The most important difference is a wide and comprehensive balance, while the Russian economy is tolerant toward imbalance. The offered strategy allows refusing from copying economic practice implemented by other countries and determining own path of formation and development of information economy. This envisages the Russian treatment of the principles of implementing the innovational model of a well-balanced information economy. This treatment is based on the current possibilities of the Russian economy and on the set goal within the formation of an information economy. Due to this, the possibilities and needs of strategic development of information economy in modern Russia are balanced.

The developed framework strategy of implementing the optimization model of information economy in modern Russia is recommended for usage in the domestic economic practice.

The purpose of this chapter is to develop the indicators that are necessary for monitoring and controlling the efficiency of the process of implementation of information economy’s optimization model. For this, the authors used general scientific research methods – systemic, problem, structural, and functional analysis to determine the key components of balancing, along with a specific method of economics – the balance method – for determining the method of balancing of indicators.

On the basis of the complex analysis performed with the application of the above methods, the authors determined the main indicators of efficiency of the process of implementation of information economy’s optimization model essential for its successful monitoring and control. These indicators are systematized in connection to the noosphere levels and are presented in this work. The offered indicators of efficiency of the process of implementation of the information economy’s optimization model are recommended for systemic national and international monitoring and control during model implementation. The indicators for the current year, in comparison with the dynamics of previous years, could be used. The balance coefficients pose the largest value and provide the highest level of information as they reflect the results of analysis of intermediary indicators and offer information in the form that is ready for regulators. The offered indicators have to supplement the indicators used for evaluating the efficiency of economy’s formation according to the its old model.

The indicators offered in this chapter focus on the balance model of information economy, however to compile a complete picture on the progress of its formation requires consideration of the values of the indicators used within the old model.

The purpose of the research is to determine the stages of the development of information economy in modern Russia and to create a conceptual model of establishment and development of information economy in modern Russia.

The methodology of the research includes a systemic approach and the method of comparative analysis.

The authors conclude that despite large potential, Russia is still at the initial stage of information economy’s formation due to the influence of the determined institutional, structural, and investment barriers. At present, Russia is in the process of transition from the initial stage of information economy’s formation, which is related to the formation of technosphere (spheres of the ICT), to the middle stage, in which sociosphere (information society) is established. However, despite this, there is a large potential in the sphere of informatization of socio-economic system of Russia, which belongs to the final stage of the formation of information economy.

The created conceptual model of establishment and development of information economy in modern Russia showed structural disproportions in information economy of modern Russia. Insufficient technological support, which has resulted in ineffective state management during the formation of information economy at the initial stage, cannot be combined with independently formed social core, the process of creation of which, initiated by the state directive on transition to the middle stage of the formation of information economy, should have started this year. The authors offer practice-oriented recommendations for correction of the current strategy of information economy’s formation in modern Russia.

Global trends in higher education are calling now for public university reforms which aim to increase the competitiveness of the university on the world markets, enlarging its role in the economy and in society by making it more entrepreneurial, more efficient, and closer to practical life. In order to achieve these goals, universities should be managed in a different way. The principles of New Public Management (NPM), which are being actively introduced in Russian universities, substantially transform educational and scientific practices. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the growing crisis of NPM-based university institutional reforms in terms of legitimisation, to reveal which factors shape legitimacy, and to show why legitimacy as such cannot be achieved within the framework of NPM.

The productivity and efficiency of the NPM-based strategy are mainly defined by the attitudes of all actors, or stakeholders. As such, it is very important to investigate local responses on a workplace level, in order to understand how insiders – lecturers and researchers – view the structural changes taking place within Russian universities. In order to do so, an empirical research of lecturers in four national research universities (NRUs) in St Petersburg has been organised. Using a self-designed questionnaire, the authors assessed the academic perceptions and evaluations of certain changes which have taken place in Russian universities over the last few years. In all, 126 teachers of four St Petersburg NRUs took part in the survey, which was conducted between January and February 2015 and consisted of questions measuring resources of legitimacy and legitimacy markers.

Legitimacy markers were revealed such as acceptance of goals, positive perception of results and emotional state. A serious conflict between the existing cognitive culture of universities and the new managerialistic approach was diagnosed. The legitimacy of NPM-based reforms in Russian NRUs was proven to be low for the following reasons: the objectives of reforms are unclear or even unknown to employees; the results of the reforms are either not seen or negatively evaluated; and the reforms provoke stress and professional burnout. The following factors influencing the process of legitimisation were proven to be significant: the agreement of personnel with reforms and the changes they bring, positive perception of changes, opportunity to participate in decision making (engagement), and, to some extent, influence. Remuneration has only a slight effect on legitimacy.

The findings of this study are not free from limitations. The data were collected within only four research universities in St Petersburg. Furthermore, the authors’ findings are based on self-reported data, which can be biased. Increasing the volume of the sample and the number of NRUs could be one solution. In the future, research could be developed by enhancing the sample, by making international comparisons, and by providing a more detailed questionnaire.

Higher education systems in many countries in the world are going through similar reforms and are facing similar issues: increasing competition for funds, students and teachers, massification and commercialisation of education, a new managerialistic approach to governance, research valorisation, and effective contracts. New managerial ideology is having a big impact on university culture and can cause passive resistance to reforms, along with disappointment, frustration and professional burnout. These are important issues which cannot be ignored if a successful “third generation” entrepreneurial university is to be built. This study provides important insights into the perceptions of reforms and requires us to pay more attention to university as a social and public value.

The research is original. It is interesting and new because it discusses the NPM-based reforms in higher education in the Russian Federation, a country which was earlier quite well-known for the quality of its education and richness of its university traditions, and empirically tests the factors influencing their legitimacy. Prior research on legitimacy applies the concept mainly in politics. Otherwise, legitimacy is still a concept which is difficult in terms of both theoretical interpretation and empirical validation. The results of the study have practical implications for providing and developing more effective governance in public organisations.