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This study aims to present the results of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) determination of economically significant metals including rare-earth elements and Y (REY), Co + Ni + Cu obtained from the Fe-Mn deposits (FMD) of different areas selected along the Atlantic Ocean.

The description of the instrumental part of the analysis was shown in detail, including the choice of the acquisition mode and other settings of the quadrupole ICP-MS Agilent 7700x, which allow to eliminate spectral overlaps as much as possible and to achieve good precision and accuracy of the measurement. The accuracy of the obtained results was controlled by analysis of certified reference materials (CRM) of Fe-Mn nodules of the US Geological Survey – NOD-A-1 and NOD-P-1, as well as the Russian CRM samples of Fe-Mn nodule OOPE 603 (SDO-6) and ore crust OOPE 604 (SDO-7). Statistical processing of the analysis results demonstrated the acceptability of chosen sample preparation technique and ICP-MS tunes for the determination of REY in FMD.

The performed analytical research allowed giving a geochemical characteristic of studied FMD. The precision for the elements to be determined according to the relative standard deviation (RSD) was within 5.0%.

To move away from the subjective visual assessment of the analytical results quality in terms of absence (or presence) of the REE sawtooth distribution, an original objective mathematical method was proposed.

This research examines factors that determine the improvement of the Russian supply chain sustainability. The strategic business model incorporates ecological, social and economic aspects.

Considering Trans-Siberian Railway as a typical case, the study selected several cases or the parts of the primary rail connection with the affiliation of important neighbouring countries. The study uses quantitative analyses of a variety of size parameters (e.g. volumes of traffic, logistics costs, delivery distance and air pollutants).

The empirical findings stress that supply chains should favour in the future railway (or intermodal) connections for piggyback and containerised cargo. Herein lays the reason for the examination of all traditional factors affecting the modal choice and their complementation by the parameters to measure sustainability throughout the supply chains. The inclusion of the green practices positively affected the environmental, social and economic performance of the new approach.

This research focuses on the delivery of cargo in containers and semi-trailers within wagons through the overland corridors. Despite the restrictive empirical findings within the national transport system, some elements can be representative of the international supply chains, provided that intermodal services are the most appropriate for the transportation over long distances.

Clients, media and regulatory bodies stress the consideration of environmental aspects at all stages of a global supply chain. Therefore, their adoption into strategic imperatives of local supply chains becomes inevitable.

An assessment of supply chains for longer distance transportation in Russia has not taken sustainability into account within cost analyses.

This study aims to investigate the recent changes in the strategies of international hotel chains in the Russian market, as well as their role in the sustainable development of small and medium towns as prospective local tourism destinations.

General observation of the local environment, statistical analysis and a qualitative approach were used to reveal current developments in international hotel chains’ strategy in Russia, and new opportunities for a number of small towns to be embedded in the development of the Russian tourism market. The current scenarios were examined using the available secondary data, including federal statistics and relevant empirical studies, as well as case studies and personal interviews with industry experts that allowed access to respondents’ opinions and market knowledge.

In recent years, investment in the Russian regions has become more attractive for international hotel chains. Findings of the study add to the literature on emerging markets by presenting an overview of the main challenges facing international hotel chains in the Russian market and by stressing the facilitating effect of foreign hotel chains’ upon tourism infrastructure development in small and medium towns in Russian regions. The statistics presented, as well as key opinions of hoteliers and local authorities, contribute to an understanding of the strategies used by international hotel operators in emerging economies with reference to new evidence from Russia.

The main output of this study is that it yields a better understanding of the strategic movement of international hotel chains into the Russian regions and new opportunities to develop tourism infrastructure in small and medium cities situated in Russian regions as prospective tourism destinations.