Olga Anatolyevna Markova

The choice of manufacturing organization form and contracting method on the industrial markets requires evaluation of market volatility, including identification of the risks from the side of adjacent markets. The study aims at determining the ways synthetic rubber market participants adjust to imbalances in supply and demand. The analysis of consumer properties of synthetic and natural rubbers in the context of their industrial consumption allows us to argue that these types of rubber turn out to be both complements and substitutes at the same time. What is more, some of them may belong to the same market within the product boundaries (in terms of antitrust legislation). We use foreign trade customs statistics and historical production and consumption data to identify the sources of market imbalances such as: the gap between synthetic rubber production cost and the price of natural rubber; economic bubbles caused by the fluctuations in supply and the price of natural rubber; volatility in the demand for rubber from its main consumers — tire factories. We then turn to the possible risk mitigation mechanisms that may help market participants to cope with the imbalances: formula pricing, vertical integration and horizontal differentiation. The implementation of these mechanisms in practice is illustrated through cases of Russian companies: PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim, PJSC TATNEFT and SIBUR. We conclude with the recommendations on tools for synthetic rubber production development.

This is the first publication in a series of the three papers that present the research findings of the diagnostic project on the quality of Bachelors’ final papers initiated by the Faculty of Economics Pedagogical committee in 2021. We present the findings of academic quality analysis and the typology of the main formats of Bachelors’ final papers. The research is based on a methodology that is specially developed along the lines of positive economics approach. Its application allows us to demonstrate the qualitative features of the body of final papers prepared by our graduates which include inter alia quality of literature review, research statement, tools of analysis and interpretation of findings. We offer the steps for further strengthening the analytical quality of final papers, including early submission of research hypothesis, elective courses on the methods of academic research and research seminars for undergraduates. We also present a typology of formats for final papers covering Economics and Management streams of study. Based on our positive analysis, we have identified six primary formats of Bachelors’ final papers, which can be combined into three more general categories: academic, project and research, and applied project formats. A comparative analysis of formats in economics and management papers confirms the applicability of common criteria for evaluating and grading the papers, alongside common guidelines for final paper preparation. The study proves the viability of diverse analytical methods while preparing final papers in both streams of study.