This article examines the phenomenon of positive cooperation between competing firms (mutualism) – it documents and discusses previously unexplored cases of this type of behavior by Russian companies. It analyzes agreements between competitors that lead not to the selfish gain of a group of companies at the expense of other participants and consumers (similar to a cartel agreement), but to institutional improvements in the market. The literature review revealed three independent theoretical approaches to explain the possibility of positive cooperation between competitors: (1) an approach that links it to an increase in the level of trust in the economy; (2) an approach that was formed on the basis of a broad interpretation of the goals of antitrust regulation; (3) an approach that considers the system of cooperating firms as an effective hybrid organization. In Russia, collective anti-corruption and anti-crime efforts are examined (e. g., the Honest Position association (electrical engineering), the ROSS CC (security services), and anti-fraud cooperation between banks through the FinCERT division of the Bank of Russia). Both successful (Honest Position, Electrokabel, the LED and LED Systems Manufacturers Association, and the Aluminum Association) and unsuccessful (Lukhovitsky Cucumbers) efforts to ensure the quality of products circulating on the market are examined. It has been proposed that the biological stress gradient hypothesis also applies to economics. According to this hypothesis, in a favorable environment (low stress), competition prevails, i. e., negative, mutually damaging interactions between participants. Meanwhile, in a highly stressful environment, positive, mutually beneficial relationships (mutualism) are more likely to form.

This article explores the development of an alternative approach to the typology of market structures in the context of modern economic transformation. The relevance of this research lies in the fact that traditional market classifications, based primarily on the number of firms, the level of concentration, and barriers to entry, largely reflected the industrial economy of the 20th century but insufficiently explain contemporary forms of market organization. The author notes that the proliferation of digital platforms, network effects, global value chains, algorithmic pricing, and interfirm alliances requires a reconsideration of classical concepts of competition and industry structure. The scientific novelty of this work lies in its shift from a linear model of market structures to a multidimensional analysis that considers not only concentration but also the nature of firms' strategic behavior and the depth of their organizational interactions. The article utilizes methods of comparative analysis, a systems approach, and elements of new institutional economics and industrial market theory. The classical typology of perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly is compared with modern hybrid forms of market organization. A three-dimensional classification model is substantiated, including a market structure axis, a firm behavior axis (rivalry, co-competition, cooperation), and an integration axis (from autonomy to platforms and joint ventures). Particular attention is paid to the concept of "flourishing complexity", which allows for the interpretation of the modern diversity of market structures as a transition from a unified globalization model to a more complex and multipolar system of economic relations. The results demonstrate that modern markets form a multitude of intermediate and hybrid states that are not described by the traditional four-tiered model. It is concluded that competition in the 21st century manifests itself not only as rivalry but also as cooperation, joint value creation, and participation in platform ecosystems. The theoretical significance of the study lies in expanding scientific understanding of the nature of market structures and competitive mechanisms. Its practical significance lies in the potential application of the proposed typology in industry analysis, antitrust policy development, strategic management, and assessment of the competitive environment of the digital economy.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the competitiveness of local manufacturers of perfumery and cosmetics in the Republic of Crimea in the context of import substitution and the formation of Russia's first full-cycle industry cluster. The relevance and novelty of the work is due to the use of a combined methodology that integrates a quantitative online survey, calculation of market concentration indices (CR2, CR3, HHI, НТ), assessment of market entry barriers and consumer commitment, factorial and agglomerative cluster analyses, which made it possible to diagnose structural problems and segment market players based on objective preferences. The article substantiates that, despite the activation of medium-sized enterprises and a decrease in concentration indices, the market remains a highly concentrated oligopoly with a duopoly core controlling 66.5% of the market. The most significant consumer choice factors have been identified: quality, composition, shelf life, while there is a systemic crisis of trust in local brands: 49.4% of respondents do not recognize their attractiveness compared to other Russian brands, 66.3% indicate their low popularity. Based on the results of the factor analysis, two key areas of consumer perception were identified: image-emotional (attractiveness, fame, emotional preference) and institutional-geographical (stereotype of "souvenir", underestimation by local residents). Cluster analysis made it possible to identify three strategic groups of producers: mass market, middle market and a separate brand "Crimean Rose". The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the proposed methodology and the results obtained can be used by regional manufacturers to develop diversified marketing strategies, as well as by government authorities in the process of forming targeted support programs aimed at overcoming identified barriers to development and strengthening the competitive advantages of the Crimean cosmetics cluster.

The relevance of the topic is due to the increasing role of coaching management in ensuring sustainable competitiveness of innovative conglomerates. Coaching management is considered as a management practice that promotes the development of human capital, innovative activity, flexibility and team effectiveness, which is especially important for innovative conglomerates. The work uses an integrative methodological approach, including system analysis, modeling and mixed empirical methods. At the qualitative stage, interviews were conducted with top managers and HR directors of innovative conglomerates, and at the quantitative stage, correlation and regression analysis of data obtained from 137 questionnaires was performed. As a result of the VRIO assessment, it was established that coaching management has high value, moderate rarity, significant difficulty of imitation and can be institutionalized in the corporate architecture. On this basis, a model is proposed demonstrating how coaching practices activate key components of competitiveness: staff involvement, innovative activity, process flexibility, talent retention and development of leadership potential. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the systematic substantiation of coaching management as a strategic intangible resource and the development of a model of its interaction with the components of organizational competitiveness. The practical significance lies in the possibility of applying the developed model to diagnose management practices, develop human capital development programs and increase the strategic adaptability of organizations operating in high-tech and innovation-saturated sectors of the economy.

The article is devoted to the study of cartel activity as one of the possible reasons for the high level of food inflation in Russia over the past three years. The study provides a general description of cartel activity and its typical impact on market prices. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of episodes of sharp jumps in consumer prices for certain groups of food products in the period 2023–2024 – chicken eggs, butter, potatoes. Based on a comparison of the dynamics of wholesale and retail prices for the specified periods, the conclusion is substantiated about the presence of signs of coordinated cartel price manipulation by retail chains in these markets. The ineffectiveness of the efforts taken to date by the authorities to solve this problem is noted in connection with the continuation of high growth trends in food prices with an unfavorable long-term forecast this year. The article presents arguments against possible regulatory restrictions on the trade margins of chains as a measure to combat food inflation, given the possible circumvention of these restrictions by retailers through the artificial creation of a chain of intermediary suppliers who are affiliated with retail chains and (or) carry out any other coordinated interaction with them to increase the total trade margin. The fundamental insufficiency of administrative measures to influence market participants, including the use of competition law, is substantiated in order to correct the current situation with pricing for food products. As a basic direction for implementing state competition policy in the food retail markets, primarily to combat the emergence and intensification of cartel activity, it is proposed to develop competition in the form of support for alternative food trade formats to these chains – independent specialized electronic platforms and food consumer markets. It is noted that such formats ensure direct communications between producers and consumers, to the greatest extent excluding possible intermediaries, including retail chains, from these communications.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the digital maturity of 18 constituent entities of the Central Federal District based on the integral rating "Digital Maturity of Russian Regions" (April 2025). Unlike existing studies that either limit themselves to describing sectoral indicators or do not verify composite indices with objective statistical data, the authors, for the first time for the CFD, apply a nine-component index structure (digital infrastructure, e-government services, smart city, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence projects, open data, economy and innovation, communications) and conduct empirical verification using Rosstat indicators (patent activity, innovation activity, share of organizations with broadband access) and the CNews Analytics ICT budgets rating. The distribution of regions by digital maturity level is analyzed, revealing a persistent polarization: the gap between the leader (Moscow, 95 points) and the laggards (Tambov and Tver oblasts, 36 points) is 59 points, which is 2.6 times. Using k-means clustering based on the nine components, four typological groups are identified: leaders (cluster A), innovation-active (cluster B), catching-up (cluster C), and lagging (cluster D). Spearman's correlation coefficient between the digital maturity index and GRP per capita was 0.89 (p < 0.001), and with net migration – 0.71 (p = 0.001). Regression analysis (OLS, R2 = 0.86) showed that a one-point increase in the index is associated with a 3.56% increase in GRP per capita, controlling for investment and population size. Comparison with the Digital Russia index (SKOLKOVO, 2018) revealed high rank stability (ρ = 0.85), indicating the persistence of structural digital inequality over seven years. The article has practical significance, as the proposed regional policy measures (differentiated by cluster) can be directly used by public authorities in developing and adjusting digital transformation programs for the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as in the allocation of intergovernmental transfers.

The article discusses the current issues of the formation of entrepreneurial values among students in the system of secondary vocational education, which ensures the successful professional realization of graduates in the conditions of a market economy and largely depends on the purposeful development of the right value orientations that are predisposed to entrepreneurial activity, which serve as the basis for the economic independence and initiative of the future entrepreneur. The publication provides a brief analysis of the approaches to understanding values in general and the specifics of entrepreneurial values in particular, which are relevant in psychology and modern entrepreneurship theory. A special place is occupied by the results of the author's research on the value orientations of 1st and 3rd year entrepreneurial students as a key component of the structure of entrepreneurial competence, which allowed us to identify the general level of development of entrepreneurial values among the respondents, as well as statistically significant differences in this area depending on the course, and to identify weak areas for further correction, development, and training measures. As the most significant results of the work carried out, along with the results of the empirical study, we present practical recommendations of a psychological and pedagogical nature and outline further research areas in this field.