Introduction: This paper explores employee motivation through the lens of time in Russian history. The research issue consists in the necessity to overcome generational challenges when constructing modern motivation systems in organizations. Materials and Methods: The research aims to identify effective tools to enhance labor motivation of the young Russian people, building on the comparative analysis of the evolution of such motivation in Russia across different historical periods. The study employs content analysis, as well as the systematization and generalization of historical mater ials, and research works on the subject. An inductive approach is applied to reveal historical interconnections in motivation, and the most effective incentives in work relations. Research Results and Discussion: Within the framework of three historical periods, both general and specific tools for employee incentivizing are examined, specifying their advantages and disadvantages for performance efficiency. Building on this analysis the author shows the genesis of staff motivation, and its impact on labor productivity. Conclusions: In the context of rapid digitalization and globalization, it is essential to recognize that the motivation of contemporary employees is grounded in their values and needs. The motivation model should encompass a clear corporate culture, material incentives, social guarantees, the possibility of achieving a work-life balance, as well as professional growth, and career development. It is under such conditions that a strong intrinsic motivation to be in work will be enhanced in the modern generation.

Introduction: The article examines the issue of identifying and legally assessing veiled forms of bribery, which present particular difficulties for qualification in law enforcement practice. The purpose of the study is to identify and systematize specific, veiled forms of bribery and to analyze the criteria for distinguishing them from legitimate civil law and commercial transactions. Methods and Materials: The research methodology is based on a formal legal analysis of criminal law provisions, as well as a synthesis of judicial practice in cases of corruption offenses. Results: The study identifies key characteristics that allow for the distinction between veiled forms of bribery and legitimate transactions. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using the formulated criteria in the qualification of corrupt acts in the activities of law enforcement agencies. Conclusions: To identify and prove a veiled bribe, it is necessary to establish the causal link between the transfer of benefits and the receipt of unlawful preferences, accurately assess the benefits received, document the sequence of actions of the parties, identify discrepancies between the formal and actual value of the transaction, and thoroughly analyze documents and the connections among participants. Counteracting such hidden corruption requires improving investigative techniques, actively utilizing financial monitoring, and strengthening the regulatory framework.

Introduction: This paper addresses the issue of comparative analysis of the socio-economic status of Russian regions via developing and testing a comprehensive cluster approach. The goal of the research consists in determining the position of Saint Petersburg within the system of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, identify a consistent group of analogous regions, as well as some specific characteristics of the city in the key development areas. Methods: The methodology is based on the hierarchical clustering of 85 subjects of the Russian Federation employing a system of 39 indicators (2017-2023), grouped into six thematic blocks. To enhance the robustness of the results, comprehensive data preprocessing was applied: a Box-Cox transformation for normalizing distributions and a comparative analysis of four standardization methods (Z-standardization, Min-Max, robust, and MedCouple standardization). The similarity index was calculated as the proportion of analyses in which a region was placed in the same cluster as Saint Petersburg. Results: The study identified a stable core of the regions analogous to Saint Petersburg, including Moscow, major industrial centers, developed Far Eastern territories, and high-income resource-rich areas. A significant differentiation in similarity was established: Saint Petersburg shows typical characteristics in demographic and economic spheres, the uniqueness in educational and cultural perspectives, while in terms of living standards and infrastructure development, it belongs to a narrow group of leading regions. The comparison of standardization methods has demonstrated that their combined application provides a more complete and consistent presentation of interregional comparisons. Discussion: The academic novelty of this study consists in the comprehensive comparison of standardization methods to enhance the robustness of clustering results. The conclusions drawn constitute the foundation for developing targeted recommendations in regional policy, allowing for a shift from comparisons “with the average in Russia” to focused work with specific analogous regions and the strategic management of Saint Petersburg’s unique competitive advantages.

Introduction: This study addresses a fundamental problem hindering the implementation of the digital ruble: the contradiction between the technological potential of this new form of currency, and the unpreparedness of the existing legal system for its adequate regulation. Methods: A systematic analysis of legal norms and their conflicts has been employed as the methodological foundation of the research. This approach enabled the author to identify and classify the discrepancies between the innovative nature of the digital asset and traditional civil and financial constructs. Results: The research findings reveal systemic gaps and uncertainties within the current legislation. The lack of clear legal classification for the digital ruble has been established, generating the legal risks in the areas of collateral, accounting, credit-deposit operations, and the application of smart contracts. The key issues identified involve the monopolization of infrastructure, the privacy paradox, i.e., the contradiction between declared confidentiality and the potential for total control, user rights vulnerabilities, including force majeure risks, and the gaps in the classification of theft in criminal law. At the international level, the author identifies the risks of legal non-recognition and sanctions hindering cross-border use. Conclusion: The practical significance of this research consists in the comprehensive structuring of the most pressing legal challenges associated with the digital ruble. The conclusions drawn can serve as a systematic basis for the targeted legislative efforts to create a balanced and effective legal framework for Central Bank digital currency.

Introduction: The relevance of the research stems from the contradiction between the strategic commitment of the Russian Federation and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to the digital transformation of customs authorities, and the persistent barriers to introducing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of AI application opportunities for optimizing customs procedures, to identify the implementation barriers, and to outline the perspectives for developing intelligent solutions in customs control. It is the first time, that a systemic approach has been suggested, integrating the technological, regulatory, organizational, and human resource dimensions of AI implementation at the EAEU level. The research hypothesis: The effectiveness of AI technologies is achievable only via the simultaneous overcoming of four types of barriers: regulatory, infrastructural, human resource, and information security ones. Methodology: The research has been conducted via employing systemic and comparative legal analysis methods, drawing on the EAEU Customs Code, Federal Law No. 289-FZ, strategic documents of the Russian Federation and the EAEU, materials of the Federal Customs Service of Russia, and academic publications. The methodological framework is built on the theory of public sector digital transformation and the concept of risk-based control. Results: Four key perspectives of AI technologies application have been identified: inspection automation using computer vision; documentary control and declaration verifi cation; risk-oriented analysis and goods classification; development of “smart” border crossing points. The realization of AI’s benefits is feasible only via the comprehensive elimination of all the barriers identified. Conclusions: Introducing AI technologies requires a sequential approach, progressing from pilot projects to the automation of core operations. The key measures include: regulatory consolidation of AI system verification standards, a unified EAEU analytical platform, the modernization of IT infrastructure, as well as staff retraining courses. The findings provide a systemic foundation for the “smart customs” concept, enabling enhanced control efficiency, reduced cargo processing times, and more effective countering of counterfeit goods trafficking.

Introduction: Due to a new wave of the global economic crisis, Euroscepticism has begun to spread rapidly, leading to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union and a rise in the ratings of Eurosceptic political parties. Various trends can be observed in the activities of Eurosceptic parties; however, almost all of these trends, in one way or another, demonstrate aspirations that are contrary to integration. This study examines the development of right-wing Euroscepticism in the largest countries of Western Europe and its impact on international relations and the European Union as an integration institution. The aim of the research is to identify the main characteristics of right-wing Euroscepticism and the potential consequences of its growth in the major countries of Western Europe for the European Union. The article examines the largest Eurosceptic parties in Western European countries, analyzes their activities, identifies the main trends inherent in these parties, and determines the possible consequences of their actions for the EU. Methods and Materials: The research methods used were comparative analysis and systems analysis. Research Results and Discussion: The findings of the study indicate that integration in the format of the European Union has begun to outlive its usefulness for member states.   However, countries still wish to belong to some form of European integration association; therefore, dissatisfaction is expressed in a desire either to reform the European Union or to create a new integration association in its place. Conclusions: Soft Euroscepticism is gaining strength in Western Europe: opposition parties are demanding a reduction in the powers of supranational bodies in favor of national sovereignty. The growing popularity of Eurosceptics points to a high probability of a future revision of the terms of integration. The practical significance of this work: the results of the research can be brought to the attention of specialists in relevant analytical centers and also used as supplementary literature for more in-depth studies on Euroscepticism. The article can serve as a foundation for research, identifying patterns and mechanisms of Euroscepticism and similar phenomena, as well as for studying the processes taking place within the European community.

Introduction: The paper deals with the critical analysis of the discourse on a united Europe and the role of the normalization of German history as a particular justification for its implementation. It is noted that the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century was marked by the crisis of European identity, which forced politicians to once again address the theses about the unity of Europe. In this regard, the research question is being formed: is it possible to talk about the real unity of Europe, as it is represented by European politicians in their public speeches? Materials and Methods: Using a historical and discursive approach, the author attempts to consider the solution of the German question, since the example of Germany is the most representative due to the fact that it is one of the most significant participants in European integration associations. Research Results and Discussion: As a result of the conducted research, the following characteristic of the declared discourse on European unity is revealed: the normalization of German history in the discourse on European unity masks Germany’s “special path”, representing it as a typical development case. Conclusions: It is concluded that the normalization of German history within the framework of the discourse on European unity is nothing more than a political pamphlet necessary to link the European states based on the myth of the historical community of their nations. At the same time, it is emphasized that further work on deconstructing the myth of European unity seems very promising for distinguishing the spheres of historical science and political activity.

Introduction: In management teams, workplace groups, and student cohorts, decisions are constantly made to accomplish tasks. This process is influenced by numerous factors, including some established rules not only regulating the interactions, but can predetermining the participants’ behavior, directly affecting the quality of the decisions made. This paper addresses the issue of how and why top-down rules impact the decision-making process and its outcomes. Methods and Materials: The research is based on the classic theories of social psychology, specifically, those of groupthink, and the diffusion of responsibility, as well as management theories highlighting authoritarian and democratic types of governance. The major research method is a social experiment conducted in the form of a game. The experiment was carried out in April 2025 with the participation of the students from the North-West Institute of Management, RANEPA. During the experiment, different teams were assigned “authoritarian” and “democratic” decision-making rules. Results and Discussion: In the pilot study, the teams playing by “authoritarian” rules exhibited quick decision-making, suppression of alternative opinions, and dependence on the leader’s personality. In contrast, the teams playing by “democratic” rules were characterized by slower decision-making, open discussion, and susceptibility to authoritarian shifts. Conclusions: The study demonstrates how different management regimes can be modeled, as well as the effects they produce. Additionally, a business game was developed during the research which can be employed in training future managers. This work may also be of interest as a methodological foundation for further research into the impact of established rules on the decision-making process.

Introduction: The article examines some specific characteristics and challenges of ensuring the right to an adequate standard of living from the international regulation perspective. The comparative study of some universal and regional international human rights instruments enabled the author to identify the major approaches to interpreting this category. The findings presented indicate the absence of clear normative certainty regarding the content of the right to clothes as an element of the right to an adequate standard of living. The objective consists in identifying the substantive basis of the right to an adequate standard of living, with the ultimate aim of formulating recommendations and proposals for the further adaptation of the relevant international legal guarantee. The specific goal is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of legal and related international instruments to determine the actual level of elaboration of the right to a decent life style. Methodology: The study directly applies the method of content analysis of international and regional instruments regulating the right to an adequate standard of living, as well as the analysis of the practice of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in this field. An interdisciplinary approach is used to examine the interrelation of the right to an adequate standard of living with economic and social factors. Results: It appears possible to specify the content of such an abstract concept as the right to an adequate standard of living, as well as its elements (the rights to clothes, housing, and food), which enhances the effectiveness of their implementation. The study may contribute to clarifying these provisions in the practice of international organizations, such as the United Nations, and in the decisions of some specialized bodies (for example, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). Notably, from a doctrinal perspective, the right to clothes rarely becomes the subject of independent detailed analysis, which a priori indicates a gap in scholarly understanding. Conclusions: To ensure the right to an adequate standard of living, further development of the right to clothes is required, which entails: (a) collecting information on the scale of clothing deprivation and the measures taken to address it in specific countries; (b) formulating the criteria for the adequacy of clothing; and (c) establishing specialized monitoring mechanisms. At the regional level, the legal expression of this category is not harmonized, and the level of social protection varies significantly from state to state.

Introduction: The article examines some characteristics, and the issues of criminal liability for damage to land specific CIS member states. The comparative legal study of the norms of the Criminal Codes of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia enables the author to determine some common approaches, and national characteristics in the construction of crimes / corpus delicti, and the system of sanctions. The conclusions indicate the significant differences, but show the maintenance of a single conceptual framework inherited from the Soviet legislation. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on the basis of the analysis of the criminal legislation of the states mentioned above, the UNEP reports, and scientific sources. The author employed the comparative legal and the formal legal methods, the system analysis method, the statistical method, as well as the content analysis of international documents. Research results: The approaches to the criminal legal protection of land have been systematized: with the emphasis on the destruction of the fertile soil layer (Belarus), with a detailed gradation of damage (Kazakhstan), and with broad formulations (Russia, Armenia). A specific approach of Uzbekistan has been identified, where there is no special regulation on land damage. Some systemic problems of law enforcement have been identified, e.g., difficulty of proof, high latency of crimes, corruption risks, insufficient effectiveness of recovery mechanisms. Despite the differences in legislative structures, the CIS member states are faced with a single set of criminogenic factors. Conclusions: To increase the efficiency of criminal legal protection of lands, a reorientation to restorative justice is required, with the legislative recognition of the obligation of the perpetrator to carry out reclamation. The introduction of digital monitoring (satellite sensing, drones) and specialization of law enforcement agencies (following the example of the environmental prosecutor’s office of Belarus) are required. At the interstate level, it is essential to harmonize legislation within the CIS, taking into account the Model Law “On Soil Protection” (2024).