Reasons for the main content of the modern era as a transition period from capitalism and socialism to new type of social reality are provided in the article. The features of the present transitional stage are its global nature, forming of post-industrial society, development of high-technology material and spiritual production, emergence of a new class paradigm of social relations, deepening of social inequality, aggravation of internal and external contradictions.

The perspective of the ethical component of the elite research is considered in the context of its basis - responsibility. Different types of elite, problems of their interactions for process optimization of transformation and stabilization in the society are analyzed. The important role of the higher education system in the processes of elite forming and increase in efficiency of their activities is shown

The article focuses on conceptual notions of culture typology of Danilevsky N. I, "local history" of V. O. Klyuchevskii, ontology of "cult" of Rozanov, V. V., "travel to the culture” of Graves M., activity approach of Kagan M. S. relevant to the contemporary study of regional culture.

The article substantiates the idea that the traditional values, that are the fundamental for the ethos of Chinese culture, constitute the axiological bases of China’s «cultural soft power» concept and determine the specific nature of the Chinese «soft power» theory in general. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the basic traditional values in their modern interpretation. The author concludes that the Chinese cultural soft power has significant societal resources that are capable to ensure the integrity and stability of China’s internal development and to enhance its competitiveness to represent cultural and value bases for the global development harmonization.

Marina Valerievna

The article discusses the role of the civil society in improving the quality and efficiency of public administration. The experience of use in Russia of borrowed from western countries technologies related to the expansion of public participation in the activities of the authorities is analyzed. The attention is focused on the work of institutions such as the Open Government and the Russian Social Initiative, and their importance for the further growth of social efficiency of public administration.

The article actualizes the necessity to study professionalism in political journalism. The author analyzesstructural elements of the problem as well as possible scientific approaches to its solution.

Human needs and their hierarchy are considered in the analytical perspectives of psychology, sociology, anthropology. Special attention is paid to the concepts of self-actualization and self-realization and the reasons and the possible consequences of their popularity. We analyze the cultural significance of the value of their interpretation of the troubled field of the modern era.

The article analyzes the main trends of the development of cross-border e-commerce, presents the position of the main characters: both supporters of «free trade» and protectionism on issues such as government regulation, as well as further development of cross-border e-commerce.

The approach to assessment of effectiveness of scientific activity of higher educational institutions on the basis of a ranging technique is presented. This approach leans on indicators of scientific activity of the higher educational institutions of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation presented in the departmental reporting. Comparison of indicators of personnel capacity of higher educational institutions with indicators of financing, effectiveness of research and development and training of research and educational personnel is the cornerstone of comparative assessment. Examples and results of ranging of higher educational institutions are given.

In this study, the author points out key factors of two production systems (Ford and Toyota) in the context of production process organization. The author shows that production systems cover new elements and problems meeting the challenges of today’s world. It is stated that the transition to a new paradigm of production thinking took place in the middle of the 20th century. The role of human factor and TQM-conception of new management is emphasized in the production systems development.

The competence management system is a part of corporate and functional strategies of innovative companies. The article presents the main features of this system, as well as the possibility of evaluating its elements. In order to control and reduce possible risks a conclusion is made about the need to develop an integrated model and the possibility to use statistical analysis techniques.

The article is devoted to identifying the effects of introducing contactless payment systems (BSOP) travel on urban passenger transport, study their complex manifestations, assessment of possible synergistic effects of implementing capacity, estimation and analysis of the effects of the factors determining their appearance and size.