XII International Conference on Applied Research in Economics "iCare" convenes at HSE University in Perm
Professor Kazi Sohag delivered an analytical presentation titled "The Rise of Multipolarity: Assessing Its Socio-Economic and Geopolitical Consequences," examining critical transformations reshaping today's global economy. His report covered three pivotal trends: de-globalization processes, geoeconomic fragmentation, and the changing role of the US dollar in international finance – topics of relevance to professional audience, interested in macroeconomics, financial markets, and 21st-century geopolitical challenges.
His report highlighted four key dimensions of this global transformation:
– Geo-economic fragmentation and shifting trade alliances. The global economy is shifting from an era of globalization toward geoeconomic fragmentation. Rather than operating as a unified world market, distinct trade blocs are emerging as groups of nations united by shared political interests and/or aligned national strategies.
– Technology politicization. Innovation continues but is increasingly shaped by political fragmentation. Countries are shifting from a model of global collaboration toward parallel technological ecosystems, where different blocs independently develop AI technologies, semiconductors, and clean energy solutions.
– Monetary (dis)integration and the evolving financial landscape. The era of US dollar supremacy faces unprecedented challenges as the international financial system enters an experimental phase. New payment processing systems are being developed alongside growing adoption of alternative currencies for international transactions.
– The growing influence of BRICS, ASEAN, and the MENA region amid G7 recalibration. BRICS and ASEAN respond positively to the geoeconomic fragmentation, their trade volumes rising, while the G7 and EU struggle in the multipolar world.
Nations are actively pursuing strategic autonomy across economic and technological domains. Russia's experience demonstrates remarkable macroeconomic resilience under sanctions, potentially offering a blueprint for other countries seeking to reduce dependence on Western financial institutions and technological infrastructure.
Professor Kayhan Tajeddini, Chief Editor of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Management Studies, delivered a plenary report titled "Smart Insights, Stronger Performance: Leveraging Business Intelligence and Dynamic Capabilities" – particularly valuable for researchers in management, marketing, and service industries.
Professor Tajeddini during editorial session also walked attendees through the complete research publication lifecycle, from initial topic selection to successful peer review completion. He emphasized the critical importance of clear article structure, beginning with compelling introductions that capture editors' and readers' attention, and extending to meticulously organized methodology sections that enable research replication.
A significant portion of his presentation focused on navigating the peer-reviewed journal publication process. Professor Tajeddini outlined the standard article lifecycle – from submission through review to potential revision requests or rejections – stressing that multiple rounds of revision represent not a weakness in research quality, but rather the natural evolution of scholarly work requiring patience and constructive engagement with reviewers. He also identified several high-potential research directions for contemporary scholars, including artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in business, digital marketing and personalization strategies, sustainability initiatives, and the sharing economy.
Over the two-day conference, participants presented more than 60 research papers across 11 sections. Discussions spanned diverse aspects of internationalization in emerging economies, including intellectual capital development, financial technology innovations, government support mechanisms, creative industry dynamics, resilience strategies, and artificial intelligence applications.
The conference program also featured a poster session, a special section highlighting outstanding regional creative practices, and a dedicated workshop for early-career researchers focusing on literature review methodologies and scientific article preparation.
The XII International Conference on Applied Research in Economics "iCare" was organized by HSE University's International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy in Perm, in collaboration with Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), as part of HSE's "International Academic Cooperation" project.
Kazi Sohag, Head of the Laboratory of International and Regional Economics at Ural Federal University
This was my first time participating in the International Conference on Applied Economics "iCare" at the Higher School of Economics campus in Perm. Overall, I was left with only positive impression – the conference sections featured many fascinating presentations. In my view, while some works weren't strictly academic in nature, they were exceptionally informative. For instance, Anna Bykova, head of the Ministry of Agriculture of Perm Krai, delivered a compelling presentation on the export potential of the agricultural sector on a global scale. I consider this an important topic because food security forms the very foundation of human existence.
I believe scientific conferences serve as excellent platforms for knowledge exchange. They bring together researchers from different regions and countries, each offering unique perspectives on specific issues. We discuss pressing questions, learn new insights, and in this way, knowledge flows between international and local levels. This cross-pollination helps us develop a deeper understanding of complex topics and gain more comprehensive perspectives. I consider this tremendously valuable. Moreover, conference participation offers researchers the opportunity to receive expert feedback on their work, which ultimately helps to refine and improve their research.
Currently, I'm focused on three fundamental research directions. The first concerns Russia's macroeconomic policy, particularly the Central Bank's approach to inflation control. The second focuses on mineral resource extraction policy. Given that Russia possesses critical minerals essential for the energy transition, the country doesn't necessarily need to abandon hydrocarbons like oil and gas. Recently, we've also launched a new project dedicated to BRICS, exploring how the organization could be strengthened – whether through trade integration, regional cooperation, or perhaps through an alternative currency system that could facilitate trade between member countries.
Kayhan Tajeddini, Professor of Strategic Management and International Business at Tokyo International University
It was truly an honor to participate in the International Conference on Applied Economics "iCare" The entire event was executed to the highest standards – from the exceptional hospitality and seamless organization to the quality of research presented. It was incredibly inspiring. Prior to this conference, I had limited exposure to how research is conducted in Russia, and I must say I was genuinely impressed. For instance, I was surprised to see undergraduate students presenting work of such high caliber alongside established experts. It was truly remarkable. When I return to Japan, the first thing I'll tell my colleagues is how wonderfully I spent my time here – how inspiring the experience was, the exceptional people I met, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that permeated the entire event. I had the opportunity to connect with numerous colleagues and engage in discussions on diverse topics. My impressions are overwhelmingly positive—not just from the academic perspective, but also from the genuine human connections, the vibrant atmosphere, and the rich cultural experience. This conference has left a lasting impression on me both professionally and personally.
Amir Zakery, Director of the Iranian Analytical Center for Export Development and Associate Professor at Iran University of Science and Technology
The "iCare" Conference proved to be a significant academic event, demonstrating exceptional quality in both research presentations and organizational execution. What particularly impressed me was observing professors and students collaborating on joint research projects – this collaborative approach is crucial for enhancing the quality and depth of academic work. The conference brought together scholars from various regions of Russia and international institutions, creating valuable opportunities for meaningful dialogue. In some research areas, we discovered that our work aligned closely with that of other participants, allowing us to gain fresh external perspectives on familiar topics. In other areas, we identified exciting potential for entirely new research directions and future collaborative projects. I must also highlight the outstanding hospitality of our hosts in Perm. The interactions were consistently warm and friendly. The organizers arranged an excellent city tour. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the conference organizers!
Mariya Molodchik, Professor and Senior Research Fellow at International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy, HSE University – Perm
The "iCare" 2025 Conference was conducted at an exceptionally high standard, made possible through grant support from HSE University under the " International Academic Cooperation" project. The event was jointly organized by two powerful research teams: HSE's International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy and the Export Research Center from Iran University of Science and Technology. Their collaborative vision and dedication enabled the selection of over 60 research presentations and 10 poster presentations from scholars across 16 Russian and 9 international universities.
The plenary sessions featured truly outstanding presentation from Professor Kazi Sohag (h-index 41), he delivered a brilliant presentation on global fragmentation and the costs of a unipolar world order. Professor Kayhan Tajeddini, Chief Editor of several international journals, led an exceptionally dynamic editorial session that energized participants. Anna Bykova, Minister of Agriculture for Perm Krai, presented a compelling analysis of the region's export potential that sparked extended discussions among Russian and international colleagues about the effectiveness of government export support measures. Among our distinguished guests, I would also highlight Elena Zelenskaya from HSE St. Petersburg, whose research on virtual influencers in the modern global economy offered fascinating new perspectives.
For two days at the end of October, our Perm campus buzzed with academic energy – new ideas emerged, future collaborations were planned, and research partnerships began to take shape. It was an inspiring, dynamic experience that perfectly captured the spirit of international scholarly exchange! We look forward to welcoming everyone back for "iCare" 2026!
Elena Zelenskaya, Associate Professor, Department of Management, HSE University – St. Petersburg
This was my first time presenting at the "iCare" International Conference, where I shared my research on the impact of virtual influencers on consumer behavior. It was truly rewarding to be surrounded by such passionate scholars who engaged deeply with presentations and enthusiastically exchanged ideas for potential collaborative research projects during session breaks. The conference's international scope was particularly impressive, featuring four distinguished foreign professors with substantial publication records. I found Professor Kayhan Tajeddini's session especially valuable: he serves as editor for several high-impact journals and provided practical insights on effective strategies for academic publishing. I was also struck by the quality of presentations from young researchers, including interns from the International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy and students from other universities. Their work addressed highly relevant contemporary topics and employed innovative data methodologies, such as web scraping, text analysis of corporate reports, and leveraging open data platforms like TAdviser and YouTube. Events like "iCare" serve as powerful catalysts for academic inspiration, motivating researchers to pursue new investigations and build meaningful scientific partnerships, particularly with international colleagues. The experience has left me energized and eager to continue these collaborative research endeavors.
Dmitry Kashin, Associate Professor, Department of Economics and Finance, HSE University – Perm
This year at "iCare" I served as moderator for the online session "Pathways to Global Competitiveness: Institutions, FinTech, and Intellectual Capital" and also presented research at the in-person session "Connecting Regions, Cultures, and Consumers in Global Trade". This marked my seventh participation in the "iCare" conference, and each time I'm reminded that this event offers a unique opportunity – not just to showcase one's research, but to significantly enrich it through stimulating discussions with fellow scholars. This year's experience proved particularly valuable through my interactions with researchers from Iran. They shared sophisticated qualitative research methodologies they employ to analyze technological development and corporate internationalization strategies. Our productive discussions provided fresh perspectives on my ongoing research projects and revealed exciting possibilities for future collaborative investigations.
Darya Semenova, Junior Research Fellow, International Laboratory of Economics of Intangible Assets, HSE University – Perm
During our section "Brains, Bytes, and Resilience: Rethinking Regional Development in Global Crises" we engaged in rich discussions covering diverse topics – from workplace burnout and interbank connectivity to the challenges of managing multi-generational teams. The presentations sparked particularly lively debates, demonstrating how deeply relevant these issues are to all conference participants. Every presenter received valuable feedback and constructive suggestions for advancing their research. I'm confident that the questions and themes explored in our section will continue to evolve through collaborative projects and future publications, creating lasting academic impact beyond the conference walls.
Egor Ivanov, Junior Research Fellow, International Laboratory of Economics of Intangible Assets, HSE University – Perm
In my section "Humans and Machines: Drivers of Resilience and Behavior in Modern Economies" we showcased an impressively diverse range of research topics. What united all participants – and myself as section chair – was our shared identity as early-career researchers. Despite our relatively limited experience in academia, the presentations demonstrated remarkably rigorous scientific approaches and thorough methodological development. I'm confident that many of these works have strong potential for publication in prestigious academic journals – particularly after incorporating the valuable feedback and constructive recommendations provided by our engaged audience. This experience reinforced my belief that fresh perspectives from young scholars can make significant contributions to contemporary economic research.
Dmitry Kirpishchikov, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics and Finance, and Junior Research Fellow, International Laboratory of Economics of Intangible Assets, HSE University – Perm
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the conference organizers for their tremendous effort in preparing and executing this exceptional event! I was particularly impressed by the exceptional level of audience engagement throughout the sessions. As a section moderator, I found myself needing to clarify details with presenters only once during our entire session as the discussion was overwhelmingly driven by active participation from the audience. My primary role became gently reminding colleagues about time constraints, though even with these reminders, we still exceeded our schedule. This was especially remarkable given that ours was the final session of the first day, when everyone was understandably tired. I truly hope that the enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity demonstrated in our section and others will continue to flourish beyond the conference. Such sustained engagement has the potential to spark meaningful idea exchanges and lead to genuinely productive research collaborations in the future.