{"id":240633,"date":"2022-09-19T10:32:16","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T06:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/economics.sci.am\/?page_id=240633"},"modified":"2025-08-25T18:25:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T14:25:11","slug":"scientific-topics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/economics.sci.am\/?page_id=240633&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Scientific directions and topics"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Institute of Economics conducts studies on several topics within the framework of its four, main scientific directions:<\/p>

  1. Macroeconomic Problems and Finance<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

    The Foreign Economic Policy Framework of the Republic of Armenia and Its Main Directions<\/strong> (Head of Scientific Topic: PhD in Economics, H. S. Asatryan)<\/em><\/p>

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The intensifying competitive struggle in the global market is accompanied not only by the strengthening of individual countries\u2019 economic influence within specific regions, but also by the frequent clashes of interests among those states, as they strive for regional and global dominance and seek to consolidate their positions. Developing countries, too, become arenas of this competition. Owing to their insufficient levels of economic development, underdeveloped financial infrastructures, dependence on raw materials in the world market, limited technological capacity, and insufficient adoption of modern technologies, these states attempt to withstand the rivalry of the \u201cglobal powers\u201d by pursuing integration with neighboring countries.<\/p>

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Although regional economic integration initiatives among developing countries have generally not yielded significant success, their continuation faces few obstacles. For the Republic of Armenia, this issue has become even more pressing with the emergence of new approaches to cooperation with neighboring states, which require further substantiation within the framework of a renewed foreign economic policy. At the core of this framework should lie the paradigm of realizing both the relative and absolute advantages of foreign trade. Regional integration unions (Armenia being a member of only one such union, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), while the global average is six per country) are, on the one hand, a unique manifestation of globalization, and on the other, act as \u201ccounterparts\u201d to international economic organizations, seeking to create semi-enclosed zones of globalization. Currently, in contrast to globalization trends, there is a growing emphasis on regionalization, manifested in the so-called \u201cfriend-shoring\u201d approach, whereby trade partners are primarily selected among countries with shared values (historical, cultural, economic, political, and otherwise).<\/p>

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Given Armenia\u2019s regional specificities, both globalization and regionalization pose a wide range of challenges for the country. The need to address these challenges underscores the relevance of this topic and justifies its academic and practical significance. The primary objective of the study is to design various scenarios and algorithms for Armenia\u2019s cooperation with different economic unions and third countries, including within the framework of the EAEU, as well as with ASEAN, APEC, SCO, BRICS, and other economic groupings and their member states. The study also seeks to propose approaches for advancing these partnerships, guided by Armenia\u2019s priorities for economic development and expanding trade turnover.<\/p>

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The research topic is in line with the mechanisms for implementing \u201ceconomic diplomacy\u201d outlined in Section 1.1 \u201cForeign Policy: New Approaches in Diplomacy\u201d of the RA Government\u2019s 2021-2026 Program, as well as with the requirements of Section 2 \u201cEconomy: Foreign Economic Policy and Export Promotion.\u201d<\/p>

    \u00a0<\/p>

    1. Problems of the Real Sector of the Economy<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

      The Introduction of the Circular Economy Model as a Necessity for Enhancing the Food Security of the Republic of Armenia<\/strong> (Head of Department: PhD in Economics, Associate Professor, M. G. Manucharyan)<\/em><\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>One of the most strategically significant issues for any country is the food security of its population. This challenge is particularly acute in countries whose territorial, climatic, and economic conditions do not allow the satisfaction of demand for food products solely through domestic production. Globally, the intensification of pandemics, wars, natural disasters, and climate change has created new threats to food security. It can be argued that food security has become one of the most critical challenges of the modern era, and this reality is equally characteristic of the Republic of Armenia.<\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Given population growth, the importance of food security, climate change, and the scarcity of natural resources, the development of a circular economy<\/strong> has become increasingly essential. Analysis of the agri-food chain reveals that up to one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. Linear consumption has reached its peak. In contrast to the linear economy, the circular economy offers several advantages with operational implications at strategic, microeconomic, and macroeconomic levels. This reality underlines the necessity of introducing the circular economy model in Armenia\u2019s agricultural sector, which determines the timeliness and relevance of the present study. The transition to circular economy models is global in scope, and the advantages of this paradigm are becoming increasingly evident.<\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The aim of this research is to study the directions of circular economy system development and to substantiate the necessity of introducing such a model for enhancing the food security of the Republic of Armenia. To achieve this goal, several tasks are set: to examine the challenges of the circular versus linear economy, to address the fundamental issues of food security, to present the importance of ensuring food security, and to justify the advantages of the circular economy paradigm from the perspective of strengthening food security.<\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The research topic is aligned with Section 2.2 of the RA Government\u2019s 2021-2026 Program.<\/p>

      \u00a0<\/p>

      The Strategy for the Development of Science as a Crucial Precondition for the Sustainable Development and Security of Armenia\u2019s Economy<\/strong> (Head of Scientific Topic: PhD in Economics, Y. A. Hakobyan)<\/em><\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In recent years, interest in science has been gradually increasing in Armenia, extending across broad layers of society: from the private sector to various levels of governance. The Government of Armenia has initiated several support programs and measures for the scientific field, including increasing state budget allocations for science and introducing a new system for the certification of scientific personnel. Substantial institutional reforms have also been carried out: the State Committee of Science and the Higher Qualification Committee were merged to form a new entity – the High Committee of Science and Education. Some former functions of the State Committee of Science were transferred to the Postgraduate Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.<\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 However, despite these radical structural changes, a comprehensive strategy for the development of science has not yet been initiated. Such a strategy should articulate the key challenges facing the sector, define possible (including phased) solutions, and assign responsibility to relevant agencies. The last official strategy for the development of science in Armenia was adopted in June 2011, but since then no further steps have been taken to update or extend it. This absence of continuity is problematic from the perspective of stable development, as a well-designed strategy serves as a vital prerequisite for sustainable progress in the scientific sector.<\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Accordingly, there is an urgent need to identify the major challenges confronting the Armenian scientific sector, to examine the experiences of both developed and developing countries, to analyze the legal and institutional frameworks governing science in neighboring states, and to study relevant strategies and policy documents. On this basis, the research aims to design a template for a science development strategy for Armenia, which can be submitted to the relevant authorities and may serve as a foundation for the formulation of an official strategy in the future.<\/p>

      \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The research topic corresponds to Section 4.4 \u201cScience\u201d of the \u201cHuman Capital Development\u201d chapter in the RA Government\u2019s 2021-2026 Program.<\/p>

      1. Development of the Services Sector and Socio-Demographic Issues<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

        \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

        The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization Achievements as a Key Factor in the Technological Development of Armenia\u2019s Economy<\/strong> (Head of Department: PhD in Economics, Sh. P. Poghosyan)<\/em><\/p>

        \u00a0<\/p>

        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Advances in information and communication technologies have created new opportunities in the labor market, leading to the widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI). On the one hand, AI contributes to the creation of new jobs; on the other hand, it displaces certain traditional occupations. Currently, AI has made significant progress in professions that involve non-routine and cognitive tasks, typically performed by medium- and highly-skilled workers. At the same time, educated employees are generally more adaptable, more willing to learn new technologies, and more likely to participate in upskilling and reskilling programs, enabling them to better exploit the opportunities presented by AI in the labor market.<\/p>

        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 AI is becoming increasingly capable of automating tasks that require coordination, reasoning, and communication, which could impact employment in these areas. At the same time, it can help bridge skill gaps, accelerate workforce development, and allow workers to devote more time to critical and analytical thinking.<\/p>

        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Within the scope of this study, the following issues will be examined: current perspectives on the adoption of AI technologies; recent labor market changes driven by technological development; the sectors most susceptible to automation; and digitalization processes across Armenia\u2019s prospective economic domains. The research will also propose adjustments to labor relations, focusing on effective collaboration between humans and robots. The effective use of AI depends fundamentally on human-machine cooperation, which is essential for creating and enhancing new experiences for end-users.<\/p>

        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The research topic corresponds to Sections 4.6 (\u201cLabor and Social Protection\u201d) and 2.3 (\u201cHigh Technologies\u201d) of the RA Government\u2019s 2021-2026 Program.<\/p>

        \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

        1. History of theoretical research and economic thought<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

          \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

          Contemporary Developments in Economic Thought and Trends in Changing Economic Behavior under Digitalization<\/strong> (Head of Department: Doctor of Economics, Professor R. N. Sarinyan)<\/em><\/p>

          \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Within the scope of this research, the evolution of economic thought will be examined, with particular attention to its connection to contemporary processes in the national economy. It is important to maintain a clear perspective on the scholarly contributions of the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, as well as the diverse publications appearing across the Republic. These typically address a wide range of issues in Armenia\u2019s economy at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels.<\/p>

          \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nowadays, under the influence of information and communication technologies (ICT), human activity is undergoing transformation across multiple spheres. Their active integration is fundamentally reshaping the economic behavior of both consumers and enterprises, altering expectations, goals, and motivations. Although the challenges of digital transformation are widely discussed in the academic community, the trends and future prospects of economic behavior under digitalization remain insufficiently studied. Moreover, the lack of empirical research makes the modeling of digital transformation\u2019s effects on economic behavior particularly relevant in today\u2019s context. The objective of the topic is to explore and evaluate the impact of digital transformation on economic behavior in the Republic of Armenia. To achieve this goal, the following tasks are identified:<\/p>

          • to examine the current trends and prospects of digital economy development in Armenia and compare Armenia\u2019s digitalization level with that of other countries,<\/li>
          • to analyze the key factors determining the digitalization of economic behavior,<\/li>
          • to investigate the dynamics of the Armenian population\u2019s economic behavior in the context of digital transformation, based on sociological research,<\/li>
          • to conduct an econometric analysis of the impact of digital tools on economic behavior.<\/li><\/ul>

            \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This research topic is consistent with the RA Government\u2019s 2021-2026 Program, particularly Section 2.3.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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