Factors in Labor Activity of Modern Russian Technical Intelligentsia

Abstract

Introduction. The real situation in the economic, political and educational spheres hinders the development of intellectual and professional resources of technical intelligentsia. The purpose of the study is to identify objective conditions and subjective factors that determine the labor activity of modern Russian technical intelligentsia as a personnel basis for socio-economic changes and innovative transformations in the country. Materials and Methods. Official statistics and legislative acts were used as the materials for an analysis of the objective conditions. The methodological principles of historicism and socio-historical continuity, the methods of mathematical statistics were applied. When interpreting subjective factors, the empirical data obtained using the methods of the mass survey “Modernization of the Economy and Technical Intelligentsia” and the expert survey “Innovative Activity of Technical Intelligentsia” were examined. The surveys made it possible to reveal technical intelligentsia’s opinion – an assessment of current events in terms of adaptation to market relations and crises of recent years, job satisfaction, material remuneration for one’s work, value orientations. Results. The study made it possible to identify the objective conditions (the economic situation of the country, the state of institutions of education, etc.) and the subjective factors (the degree and level of labor adaptation of technical intelligentsia to the ongoing socio-economic transformations of recent decades, job satisfaction, etc.) that characterize modern Russian technical intelligentsia. The performed analysis of these conditions and factors indicates the difficulties for implementing a large-scale innovative breakthrough both in Russia’s economy and society as a whole. Discussion and Conclusion. Modern objective conditions determining the development of technical intelligentsia do not contribute to the completion of its traditional social mission – to be the pillar of scientific, technological and innovative transformations. The article is of practical importance for government agencies at various levels, for public organizations working to improve policies in the field of innovation in industry, science and education. Empirical data can be used for further scientific interpretations, as well as for diagnostics and advice on targeted support to enterprises and organizations in the productive sector.