A year ago, Professor at the SPbGASU Department of Management in Construction Aleksandr Kharitonovich received the academic degree of DSc in Economics, having successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic of “Development of a methodology for managing changes in large geographically distributed economic systems (using investment and construction complexes as an example).”
The scientist noted that for him, the successful defense of his doctoral dissertation is not only recognition of his scientific results, but also confirmation of their significance for the professional community.
"A successful defense is the opportunity to announce a solution to a pressing scientific problem prooving that the work is scientifically innovative and has theoretical and practical significance. Furthermore, it confirms that the research has received recognition from leading experts," he emphasized.
The choice of the research topic was driven by the scientist's enduring interest in the investment and construction complex as one of the key drivers of regional economic development, exerting a multiplier effect on related industries and the labor market.
As part of this dissertation, a comprehensive methodology for managing change in large, geographically distributed economic systems was developed. The research's scientific novelty lies in the creation of a conceptual model for the development of such systems, a mechanism for managing the development of the investment and construction complex, approaches to analyzing life cycle stages, assessing its status and forecasting its dynamics, and the creation of a system of indicators characterizing development stages.
According to the researcher, modern economic systems face a number of serious challenges, including the need to increase labor productivity, adapt to changing geopolitical conditions, sanctions restrictions and transformation of global supply chains, as well as ensuring a stable investment climate.
In these conditions, change management takes on a special role, becoming a necessary tool for the strategic development of organizations.
"Organizations that fail to keep up with changes risk losing their competitiveness. Change management allows not only to respond to external challenges but also to actively shape the future," noted Aleksandr Kharitonovich.
The developed methodological principles, covering the entire change management cycle—from diagnosis and planning to implementation and evaluation—are of practical significance. The author believes that the proposed approaches can be applied not only in the construction industry but also in other areas of the economy and public administration.
The dissertation took about three and a half years to complete. One of the most challenging stages was overcoming resistance to change in the scientific community and the need to convincingly justify new approaches.
"This required diplomacy, patience, and the ability to find persuasive arguments. In a sense, this was also change management—in the process of communicating with people," he emphasized.
In the future, the scientist plans to focus on issues of digital transformation in the construction industry and the impact of artificial intelligence on organizational structures, processes, and corporate culture.