Research & Expertise

The HSE International Centre of Decision Choice and Analysis studies a wide range of methods for analysing decision-making and possible scenarios for the development of natural, socio-economic, and political phenomena using various mathematical models. The application of advanced mathematical methods to forecasting helps to prevent negative outcomes and avoid erroneous decisions. The HSE News Service spoke to the centre’s director, Prof. Fuad Aleskerov, about its work.

Researchers from IDLab found out how uncertainty of the industry environment influences the relationship between human capital and return on sales of SMEs. Using data on Russian SMEs for 2013–2023 and hierarchical linear modeling, it was found that human capital is generally positively related to return on sales, however, the effect substantially depends on the industry. The work carried out by Maria Anatolyevna Molodchik and Anastasia Kireecheva within the project “Internationalization of Companies from Developing Countries: The Role of Intellectual Resources in Response to Exogenous Shocks”, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of the New Economic Association.

On September 25, 2026, the International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy (IDLab) held the first research seminar of the academic year. Research Fellow Elena Zelenskaya and Research Assistant Olga Okulova presented the findings of their study on which seller signals shape consumer decisions in the online resale market, focusing on the luxury jewelry segment.