The service sector and economic crises in Russia: a retrospective analysis

The objective of this work consists in defining the reasons of the Russian crises within the last ten years and to compare their main macroeconomic indicators. For this purpose, using data of the state statistics, we analyze indicators of activity of the Russian enterprises of a services sector within years 2004-2011: the time period which includes three crisis periods, the first, connected with decrease in money supply in the country, the second – with changes of credit system of the country, and the third – changes of the external economic relations. These indicators have allowed to determine depth of influence of each of crises on a services sector and to specify segments of this sphere vulnerable and the most resistant to negative interferences during various crisis periods. Research has been based on an assessment of dynamics of the main indicators, subjectively characterizing business activity in branch (the PMI index in a services sector and the Index of Economic Mood). Results of research have allowed to define that influence of crises and their depth of penetration into separate segments of a services sector it is various and depends on specifics of activity of the enterprises of branch and welfare, level of consumer ability of the population. Research provides useful information for definition of the direction of development concerning corporate management and, in general, for managers and investors of the enterprises of a services sector.