Еconomic Behavior Along the Donbass Frontline Areas under Conditions of Hybrid War: Research Methods and Methodology

Abstract

The article defines basic principles of research of economic behavior along the Donbass frontline areas in the conditions of hybrid war. Economic behavior is interpreted as a form of economic activity of people in the process of production, distribution, exchange and consumption of various goods and services made to meet their needs and maximize utility. Taking into account significant decline in living standards of Ukrainians in general and residents of the frontline areas in particular, emphasis is made on income consideration. We identified indicators of income economic behavior under conditions of crisis and war, they are the following - desire to find a well-paid job; part-time jobs; improve one’s qualification level; acquire new knowledge and skills to enhance the income; start one’s own business or expand the old biz; defend one’s rights dealing with an employer; labor productivity; growth of frequency of appeals to state authorities and NGOs in order to get different kinds of welfare. It is noted that the crisis, which Ukrainian society recently got into is leading to the spread of illegal income practices. It is proposed to consider illegal practices by means of such indicators as informal employment, bribery, tax evasion, double social supply.