On the prospects of network-communication technology-based management of the housing and utilities sector

The major tasks to improve Russia's housing and utilities infrastructure is the provision of an influx ofprivate investment and qualified personnel, the creation of a network of regional service-quality-public-control centres, and the development and introduction of a state information system of the housing and utilities sector. The technological solutions developed for the sphere of network information technologies available and the scientific advances in the field of public conscience management afford an opportunity to create a "Special Social Network for Collaboration in the Housing and Utilities Sector" network. At the same time, Russian experts are developing and implementing a complex of measures intended to solve the information- technology-related problems that arise. However, little attention is paid to developing e-user competences of the housing and utilities sector's costumers. Thus, not infrequently, the e-data collected by facility management companies are unreliable. In the course of developing an effective and financially sound management of the housing and utilities sector, special attention should be paid to creating professionally trained "small groups of continuous communication" among the population; the groups would be capable of exercising self-organized and self-modified control over the housing the utilities sector. Through the "Special Social Network for Collaboration in the Housing and Utilities Sector" network, "small groups" could share best consumer-rights-protection practices and improve their competences on a continuous basis. The network would also allow of interaction between experts, service consumers, facility management companies, and civil servants responsible for the local housing and utilities infrastructure.