Features of employment at small enterprises (case study of the Vologda oblast)

The article shows the small enterprises’ role in employment at the regional labor market in the context of transition to market economy. It analyzes the dynamics of employment at small enterprises of the Vologda Oblast on the aggregate labor market and by the economic activity. The work presents a comparative analysis of wages at small enterprises and in the economy as a whole. It considers the situation in the segment of the labor market, occupied by small enterprises. On the basis of the results and the classical laws of political economy the author identifies the features of employment at small enterprises in the region and behaviors of employees and employers in periods of economic growth and crisis. The article discusses the possible consequences of individual segments of the services market, occupied by small enterprises in the sphere of fee- based medical and educational services. The work considers both market and institutional factors that facilitate the functioning of small business in Vologda. It concludes that in terns of labor resources the region has favorable conditions for small business.