Features of the Russian small business model and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

The article analyzes the quantitative and structural stability of Russian small business and identifes the model features of its functioning. It investigates the dynamics of development of Russian small business is investigated and notes a downward trend in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises over the past two years. A conclusion is drawn that the quantitative indicators reflecting its functioning are highly sensitive to the negative effects of the macroeconomic environment. The author introduces a concept of the small business heterogeneity and brings up its structural characteristics, represented by various categories of small and medium-sized frms.Comparative analysis of the Russian small business model with foreign small business confrms its quantitative and structural instability. That makes the considered sector of the national economy vulnerable to shocks (externalities), including the COVID-19 pandemic. It is assumed that the negative consequences of the pandemic will affect Russian small businesses more than foreign ones, and the gap in their development levels will widen. An assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Russian small business and a forecast of its development are made in the context of limited government support and the absence of active bank lending.