Participation of the Trade Unions of Kalmykia in the Development of the Rationalization Activity and Invention in 1960-1970s

The article is devoted to the activity of trade unions of Kalmykia on managing the work of primary organizations of a society of inventors and rationalizers (VOIR). The article is based on the documents of the National Archive of the Republic of Kalmykia. The analysis of an extensive documentary material has shown that there was a gradual increase in the number of innovators and inventors, in the number of rationalization proposals applied in industry and their economic effi ciency in the researched period. However, the activities of trade unions in guiding the work of the society of innovators and inventors were not perfect. The workersinnovators did not reach their full creative potential; membership involvement was poor. The facts of red tape in registration of rationalized proposals and payment of the royalties were also observed. Sometimes economically favourable offers remained without attention, the duly calculation of the received savings achieved from the implemented proposals was not conducted. Economically advantageous offers were sometimes ignored, savings achieved from the implemented proposals were not counted timely and many of the suggested ones were not implemented. The proposals which required a radical restructuring of the technological process were not popular since their introduction could put the company at risk of exceeding the allotted time for the plan which was fraught with serious consequences. Unfortunately, many enterprises could not give much attention to the development of mass technical creativity. The work in agricultural enterprises, enterprises of local industry, public utility companies was poorly organized due to the lack of engineers and technicians involved in the working process as well as the lack of broad assets; the released funds for the development of technical creativity were not fully utilized for various reasons. The analysis of an extensive documentary material has shown that there was a gradual increase in the number of innovators and inventors as well as in the number of rationalization proposals applied in industry and their economic efficiency in the researched period. Despite some shortcomings the trade-unions had to overcome, rationalization activity as well as invention were successfully developed in Kalmykia.

trade unions, regional Council of trade unions, society of inventors and rationalizers, number, rationalization proposals, inventions, economic effect

1. Fomin A. A. Deyatel’nost’ profsoyuzov Respubliki Tatarstan v usloviyah perekhoda k rynochnoj ehkonomike. 1985–1995 gg. Dis. kand. ist. nauk. [The activities of the trade unions of the Republic of Tatarstan in the conditions of transition to a market economy. 1985–1995. Doctor’s thesis]. Kazan’, 1997, 171 p. (In Russ.).

2. Kichikova 1991a — Kichikova I. A. Deyatel’nost’ profsoyuzov Kalmyckoj ASSR v 60-e gody. Dis. kand. ist. nauk [The trade union activity of the Kalmyk ASSR in 60s. Abstract of a doctor’s thesis]. Moscow, 1991, 21 p. (In Russ.).

3. Kichikova 1991b — Kichikova I. A. Deyatel’nost’ profsoyuzov Kalmyckoj ASSR v 60-e gody. Dis. kand. ist. nauk [The trade union activity of the Kalmyk ASSR in 60s. Doctor’s thesis]. Moscow, 1991. 182 p. (In Russ).

4. Luguev A. S. Deyatel’nost’ profsoyuzov Dagestana v 1976–1985 gg. Dis. kand. ist. nauk [The Activity of trade unions of Daghestan in 1976– 1985. Doctor’s thesis]. Mahachkala, 1999, 176 p. (In Russ.).

5. Makhtsieva N. S. Profsoyuzy Severnoj Osetii v menyayushchemsya rossijskom obshchestve (1905–2005 gg.). Avtoref. dis. d-ra ist. nauk [The trade unions of North Ossetia in changing Russian society (1905–2005). Abstract of a doctor’s thesis]. Vladikavkaz, 2009, 50 p. (In Russ.).

6. Sartikova E. V. Deyatel’nost’ profsoyuzov Kalmykii v konce 50-h – nachale 60-h godov ХХ veka [The activity of trade unions of the Republic of Kalmykia in the late 50’s- early 60-ies of the 20th century]. Sovremennye problemy nauki i obrazovaniya (Modern problems of science and education), 2015, no. 1 (part 2). Available at: http://www.science-education.ru/125-20176 (accessed: 30 June 2015) (In Russ.).