The relevance of the study is determined by the expansion of theoretical findings in the field of sociology of work, in particular, in the study of job satisfaction of arbitration managers under the State Duma’s consideration of the draft law No. 1172553-7 “On Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On Insolvency (Bankruptcy)’ and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”. To assess the level of job satisfaction of arbitration managers, the authors conducted an analysis of the features of their professional activities with an expert survey - to reveal their opinions on the state of the institution of insolvency (bankruptcy), its upcoming reform, and the level of their job satisfaction. Unlike most studies in this field, in which the emphasis is made on the social-legal status of arbitration managers, the authors consider the main social-psychological criteria for their job satisfaction, including remuneration, additional benefits and working conditions in the field of insolvency. The information base of the study includes a secondary analysis of the statistics of insolvency procedures in 2016-2020 and an expert survey (25 active arbitration managers with more than three years of experience were interviewed). The authors conclude that arbitration managers have a low level of job satisfaction, which is explained, first of all, by the extremely high workload and responsibility (including the risk of disqualification for three years for committing formal offenses that do not pose a danger to public relations and do not lead to violations of the rights of creditors, the debtor and society), conflict of procedures, lack of sociallabor guarantees, the variability of legislation, and several ‘control centers’ with opposing interests. These factors reduce interest in the profession of arbitration manager, which may lead to a crisis in the insolvency industry due to a shortage of highly qualified specialists.

Introduction. The relevance of the study consists in expanding theoretical developments in the field of economic sociology, in particular, in identifying the features of functioning of the institution of arbitration management in the Russian Federation in the 2020 crisis. The purpose of the study is to reveal the features of implementation of the powers of bankruptcy commissioners, as well as to scrutinize the socio-economic status of the professional group of bankruptcy commissioners in the crisis period of March – April 2020. Materials and Methods. In the course of the study, a secondary analysis of the latest Russian and foreign regulatory and legal framework governing the activities of the institution of bankruptcy during the crisis period of the first half of 2020 was carried out. In particular, statistics of insolvency procedures in 2018–2020, as well as draft legal acts related to bankruptcy were analyzed in the regional context and in regard to change in the status of the social and professional group of bankruptcy commissioners. Results. The factors influencing the functioning of the institution of arbitration management during the crisis period have been identified, the key ones of which are the lack of state support for specialists in the field of insolvency during a crisis period; controversial legislative initiatives; a steady increase in the conflict nature of insolvency procedures; high risk of bringing bankruptcy commissioners to justice without proper income growth; fragmentation of the professional community of bankruptcy commissioners. Discussion and Conclusion. The performed analysis made it possible to conclude that the introduction of a moratorium on bankruptcy, the lack of state support for the industry, as well as significant difficulties in exercising the powers of bankruptcy commissioners in the context of the crisis measures in the first half of 2020 had a significant negative impact on the socio-economic situation of the professional group of bankruptcy commissioners. Factors in the formation of the professional status of bankruptcy commissioners in the post-crisis period are the relevant issues for further research. The results of the study may be useful to scientists specializing in Economics and Law, to students attending anti-crisis management programs, as well as to specialists in the field of insolvency.

Introduction. The relevance of the research consists in expanding theoretical developments in the field of economic sociology, particularly, in prognosticating changes in the social and legal aspects of the professional status of trustees in bankruptcy in the context of the State Duma's consideration of the draft law No. 1172553-7 “On Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On Insolvency (Bankruptcy)’ and to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”. Based on the results of the conducted research, the article identifies potential changes in the socio-professional status of a trustee in bankruptcy in the event the new law is adopted and enacted. Materials and Methods. The information base of the study included a secondary analysis of the array of statistical data on the results of insolvency proceedings in 2016-2020 in the Russian Federation (including the regional context), as well as a secondary analysis of the latest domestic legal framework governing the activities of the institution of bankruptcy. Results. The factors in the liquidation orientation of the institution of insolvency in the Russian Federation, as well as the trends in the increase in duration of insolvency proceedings with a minimum number of satisfied creditor claims have been identified; counterarguments have been presented regarding the alleged low efficiency of trustees in bankruptcy; arguments concerning the annual increase in the workload of trustees in bankruptcy have been statistically supported. A critical analysis of the draft law has been performed; the risks of decline in wages of trustees in bankruptcy in the event of adoption of the proposed changes in the structure of fixed and percentage-based remuneration have been identified. Legal gaps in the proposed point-rating system for the approval of trustees in bankruptcy have been identified. Discussion and Conclusion. The performed analysis made it possible to reveal the main trends in the results of insolvency proceedings, as well as to identify a number of critical shortcomings of the draft law No. 1172553-7 under consideration (change in the structure of remuneration for trustees in bankruptcy, as well as introduction of a rating system for evaluating their activities). The results of the study may be useful to scientists specializing in economics and law, as well as to experts in the field of insolvency.