RUSSIAN REGIONS ECONOMY AND SOCIAL SPHERE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: DEFINITIONS ANALYSIS, STRATEGIES AND THE RESULTS OBTAINED

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by the state vector of digital development of the economy and social sphere, the introduction of end-to-end digital technologies at the national and regional levels. Digital transformation as a new national goal is reflected in regional strategies, but there is still certain ambiguity and deficiency of interpretations of this category. It is necessary to develop a definitional study of this term and expand its meaning with the transition from purely economic interpretations (the first definitions were developed by economists and international business in relation to commercial companies) to a territorial format and coverage of a wide range of socio-economic relations. The goal of the study is to study the definitional foundations and strategies for the digital transformation of the economy and social sphere of the regions, and to analyze the results of the introduction of digital technologies in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, a detailed analysis of the definitional foundations and interpretations of the category «digital transformation» is presented within the framework of various research approaches, a variety of target settings, barriers and results of the implementation of regional strategies for the digital transformation of the economy and social sphere (based on specific cases of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation). An analysis of the statistical indicators of digital development of the territory available in Rosstat agency has been conducted.

Research results. Negative trends in the dynamics of the use of a number of digital technologies in the regions (cloud services, big data collection and processing technologies, artificial intelligence) have been shown, despite the declared development of these areas. The deficit of the statistical basis for assessing digital regional development has been demonstrated, both in terms of the main end-to-end digital technologies developed by the state and concerning the application of international methods for assessing and comparing the results of digitalization development. A particular lack of information is observed with regard to the introduction of digital technologies in the social sphere, in addition to the development of digital public services.

Discussion. The topic of digital development and its derivative categories (digital transformation, digital maturity) in relation to the Russian Federation and its subjects, individual aspects of socio-economic development and various stakeholders will develop at an accelerating pace in the context of Industry 4.0 and subsequent paradigms (Industry 5.0, 6.0). There will be further development and rethinking of the definitional and conceptual foundations of the digital transformation of regional development, taking into account foreign cases and the flagship experience of regions that are leaders in socio-economic development. As the statistical basis of digital development of regions is progressively expanding, new methods for assessing the results of digital transformation at the national and regional levels will be continuously created. The level of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation will remain a key factor in the implementation of digital transformation strategies in terms of demonstrating the specifics of digital needs and digital resources, tracking the results obtained, identifying the best practices and differentiating the digital development of territories, and making appropriate political decisions.