The “Learning Region” Concept as a Tool to Overcome the Digital Lag of the Russian Regions

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to identify regional specifics of digital development and adapt the “learning region” model as a tool for overcoming the digital lag of Russian regions. The authors justified the feasibility of using the coefficients of the primary (availability of digital devices and digital infrastructure) and secondary (digital consumption and digital competencies) levels of digitalization to assess the regional digital development, as well as proposed a method for calculating them. Calculating the coefficients of primary and secondary levels of digitalization for 83 regions of Russia allowed the authors to identify regions with a digital lag (10 regions for the primary level of digitalization, as well as 49 regions for the secondary level of digitalization). The authors proved that the “learning region” concept could become a tool for increasing both primary and secondary levels of digitalization. Factors primary level of digitization form the basic conditions for the application of the “learning region” concept, and restrictions on secondary level of digitalization allow to overcome the digital lag of regions. The authors developed a model for using the potential of the “learning region” to overcome the digital lag. The article reveals the key relationships in the “learning region” concept, systematizes its elements, highlights the stages of the concept implementation, as well as offers a system of benchmarks for evaluating effectiveness. Research methods: theoretical analysis, comparative analysis, economic and statistical method, system approach.