Economy of Regions | 2026
Authors: Korovin G.B.
DOI: 10.17059/ekon.reg.2026-1-2
Journal: Economy of Regions
Year: 2026
Publisher: Institute of Economics, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Cited by: 0
While digital ecosystems have become a key driver of regional competitiveness and are extensively studied, there remains a lack of comprehensive regional-level assessments of their development. This study presents a methodology for assessing digital ecosystem development across Russian regions by constructing an ecosystem development index and analysing the factors underlying regional differentiation. The methodology is based on statistical analysis and index methods, aggregating normalized indicators across five dimensions: technological foundation, investment and costs, innovation potential, human resource and competency support, and cooperation infrastructure. The analysis relies on official statistical data for 2023. The results reveal pronounced interregional disparities: the gap between leading regions (Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Saint Petersburg, Moscow) and lagging regions (Ingushetia, Dagestan, Tuva) reaches up to an order of magnitude. The most advanced digital ecosystems are concentrated in Central and Northwestern Russia, while many regions remain at an early stage of ecosystem formation. The findings may support the development of regional digital transformation strategies and inform policy measures aimed at fostering digital ecosystems. A key limitation of the study is its reliance on the quality and classification of official statistical data, which in some cases required methodological adjustments. © Коровин Г. Б. Текст. 2026.
digital ecosystem development index; digital ecosystems; digitalization; interregional differentiation; region