Process approach to assessing technological convergence of Russian regions: Dynamics of the innovation gap

The regional innovation subsystem is considered an integral part of the broader regional socio-economic system, influencing and being influenced by the production, social, ecological, and other subsystems. A process-based approach to assessing the technological gap is proposed, viewing innovation activity as a set of interrelated stages, from resource base formation to the generation of specific outcomes such as new products, processes, and services. The assessment of the technological gap in regional innovation subsystems is suggested to be conducted through the analysis of resource factors and outcomes of technological development. Convergence assessment methods are employed to identify technological gaps among Russian regions, allowing for the detection of convergence or divergence in regional technological development levels. The study reveals that technological β-convergence was not consistently observed throughout the analyzed period. Signs of technological divergence were identified during 2000—2008 and 2009—2013. However, during 2014—2018 and 2019—2022, signs of β-convergence emerged. The shift from negative to positive convergence after 2014 coincides with substantial changes in state innovation policy, including policies on import substitution, the initiation of the National Technology Initiative, and the implementation of national projects. taking into account resource indicators, the results of β-convergence evaluation, demonstrate a significant impact of these factors on the nature and pace of technological convergence. The findings have substantial practical implications for shaping public policy aimed at reducing technological disparities among Russian regions. Differentiated strategies for innovation development must be devised for various regional groups: regions experiencing persistent divergence require priority support measures and resource concentration to overcome institutional barriers; regions with unstable convergence need stabilization of conditions for innovative activities; leading regions should focus on supporting mechanisms for technology diffusion into other regions.