Digital economy: Concepts and Russia’s readiness to transition

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the level of Russia’s digital economy readiness. By analysing approaches used to understand its nature, the article identifies the key production factor in the digital economy and assigns maturity of the information and communication technologies a special role to determine the capabilities for transition to the new digital reality. The methodological basis of the research includes conceptual principles of the post-industrial society theory within the context of the digital economy. The study employs the methods of comparative and functional analyses, systematisation of information, expert evaluation, and inductive reasoning. Statistical aggregations used to characterise the maturity of the ICT in the developed countries and described in the UN International Standard Industrial Classification are discussed. It is concluded that, as opposed to the sectoral division adopted in the International Standard Industrial Classification, Russia employs the concept of “information technology industry”, however, a single approach to understanding the nature of this phenomenon is yet to be developed. Russia’s IT industry appears to be represented exclusively by the service sector with no regard for manufacturing lines of activity or commerce. A system of indicators to measure regional digital readiness is analysed. The researcher proposes a conceptual framework to assess to what extent the Russian Federation is ready to embrace the digital reality and integrate it into the economy, performs a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the variables where each variable is assigned an appropriate level, and makes a final conclusion from a comprehensive assessment.