Features of digital transformation in Russia’s economy

I.V. Perfiliev, E.S. Balashova

---

Abstract: Digital transformation is the process of implementing modern digital technologies in all areas of a company, government, and society as a whole. It encompasses the use of cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and other innovative technologies to improve customer experience, as well as enhance business efficiency and competitiveness. At the same time, digital transformation is a highly uncertain environment, driven by the dynamism of the digital environment and its constant change, which creates additional risks for businesses. Digital transformation leads to shifts in consumer behavior patterns, competitive mechanisms, and business paradigms. All of this underscores the relevance of this research.
Aim. The study is to analyze key trends in the digital transformation of the global and Russian economies.
Research methods. The methodological foundation of the study includes methods of systems and comparative analysis, deduction, and logical generalization. Empirical data from international analytical agencies, digital development statistics, and expert evaluations are also employed.
Results. This article analyzes trends in the digital transformation of the global economy. It describes the main stages of technological innovation development and identifies the most promising digital technologies for implementation. It presents a classification of countries based on their level of digital technology adoption. Russia’s position in global digital transformation rankings is determined. The specific features of Russian business digitalization are discovered. The main challenges and barriers faced by Russian companies in the digital transformation process are identified. Factors that could drive the
digitalization of Russian companies are characterized.
Conclusion. The article concludes that active government involvement is essential to overcome digital inequality, improve digital literacy, and create a favorable institutional environment for innovative entrepreneurship. The study identifies the critical conditions for successful digital transformation in Russia: the development of digital infrastructure, the stimulation of technology adoption in business, workforce training, and ensuring cybersecurity.

Keywords: digital transformation, international digitalization trends, promising technologies, digital development of national economies, digitalization of Russian companies

For citation. Perfiliev I.V., Balashova E.S. Features of digital transformation in Russia’s economy. News of the KabardinoBalkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2026. Vol. 28. No. 1. Pp. 224–236. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2026-28-1-224-236

©   Perfiliev I.V., Balashova E.S. , 2026

References

1. Lapidus L.V. Systemic effects from implementation of DATA STRATEGY in digital transformation strategy in transport. Ekonomika zheleznyh dorog [Railway Economics]. 2022. No. 8. Pp. 17–29. EDN: BZKAOS. (In Russian)
2. Lapidus L.V. Role of technological innovations in business development and digital transformation in countries of Eurasian Economic Union. E-Journal Public Administration. 2022. No. 95. Pp. 223–229. DOI: 10.24412/2070-1381-2022-95-223-239. (In Russian)
3. Bharadwaj A., El Sawy O., Pavlou P., Venkatraman N. Digital business strategy: toward a next generation of insights. MIS Quart. 2013. Vol. 37. No. 2. Pp. 471–482. DOI: 10.25300/MISQ/2013/37:2.3
4. Fitzgerald M. Audi puts its future into high (tech) gear. MIT Sloan Manage. Rev. 2014.
5. Piccinini E., Hanelt A., Gregory R. & Kolbe L. Transforming industrial business: the impact of digital transformation on automotive organizations. In: International Conference of Information Systems, Forth Worth, TX. 2015.
6. Westerman G., Calméjane C., Bonnet D. et al. A. Digital transformation: a roadmap for billion-dollar organizations. In: MIT Center for Digital Business and Capgemini Consulting. Pp. 1–68.
7. Anderson J., Lanzolla G. The Digital revolution is over: long live the digital revolution! Business Strategy Review. 2010. Vol. 21. No. 1. Pp. 74–77. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8616.2010.00650.x
8. Clohessy T., Acton T., Morgan L. The impact of cloud-based digital transformation on ICT service providers’ strategies. In: Bled eConference. Bled, Slovenia. 2017. DOI: 10.18690/978-961-286-043-1.9
9. Berman S.J. Digital transformation: opportunities to create new business models. Strategy&Leadership. 2012. Vol. 40. No. 2. Pp. 16–24. DOI: 10.1108/10878571211209314
10. Korchagina E.V., Shvetsova O.A. Solving the problem of employment for graduates of higher education institutions: increasing the degree of employers’ participation in the educational process. Proceedings of 2018 17th Russian Scientific and Practical Conference on Planning and Teaching Engineering Staff for the Industrial and Economic Complex of the Region, PTES 2018, St. Petersburg, 14–15 November 2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2019. Pp. 138–140. DOI: 10.1109/PTES.2018.8604228
11. Korchagina E.V., Desfontaines L.G. Principles of formation of the organizational culture of an enterprise. Contradictions and Trends in the Development of Modern Russian Society: collection of scientific articles of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference, Sergiev Posad, April 22, 2019. Sergiev Posad: Moscow University named after S.Yu. Witte, 2019. Pp. 160–164. (In Russian)
12. Big data analytics market [Electronic resource]. Fortune Business Insights. Mode: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/big-data-analytics-market-106179 (accessed: 20.03.2025).
13. Strategy [Electronic resource]. Association of Big Data. Mode: https://rubda.ru/deyatelnost/strategiya/ (accessed 20.03.2025).
14. Worldwide spending on digital transformation is forecast to reach almost $4 trillion by 2027, according to new IDC spending guide [Electronic Resource]. IDC. Mode: https://my.idc.com/getdoc.jsp? ontainerId=prUS52305724 (accessed: 20.03.2025).
15. Digital economy: trends and prospects for business transformation. Proceedings of the VIII Interfaculty scientific and practical conference of young scientists: Moscow, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Economics; December 22, 2021. Reports and Speeches / Ed. by D.Sc. (Econ.), Prof. L.V. Lapidus. Moscow: Faculty of Economics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 2024. (In Russian)
16. Gartner 2024 Hype cycle for emerging technologies highlights developer productivity, total experience, AI and security [Electornic resource]. Gartner. Mode: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/ (accessed: 23.03.2025).
17. Polozhikhina M.A. Regulation of the process of digitalization of the economy: European and Russian experience. Russia and the Contemporary World. 2019. No. 4. Pp. 64–81.
18. Huawei Technologies CO., LTD. Global Digitalization Index 2024. 2024. URL: https://www.samenacouncil.org/initiatives/industryissues/gdi-2024-en.pdf
19. Chakravorti B., Chaturvedi R.S., Filipovic C., Brewer G. Digital in the time of COVID. The Fletcher School at Tufts University. 2020. URL: https://digitalplanet.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/digital-intelligence-index.pdf
20. MTS Web Services (MWS). Perspectives of IT-Market 2024. 2023. URL: https://ru-msk 2.store.cloud.mts.ru/uploads/Perspectives_of_IT_market_2024_low_version_a3612487f9.pdf?_ ma=1744742455436108487.1744742911334

Information about the authors

Ilya V. Perfiliev, Postgraduate Student, Department of Innovational Economics, State Marine Technical University;
3, Lotsmanskaya street, Saint Petersburg, 190121, Russia;
Ilya198702@yandex.ru, SPIN-code: 9918-3747
Elena S. Balashova, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Assistant Professor, Head of the Department of Innovational Economics, State Marine Technical University;
3, Lotsmanskaya street, Saint Petersburg, 190121, Russia;
Ilya198702@yandex.ru, SPIN-code: 8781-5247

Funding

The study was performed without external funding.