G. Kh. Batov. Economic Effects of Digital Transformation in the Regions of the North Caucasus Federal District

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.134.034.202601.143-158
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/mqiccbISSN 2413-1407
УДК / UDC 33:004.9(470.6) ISSN 2587-8549

Abstract

Introduction. Digital transformation, acting as a mechanism for the structural restructuring of the economy in economically and technologically lagging regions, serves in modern conditions as a new paradigm for accelerating economic growth and improving the quality of life of the population. The purpose of the article is to determine the level of digital transformation of regions in a poorly developed macroregion based on the analysis of the use of digital technologies.

Materials and Methods. The study is based on materials from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) and the federal statistical services of the regions of the North Caucasian Federal District for 2021–2023. Using methods of multivariate statistical analysis and taxonomy, an integral indicator of the level of digital transformation was calculated, which is necessary for ranking the regions. The strength of the relationship and the mutual influence of the parameters of the integral indicator of the level of digital transformation were determined using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients.

Results. No clear linear relationship was found between the integral indicator of digital transformation, production output, and labor productivity in the regions of the district. At the same time, digital technologies and digital transformation as a whole are gradually becoming the main driving force in increasing production levels, labor productivity, and the competitiveness of entities, which is associated with the expansion of the digital technologies used, the number of relevant specialists, and targeted financial investments.

Discussion and Conclusion. In the North Caucasus Federal District, digital transformation has not become an imperative for ensuring economic growth, and development still relies on traditional industries and methods. Modernization of the macroregion's material and technological base through digital technologies and specialized software tools appears to be a progressive approach. The results obtained can be used in the development of plans and programs for the socio-economic development of the district, assessing the level of digitalization and digital transformation of a particular region, and analyzing the impact of digital transformation indicators on various economic process metrics. The prospects of the study are related to the development of scientific methods or methodological guidelines that will accelerate the implementation of digital transformation. The article may be useful for researchers, experts, and regional government authorities.

Keywords: region, district, digital technologies, digital transformation, methodology, integral indicator, ranking

Conflict of interest. The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Batov G.Kh. Economic Effects of Digital Transformation in the Regions of the North Caucasus Federal District. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2026;34(1):143–158. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.134.034.202601.143-158

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About the author:

Gumar Kh. Batov, Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Leading Researcher of the Department of Knowledge Economics Intelligent Systems and Environments, Institute for Computer Science and Problems of Regional Management – Branch of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (37a Armand St., Nalchik 360000, Russian Federation), ORСID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8632-7407, Scopus ID: 57193362469, SPIN-code: 6771-1828, gumarbatov@mail.ru

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the author on reasonable request.

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 13.12.2024; revised 12.05.2025; accepted 27.05.2025.