Digitalization and digital platforms in the regional strategic industrial development

Digitalization is becoming a key driver of economic growth, particularly in the context of growing regional disparities and limited access to advanced technologies. Against the backdrop of sanctions pressure, market transformations, and the challenges of import substitution, there is an increasing need to rethink the role of digital platforms and infrastructure in ensuring sustainable industrial development at the regional level. Under these conditions, identifying the factors that promote digital transformation and labour productivity growth becomes critically important.

This article explores how the development of digital communication channels, broadband internet access, the digital maturity of public administration, and investments in technology influence labour productivity in regional economies, with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector. The findings indicate that the impact of digitalization is uneven: it is significantly stronger in technologically advanced regions with well-developed infrastructure and high ICT competencies. Institutional conditions and the quality of government regulation, including support measures for domestic digital solutions, also play a crucial role.

The analysis is based on panel data from Russian regions for the period 2021–2023 and employs econometric modelling using fixed and random effects models. The study demonstrates that the main drivers of productivity growth are the expansion of broadband infrastructure, the digital maturity of public governance, and targeted investments in digital technologies. The novelty of the research lies in its comprehensive approach to assessing the impact of digital factors on regional industrial development. The results provide a foundation for setting priorities in regional digital transformation policies and reducing the digital divide, as well as offering guidance for optimizing digital investment strategies.

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