Convergence of Digital Practices of Organizations and Households in Russian Regions

Abstract

The development of the digital economy and society aims to ensure equitable access to digital resources for all residents, regardless of geographic location, and to reduce the digital divide between regions. This study examines whether Russian regions are converging in terms of digitalization levels. The analysis uses open data from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) for 2003–2023, covering 80 federal subjects. The methodology employs sigma, gamma, and delta convergence approaches, focusing on two key economic agents—households and organizations. Digitalization indicators are categorized into three dimensions: access, use, and economic benefits derived from digitalization. Unlike aggregate index-based methods, this classification captures regional heterogeneity and provides a more nuanced understanding of the digital convergence process. The results indicate convergence across regions in local telephone service digitalization and household Internet use. A similar pattern is observed in the use of digital channels to access public services, reflecting progress in government–citizen digital interaction. However, divergent trends emerged during the pandemic: the digital divide widened in terms of access but narrowed in household usage. For organizations, convergence was identified in the use of servers, websites, and electronic data interchange. Based on these findings, the study concludes that expanding high-speed digital infrastructure should be a priority. Additionally, government efforts should focus on scaling best practices through digital platforms and promoting standardized IT solutions to support adoption by households and public authorities. Future research should investigate the factors that facilitate or hinder regional digital convergence.