The Digital Divide among the Municipalities of the Ryazan Region

This study is dedicated to developing methods for the assessment of the digital divide and informatization level in municipalities through the example of the Ryazan region. Aim. The existing methods for the assessment of the development level of the information society, based on international indicators, are used for assessing the level of informatization of the territorial entities of the Russian Federation. The assessment is based on statistics provided by the Federal State Statistics Service and Federal Ministries. In general, these methods successfully do their part. However, due to the enormous size of the territorial entities of the Russian Federation, municipalities differ significantly in terms of the level of socioeconomic development. Not taking this aspect into account during informatization results in widening the digital divide and, as a result, social inequality. The differences and peculiarities in the development of municipalities requires a differentiated approach to solving informatization problems, and this requires an objective assessment of each municipality according to several indicators. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to examine in various aspects the existing methods for assessing the level of information development and identifying drawbacks. In addition, it identifies trends and determines major indicators and their criteria, based on the analysis and synthesis of socioeconomic development indicators of municipalities within the Ryazan region. Results. A methodology for assessing the informatization level of municipalities is developed. The crucial indicators of the level of information development for municipalities are determined. The developed methodology makes it possible to assess each of the 25 municipalities in the region, comparing them with other regions. Moreover, the effort permits the identification of positive and negative aspects of regional development, assessing the level of inequality both by individual indicators and by a sole integrated indicator. The methodology and the indicator matrix can be further expanded and supplemented with new indicators, depending on the changes in the assessment objectives and economic environment, which make it possible to predict changes in the integrated indicator when another specified indicator changes its value. Use of current information provided by regional ministries and statistics departments make it possible to reduce assessment delay to 6 months-instead of 2.0 to 2.5 years-using existing methods. Conclusion. Implementation of a digital economy program facilitates not only an attainment of socioeconomic development and quality of life similar to the level of developed countries. It also strengthens a country’s position in the global market. However, development of the digital economy largely depends upon the development and informatization level of the socioeconomic environment. Continuous monitoring of its status, and the operational administrative corrective measures, require a qualitative assessment of the situation and any emerging issues. Implementation of the methodology developed serves as an objective tool for authorities to take administrative and financial measures aimed at improving performance at the municipality level of any territorial entity of the Russian Federation.

digital divide, informatization level, economic environment, digital economy, socioeconomic development, цифровое неравенство, уровень информатизации, экономическая среда, цифровая экономика, социально-экономическое развитие

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