Innovative digital prospects of the agri-food sector and distribution chains development

Abstract

Relevans. Enterprises of the agri-food sector, distribution chains and other participants of the food market face increasing competitive pressure from the part of transnational companies, which causes the necessity of their adaptation to the changes taking place in the global market environment under the influence of active innovative digital activities of market participants. This article addresses the problem associated with the assessment of innovative potential and the application of innovative approaches to the transformation of Russian companies in the context of globalization and innovative digital development of the world economy.Methods. The following general scientific methods have been used in the study: situational, complex methods, system approach, as well as tabular, graphical methods, comparative analysis method, index methods, forecasting methods, factor analysis.Results. In the article, the authors assess the innovative potential of the agri-food sector, distribution chain and Russian economy as a whole, perform comparative analysis and give an evaluation of the innovative potential of the Russian Federation and other countries, regions in the context of the country's involvement in the processes of general, economic, trade, information, communication and innovative globalization, global competitiveness and global trends in the development of innovative digital activity. The article proves the need to bridge the gap in the potential of the internal innovation environment necessary for the development of the agri-food sector and distribution chain by means of creating innovative digital business models based on the implementation of the open innovations concepts. The conclusions based on the results of the study have special importance for theorists and practitioners since they supplement the existing knowledge necessary to substantiate the development strategies of companies and the country's economy as a whole transforming into a global innovative digital environment and increasing their competitiveness.