Investments in the Digitalization of service Companies as a source of Well-being of the Population of the Regions

Abstract

The article assesses the impact of investments in the digitization of service organizations on population well-being indices across Russia’s regions. The relevance of the study is reduced to the fact that in the context of digitalization of the economy there is a dynamic development of the service sector, which becomes a driver of the growth of the quality and standard of living of the population. The purpose of the study is to determine the presence of economic effects from investments in digitalization that contribute to the improvement of the level and quality of life of the population in the region. The objectives of the study are theoretically justify the selection of indicators for assessing the well-being of the regional population, investments in the digitalization of service organizations depending on the type of region, and the calculation of digital effects. Methods of assessment of par correlations, typology, and panel data used to conduct spatial-time analysis. 85 regions of Russia were selected as the objects of study, and the research period includes the pre-pandemic and pandemic period, the impact of which led to an increase in investment in digital technologies in the service sector. The study tested the scientific hypothesis that investment in the digitalization of the service sector contributes to an increase in the volume of services, their availability and their quality, which, in turn, leads to an increase in the well-being of the population. The analysis carried out did not allow us to fully confirm the hypothesis, since there are differences between regions and types of services. The novelty of the study is in the formed spatial-time models, reflecting the relationship between investment in the digitalization of the services sphere and the factors determining the quality of life of the population of the regions of Russia. The analysis did not fully support the hypothesis, as there were differences between regions and types of services. It concluded that the investment increased the population’s use of computer equipment and service volumes, as well as their ability to save more money and use services for managing their personal finances.