Strategic Directions of Digitalization for the Development of Employment in Small and Medium-sized Businesses

Abstract

Purpose: this article identifies strategic directions for the development of digital infrastructure that affect the level of employment in the segments of small and medium-sized businesses in the Russian Federation, including identifying opportunities and threats for their implementation.Methods: the research involves the use of a complex of scientific methods – general (analysis, analysis, synthesis, comparison, comparison); econometric (tools of linear regression using the least squares method); elements of the strategy methodology of Professor V.L. Kvint (OTSWanalysis).Results: the study examines China's experience in developing and integrating digital infrastructure into the economy. The impact of these system-forming transformations on employment in various business segments is considered. The current policy of the Russian Federation in the aspects of digital transformation and digitalization is analyzed. The results of the implementation of this policy and the consequences of its implementation in the Russian economy are studied. By constructing an econometric model, the strategic directions of digitalization have been identified, which determine employment in the segments of small and medium-sized businesses in the conditions of economic and technological realities. Based on the OTSW-analysis, the opportunities and threats posed by the digitalization process were considered in terms of their impact on small and medium-sized businesses and employment in these segments of the economy.Conclusions and Relevance: the authors found that the most important strategic aspects of digitalization processes that directly affect the development of employment in the Russian segments of small and medium-sized businesses are: internal costs for research and development of digital solutions; the share of the population with access to the Internet; the absolute volume of investment in ICT. A clear understanding of the potential opportunities and threats of the planned strategic priorities will contribute to the effectiveness of the further development of the Russian digital infrastructure.