Regional digital transformation strategy as an adaptive mechanism for integration into the national digital space

Abstract

The research problem is associated with the need to develop methodological provisions for strategic management of regional digital transformation under significant differentiation of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in terms of digital maturity, infrastructure development and institutional readiness. Existing regional digital transformation strategies are predominantly designed as sets of targets, sectoral projects and measures, which limits their adaptability to changes in the external environment and the transferability of strategic solutions between regions with different initial conditions. The purpose of the article is to develop an approach to regional digital transformation strategy as an adaptive mechanism for integration into the national digital space. The research methodology combines systemic, institutional and strategic approaches, comparative analysis, typological classification, scenario analysis and graphical modelling. The study substantiates the transition from a static regional digital strategy to a cyclical strategic management model involving sequential diagnosis of the regional information space, identification of digital development priorities, implementation of integration mechanisms, scenario-based adjustment and adaptation of strategic decisions. The principle of combining a "federal core" with a "regional shell" is proposed, providing unified basic requirements for digital transformation while preserving the capacity to account for institutional, infrastructural and socio-economic characteristics of individual regions. The scientific novelty lies in interpreting regional digital transformation strategy as an adaptive transregional mechanism that enables a common strategic framework to be applied to regions with different initial levels of digital maturity. The application of the approach to the Donetsk People's Republic demonstrates the possibility of forming alternative digital development trajectories and substantiates the advantages of an integration scenario for regions undergoing incorporation into a unified national digital space.