The Influence of Digital Environment Factors on the Development of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Russian Regions

Abstract

The relevance of the study of entrepreneurial ecosystems in a digital environment is caused by the presence within specific regions of network relationships between entrepreneurship, business support institutions, scientific and educational organizations, and the state in the context of the transformation of information and technology exchange processes. In the face of the challenges of the digital economy, there is a need to determine the points of growth of regional ecosystems and identify the effects of the impact of transformational factors on the relational components of the ecosystem, which are formed by the new digital environment. The aim of the study is to model the effectiveness of the impact of the digital environment on indicators characterizing the level of development of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the space-time continuum. The research hypothesis is that the factors of the digital environment stimulate the formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the region. Methods: we used techniques and methods of clustering, correlation and regression analysis, and space-time modeling. Results: the authors substantiated the composition of the basic components of the model of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, formulated the key principles of its functioning, and determined the criteria for its condition. We have selected and structured indicators indicating the impact of the digital environment on the effectiveness of the functioning of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The article contains data on the identification of regions with pronounced signs of the presence of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The authors have established the features of their geographical location. We have compiled models of the impact of digitalization on the criteria indicators of regional business ecosystems. The study determined the positive impact on the profitability growth of the presence of fast-growing companies in the region, the information and computer technology sector, and the size of its state and investment support. The authors have identified a direct dependence of business concentration on information resources, infrastructure, and financial components. We have established the degree of influence of acceleration and incubation platforms, scalable projects in the field of end-to-end technologies and investments in IT projects on the number of fast-growing companies and startups. The results develop the theoretical propositions of regional business ecosystems, criteria for their condition and functioning, and the influence of digitalization factors on their development. The obtained results can be used for the formation and adjustment of programs for the implementation of strategies in the field of digital transformation of the regional economy.