Assessment of the state of the innovative infrastructure for the development of service sector organizations in the context of digital transformation

The article focuses on assessing the state of innovative infrastructure for service sector organizations' development in the context of digital transformation. The service sector is currently a key driver of economic growth through innovation, particularly in the context of digitalization. Russia, traditionally maintaining leadership in science and technology, has accelerated its transition from a raw material-based economy to an innovative one since 2022. Modernizing the service sector requires specialized infrastructure integrated with digital processes. The author has developed a methodology for assessing this infrastructure at the regional level, considering regulatory aspects, digital transformation, and the specific characteristics of services. This methodology determines the scientific contribution of the work and its novelty. The research hypothesis proposes that human capital is the primary factor in developing innovative infrastructure. An analysis of 85 regions for the period 2017-2023 using 35 indicators has revealed a strong correlation between population (as a measure of human capital) and the state of innovative infrastructure for service organization development in the context of digital transformation. The results confirm the system's inertia, as the positions of regions are changing slowly, due to historical scientific, technical and socio-economic factors. The size of population, which influences human capital reproduction, determines innovation potential. Therefore, the key finding is that development of innovative infrastructure in service sector requires investment in human capital, including personnel recruitment. Without this, progress will be limited by current trends, leading to increased regional inequalities.