Digital maturity assessment of regional economic systems: component indices, structural balance and digital gaps

The study addresses a methodology for assessing the digital maturity of regional economic systems as a multidimensional mesoeconomic characteristic. The purpose is to develop a reproducible diagnostic procedure that simultaneously measures the achieved level of digital maturity, the internal structure of the component profile, and the distance to a target state. The methodology combines systems, index, comparative, and structural-functional methods. The proposed procedure includes selecting factor indicators for six components, distinguishing stimulators and destimulators, normalizing source data, and calculating component indices and an integrated digital maturity index. To constrain the compensatory effect of additive aggregation, the study introduces a normalized structural balance index as well as integral and component digital gaps. Factor characteristics of digital maturity are separated from regional econom ic performance and sustainability indicators, which prevents double counting and the mixing of causes and outcomes. The methodology can be applied to interregional comparisons, diagnostics of strong and weak components, justification of targeted regional policy measures, and monitoring of target achievement. Further research should test weight sensitivity, develop a stable panel database, and empirically examine the relationship between digital maturity and regional economic outcomes.