Theoretical aspects of the study of the relationship between the level of information development and communication technologies and the socio-economic development of the Russian Federation regions

The influence of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the development of the country's economy as a whole and individual regions is considered, the importance of the ICT sector in the economic, social, and social processes of the country and its regions is noted. The necessity of identifying the relationship between the uneven development of the ICT sector and the socio-economic development of the regions is substantiated. A study of domestic and foreign works devoted to the relationship between the level of ICT development and socio-economic systems has been conducted. The author's interpretation of the concept of the “digital divide” is presented, the reason for its formation and strengthening, the concretization of the opportunities and threats it creates for the subsequent spatial development of Russia is revealed. By systematizing the characteristics of narrow and broad approaches to the definition of the digital divide, their advantages and disadvantages were highlighted, and the expediency of developing a new methodology for assessing digital inequality was proved. The essence of the narrow approach is manifested in the uneven access to ICT services, which is based on the uneven development of ICT infrastructure. The broad approach is based on the study of the level, causes and consequences of digital gaps between countries, regions, and territories. It is noted that the boundaries between the presented approaches are leveled as a reaction to the challenges of modernity, forming a new integral approach accumulating theoretical and methodological developments of previous periods. Improving management efficiency at the present stage is largely due to leveling the influence of factors exacerbating the digital divide, identifying and comprehensively studying emerging opportunities/threats for the development of specific territories.