Digital Transformation as a Factor of Increasing the Competitiveness of the Regional Economy

In modern conditions of global digitalization and structural transformation of the global economy, the key factor for sustainable development is the ability of regions to effectively use digital technologies to increase competitiveness and economic security. Digital transformation is changing the principles of the functioning of production, management and institutional systems, creating new sources of growth and competitive advantages. This article is devoted to the study of the role of digital transformation in increasing the competitiveness of the regional economy, identifying the features of the digital development of the regions of the Russian Federation and identifying areas for improving the management mechanisms of digital processes at the meso level. The purpose of the article is to substantiate theoretical and methodological provisions and develop practical recommendations on the use of digital transformation tools in the system of strategic management of regional competitiveness. The relevance of the research is determined by the need to adapt regional economies to the digital environment, the formation of new models of spatial development and innovative modernization of economic systems. Digitalization is becoming the foundation for improving the efficiency of public administration, investment attractiveness and quality of life of the population, which determines its strategic importance for the regional development of Russia. The scientific novelty consists in clarifying the content of the category "digital competitiveness of the region", developing a conceptual model for assessing the impact of digital factors on the economic dynamics of the subjects of the Russian Federation, and proposing a system of indicators for monitoring the level of digital maturity of regional economies. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of applying the results obtained in the development and implementation of regional digital transformation programs, the formation of strategies for the socio-economic development of the subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as in evaluating the effectiveness of government initiatives in the field of the digital economy. The research results can be used by executive authorities, development institutions, and the expert community to develop tools for managing regional competitiveness in the digital age.