On the issue of benchmarking by the example of analyzing the efficiency of using the broadband internet in the Russian regions

Objective: to study the impact of broadband Internet on the economic growth of the Russian regions.Methods: econometric modeling using the Cobb-Douglas production function and the R. Solow economic growth model, comparative analysis (benchmarking).Results: broadband Internet stimulates and accelerates the process of digital transformation, contributing to the creation of economic ties. However, methods for assessing the impact of broadband Internet on economy are still imperfect. The article uses the R. Solow economic growth model to identify and justify the positive impact of broadband Internet on the gross regional product of the Russian regions in 2010-2016; the Russian regions ranking is presented, based on the degree of production factors efficiency, which includes indicators of digital infrastructure development in addition to traditional ones; the leaders of this ranking are identified, as well as the areas of best practices typical for these regions of the Russian Federation. Scientific novelty: a new method of benchmarking of the Russian regions is proposed, based on the production factors efficiency and their contribution to economic growth, according to the results of econometric modeling.Practical significance: the obtained results substantiate the need to improve and accelerate the development of broadband Internet as one of the indicators providing the Russian regional economic systems development; thus, the directions of the digital economy implementation (digital transformation) in the Russian Federation regions are identified.

Digital economy, Economic growth, R. Solow model of economic growth, Cobb-Douglas production function, Broadband Internet, Regional economy, Econometric modeling, Benchmarking

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