Trends in formation and problems of digital economy development in Russia

The rapidly spreading new technologies in all spheres of human activity leads to rapid and profound changes in the structure of modern industrial production, global markets, as well as the economic and social sphere. Modern developed countries have engaged in active search for new sources of growth based on the development of scientific and technological potential emerging from new information, digital and industrial technologies. The development of these spheres is followed by a new technological revolution and a strong increase in productivity. Collectively, these changes are evaluated as a “new industrial revolution”. In this regard, the scientific understanding of organizational and methodological problems of forming a technological framework for the economic growth of the Russian economy in the global transformation of the world system of labor division under the influence of large-scale introduction of innovative technologies of the fourth industrial revolution will develop a paradigm and methodological tools for further introduction and successful implementation of digital economy focused on improving the efficiency of industrial production through the use of new technologies. The purpose of the article is to study the trends in formation, as well as to identify the problems of development of the digital economy in Russia amid scientific and technological changes associated with the transition to the fourth industrial revolution. The paper provides a brief analysis of the unfolding global processes leading to a shift in the technological structure and models of economic growth; summarizes the theoretical approaches to defining the concepts of “knowledge economy” and “digital economy”; covers the challenges posed to Russia by the technological transition taking place worldwide; and analyzes the country’s readiness for a technological revolution.