Digital Economy and its Importance in the Development of Small and Medium Innovative Enterprises

Abstract

A single universally accepted definition, levels and interconnections of digital economy with other economies is not yet developed. Thus, various definitions of the digital economy have been investigated, as well as various approaches to describing the process of transformation of the digital economy for the correct establishment of these relationships. The article observes the relationship between the state of the digital economy, innovative small and medium enterprises, the development of small and medium businesses in general. The stage of transformation of the digital economy of Russia is determined at the second, intermediate stage of development and the main barriers to moving to the third level are pointed out. The dual role of the digital economy in the development of small and medium innovative enterprises is determined based on the selected model of R. Bukht & R. Heeks, the two directions of influence being the SMEs provision with necessary tools and the digital economy becoming the object of innovative development of SMEs. Finally, the assessment of the state of digital economy in Russia is given and the recommendations for its further implementation are given.