Digital Entrepreneurship in Russia: Development during the Pandemic

Abstract

Digitalization has become inevitable as the demand for digital services increases. The purpose of the article is to study the development dynamics of Russian digital segment during and after the pandemic and to predict the vector of its long-term development. The authors provide evidence of dualism: on one hand, the pandemic led to new restrictions in the development of entrepreneurial activity; on the other hand, the change in demand and the high adaptability of business structures made it possible to expand the digital segment of Russian small and medium-sized businesses. The authors use methods of systematization, comparison, economic analysis, graphical method and systematic approach. The development of the Russian digital entrepreneurship sector in the context of digitalization of internal business processes, consumer communication processes, and external relations is analyzed. The authors conclude that digital technologies have high potential for the development of Russian small and medium-sized businesses and provide recommendations on the implementation of state policy measures aimed at optimizing the development of digital entrepreneurship in Russia.