Towards Sustainable Development Through Bridging Digital Penetration Gaps

Abstract

The aim of the article is to study the impact of the digital environment on the economic conditions of economic entities, as well as to assess the gaps between economic development, changes in social relations and environmental well-being. It is proved that gaps in digital penetration can cause the deepening of existing inequalities and risks: digital inequality, social inequality, inequality in the appropriation of benefits, environmental risks. Approaches to assessing the impact of digital artifacts on the environment (in the context of the concept of “circular economy”) and sustainable development of the economic system are investigated. The authors have formed a conceptual matrix of sustainable development in the digital economy, which is differentiated by the subjects of economic activity (individuals, enterprises, the state) and in relation to a specific type of inequality in the digital economy and risks (risks of digital inequality, risks of social inequality, risks of inequality in the appropriation of benefits, environmental risks). The proposed author’s approach makes it possible to develop an optimal set of actions for each subject to level emerging risks and ensure sustainable development of the economic system in the digital environment.