Digitalization as a Driver of Innovation for Industrial Enterprises

Abstract

This paper systematizes the basics of digital economy and describes them as potential building blocks for manufacturing. It analyzes the state-of-the-art of digitalization in the Russian Federation as well as how it manifests itself in manufacturing. Analysis of industrial innovation identifies the reasons why the manufacturing sector lags behind with respect to digitalization; the paper further sets forth the objectives, accomplishing which will bolster industrial innovation. The present study has discovered the basic technological trends applicable to the digitalization of industrial enterprises; additive manufacturing is the crucial aspect here. The paper presents individual positive exmaples of how Russian enterprises have managed to put the Industry 4.0 concept into good use. Revolutionizing the whole structure of Russian manufacturing requires developing and implementing innovative business models, above all the next-gen digital platforms. To facilitate the innovative development of Russian industrial enterprises, this paper substantiates the need for their cooperation that is both catalyzed by, and results in, digitalization of processes and business processes. The article structure the innovative cluster as a complex of blocks for research, education, production, infrastructure, and coordination. What distinguishes a cluster is that is is innovation-focused, whereas end-to-end digitalization supports generating the value added for the enterprises in the cluster. The paper also presents a mechanism that an innovative cluster could use to keep running efficiently in the light of end-to-end digitalization.