APPLICATION OF FACTOR ANALYSIS FOR CONSTRUCTING THE DIGITALIZATION INDEX OF RUSSIAN REGIONS
The article raises the topic of developing a statistically based index that evaluates the digitalization processes to assess the digital gap between the regions of the Russian Federation. As a method for forming such an indicator, the author suggests using factor analysis, which allows reducing the dimension of factors while maintaining the explanation of a significant part of the variability of data. The advantage of this approach is that the index is formed on the basis of statistically objective estimates, and not on the basis of subjective expert opinion. The results of the factor analysis were interpreted as three qualitatively different sub-indices that formed the final index of digitalization of the economy and society, namely: the sub-index of digital services consumption by households, the sub-index of digital services consumption by organizations, and the sub-index of digitalization of labor management processes. The combined values of the calculated sub-indexes allowed concluding that information and communication technologies are more widely used by consumers than by business entities. The analysis of descriptive statistics of the values of these indices allowed drawing a number of conclusions that can be used for the formation of regional digital policy. Further statistical research of regional differentiation of the values of the proposed indicator of digital development will allow understanding better the reasons for the digital divide that has formed in the Russian Federation.