Subject. Digital transformation of Russian public companies as a multilevel and heterogeneous process, including the introduction of artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, blockchain and applied digital technologies, as well as its reflection in corporate reporting. Objectives. Identification of empirical types (clusters) of digital transformation of Russian public companies based on a text analysis of annual reports for 2014–2024. Methods. The method of text analysis is used to measure the intensity of digital transformation. The k-means method with preliminary standardization of features was used to identify clusters. Results. In 2014–2024, the average aggregated digital transformation index in the sample increased 3.5 times (from 0.44 to 1.55), and the share of companies mentioning at least one digital technology increased from 28.6 to 56.7%. The category of "artificial intelligence" grew most dynamically (from 0.8 to 38.7% of companies), while mentions of cloud computing and blockchain peaked in 2018–2020 and then declined. Industry analysis has shown that telecommunications and the IT sector are the leaders in the intensity of digital transformation, while mechanical engineering, healthcare and chemistry demonstrate minimal values. The k-means method identifies four stable clusters of companies. Conclusions. The digital transformation of Russian public companies in 2014–2024 developed steadily and unevenly: against the background of the general growth of digital activity, high polarization remains between leading companies and the majority of low-involvement enterprises.
Keywords: digital transformation, cluster analysis, text analysis, Russian public companies, artificial intelligence
References:
Loginovskii O.V., Lyaskovskaya E.A., Gabdulin R.R. [Problems of digital transformation of the subjects of the Russian Federation]. Vestnik Yuzhno-Ural'skogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Komp'yuternye tekhnologii, upravlenie, radioelektronika, 2023, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 76–92. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.14529/ctcr230307 EDN: HNQMGK
Arutyunyan S.A., Solov'eva N.V., Galyauv E.R. [Status, problems and opportunities of digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia]. Kreativnaya ekonomika, 2023, vol. 17, no. 12, pp. 4589–4608. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.18334/ce.17.12.119862 EDN: NXLBFN
Niu Yuhao, Wen Wen, Wang Sai, Li Sifei. Breaking barriers to innovation: The power of digital transformation. Finance Research Letters, 2023, vol. 51, no. 103457. DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2022.103457 EDN: MAEHPD
Gobble M.M. Digital strategy and digital transformation. Research-Technology Management, 2018, vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 66–71. DOI: 10.1080/08956308.2018.1495969
Gradillas M., Thomas L.D.W. Distinguishing digitization and digitalization: A systematic review and conceptual framework. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 2023. DOI: 10.1111/jpim.12690 EDN: MPTKMJ
Gillani F., Chatha K.A., Jajja Sh.S. et al. Unpacking Digital Transformation: Identifying key enablers, transition stages and digital archetypes. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 2024, vol. 203, no. 123335. DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123335 EDN: ACUVWE
Soh C., Yeow A., Goh Q.W. Shaping digital transformation pathways: Dynamics of paradoxical tensions and responses. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 2023, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 1594–1617. DOI: 10.17705/1jais.00852 EDN: SBGNFZ
Berman S.J. Digital transformation: opportunities to create new business models. Strategy & Leadership, 2012, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 16–24. DOI: 10.1108/10878571211209314
Bresciani S., Huarng K.H., Malhotra A., Ferraris A. Digital transformation as a springboard for product, process and business model innovation. Journal of Business Research, 2021, vol. 128, pp. 204–210. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.02.003 EDN: QRXFIY
Dokukina A.A. [Theoretical foundations of the enterprise economic security concept in digital transformation]. Ekonomika, predprinimatel'stvo i pravo, 2023, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 1105–1124. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.18334/epp.13.4.117490 EDN: GMPCUZ
Kapranova L.D., Abrosimova O.M. [On the issue of industrial production intellectualization process in Russia]. Problemy ekonomiki i yuridicheskoi praktiki, 2025, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 173–182. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.33693/2541-8025-2025-21-4-173-182 EDN: HMWZOY
Lyubushin N.P., Letyagina E.N., Perova V.I. [Neural network research on the digital transformation of industry]. Ekonomicheskii analiz: teoriya i praktika, 2026, vol. 25, iss. 1, pp. 4–18. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24891/kvbefj EDN: KVBEFJ
Kurilova A.A., Borgardt A.A. [Digitalization of organizations in the Siberian federal district of Russia]. Vestnik MGPU. Seriya: Ekonomika, 2025, no. 2, pp. 61–75. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24412/2312-6647-2025-244-61-75 EDN: PPCZBC
