Degree of use of digital technologies and propensity to opportunism at Russian enterprises: results of empirical research

Digitalization contributes to an increase in labor productivity, industrial growth, and in the efficiency of industrial production. The coronavirus pandemic has given an additional impetus to digitalization, and most companies around the world have realized the importance of this process for the resilience of the organization in the face of constant change. A significant role in this process is played by the state, which determines the priority areas of digital transformation. At the same time, the implementation of state programs in the field of digitalization may be hindered by a shortage of personnel. The article provides an analysis of studies of the impact of digital transformation on the efficiency of enterprises and industries, which note the positive influence of digitalization on the country’s economy. The digitalization process covers all key areas of the company’s activities: production, finances, personnel management, logistics, industrial and information security. The intensive transition to technological independence in the face of sanctions pressure contributes to the acceleration of the digitalization process and the influx of investments in digital and technological development. One of the limiting factors of digital transformation is behavioral opportunism in enterprises. Resistance to change on the part of staff, caused by a low level of digital competencies and fear of change, leads to a significant slowdown in the digitalization process. The purpose of the article is to assess the degree of use of digital technologies and the propensity to opportunism in Russian enterprises. Based on the author’s methodology, the study assessed the level of digitalization in work and daily activities based on the results of a survey of employees of Russian enterprises. The analysis of differences in the degree of use of digital technologies among different groups of workers was carried out. Differences in the level of behavioral opportunism at Russian enterprises for employees with varying degrees of use of digital technologies in work and daily activities are revealed. An industry analysis of the degree of use of digital technologies in Russian enterprises was carried out. Among the industries with the highest level of digital technology proficiency, workers in construction and engineering, banking, telecommunications and the electric power industry were noted. It was revealed that behavioral opportunism at Russian enterprises is influenced by the degree of ownership and use of digital technologies by employees in work and in everyday life. As the indicators characterizing the use of digital technologies grow, the level of behavioral opportunism decreases. Directions for further research are related to improving the methodology and developing recommendations for reducing the level of behavioral opportunism at Russian enterprises in the context of digitalization.