Networked regional structures as drivers for the formation of an intelligent digital technopolis in Industry 5.0

The article considers the contribution of regional development based on network structures to the formation of an intelligent digital technopolis in the conditions of digital transformation and Industry 5.0. The relevance of the study is due to the challenges of digital transformation, which requires the development of network structures to accelerate the innovation activity of regions in the conditions of Industry 5.0. The formation of intelligent digital technopolises is becoming a key tool for increasing technological sovereignty and sustainable development of the Russian economy. The aim of the research is to study the impact of intellectual and digital capital on the development of network structures in the regions of the Northwestern and Central Federal Districts and their significance for the formation of intelligent digital technopolises. The research methods include hierarchical cluster analysis, correlation and regression analysis based on panel data. The study covers the period from 2015 to 2021, and the data were taken from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. The results showed that network structures contribute to increased innovation activity in the regions, especially in the conditions of Industry 5.0. The impact of digital capital was most significant both in depressed regions with low innovation rates and in regions leading in innovative development. In depressed regions with low innovation rates, the key driver of the development of network structures was the training of employees in information and communication technologies, while in the leading regions, the inventive activity and qualification of employees played an important role. The novelty of the work lies in the identification of the relationship between the level of digitalization and the development of network structures, as well as in the formulation of the recommendations for strengthening their role as drivers of an intelligent digital technopolis. The results of the research are valuable for developing strategies for digital transformation and the development of innovative ecosystems in Russian regions. The findings emphasize the importance of investment in digital infrastructure and IT skills for regional development in the conditions of Industry 5.0. Further research is planned to expand the geography of the analysis and consider the interaction between educational institutions, business and government agencies to improve the efficiency of network structures.