Smart Regions in the Economy, Digital Transformation, and Modern Growth Engineering: An Integrated Framework for Competitiveness and Sustainable Regional Development

Abstract

The article discusses how digital technologies are reshaping regional development by transforming traditional areas into interconnected economic ecosystems. It introduces the concept of smart regions, which go beyond technological infrastructure to include human capital, innovation, and governance.

The study proposes a framework that links digital transformation with sustainable regional competitiveness, based on theoretical insights and empirical evidence, particularly from China and European regions. It highlights the importance of quality institutions and skilled human capital in achieving effective digitalization outcomes. Additionally, it introduces the Smart Region Readiness Index (SRRI) to measure various aspects like innovation and governance, and concludes that successful digital transformation relies on a combination of factors, guiding policymakers in the digital economy context.