Strategic Orientation in the Open Development of Digital Technologies: Conceptual Insights and the Russian Context

The model of open digital technology development is becoming strategically important for many Russian organizations, including commercial firms, public institutions, and research centers. Most management studies, however, have focused on applied aspects, for example the ways organizations adopt open digital solutions, while the strategic dimension has been overlooked. Conceptual approaches that do exist at this level tend to be fragmented and provide only a partial understanding of the phenomenon. This study addresses that gap by proposing an integrated conceptual framework for analyzing the open development of digital technologies at the strategic level. It reviews and synthesizes insights from management and strategy literature, introducing a unified perspective through the concept of strategic orientation. The framework identifies the key elements of such an orientation and highlights the risks that organizations may encounter in the course of implementation. Beyond the theoretical contribution, the study also engages with the Russian context, offering a high-level overview of how open digital development is implemented in selected organizations. Combining conceptual synthesis with contextual analysis, the paper deepens our understanding of strategic management in digitally driven environments and highlights ways to strengthen the growth and competitiveness of Russia’s digital technology sector.