Assessing the Impact of Digitalization on Economic Convergence in the Context of Sustainable Development: The Methodological Aspect

In modern conditions, digital transformation has gained key importance for the socioeconomic development of countries and regions. Its impact is observed not only at the level of technological changes but also in the structural shifts of economic systems, which highlights the need for new approaches to the analysis of macroeconomic processes. One such process is economic convergence, which in the digital age requires a rethinking of traditional assessment methods and the consideration of new influencing factors. The aim of the article is to substantiate methodological approaches to assessing the impact of digitalization on economic convergence, taking into account the goals of sustainable development. To achieve this aim, the theoretical foundations of digital convergence have been analyzed, existing methodologies for assessing economic rapprochement have been characterized, and an improved approach to measuring convergence driven by digitalization has been proposed. The article proposes a methodological framework that combines elements of beta and sigma convergence with digital variables, enabling not only a quantitative fixation of the convergence or divergence between countries but also a deeper understanding of the role of digitalization as a factor of accelerated economic leveling. Particularly valuable is the ability to assess digital convergence alongside sustainable development indicators aimed at long-term positive effects, which opens up prospects for forming «smart growth» policies. Practical testing of the methodology with the example of European Union countries confirmed its analytical suitability. The results confirmed a positive dynamics of digital convergence between countries, although a gap between «digital leaders» and countries with a lower level of information and communication technologies (ICT) development persists. It has been determined that the greatest impact of digitalization on convergence is achieved in those countries where digital transformation is accompanied by socially oriented policies, the development of human capital, and a stable institutional environment. Thus, digitalization is an important factor in economic convergence, capable of accelerating the convergence of countries in terms of development.