Companies that implement modern ICT solutions are significantly more likely to enter foreign markets and operate more actively in them. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the Gaidar Institute’s International Trade Laboratory after analyzing data on Russian enterprises, industries, and international trade.
In recent years, digitalization has ceased to be merely a trend and has become a prerequisite for competitiveness. Businesses are increasingly using automation, data analysis, and electronic management systems to reduce costs and interact more quickly with partners. However, the question of how strongly these changes affect foreign trade remained open until now.
The study’s researchers examined data at several levels—from individual companies to industries and countries—and compared it with export indicators. The analysis took into account both internal business processes and the digitalization of foreign trade procedures, including electronic document management and customs operations.
The results showed that digitalization is directly linked to a business’s entry into international markets. Companies actively adopting digital technologies are 6 p.p. more likely to start exporting as early as the following year. Given that the share of exporters is initially small (about 2–3%), this implies a significant increase in the chances of expanding abroad.
Moreover, digital enterprises not only begin exporting but also expand their operations more rapidly. They increase the number of partner countries and the range of goods supplied by an average of 4–6%. This suggests that digitalization stimulates not only growth in trade volumes but also its diversity—companies are beginning to work with new markets and products.
The effect is also observed at the industry level. The higher the level of digitalization in an industry, the more actively its non-resource exports develop. At the regional level, the link is also evident, albeit less consistently—mainly due to statistical limitations.
The digitalization of trade procedures themselves is of particular importance. The transition to electronic documents and paperless processes reduces time and administrative costs. As a result, companies find it easier to enter new markets, and the structure of trade becomes more diverse—the number of countries and goods in export flows increases.
Interestingly, it is not only domestic digitalization that plays an important role, but also the level of digital development among trading partners. If an importing country uses modern electronic procedures, it is easier for Russian companies to operate in its market. This leads to an increase in the number of exporters and a broader range of goods supplied.
“Digitalization works in several ways at once—it makes companies more efficient while simultaneously simplifying trade itself. Ultimately, not only individual businesses benefit, but the economy as a whole, thanks to more diverse and sustainable exports,” the study’s authors note.
In the long term, the study’s findings can be used to inform economic policy. Developing digital infrastructure, supporting technology adoption, and simplifying electronic interactions with the government can significantly strengthen companies’ positions in global markets. Experts suggest paying particular attention to international digital cooperation—for example, the mutual recognition of electronic documents and signatures.
Thus, digitalization becomes not merely a tool for improving efficiency, but a full-fledged driver of foreign trade. The faster companies and governments adapt to the digital environment, the broader their opportunities in the global market will be.