Evolution of Views on the Socio-Economic Role of Information Technology – the Example of the 60-Year History of Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The history of the information technology (IT) development at CEMI RAS and the rethinking of the IT role and associated expectations that has occurred over 60 years in this organization can be an illustration of the evolution of views in the scientific community regarding the socio-economic potential of IT. Over the years of its research work, CEMI RAS worked out the most effective way to use almost all major modifications of computers in scientific research, and also carried out the work related to the development of information and communication technologies, including the Internet. Gradually, views on the IT role as a tool for scientific research evolved into an understanding of the complex impact of IT on socio-economic processes, which has the form of widespread digitalization of socio-economic activities. Under these conditions, one of the key IT-related areas of research and development is the creation of a concept for digitalization of coordination mechanisms, the improvement of which affects the entire socio-economic system. The proposed study briefly presents the main milestones in the use and development of IT over the 60 years of CEMI existence and substantiates a qualitatively new task of using and developing IT to improve methods for coordinating scientific research. The rationale for this task is presented using the example of research activities, but the overall long-term goal of these studies is to develop the concept of digital infrastructure and corresponding institutional structures that will ensure better coordination and act as catalyst for the country's development in all major areas of economic activity.