OPPORTUNITIES AND PROBLEMS OF APPLYING IMITATION STRATEGIES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA

Abstract

Economic sanctions against the Russian Federation highlighted the problem of technological sovereignty. It is proposed to consider the problem of using simulation strategies to organise the process of equipment import substitution in a timely manner, successful implementation of which was shown by some Asian countries (Japan, China). Studies in other countries prove the effectiveness of using imitation strategies as a reference point for the technological breakthrough for individual companies and the economy as a whole. The purpose of this article is to analyse the experience of developing countries in using imitation strategies for technological development, and to assess the opportunities for the wide application of such strategies in Russia to form technological sovereignty in the current conditions. In this study the author identifies some key factors of the effectiveness of applying the imitation strategies in developing countries, primarily in China. Among these factors are the role of small and medium-sized businesses in technological development and dissemination of knowledge, the development of a system for protecting intellectual property rights, as well as the existence of a technological gap between domestic and foreign firms in the home market. These factors have had a significant impact on the spread of imitation strategies and the subsequent development of China’s own innovation environment. The study demonstrates that small business, the system for protecting intellectual property rights and the competition of foreign high-tech companies will not be able to become the driving force behind the implementation of imitation strategies in the conditions of Russian reality. With this in mind, the article proposes industrial policy measures that will create favourable economic conditions for the successful use of imitation strategies based on the experience of China. The results of this study contribute to the problem of Russia’s technological sovereignty formation in the current sanctions. They also contain proposals for the introduction of economic measures that may influence the effectiveness of import substitution.