DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL FORESIGHT RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In modern conditions, regional innovation policy should be focused on finding adequate responses to global challenges. It is necessary to study the dynamics of changes in existing markets and understand what technologies will demand the digital economy. Foresight methods are proposed for forecasting and selecting promising technologies taking into account the potential of the territory. According to the authors, foresight is an analytical tool that identifies technological breakthroughs and opportunities for innovative development of the territory. In this regard, the study's purpose is to develop a methodology for conducting regional foresight studies aimed at identifying priorities for innovative development of the territory. The proposed approach allows us to identify the entrepreneurial potential according to the European concept of "smart specialization" used in this study. It is necessary to ensure a constructive dialogue between the government, business, civil society, science and education. The method is based on the author's matrix of priorities for the development of territories. The study's result will be a typical scheme for conducting a regional foresight describing the application of methods at each stage to select priorities for the development of the territory. This method will strengthen the existing theoretical and methodological aspects of the formation of regional innovation policy. The focus is shifted to the individuality of the territory and its competitive advantages in forming an innovative development strategy based on the principles of "smart specialization. (C) 2021 Published by European Publisher.