NGO "Eastern European Union of Scientists"
MANAGING REGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES FOR UKRAINE
The article substantiates the management of regional cooperation among the Western Balkan states as a mechanism of preparation for European integration that combines political coordination, market integration, infrastructure compatibility, energy approximation, digital interaction and investment support. The relevance of the study stems from the fact that regional cooperation in the Western Balkans increasingly performs the function of intermediate administrative approximation to the EU Single Market and is not limited to a diplomatic format of good-neighbourly relations. The methodological framework consists of systemic and institutional approaches, as well as logical-analytical, content-analytical, comparative, and secondary statistical methods. Based on an analysis of analytical and reporting materials from international organizations and regional integration platforms, this paper outlines the institutional framework for the regional integration policies of the Western Balkan states. In particular, it describes the governance models, key instruments, and performance indicators of the Common Regional Market, the Berlin Process, the Transport Community, the Energy Community, the Western Balkans Investment Framework, and the Central European Free Trade Agreement. It is demonstrated that the Common Regional Market 2025–2028 serves as a regional framework for assessing the states’ ability to comply with rules aligned with the logic of a single market. The paper systematizes the areas of focus of the Common Regional Market, identifies the governance functions of key regional platforms, and proposes an analytical framework for regional compatibility, in which the political, market, transport, energy, digital, and investment components are considered as interrelated elements of European integration capacity. This study analyzes the key areas of regional cooperation and identifies intra-regional disparities in the processes of European integration related to human capital, mobility, the business environment, investment, competitiveness, digital transformation, and the green and energy transitions. The practical significance of these findings lies in the potential to apply the experience of Western Balkan countries in managing regional cooperation during the process of European integration to Ukrainian policies on cross-border coordination, reconstruction, transport and energy integration, and digital interoperability with the EU.
Copyright (c) 2026 Svitlana Vlasenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
COMPARISON OF THE AMERICAN AND EASTERN EUROPEAN MODELS OF HR MANAGEMENT IN THE RECREATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
The article examines the content of American and Eastern European models of HR management in the recreational business environment. The importance of effective HR management as the main factor in ensuring competitiveness in market conditions and improving the quality of recreational services is substantiated. The characteristics and criteria for the functioning of the studied models are considered, as well as their differences due to historical, institutional and cultural features of development. It is established that the American model of HR management is based on individualism, orientation towards achieving high results, constant improvement of professional competencies of employees, personal responsibility, and the use of flexible motivation mechanisms. The features of the Eastern European model of HR management are determined, which is characterized by the integration of traditional principles of personnel work with creative practices of social development and appropriate working conditions, the formation of human capital and the adaptation of personnel policy to dynamic changes in the external environment. The practical significance of the research is the possibility of using these results to improve HR management systems in recreational organizations. The application of the above advantages of both models can contribute to more effective development of human potential, improving the quality of recreational services and strengthening competitiveness.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hanna Tolchieva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS FOR SUSTAINING A CONTINUOUS MOBILIZATION PROCESS IN A PROTRACTED CONFLICT: INTEGRATING EDUCATIONAL, FINANCIAL, AND PERSONNEL INCENTIVES
This paper scrutinizes existing institutional frameworks for ensuring sustained mobilization amid prolonged contention, focusing on the incorporation of instructional, fiscal, and staffing incentives. The objective of this investigation is to theoretically underpin and formulate pragmatic methods for enhancing institutional systems that ensure lasting mobilization amid extended struggle, centered on weaving together educational, monetary, and personnel motivators intended to boost work performance, fortify drive, streamline labor structure, enhance discourse, and secure a high degree of communicative effectiveness and group cohesion. A crucial avenue is also the development of efficient team collaboration, capable of ensuring flexibility, unity of effort, and stability of the system’s operation under prolonged stress. The research employed such techniques as systemic and institutional perspectives; examination and combination; comparative technique; structural-functional evaluation; fiscal and statistical procedures; and simulation method. The conceptual foundation of sustainable mobilization in protracted conflict is elucidated and its substance is refined via the institutional viewpoint. Scholarly methods for building the mobilization resilience of the nation are assessed and primary elements for its support are determined. The institutional fundamentals of work structuring in mobilization frameworks are examined with a focus on securing workplace productivity. The function of drive as a key element in boosting the efficacy of staff efforts amid extended burdens is examined. The processes of information exchange within the mobilization framework are described, and their effect on the communicative impact of leadership is established. The characteristics of group synergy and its significance for sustaining the steadiness of corporate frameworks are identified. The link among work arrangement, motivation, and the degree of work output in mobilization endeavors is uncovered. The difficulties and constraints in guaranteeing productive dialogue and group collaboration are studied. A framework for merging training, monetary, and human resources inducements to elevate the total success of mobilization is formulated. Actionable suggestions for enhancing organizational frameworks are supported, considering the boost in conversational effectiveness, drive, and work output. Subsequent studies ought to concentrate on examining novel methods for establishing interaction and boosting interactive proficiency within tiered leadership structures, along with investigating the processes of group cooperation amidst significant unpredictability.
Copyright (c) 2026 Serhii Yakymenko, Iryna Bernatska, Anastasiia Konovalenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CONSEQUENCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION’S ARMED AGGRESSION FOR UKRAINE’S ENVIRONMENTAL SPHERE
The full-scale armed aggression by the russian federation against Ukraine has had a massive negative impact on the environment. Ukraine is home to a large number of industrial enterprises, critical infrastructure facilities, protected natural areas, and fertile lands. This significantly exacerbates the scale of environmental damage. At the same time, the vast extent of territories that are temporarily occupied or contaminated with mines makes it extremely difficult to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental damage. The article presents a comprehensive study of the current state of Ukraine’s environmental sector amidst ongoing armed aggression. Data regarding the war’s adverse impact on land resources, atmospheric air, surface and groundwater, forests, the nature reserve fund, and biodiversity have been systematized. Official figures concerning environmental damage have been summarized. Attention is paid to the environmental consequences of the Kakhovka HPP destruction, widespread landmine contamination, the degradation of nature reserve areas, and the accumulation of military waste. The capabilities of modern international environmental monitoring mechanisms utilizing remote sensing and satellite technologies are examined. A classification of the war’s environmental impacts is presented. It has been established that the armed aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine has created a system of long-term environmental risks, the consequences of which will persist for decades after the cessation of hostilities. It has been determined that areas within the nature reserve fund, land resources, and forests have suffered the greatest losses. It is currently impossible to fully assess the extent of the negative impact on occupied territories and marine ecosystems. The need to integrate state environmental monitoring with international information systems, improve methods for assessing environmental damage in accordance with European standards, and establish a state strategy for post-war environmental recovery is substantiated.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kyryll Nesterenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
SOME ASPECTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC COUNCILS
The article is devoted to the study of the main functions of public councils. The author analyzes various approaches to the separation of functions and proves that the main functions of public councils are control, consultation and expert. The article draws attention to the fact that the concept of “public monitoring” proposed at the regulatory level does not reflect the essence of the relevant activities of public councils, since it is focused on systematic and continuous observation, collection and assessment of information, but does not cover inspections, detection of violations, and active intervention in correcting the situation. The position is argued according to which public monitoring should be defined as the first stage of public control. Attention is drawn to the fact that public councils, by their essential purpose, perform the function of public control and a proposal is made to harmonize the relevant legal norms. The author also studies the consultative function of public councils and emphasizes that public councils are and should remain important subjects of public-state dialogue. This approach is based on the thesis that the institution of public consultations allows citizens to directly express their opinion in the public and legal sphere. The article emphasizes that the development of information and communication technologies significantly activates the exchange of opinions, information, and constructive debates. The author also draws attention to the threat of excluding public councils from the process of conducting public consultations on the basis of prospective legislation and suggests ways to overcome it. Special attention is paid to the role of public councils in conducting public expertise, which is a form of implementing the constitutional rights of citizens to participate in the management of state affairs. It is argued that public expertise should be based on professional knowledge and a clear methodology. In order to optimize the rules for conducting public expertise, it is worth determining the indicators of the effectiveness of its procedures. Based on the research conducted, the paper substantiates the conclusion that the development of specific forms of implementing the function of public control, advisory and expert functions requires further scientific research and the implementation of the experience of best European practices.
Copyright (c) 2026 Олена Матусова https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AS A TRANSFORMATION TOOL OF UKRAINE’S INTERNATIONAL IDENTITY DURING THE WAR
The article examines public diplomacy as one of the key mechanisms for the transformation of Ukraine’s international identity in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The focus is on changes in the international perception of Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in 2022, as well as the role of diplomatic, cultural and information practices in constructing the modern image of the state in the international arena. The features of the institutional development of Ukrainian public diplomacy and the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Institute, public organizations, cultural institutions and the Ukrainian diaspora in promoting Ukrainian narratives abroad are traced. Particular attention is focused on cultural diplomacy, digital communications, international information campaigns and practices of social solidarity, which have acquired particular importance in the context of war. It is shown that the international image of Ukraine is increasingly associated with democratic values, social stability, the protection of freedom and European identity. The expansion of the international presence of Ukrainian culture, the activation of the diaspora, the growth of the state’s international visibility, and the strengthening of international support have become important components of this process. Public diplomacy is emerging not only as a sphere of external communication, but also as a tool for establishing Ukraine’s international subjectivity and forming stable perceptions of the state in the global political and cultural space.
Copyright (c) 2026 Borys Bondarenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE ROLE OF ACADEMIC DISCOURSE IN ENSURING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND RESEARCH QUALITY: A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
The importance of the study is determined by the processes of digitalization in science and education, the dissemination of the principles of open science, growing requirements for the quality of research results, and the need to enhance trust in the academic community. In this connection, special attention has been paid to the impact of the academic discourse on the culture of scholarly communication, the observance of ethical principles, and research quality assurance. This contribution aims to highlight the role of academic discourse and integrity in enabling productive scientific research and to identify existing management tools that support the development of a transparent academic milieu. The analysis and synthesis of the data were conducted using the systems approach, comparative analysis, logical generalization, and the tabular method. By analyzing the works of local and foreign researchers, it was possible to single out the main concepts of academic discourse and its significance in evolving academic cultures. As a result of the study, it has been established that academic discourse is not only a communication tool but also an essential device in promoting honesty, trust, responsibility, respect and fairness for the academic society. The results indicate that the ongoing digital transformation in science and education offers new potential to promote principles of open science, international science cooperation, and openness of research processes, which again points to the need for strengthening mechanisms for the detection of academic misconduct. This article describes a range of modern management and practical tools for academic integrity enhancement, covering regulatory regimes, quality assurance at the institutional level and peer review, digital surveillance tools, plagiarism detection mechanisms, international researcher identifiers, principles of open science, and academic mentoring schemes. A framework for analysis of the contemporary management tools with regards to their effects on quality of research, ethics and the promotion of an open scholarly environment is suggested. The implementation of effective academic integrity management is described as a multi-dimensional process that requires the integration of institutional, organizational as well as digital mechanisms, and in parallel the development of an academic culture that embraces responsible research conduct.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yaroslav Zhovnirchyk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
The article analyzes the institutional barriers to the development of the public administration system of Ukraine in the context of European integration and determines their impact on the effectiveness of the implementation of reform processes and the adaptation of the national system of governance to the standards of the European Union. The main factors that hinder the modernization of the public administration system are considered, among which the imperfection of regulatory and legal support, fragmentation of legislative regulation, politicization of personnel processes, insufficient level of interdepartmental coordination, shortage of highly qualified personnel, corruption risks and limited level of digitalization of management processes are characterized. It was found that the insufficient institutional capacity of state authorities negatively affects the effectiveness of European integration reforms, complicates the process of harmonization of legislation and limits the possibilities of effective implementation of the principles of good governance in the practice of public administration. Based on the analysis of monitoring reports of SIGMA, OECD and the European Commission, key problems in the field of strategic planning, interdepartmental interaction and coordination of state policy have been identified. Special attention is paid to the study of the impact of politicization of the civil service and corruption practices on the effectiveness of the functioning of the public administration system. The directions of improving the public administration system of Ukraine in the context of European integration are characterized, among which the development of e-government, ensuring transparency of personnel policy, strengthening the independence of state institutions and the activation of international cooperation in the field of institutional modernization are of great importance. Conclusions have been drawn regarding the need for systemic reform of the regulatory, personnel, organizational and technological components of public administration as a prerequisite for increasing the institutional capacity of the state and effective implementation of Ukraine’s European integration policy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Olena Akhmedova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
IMPROVING THE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE STATE POLICY OF DEOFFSHORIZATION IN UKRAINE
The article explores the theoretical, methodological, and applied principles of improving the institutional support of the state policy of deoffshorization in Ukraine. The relevance of the problem is substantiated due to the globalization of financial markets, the spread of practices of using offshore jurisdictions, the erosion of the tax base, the reduction of budget revenues and the weakening of the state’s fiscal stability. It is determined that deoffshorization is an important direction of state financial policy, the effectiveness of which depends not only on the quality of regulatory and legal regulation, but also on the institutional capacity of public authorities to ensure coordination, control, information exchange and the implementation of international standards of tax transparency. The paper focuses on the fact that in Ukraine, functions in the field of deoffshorization are distributed between various state institutions; however, the fragmentation of powers, insufficient coordination of actions and the absence of a holistic coordination mechanism reduce the effectiveness of state policy in this area. The article analyzes scientific approaches to understanding deoffshorization through the prism of financial security, tax control, legal regulation, combating tax evasion and the implementation of international standards, in particular the BEPS Action Plan. It is substantiated that the further development of institutional support for deoffshorization should include strengthening interdepartmental cooperation, improving the powers of competent authorities, digitalization of control procedures, increasing the analytical capacity of state institutions and the formation of a comprehensive system for monitoring risks associated with the use of offshore schemes. It is concluded that an effective deoffshorization policy in Ukraine requires a combination of regulatory, organizational, information-analytical and control tools aimed at ensuring financial transparency, strengthening budgetary security and increasing the effectiveness of public administration in the field of counteracting the withdrawal of capital to offshore jurisdictions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yana Fenyuk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
REGIONAL ASYMMETRY OF ENERGY SECTOR DIGITALIZATION IN UKRAINE: THE CASE OF IVANO-FRANKIVSK OBLAST AS A MODEL OF ADVANCED ADOPTION
The digital transformation of Ukraine’s energy sector is highly uneven, and this unevenness is becoming increasingly visible at the regional rather than the national level. With average household smart metering coverage of around 24% at the end of 2025, the gap between the leading oblast and the oblasts of critical lag reaches almost fifteenfold. This raises doubts about the ability of a single regulatory policy to influence all territories equally. The regional dimension of energy digitalization remains underexplored in public administration scholarship, although it is precisely at the oblast and community levels that digital assets may become tools for managing energy resilience. The article aims to identify the factors of regional leadership in the digital modernization of energy infrastructure and to assess the conditions under which technical leadership translates into managerial effectiveness. The study applies comparative inter-regional analysis, the case method, and an original four-factor model explaining the preconditions for advanced adoption. The empirical basis includes data from DiXi Group, NEURC materials, and information from the regional authorities of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast. The results show that Prykarpattia’s advanced level of digitalization, where smart metering coverage reached 44.9% at the end of 2025 against a national average of 24%, stems from a combination of four factors: the corporate strategy of the distribution system operator, the regulatory tariff incentive, the presence of certain critical energy infrastructure facilities in the region, and relative rear-area stability under conditions of armed aggression. It is established that technical leadership does not automatically translate into managerial effectiveness. Despite the presence of roughly 7,500 small and distributed generation facilities in the region, this potential has not yet been realized in the form of aggregated flexibility or manageable balancing resources. The article substantiates that scaling regional success requires a shift in regulatory logic: from a model in which operators may invest in digitalization to one in which they have a clear obligation, an economic incentive, and a controlled investment mechanism. Further research should focus on mechanisms for integrating regional distributed generation into the national balancing system through the DataHub platform.
Copyright (c) 2026 Oleh Kotsiubynskyi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEMS OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES IN THE PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
The article substantiates a multi-level diagnostic framework for assessing the institutional capacity of public administration systems in the Western Balkans during European integration. Institutional capacity is defined as the ability of an administrative system to maintain a recurrent governance cycle: planning reforms, securing resources, coordinating policies, sustaining a professional civil service, ensuring accountability mechanisms, delivering quality services, using digital tools and managing public finances. The methodology combines systemic, institutional, comparative, secondary statistical and logical-analytical approaches, a critical review of recent literature and secondary analysis of SIGMA/OECD, ReSPA, WeBER and Worldwide Governance Indicators materials. The article distinguishes normative alignment with the acquis from the actual administrative ability to implement membership requirements. Based on the SIGMA approach, six diagnostic dimensions of institutional capacity are identified: public administration reform strategy, policy development and co-ordination, public service and human resource management, organisation, accountability and oversight, service delivery and digitalisation, and public financial management. The quantitative SIGMA-based analysis reveals uneven administrative capacity across the WB6, with public financial management showing the highest average result and public service and human resource management the lowest. The article proposes a typology of regional administrations according to their functional balance and a logical-analytical adaptation matrix for Ukraine, linking institutional lessons from the Western Balkans with the risks of Ukraine’s accession negotiations, wartime governance, recovery and public administration modernisation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Larysa Komakha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN UKRAINE
The article examines the theoretical, methodological and applied principles of forming a system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of public management mechanisms for the development of public-private partnership in Ukraine in the context of post-war restoration and transformation of the public administration system. The need to transition from assessing the effectiveness of individual projects to comprehensive monitoring of the effectiveness of public management mechanisms that ensure their preparation, financing and implementation is substantiated. The current state of regulatory, institutional and financial support for public-private partnership is analyzed, and key problems of the functioning of the current management system are identified, related to insufficient coordination of entities, the absence of integrated assessment procedures and a low level of fiscal risk management. A conceptual model for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of public management mechanisms for the development of public-private partnership is proposed, which integrates institutional, organizational-functional, financial and information-analytical components. The model involves the use of a system of evaluation criteria and indicators, the application of Cost-Benefit Analysis and Value for Money methods, the implementation of institutional and public monitoring, as well as strengthening coordination between state authorities, local governments and specialized institutions. The practical implementation of the proposed approaches will contribute to increasing transparency, accountability and efficiency of public management mechanisms for the development of public-private partnerships, improving the processes of strategic planning and management decision-making in the field of public investments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Anatoly Levchenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCHING PARTNERSHIP MECHANISMS IN THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION CHANGES
The article examines the methodological foundations for analyzing partnership mechanisms within the public governance system under conditions of global transformations. It substantiates that the contemporary transformation of public governance is characterized by a shift from the traditional hierarchical model of interaction toward partnership-based, networked, and collaborative forms of governance, which involve the engagement of both state and non-state actors in the processes of public policy formulation and implementation. It is determined that partnership in the modern governance environment serves not only as a tool for coordinating the activities of various actors but also as a strategic mechanism for strengthening state institutional capacity, ensuring transparency, openness, and the creation of public value. The study systematizes the main scientific approaches to the analysis of partnership mechanisms, including systemic, institutional, network, actor-oriented, and value-based approaches. The role of network governance as a methodological foundation for examining horizontal interaction between public authorities, local self-government bodies, civil society organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders is revealed. It is established that the effectiveness of partnership models is determined not only by regulatory and legal conditions but also by the level of trust, the quality of communication, institutional culture, coordination capacity, and the ability to develop and implement collective governance decisions. Particular attention is paid to the institutional environment for partnership development in Ukraine under the conditions of European integration, decentralization, digital transformation, and post-war recovery. The necessity of transitioning from formal models of public engagement toward genuine mechanisms of participation and co-creation of public policy is substantiated. It is determined that a promising direction for further research is the development of a comprehensive methodology for assessing the effectiveness of partnership mechanisms based on the criteria of institutional resilience, social trust, innovativeness, and public value creation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Oksana Parkhomenko-Kutsevil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
LOBBYING IN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT: IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES AND RISKS FOR PUBLIC GOVERNANCE
The article examines the issues of legal regulation of lobbying in local self-government bodies of Ukraine following the enactment of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying”. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of legislative inconsistencies, regulatory gaps, and practical challenges arising during the implementation of the new legal institution at the local level. Particular attention is paid to the definition of the object, subject matter, and actors of lobbying, as well as to the correlation between the provisions of the Laws of Ukraine “On Lobbying” and “On Law-Making Activity”. It is established that the current legal framework contains a number of internal contradictions related to the postponed enactment of certain legislative provisions, which creates legal uncertainty and complicates the practical application of lobbying regulation mechanisms. The article substantiates that a significant number of individual acts adopted by local self-government bodies formally fall outside the scope of lobbying regulation, although they may directly relate to the realization of commercial interests of particular actors. It is determined that the lack of clear criteria for distinguishing lobbying from advocacy, as well as public interest from commercial interest, creates preconditions for the spread of “shadow lobbying” practices and increases the risks of corrupt influence on managerial decision-making processes. The study also analyzes the problems associated with excluding certain activities and categories of actors from the scope of lobbying regulation, which may be used as a mechanism for circumventing legal restrictions. The author concludes that further improvement of lobbying legislation, harmonization of normative legal acts, clarification of the conceptual framework, and development of stable administrative and judicial practice are necessary. It is emphasized that ensuring transparency of interest representation and effective control over lobbying activities constitutes an important prerequisite for improving the efficiency of public governance and minimizing corruption risks in the activities of local self-government bodies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Volodymyr Bondarenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL SUPPORT OF ANTI-CORRUPTION MECHANISMS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE SPHERE OF CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE RECOVERY
The relevance of the study stems from the fact that the sphere of construction and infrastructure recovery in Ukraine combines high capital intensity, a large volume of public investment, multi-level coordination, a complex project cycle, and heightened vulnerability to discretionary decisions, conflicts of interest, and manipulation at different stages of project implementation. Under the conditions of full-scale war and large-scale post-war reconstruction, anti-corruption support in this sphere acquires independent managerial significance. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the organizational and legal support of anti-corruption mechanisms of public administration in the sphere of construction and infrastructure recovery and to develop a risk-oriented model for their integration into the full management cycle of a recovery project. The methodological basis of the study combines systemic, institutional, comparative legal, logical-analytical, and content-analytical approaches. The source base includes Ukrainian legal acts, OECD analytical documents, studies by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention and the Basel Institute on Governance, materials from DREAM, CoST, Prozorro and DOZORRO, as well as recent academic works on corruption in construction projects, public procurement, and digital transparency. The article systematizes the stages of corruption risk concentration in the project cycle of construction and infrastructure recovery, characterizes the current institutional architecture of anti-corruption support, and generalizes the legal, institutional, digital, control, and civic instruments aimed at ensuring integrity. A cross-cutting model of anti-corruption support for a recovery project is proposed, combining prevention, digital traceability, internal and external control, audit, and public monitoring within a single integrity framework. It is shown that the practical value of this model lies in its potential use as an analytical and applied framework for improving the governance of recovery projects at the national and local levels. At the same time, the model requires further operationalization through a system of performance indicators, which opens a direction for further research.
Copyright (c) 2026 Viktor Leschynsky https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CONTROL OF REFURBISHED AUTOMOTIVE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS: EVALUATION CRITERIA, TESTING METHODS, AND IMPACT ON VEHICLE SAFETY
Component-level repair of automotive electronic control units is widely used in practice as an alternative to full replacement. However, there is still no clear, consistent way to judge whether such a repair can be considered reliable. Drawing on 210 real repair cases from 2023–2024, this article looks at how refurbished units are actually evaluated, what signals indicate that a repair will hold over time, and why these decisions have direct safety implications for the vehicle. Methods of analysis and synthesis, a structural-functional approach, and a structured in-depth interview with a practicing specialist were employed. It was found that standard testing with power connection and a diagnostic scanner detects only some of the faults: defects in the interconnections between the board layers remain undetected until the unit is subjected to actual load in the vehicle. Eliminating the root cause of the malfunction in the vehicle prior to unit repair and load testing reduces the rate of repeat failures to 5–10%. The proposed multi-layer validation model combines microscopic inspection, electrical measurements, diagnostic scanning, memory verification, and load, thermal, and mechanical stress testing. The results provide a practical basis for developing a standardized quality-control protocol for independent service centers working with safety-critical automotive electronic modules. For active safety systems, where a failure can directly cause an accident, a latent fault is more dangerous than a complete unit failure: it is not detected by the self-diagnostic system but manifests during emergency braking or a sharp maneuver. The study also demonstrates that repair decisions for safety-critical modules should be based not only on functional recovery but also on the predictability of their behavior under dynamic operating conditions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yurii Breusov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
SIGNIFICANCE OF ROLLED STEEL QUALITY FOR STRUCTURAL DURABILITY AND SAFETY: A MULTI-FACTOR ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
Structural steel quality is widely recognized as a factor in building longevity and safety, yet the relationship between specific rolled steel characteristics and measurable structural performance outcomes over multi-decade service periods has not been systematized into a practical assessment tool. This article develops a Multi-Factor Durability-Safety Assessment Framework that connects five rolled steel quality factors (grade compliance, dimensional tolerance, protective coating integrity, weldability, documentary traceability) to three structural performance domains (load-bearing reliability, corrosion resistance, safety margin preservation over time). The framework is grounded in field observations of over 40 steel structures across warehouse, industrial, and commercial applications, assessed during periodic site visits over 3 to 10 years of service in various environmental exposure conditions. Observed data indicate that structures fabricated from fully certified and appropriately protected rolled steel exhibit 40–60% lower visual deterioration scores at the five-year mark, maintain design safety margins within acceptable bounds through the observation period, and require 30–50% fewer maintenance interventions compared to structures built with unverified or inadequately protected material. Lifecycle cost projections incorporating initial material investment and estimated maintenance expenditure suggest that premium-quality rolled steel reduces aggregate 25-year ownership costs by approximately 20–35% despite higher purchase price. The framework provides procurement and design professionals with a structured method for evaluating how material quality decisions at the specification stage affect structural outcomes across the full-service life.
Copyright (c) 2026 Norayr Avetisyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN SMALL WOODWORKING BUSINESS IN THE USA
Small woodworking companies are an important part of the U.S. furniture manufacturing business, especially when it comes to custom furniture or low-volume runs. Unlike their larger-scale, industrial counterparts, however, small woodworking operations have limited resources, are characterized by higher levels of product variation, and utilize a much greater proportion of manual processes. Therefore, organizing production workflows becomes more complex than in their industrial counterparts. Research into the U.S. furniture manufacturing industry has traditionally focused on large-scale industrial manufacturing, automation, and technological improvements, while generally ignoring the operational constraints faced by small-scale manufacturing operations. This research addresses this void by examining how small woodworking businesses organize production using both theoretical knowledge from manufacturing research and real-world industry experience. This research examined major production stages, including (1) raw materials preparation; (2) machining; (3) assembly; and (4) finishing, as well as how digital technologies such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer numerical control (CNC) systems, etc., improve production workflow efficiencies. Special emphasis was placed on the role of digital technologies in coordinating production processes, ensuring quality, and managing the consistent production of customized products. The results of the research indicate that the effective organization of production processes in small woodworking businesses is dependent upon the implementation of structured workflow management, accurate material flow, and quality control at each step of the production process. In addition, the research provides a practical, process-oriented framework for improving production efficiency and product quality in small-scale furniture manufacturing.
Copyright (c) 2026 Vitalii Zalitok https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CROSS-INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER: APPLYING LUXURY RETAIL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS TO MEDICAL AESTHETICS OPERATIONS
This article describes how management practices developed in the luxury retail sector can be applied to the operational context of medical aesthetics clinics. The study was conducted at the Arviv Medical Aesthetics clinic network (Miami, Florida, USA) between 2024 and 2026. The author, who has nearly six years of experience as a General Retail Manager at LVMH / Starboard Cruise Services retail chain and heads a clinic without a medical background, systematically implemented four management systems: an inventory tracking and control system; a staff performance measurement and accountability framework; an employee training and development program; and a structured patient service quality standard. The numerical indicators were obtained from reports of the medical information system over three years: the pre-intervention year (March 2023 to February 2024), the first post-implementation year (March 2024 to February 2025), and the second post-implementation year (March 2025 to February 2026). Annual revenue increased from $1,656,894 to $2,034,435 – and was sustained at this level in the third year ($2,034,769) despite a deteriorating external environment. Average revenue per patient visit increased from $347.01 to $463.62. Expenses for goods and supplies decreased by 22 percent. Staff turnover decreased. The percentage of patients making repeat appointments rose markedly. The article separately examines which retail practices can be transferred without modification, which require significant adaptation, and which are simply impossible to apply in a medical setting. It also describes the cultural resistance of medical staff and the specific measures that helped overcome it. The study formalizes these practices into the Cross-Industry Clinical Operations Adaptation Model (CICOA) – a four-system framework that classifies each transferred practice by its transferability and integrates a behavioral component for managing staff resistance – and demonstrates its reproducibility through independent replication at four clinics, with results sustained independently of the author's on-site presence. The model applies beyond medical aesthetics to dental clinics, beauty salons, medical centers, and other highly personalized service organizations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marharyta Kuzmichova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE IMPACT OF INNOVATION ON THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES
The article is devoted to an in-depth analysis of the impact of innovation on the digital transformation process of international enterprises, which in the current conditions of global competition is becoming a determining factor in their strategic development. The paper emphasizes that digitalization encompasses not only technological changes, but also shapes new approaches to management, production organization and business model development. Particular attention is paid to the fact that innovation is the driving force behind the formation of digital ecosystems, which enable enterprises to respond quickly to changes in the external environment and increase the efficiency of their operational activities. An analysis of key technologies – blockchain, 5G networks, digital twins, the Internet of Things, and cloud platforms – demonstrates their comprehensive impact on supply chain optimization, business process transparency, routine operation automation, and the creation of new channels of interaction with consumers. The article emphasizes that innovation plays a central role in shaping new digital products, markets, and production methods, contributing to the emergence of servitudes models focused on data and long-term customer value. Considerable attention is paid to digital culture as a structural element of transformation that ensures the integration of technological tools with staff competencies and organizational changes. It is noted that innovation determines the pace and depth of digital transformation, creating the basis for long-term competitive advantages for international companies, modernizing their operations and forming sustainable digital ecosystems in the global business environment. The authors argue that the combination of technological and managerial innovations creates the basis for increasing the flexibility and sustainability of international companies. It is concluded that innovation-based digital transformation shapes a new logic of business development, provides long-term strategic advantages, and determines the prospects for the functioning of enterprises in the global digital economy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Oleksandr Bondar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
PUBLIC OPINION ON UKRAINE’S NATO MEMBERSHIP AS AN INDICATOR OF THE RECEPTION AND LIMITS OF STATE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION EFFECTIVENESS
The article examines public opinion on Ukraine’s NATO membership as an indicator of the reception, limits and managerial deficits of state strategic communication. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that support for Euro-Atlantic integration in Ukraine has not developed linearly: before 2014 it remained unstable and regionally polarized; after Russia’s aggression in 2014 it underwent the first major turning point; and after the full-scale invasion in 2022 it turned into a much broader supra-regional consensus. The methodology combines secondary analysis of sociological data, historical-political periodization, comparative analysis of regional dynamics and elements of causal-historical reconstruction. The empirical base includes studies on the relationship between public opinion and foreign policy, research on Ukrainian public opinion under wartime conditions, and survey data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, Razumkov Centre, Kyiv Security Forum, New Europe Center, IRI/Rating Group, NDI and other sources. The article distinguishes between event-driven and communication effects: the annexation of Crimea, the war in Donbas and the full-scale invasion are treated as security shocks that themselves changed threat perceptions, while strategic communication shaped the interpretation of these shocks, the stability of the Euro-Atlantic course and public trust in NATO. Three stages in the transformation of public opinion are identified: pre-war fragmentation with pronounced regional polarization; the turning point after Russia’s aggression in 2014; and the formation of a supra-regional consensus after 2022, accompanied by a new gap between support for membership, trust in the Alliance and belief in the realistic prospect of accession. The scientific novelty lies in treating public opinion not as direct proof of the causal impact of communication, but as an indicator of its reception, limits and managerial deficits. The practical significance of the findings is that state strategic communication should move from a mobilizing message about NATO as a non-alternative choice toward an explanatory model that clarifies the accession procedure, allied conditions, the role of military assistance and the limits of NATO’s responsibility.
Copyright (c) 2026 Oleh Medvedyev https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CIVIC CULTURAL DIPLOMACY AS A TOOL FOR PROMOTING UKRAINE’S FOREIGN POLICY GOALS
The article explores the role of citizen cultural diplomacy as a tool for promoting Ukraine’s foreign policy goals in the face of constant geopolitical challenges. The transformation of cultural diplomacy from a state-centric model to an inclusive one is examined, where non-state actors play a key role: artists, activists, and public organizations. This paradigm shift reflects the democratization of international interaction, where non-state initiatives complement official narratives. The mechanisms of citizen cultural diplomacy are analyzed, in particular its decentralized, networked nature, rapid adaptability to crisis events, and the use of digital platforms to disseminate cultural content. Examples of successful initiatives that contributed to the formation of a positive image of Ukraine as a democratic nation are given. The impact of citizen diplomacy on Ukraine’s foreign policy is studied (countering Russian propaganda, increasing cultural visibility, attracting international assistance). At the same time, problems are noted (lack of systemic coordination with state institutions, bureaucratic barriers, limited resources in wartime conditions). For the effective integration of citizen diplomacy into national strategies, institutional reform, transparent dialogue between the state and the public, as well as the ethical use of digital technologies to counter disinformation, are necessary. The role of international partnerships and non-governmental actors in the preservation of cultural heritage and the analysis of media discourse is highlighted. It is noted that the lack of high-quality Ukrainian-language media for the diaspora and refugees creates information gaps that reduce the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy. It is established that citizen cultural diplomacy has become a strategic addition to traditional diplomacy, strengthening the “soft power” of Ukraine. However, to realize its potential, systemic changes are needed: institutionalization of coordination mechanisms, support for digital innovations, and strengthening legal and cultural integration. Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that citizen diplomacy can become the basis of international interaction in times of crisis, but requires a balance between the autonomy of the public sector and strategic planning at the state level.
Copyright (c) 2026 Oleh Holoborodko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE NORTHERN SOLIDARITY MODEL IN THE EUROPEAN SECURITY SYSTEM AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESSES IN EUROPE
The article examines the model of Nordic solidarity as a specific form of institutional, political, defense-related and resource-based response of the Nordic countries to the crisis of European security caused by Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. In contrast to approaches that reduce support for Ukraine to a set of military or financial aid packages, the article proposes a broader interpretation of Nordic solidarity as an operational model in which shared values, high institutional trust, a developed culture of societal resilience, regional coordination, defense readiness and long-term planning are transformed into practical security mechanisms. The methodological basis of the study combines institutional, comparative, indicator-based and analytical-synthetic approaches. The empirical base is formed using academic literature, NORDEFCO and Nordic Council of Ministers documents, Ukraine–NB8 statements, national governmental materials of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, the Ukraine Support Tracker of the Kiel Institute and NATO defense expenditure data for 2014–2025. The article shows that Nordic solidarity has a multi-level architecture consisting of normative-value, political-communicative, institutional-coordination, defense-resource, societal-resilience and reconstruction-technological dimensions. The quantitative analysis demonstrates that military allocations by the Nordic countries to Ukraine increased substantially in 2022–2025, while their share in European military allocations rose from 11.9% in 2022 to 31.9% in 2025. At the same time, defense expenditure in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden increased both as a share of GDP and in real terms in 2014–2025, indicating a close link between support for Ukraine and the rearmament of the Nordic region itself. The article argues that the significance of this model for Ukraine lies in the transition from the role of an aid recipient to the role of a partner that contributes to European security through combat experience, technological solutions, defense-industrial cooperation and societal resilience. For Europe, Nordic solidarity functions as a mechanism of security regionalization, strengthening of the north-eastern flank, practical rethinking of strategic responsibility and transition from declarative support to shared security action.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ілля Є. Миронов https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0