Ideological adaptation of the sustainability concept: unlocking potential through system patterns?

Keywords: sustainable development, public administration, circular economy, green economy, digital economy, smart specialization, agile management, crisis management, economic policy.

Abstract

This article focuses on the theoretical and methodological adaptation of the sustainable development concept through implementing a more flexible and adaptive approach to management processes, harmonizing the relationship between government and market roles in promoting sustainability, maintaining balanced interests in multi-level interactions, and optimally unlocking the underutilized potential of human and social capital. The research aims to scientifically substantiate the possibility of rationally balancing the sustainability concept with national interests and using it as an integrative approach to constructing a new socio-economic model based on harmonizing self-regulation and management influence, which can accelerate metabolic and regenerative processes.

The author emphasizes that the fundamental principles of sustainable development –balancing economic growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability – remain extremely important and relevant to today’s challenges. Despite the fragmentation in practical implementation that undermines trust in sustainability as an optimal practical approach, there remains an opportunity to unlock untapped potential by relying on balanced system patterns and self-regulation mechanisms. The author notes that transforming management approaches through flexible adaptation of the concept with national interests and aligning practical management approaches with system patterns will allow countries and regions not only to overcome current challenges more effectively but also to establish a foundation for strategic resilience and competitiveness. The article reveals the theoretical-analytical and systemic-methodological foundations for implementing a flexible and adaptive approach to sustainable development management as an optimal model that enables: alignment of multi-level goals and values, combining today’s requirements (pragmatism and contextual orientation) with strategic principles of sustainability – optimality and rationality, adaptability and resilience.

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Author Biography

Oleksii Gibadullin , LLC «UBC Group»

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Management and Administration,
Human Resources Director of LLC «UBC Group»,
7, st. Lermontovska, Kharkiv, 61024, Ukraine

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Published
2025-06-04
How to Cite
Gibadullin , O. (2025). Ideological adaptation of the sustainability concept: unlocking potential through system patterns?. Pressing Problems of Public Administration, 1(66), 37-66. https://doi.org/10.26565/1684-8489-2025-1-02
Section
Theory and History of Public Administration