Pressing Problems of Public Administration

Political leadership as a foundation for consolidating flat hierarchies in agile governance models for sustainable development under conditions of digital transformation

2026-02-21T20:46:37+00:00

The article focuses attention on the possibility of restoring balance between sustainable development governance systems and socio-economic transformation processes through changing approaches to utilising political leadership practices, which continue to persist in the intangible emotional potential of the social component. The scholarly trajectory of reconceptualising political leadership as a consolidating element of contemporary transformation processes within a dynamic horizon places particular emphasis on the interconnection between leadership and governance processes, and the interdependence of political leadership and information flow sustainability. This may facilitate alignment and balancing of the evolutionary trajectory of the sustainable development system with approaches to constructing governance processes. Furthermore, utilising emotional capital, creative inquiry, and technological capacity can create an internal climate conducive to fostering a culture of organic change. The aim of this article is to provide scholarly substantiation for the possibility of optimally constructing a governance system based on utilising the emotional influence of renewed political leadership as an element of component integration, ensuring structural flexibility and information channel sustainability.
The author emphasises that the growing significance of information as a formative element transforms the internal structure of integration, balancing, and ordering processes, wherein traditional governance hierarchies, in terms of flow ordering levels and information processing speed, are unable to prevent crises and challenges, yet remain the evolutionary foundation of institutional changes in public-private relations. The author asserts that alignment and balancing of the sustainable development governance system with socio-economic transformation processes can presently be realised on the basis of a continuum of more adaptive governance models and reconceptualization of political leadership’s significance as a consolidating element. The author notes that unlocking the potential of shared leadership in renewed governance models, on the one hand, aligns the value-objective chain, whilst on the other, extends its dissemination throughout the system structure, harmonising internal processes. Combining disparate parts into a unified system around shared values creates, on the one hand, a foundation for forming flat hierarchies, whilst on the other, accelerates information exchange and reduces discrete attenuation of managerial influence. Consolidating process actors around a unified political strategy enables continuous reassessment of effectiveness, balancing external commitments with internal context, and comprehensive process improvement.
The article reveals the conceptual and methodological foundations for renewing approaches to constructing sustainable development governance processes through aligning contemporary transformation trajectories with approaches to building management systems. The reconceptualization of leadership’s significance is examined within the dimension of organic consolidation and balanced ordering of internal sustainable development processes during the implementation of contemporary agile governance models.

Public Management of Sports Talent Development: From Traditional Theories to Digital Management Concepts

2026-02-21T20:55:33+00:00

The article presents a systematic analysis of the evolution of theoretical concepts in public management of sports talent development from traditional bureaucratic models to contemporary digital management paradigms within the context of global digitalisation and socio-economic transformations. The author identifies a fundamental ontological contradiction between the nature of information (non-excludability, non-rivalry, immateriality) and traditional management instruments designed for physical objects, which generates exponential growth in digital infrastructure duplication costs without actual control over data. Through the lens of the ‘primary management lever’ criterion, eight traditional public management concepts are analysed (from Weberian bureaucracy to stakeholder theory), revealing their capabilities and structural limitations for managing sports ecosystems, as well as their digital adaptation potential. The transformative impact of four digital concepts (gamification, tokenisation, platform economy, metaverse) on five basic management functions (planning, organising, motivating, coordinating, controlling) is examined, demonstrating both synergistic effects and new forms of digital inequality and algorithmic discrimination. A solution to the ontological gap is proposed through the concept of ‘digital asset information resource’ as a hybrid object with a tripartite nature (primary asset → information resource → tokenized asset), which transfers control from the technically impossible data level to the cryptographically secured access level. Theoretical foundations for integrating traditional and digital approaches are substantiated through complex adaptive systems theory, actor-network theory, institutional logics theory, the socio-materiality concept, and value transformation theory, enabling the creation of a comprehensive conceptual framework for modernising public management of sports talents. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of developing a unique Ukrainian sports management model, where decentralisation becomes a competitive advantage through blockchain coordination, whilst wartime challenges are transformed into opportunities for diaspora engagement in young athletes’ investment through tokenisation.

Digital transformation of public administration of national security in conditions of hybrid warfare

2026-02-21T20:59:46+00:00

digital transformation, national security, hybrid warfare, public administration, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, disinformation countermeasures, digital technologies

Digital Modernization of State Regulation of Small Business Development in the Brewing Industry in modern Ukraine

2026-02-21T21:03:40+00:00

The article substantiates the need for state support for the sustainable development of small enterprises in the craft brewing industry. Based on spatial analysis, countries with the most developed craft brewing sectors—such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and others—are identified. For these countries, the dynamics of the number of craft breweries and their market shares over the past 20 years are analyzed. The study examines instruments of public influence on the development of craft brewing in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. It is established that a targeted combination of tax incentives (reduced excise duties or progressive tax rates for small producers), licensing control, and support through associations and sectoral programs constitutes an effective factor in the development of small brewing businesses.
The analysis of digitalization practices in public administration and support for small enterprises in the countries under study shows that they include government service portals, online business registration systems, electronic tax services, electronic submission of licensing documents, online advisory services, and access to financial support instruments (grants, subsidies, and loans). However, no specialized digital platforms or services exist specifically for the craft brewing sector, and small breweries rely on general digital services for entrepreneurs. In Ukraine, state digital services (Diia.Business, e-Entrepreneur) do not take into account sectoral specifics or the particular needs of entrepreneurs engaged in craft brewing. The analysis of the current state of the craft segment of Ukraine’s brewing industry demonstrates that this sector is almost undeveloped, despite having certain growth potential. It is determined that the regulatory framework governing craft brewing in Ukraine is characterized by the absence of a differentiated approach to small businesses: excise taxation is applied at a uniform rate, licensing procedures are identical for small and large producers, and financial support programs for small businesses are formally available, yet most partner banks refuse to provide financing to small craft beer producers.
Based on an empirical study (semi-structured in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs who own small breweries), the following constraining factors were identified: disproportionate excise tax burden, complexity and high costs of licensing procedures, limited access to financing, a high share of imported raw materials, a shortage of qualified brewers, and restricted distribution channels. The analysis of state regulatory measures and digital tools and services shows that they do not address the identified intra-sectoral problems of craft brewing. An expert survey of specialists in the craft brewing industry confirms the existence of significant problems related to taxation, obtaining permits and licenses, and awareness of state digital instruments. The paper proposes a differentiated taxation model for small breweries based on a progressive scale, formulates the conditions for obtaining tax reductions under this model, and identifies instruments for digital modernization, including an electronic module “Differentiated Excise Duty for Small Producers” integrated into the taxpayer’s electronic cabinet and the Diia platform; a sector-specific digital service “e-License for Craft Producers”; a sectoral financial window within Diia.Business; and a digital sectoral educational and certification platform for craft brewing. The potential of smart contracts for the development of the craft brewing industry is also assessed.

Transformation of financing channels for small and medium-sized businesses in wartime and the tasks of state economic security policy

2026-02-21T21:07:05+00:00

The purpose of the article is to analyse the transformation of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing channels in Ukraine under wartime conditions, to identify the bifurcation of the financial ecosystem into official and unofficial segments, and to determine the objectives of state economic security policy. The central question is: how should the state respond to this bifurcation – through regulation, integration of alternative channels, or expansion of official instruments? The relevance of the research is determined by the fact that SMEs constitute 99.98 % of all business entities in Ukraine, provide 74 % of employment and generate 64 % of added value; hence, the financial resilience of this sector is synonymous with the resilience of the national economy. The methodological framework comprises systemic analysis employing the Conservation of Resources theory and comparative analysis based on data from the National Bank of Ukraine, IFC, World Bank, and Chainalysis.
The study establishes that the war has caused a structural transition from a market-based bank lending model to a state-donor model with a financing gap of USD 29 billion, where the
“5-7-9 %” programme and international grants have become the primary sources of capital. Analysis of the credit portfolio structure revealed the predominance of working capital financing (22 %) over investment financing (16 %), indicating that state programmes function as liquidity support instruments rather than development stimulators. The concentration of over 73 % of loans in state-owned banks creates additional risks to fiscal sustainability.
Simultaneously, an unofficial channel through stablecoins has emerged: Ukraine has ranked first globally in terms of stablecoin share in the economy, which represents not a deviation but a natural adaptive response by businesses to the limitations of the official system. This channel provides entrepreneurs with rapid cross-border settlements (2–5 minutes compared to 1–3 days with banks), lower fees (0–1.5 % versus 3–5 %), and protection against hryvnia devaluation. The regulatory asymmetry with the EU (USDT delisting due to MiCA) has created a competitive advantage for Ukrainian businesses in accessing global crypto liquidity exceeding USD 186 billion.
A combined state policy strategy has been substantiated: phased integration of cryptocurrency settlements into the regulated environment alongside parallel improvement of official financing instruments. The first stage (1–2 years) envisages adoption of crypto-asset taxation legislation with an amnesty mechanism; the second stage (3–5 years) involves modernisation of the “5-7-9 %” programme and implementation of blended finance mechanisms; the third stage entails harmonisation with EU regulatory standards. It has been demonstrated that economic security under bifurcation conditions is ensured not through the dominance of one channel, but through their functional specialisation and complementarity: banks for long-term lending, cryptocurrencies for operational cross-border settlements. Conceptually, this signifies a transition from the “either-or” paradigm to the “both-and” paradigm, where official and unofficial channels serve as complementary elements of a unified financial ecosystem.

Programmable budgetary funds as a public administration instrument: methodology for digital assurance of targeted use of public finances in Ukrainee

2026-02-21T21:10:11+00:00

This article substantiates the concept of programmable budgetary funds as a public administration instrument that integrates the program-target budgeting method with digital technologies for verifying the targeted use of public finances. Programmable budgetary funds are conceptualized as an organizational-technological regime for managing budget appropriations, wherein budgetary commitments and payments are accompanied by machine-readable execution rules, digital proofs of compliance with established conditions, and continuous risk-oriented monitoring. This approach enables the transformation of normative requirements of budget legislation and budget program parameters into formalized verification algorithms executed at the payment decision stage, substantially reducing the dependence of fiscal discipline on post-factum control.
A digital implementation methodology is proposed, encompassing the formalization of a digital budget program passport as a source of machine-readable rules, the establishment of a programmable budgetary commitments registry as a unified identifier of cash flows linked to expected outcomes, integration with treasury service systems, electronic procurement platforms, open data systems, and state registries through interoperability mechanisms, implementation of an evidence-based model for confirming compliance with conditions, and institutionalization of transparency and accountability through open data and public analytics. The boundaries of application and implementation risks are analyzed, particularly legal constraints, organizational barriers, and cybersecurity threats, alongside substantiation of the necessity to maintain principles of human oversight and explainability of algorithmic decisions within the context of budgetary control.

Improvement of risk management mechanisms in the public sector

2026-02-21T21:12:20+00:00

This article addresses the critical inadequacy of reactive risk management approaches in Ukraine’s public sector, which operates under unprecedented uncertainty conditions including full-scale war, prolonged economic instability, accelerated digitization, demographic shifts, and climate change. The research identifies fundamental systemic vulnerabilities in current risk management practices: fragmented risk identification and assessment processes, absence of comprehensive threat management methodology, weak integration of risk management into strategic planning and decision-making processes, and predominant reactive response models rather than proactive threat anticipation and prevention. The study reveals that Ukrainian public sector organizations, constrained by traditional bureaucratic culture and rigid hierarchical structures, demonstrate structural inability to rapidly adapt to sudden changes in security, economic, and social environments. Information disconnection between different agencies prevents formation of comprehensive understanding of interconnected risks spanning multiple public administration spheres simultaneously. The absence of unified standards for risk classification, assessment, and reporting makes comparison and consolidation of risk information at national level impossible. The research develops a comprehensive conceptual model for systematic multidimensional transformation encompassing fundamental principles, institutional architecture, procedural mechanisms, practical tools, and organizational culture. Twelve foundational principles form the conceptual framework: systematicity, proactivity, adaptability, inclusiveness, transparency, proportionality, evidence-based approach, continuity, integration, resilience, ethics, and innovation. The multilevel architecture operates across strategic, sectoral, and regional levels, with the strategic level establishing a Central Risk Management Coordination Body within the Cabinet of Ministers, sectoral level implementing specialized risk management units in central executive bodies, and regional level adapting approaches to territorial specificities while engaging local communities. The practical toolkit integrates risk matrices, threat registers, key risk indicators, stress testing, scenario planning, bow-tie diagrams, and FMEA/FMECA methodologies specifically adapted for public sector characteristics. Cultural transformation through systematic personnel training, restructured motivation systems, and effective communication channels represents the most critical transformation aspect, converting formal procedures into integrated components of daily management thinking. The model specifically addresses Ukrainian wartime realities including martial law operations, resource limitations, corruption challenges, European integration commitments, and accelerated digitization. Implementation mechanisms include pilot projects, phased rollout, and adaptive approaches balancing short-term survival needs with long-term institutional development goals. Successful realization will fundamentally transform Ukrainian public sector capabilities from reactive crisis response to proactive risk anticipation, prevention, and organizational resilience building.

Municipal management as the basis of public management of sustainable infrastructure of communities

2026-02-21T21:17:51+00:00

The article is devoted to the theoretical substantiation of the role of municipal management as a key tool in the public administration system aimed at ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the infrastructure of territorial communities in the context of decentralization and modern challenges.
It is established that the inefficiency of management is due to the dominance of a reactive approach over strategic planning, which leads to critical depreciation of fixed assets and financial instability. To overcome these dysfunctions, the need to transition to proactive, innovative management is substantiated.
The central result of the study is the development of a partnership model “Governance Triangle”, which involves the synergy of public administration bodies, the private sector and civil society. It is determined that this model provides diversification of financing (through public-private partnership mechanisms) a]nd increases the legitimacy of management decisions. At the same time, key threats to the model are identified, including the risk of “capture” by private business and the institutional immaturity of control mechanisms.
A set of practical recommendations is proposed, including the implementation of smart technologies (GIS) for asset monitoring, the development of human capital of facilitator managers, and the integration of an early warning system, which are necessary to ensure sustainable and innovative infrastructural development of communities..

Transformation of the multilevel governance model of social development under the influence of hybrid threats

2026-02-21T21:21:23+00:00

The article examines the transformation of the multilevel governance model of social development under the influence of contemporary hybrid threats. It is substantiated that hybrid threats, combining military, economic, informational, cyber, and diplomatic dimensions of influence, create specific challenges for traditional multilevel governance models, requiring their systemic transformation. It is established that the main directions of transformation cover the structural dimension (transition from hierarchical to network organizational forms, creation of specialized coordination structures, development of horizontal interaction between levels), the process dimension (acceleration of decision-making processes, implementation of operational response mechanisms, digitalization of information exchange), the functional dimension (redistribution of powers between levels, strengthening the coordination function of the national level, delegation of operational decisions to the local level), and the institutional dimension (formation of new rules of interaction, accountability mechanisms, control systems). It is revealed that transformation occurs through mechanisms of centralization of powers in the security sphere with simultaneous preservation of decentralization in the socio-economic sphere, creation of joint situational centers for coordinating actions of different levels of government, implementation of digital platforms for operational information exchange and coordination, development of public-private partnerships to mobilize resources of non-state actors. The features of transformation in wartime conditions are revealed using the example of Ukraine, particularly rapid reformatting of powers under martial law, development of horizontal cooperation between communities, integration of the volunteer movement into the management system, and digitalization of administrative processes. Recommendations are proposed for optimizing the multilevel governance model to counter hybrid threats through a balanced combination of centralization and decentralization, building coordination mechanisms between levels, digital transformation of governance systems, and engagement of non-state actors.

Participatory budgeting as a regional policy tool: institutional dimensions and implementation practices in Ukraine

2026-02-21T21:24:19+00:00

In Ukraine, amid a full-scale invasion, the practice of participatory democracy at the local level has undergone a radical transformation. Participatory budgeting, which had been actively developing in most large cities until 2022, has been critically reduced: while 134 public budget competitions were held in 2022, by 2023 their number had fallen to 13, and as of 2024, only 8 of the 100 largest cities continue this practice. At the same time, the war has highlighted the need for participatory mechanisms for the distribution of limited resources and the involvement of citizens in solving urgent problems in the territories.
The purpose of this article is to study the institutional dimensions of participatory budgeting as an instrument of regional policy in Ukraine in wartime and to develop recommendations for state policy to support participatory democracy at the regional level.
An analysis of official documents, statistical data, the regulatory framework, and reports of international organizations for the period 2022-2024 was carried out. The main results of the study indicate the absence of a comprehensive state policy to support participatory budgeting at the regional level. It was found that the reduction in public budget programs is due not only to objective financial constraints, but also to the lack of institutional support infrastructure. At the same time, some cities are demonstrating successful adaptive practices, transforming priorities in line with wartime challenges: projects are aimed at supporting the military, veterans, and internally displaced persons.
The study revealed the significant potential of digitalisation as a compensatory mechanism for maintaining participation in wartime. The E-DEM platform and the international experience of Decidim and Consul demonstrate the possibilities of reducing transaction costs and expanding access to participation, particularly for displaced persons.
A five-component model of public policy to support participatory budgeting at the regional level has been conceptualized, including regulatory, financial, methodological, technological, and educational levels. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of specific recommendations for integrating participatory budgeting into the 2024-2027 Decentralization Roadmap and the updated State Strategy for Regional Development.

Conceptualization and mechanisms of digital citizen engagement in local development: from electronic participation to contractual-participatory relations.

2026-02-21T21:27:26+00:00

This article examines the conceptual foundations and mechanisms of digital citizen engagement in local development through the lens of transition from traditional forms of electronic participation to contractual-participatory relations. The study systematises the evolution of scholarly approaches to digital citizen engagement from philosophical origins of democratic participation
(J. Dewey, J. Habermas) to contemporary concepts of digital governance. The author substantiates an original definition of contractual-participatory relations as mutual obligations between government and citizens formalised through digital platforms regarding participation in local development processes.
A five-dimensional analytical model for assessing digital engagement mechanisms has been developed, integrating technological, social, economic, political, and legal dimensions whilst incorporating a crisis-adaptive component. Unlike existing e-governance classifications, the proposed typology accounts for the specifics of functioning under martial law conditions, mass population displacement, and destruction of traditional infrastructure.
The international experience of platforms such as Decidim (Barcelona), Decide Madrid, vTaiwan, and the Ukrainian case of the Diia platform serving over 19 million users has been analysed. The findings reveal that hybrid models combining private sector technological innovations with democratic guarantees of state institutions demonstrate the highest effectiveness. The Ukrainian experience has demonstrated the possibility of successful adaptation of digital systems to extreme challenges of martial law through rapid deployment of new services, cloud technologies, and data decentralisation.
The determinants of effectiveness of digital engagement mechanisms in the Ukrainian context have been identified: technological adaptability, inclusiveness, citizen trust, economic viability, and resilience to crisis challenges. Prospects for integrating blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence, and Web 4.0 to create new forms of democratic participation at the local level have been substantiated.

Impact of globalization on the national security of Ukraine

2026-02-21T21:31:45+00:00

The article provides a comprehensive systemic analysis of the impact of multidimensional globalization processes on the national security and defence architecture of Ukraine amidst the existential confrontation with Russian armed aggression and tectonic shifts in the global geopolitical order. Utilizing a structural-functional approach, the author conceptualizes the
Russia-Ukraine war not merely as a regional dispute, but as an acute phase of a global value-based conflict between the democratic world and authoritarian revisionism. The study demonstrates that globalization acts as an ambivalent factor for Ukraine: on one hand, it generates unprecedented challenges — such as the erosion of traditional sovereignty, trans-nationalization of threats, critical infrastructure vulnerability, and hybrid cyber-informational attacks — while on the other, it provides critical resources for national resilience, including international solidarity, global sanction mechanisms, and access to space intelligence and high-precision technologies. Special attention is paid to the transformation of warfare under the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where cyberspace, artificial intelligence, and robotic systems become decisive factors in achieving asymmetric advantages over a numerically superior adversary. Having critically re-evaluated the efficiency of existing global security institutions (UN, OSCE) and stating their institutional dysfunctionality in the face of hybrid aggression by a nuclear state, the author scientifically substantiates the lack of alternatives to deepened
Euro-Atlantic integration (NATO, EU) as the sole effective guarantee for preserving Ukrainian statehood. Based on the analysis of identified “security paradoxes”, the article proposes a strategic model of the “Défense Capability Formula”, advocating a shift from reactive defence to proactive subjectivity building through the synergy of technological modernization of the national defence industry, energy decentralization, and a resilient national security culture capable of effectively countering cognitive influences. Ultimately, the research argues that Ukraine’s experience in adapting to global challenges offers a universal framework for reforming the international security system and developing new protocols for countering hybrid threats in the 21st century.

Applying blockchain technology in the election process: implications for the legitimacy of public authority and trust in public policy

2026-02-21T21:36:05+00:00

The article is devoted to researching the impact of blockchain technologies on the legitimacy of the electoral process and the level of public trust in public authorities in the context of the digitalization of democratic institutions. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to find effective mechanisms to increase the transparency of electoral processes, minimize the risks of fraud, and ensure an adequate level of trust in the results of the expression of will in the context of the growing need for remote voting formats. The main results of the study indicate the contradictory nature of the impact of blockchain technologies on electoral processes. On the one hand, the experience of Estonia demonstrates the potential of electronic voting to increase voter turnout and speed up vote counting. On the other hand, American experiments in West Virginia and Utah have revealed serious vulnerabilities in cybersecurity and problems with ensuring voting secrecy. The study identified critical challenges to the implementation of blockchain voting: the digital divide, which threatens to exclude socially vulnerable groups from the electoral process; the problem of balancing voter anonymity and verification; the risks of centralizing control over technological infrastructure; and the lack of established legal standards for regulation. In the Ukrainian context, legislative barriers were analyzed, in particular the incompatibility of the existing Electoral Code with the requirements of digital technologies and the lack of a specialized regulatory framework for cryptographic voting systems.
It has been established that the impact of blockchain voting on the legitimacy of power is twofold: technological transparency can increase trust through the possibility of independent verification of results, but the technical complexity and opacity of algorithms for ordinary citizens can lead to a decline in trust and the perception of elections as manipulated by the technocratic elite.
The study’s conclusions emphasize the need for a balanced approach to the introduction of blockchain technologies into the electoral process, which should take into account not only technological capabilities but also socio-political consequences, ensuring the inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability of electoral systems as the basis for democratic legitimacy.

Conceptualization and mechanisms of digital citizen engagement in local development: from electronic participation to contractual-participatory relations.

2026-02-21T21:39:15+00:00

This article presents a comprehensive conceptual model for institutionalizing public administration of national security specifically adapted to address the multifaceted challenges of hybrid warfare. The research substantiates the critical necessity for fundamental transformation of traditional security institution approaches, demonstrating how sectoral specialization and rigid competency demarcation prove structurally inadequate when confronting complex multidimensional threats that systematically exploit inter-agency gaps and organizational fractures.
The study develops an innovative multilevel integration model that synthesizes strategic, operational, and regional management levels through a systematic framework of foundational principles, architectural elements, and adaptive mechanisms. Thirteen core principles are proposed for constructing an integrated management system: systemic integrity, adaptive architecture, network-centricity, information integration, proactivity, distributed resilience, inclusiveness, continuity, technological innovation, strategic communication, legal legitimacy, continuous learning, and economic efficiency. These principles address specific vulnerabilities of fragmented security systems while ensuring operational effectiveness in dynamic threat environments.
The architectural framework operates across three distinct levels, featuring an innovative functional cluster approach at the operational level that organizes related agencies under unified command structures. Key innovations include establishment of a National Resilience Center as an inter-agency coordination structure responsible for critical infrastructure protection and crisis management, alongside a network of Regional Security and Resilience Centers providing territorial coordination capabilities. This architecture maintains functional specialization while achieving deep institutional integration through horizontal networking mechanisms and shared information platforms.
Critical adaptation mechanisms enable system evolution in response to hybrid threat dynamics through early weak signal detection systems, scenario-based forecasting methodologies, organizational flexibility protocols, and cognitive adaptability frameworks. The model incorporates advanced technological platforms including artificial intelligence analytics, quantum-secured communications, blockchain data integrity systems, and digital twin infrastructure modeling capabilities.
The research demonstrates that this integrated approach generates synergistic effects exceeding the arithmetic sum of individual agency capabilities, while preserving essential functional autonomy and operational specialization. The model addresses the fundamental challenge of coordinating heterogeneous security components against multi-domain threats characteristic of contemporary hybrid aggression. Implementation requires not merely structural reforms but transformational changes in organizational culture, inter-agency trust development, and professional education approaches. The framework provides concrete architectural solutions for all management levels while maintaining sufficient flexibility for adaptation to evolving security environments and national contexts.

Trending Models of Managerial Decision-Making: From Ideal to Gender-Oriented

2026-02-21T21:41:22+00:00

This article presents a critical analysis of the evolution of managerial decision-making models in the public sector within the context of contemporary transformations: technological revolution, demographic changes in Ukraine’s civil service, and wartime challenges. The study traces the theoretical trajectory from Weber’s classical rational model to modern adaptive and hybrid models, including Simon’s bounded rationality model, Lindblom’s incremental model, Etzioni’s mixed-scanning model, Cohen-March-Olsen’s garbage can model, and the coalition model. A comparative analysis of models is conducted based on epistemological foundations, key assumptions about decision-makers, critical limitations, and optimal application domains. Particular attention is paid to analysing contemporary models utilizing artificial intelligence and adaptive approaches within Bauman’s concept of “liquid modernity.” The author proposes a gender-oriented decision-making model that accounts for the influence of socially constructed behavioural patterns on managerial practices. The model comprises eight cycles: emotional reaction, problem definition, goal formation, alternative generation, decision selection, implementation, monitoring, and reflection. The methodological limitations of the proposed model are critically analysed, including risks of essentializing gender differences and the problem of within-group variability. The study demonstrates that under conditions of martial law and personnel transformations in Ukraine’s civil service (reduction of 50,000 employees, 75% female dominance in positions), a hybrid approach integrating elements of various models depending on specific managerial situations is optimal. Prospects for empirical verification of hybrid model effectiveness and development of methodology for assessing the correspondence between decision-making models and specific managerial challenges are identified.

Features of leadership in public authority bodies

2026-02-21T21:43:49+00:00

The article is devoted to the study of leadership features in public authorities in the context of modern challenges and transformational processes in public administration. Conceptual approaches to understanding the phenomenon of leadership in the public sector are considered, and specific characteristics that distinguish public leadership from leadership in the private sector are identified. The main leadership styles applied in public authorities are analyzed, including transformational, transactional, authentic, and servant leadership. Particular attention is paid to the influence of the organizational context of the public sector on the formation and implementation of leadership practices.
The study found that leadership in public authorities is characterized by the need to balance numerous stakeholders, accountability to the public, adherence to procedural norms, and orientation toward the public good. It is proven that effective leadership in the public sector requires specific competencies, including the ability for cross-sectoral cooperation, strategic thinking, political awareness, and a high level of ethical consciousness. It is established that contextual factors of the public sector, such as bureaucratic structure, political environment, and regulatory constraints, significantly affect the possibilities of applying different leadership styles.
Current trends in the development of leadership in public authorities are analyzed, including the movement toward collaborative governance, digital transformation, and the growing role of network leadership. The main challenges faced by public sector leaders are identified, including the need to implement innovations under tight budget constraints, manage change in highly formalized organizations, and maintain public trust. The necessity of purposeful development of leadership competencies among civil servants through specialized training programs and a system of continuous professional development is substantiated.

Institutional Challenges in Implementing the ‘State in a Smartphone’ Model within the Context of Fragmented Public Governance of Digitalisation in Ukraine

2026-02-21T21:46:03+00:00

This article examines the institutional challenges of implementing the ‘state in a smartphone’ model within the context of fragmented public governance of digitalisation in Ukraine during the period 2019-2025. The methodological foundation of the study employs an integrative approach combining constructs from institutional economics and public administration grounded in systems analysis, with the concept of institutional complementarity serving as the central theoretical instrument. To address the research objectives, the study utilises stakeholder mapping methods, comparative benchmarking with international digitalisation models (Estonia, Poland, Denmark, Canada), and structural analysis of transactions within state information systems. The analysis reveals institutional fragmentation in public governance of digital transformation, manifested through the dispersion of resources among numerous budget holders, regulatory contradictions, and weak inter-agency coordination. The study investigates the structure and dynamics of the digital divide, which under wartime conditions has transformed from a matter of social equity into a question of survival, thereby generating new social stratification based on access to digital services. A systemic gap between technological modernisation and institutional transformation has been identified, giving rise to the phenomenon of ‘façade digitalisation’ – the creation of attractive digital interfaces without fundamental changes to bureaucratic processes. The research demonstrates that Ukraine presents a unique paradox: global leadership in citizen e-participation indices coexists with a mediocre position in overall digital government rankings, evidencing the asymmetry between civil society readiness and state institutional capacity. Five key contradictions within the Ukrainian model of digital transformation have been identified, and it is argued that without synchronous modernisation of the institutional environment, even successful technological solutions remain isolated islands of innovation, incapable of generating systemic transformation effects within the socio-economic system. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of digital transformation in post-Soviet contexts and offer practical implications for policymakers engaged in public sector digitalisation under conditions of institutional fragmentation and external shocks.

Features of State Regulation of the Bankin Sector in the Context of Information Society Development

2026-02-21T21:53:42+00:00

The article examines the transformation of state regulation of Ukraine’s banking sector in the context of transition to the information society and digital economy. The relevance of the research is driven by the need to modernize regulatory mechanisms in the context of rapid development of financial technologies, growing cyber threats, and wartime challenges. The aim of the article is to analyze the current state of banking institutions regulation, identify main challenges, and substantiate promising directions for improving regulatory policy under digitalization conditions. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive approach combining historical-logical, comparative, structural-functional analysis, forecasting and modeling methods. The study establishes that the evolution of the regulatory paradigm is characterized by a transition from a static “command-and-control” model to an adaptive system based on principles of flexibility, proactivity, and technological neutrality. Three stages of NBU regulatory approach transformation during 2020-2024 are analyzed, including adaptation to pandemic challenges, crisis management under wartime conditions, and formation of a new regulatory philosophy. The main challenges of state regulation are systematized, covering technological aspects (exponential growth of cyber threats by 450%, algorithmic bias), institutional problems (regulatory lag of 18-24 months with fintech product lifecycle of 6-9 months), and socio-economic challenges (25% of population without access to quality internet). Three strategic vectors for improvement are substantiated: preventive regulation using predictive analytics (increases risk forecasting accuracy by 40%), collaborative interaction model (reduces regulatory uncertainty by 60-70%), creation of next-generation regulatory infrastructure. The effectiveness of transition from entity-based to activity-based regulation for eliminating regulatory arbitrage is demonstrated. The potential of machine-readable regulation to reduce compliance costs by 30-40% is identified. A “regulatory hub” model is proposed as a coordination mechanism between NBU, NSSMC, cyber police and other regulators through a unified digital platform. The architecture of RegTech/SupTech solutions based on blockchain, API interfaces and distributed ledger technologies is developed. Practical significance lies in forming conceptual foundations for modernizing state regulation, taking into account specifics of the Ukrainian banking system, European integration requirements, and wartime realities. The results can be used by NBU and other regulators to improve the regulatory framework for financial sector digitalization.

Platform-based Mechanisms of Public Governance in Medical Rehabilitation: Conceptual Foundations and Institutional Prerequisites

2026-02-21T21:56:28+00:00

This article provides a theoretical justification for the conceptual foundations and institutional prerequisites of platform mechanisms in public governance of medical rehabilitation in Ukraine. The research urgency stems from a critical gap between the rehabilitation needs of over 400,000 individuals and the capacity of a system comprising 1,247 contracted providers with a budget of 6 billion hryvnias to deliver coordinated care. The core problem lies in the absence of mechanisms capable of integrating autonomous providers of various ownership forms without their administrative subordination to a single governing body. This challenge reflects a deeper theoretical tension in public health governance, where classical hierarchical models prove inadequate when the system simultaneously encompasses state institutions under different ministries, private clinics with distinct business models, volunteer initiatives with grant-based funding, and international programmes with their own reporting procedures.
The research methodology employs comparative policy analysis across six countries (Germany, France, Estonia, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States) combined with institutional analysis of the Ukrainian healthcare system. The theoretical framework draws upon the World Bank’s Digital-in-Health concept of healthcare system digital maturity and the OECD’s Government as a Platform theory of platform governance. The empirical base comprises normative documents and analytical reports from international organisations, official regulatory reporting, and peer-reviewed publications presenting clinical research findings on digital rehabilitation solutions.
International experience with platform solutions has been systematically analysed: the German DiGA model established a market for digital therapeutics with state reimbursement
(€234 million in 2024); the French PECAN extended this mechanism to telemonitoring; the Israeli Sheba Beyond implemented a virtual hospital concept; and the Estonian X-Road ensured cross-sectoral interoperability. The architectural principles of successful platforms have been identified: openness of standards, modularity, patient engagement as co-creators, and interoperability between medical and social sectors.
The institutional capacity of the Ukrainian system has been analysed, identifying three coordination mechanisms: semantic (ICF as a unified rehabilitation language), financial (differentiated NHSU tariffs), and technological (eHealth API). It has been established that the effectiveness of platform coordination is determined by the synergy of these mechanisms rather than their individual functioning. The study identified structural barriers: a cross-sectoral gap between medical and social systems, administrative burden on clinicians, digital inequality, and infrastructure vulnerability to wartime conditions. The Ukrainian experience demonstrates the possibility of rapid platform infrastructure development under emergency pressure, though its sustainability depends upon the capacity to transform ad hoc solutions into systematic mechanisms with an appropriate balance between implementation speed and integration quality.
Practical recommendations have been formulated: development of a national reimbursement programme for digital rehabilitation solutions modelled on DiGA, automation of data exchange between eHealth and Ministry of Social Policy databases, implementation of tools to reduce administrative burden, and strengthening the energy autonomy of digital infrastructure.

Adaptation of the Small Business Act for Europe: a comparison of four sectors of the Ukrainian economy

2026-02-21T21:59:02+00:00

This article examines the asymmetric model of implementing Small Business Act for Europe principles in Ukraine through a comparative analysis of regulatory regimes and SME support outcomes across four key economic sectors. The research relevance stems from the need for scientific substantiation of optimal sectoral differentiation depth while simultaneously pursuing European integration objectives and ensuring economic resilience during wartime. The study aims to identify systemic consequences of parallel regulatory regimes formation across different economic sectors and their impact on state support resource utilization efficiency for SMEs. The research employs comprehensive analysis of empirical data from the OECD SME Policy Index 2024, official statistics on sectoral regime functioning (Diia.City, Brave1), and Ukraine Facility implementation indicators during 2021-2024. Three authorial principles of adaptive harmonization are applied: contextual equivalence, temporal synchronization, and proportionality of adaptation.
The investigation reveals the emergence of four distinct patterns of European standards adaptation across sectors. The information technology sector demonstrates anticipatory digitalization through the Diia.City framework, establishing regulatory efficiency levels that surpass average European indicators while creating potential conflicts with emerging EU directives on platform employment. Defense technology experiences radical deregulation within the Brave1 cluster, prioritizing rapid innovation cycles over traditional quality control mechanisms. The industrial sector undergoes gradual harmonization preparing for ACAA implementation, though significant capacity gaps persist between large enterprises and SMEs regarding certification requirements. The agricultural sector faces adaptation pressure through sanitary and phytosanitary requirements while confronting paradoxical market access limitations.
The theoretical framework of adaptive harmonization provides analytical tools for understanding how national institutional solutions achieve functional equivalence to traditional European support mechanisms without replicating their organizational forms. The principle of contextual equivalence explains the emergence of grant-based programs replacing European microcredit schemes, while temporal synchronization illuminates the parallel operation of crisis intervention instruments alongside structural reform mechanisms. The proportionality of adaptation principle reveals the rationality underlying resource concentration in sectors deemed critical for state survival and economic recovery.
The findings demonstrate that sectoral differentiation enables concentration of limited administrative resources on critical priorities but generates risks of deepening structural disproportions and complicating intersectoral resource mobility. The effectiveness of Ukraine Facility financial resource absorption depends on alignment between sectoral adaptation depth and institutional capacity of SMEs to assimilate European support instruments. The study concludes that transition from situational experimentation with regulatory regimes toward strategic architecture design for SME support based on adaptive harmonization principles represents a necessary evolution for sustainable European integration while maintaining economic stability during ongoing military challenges.

Regulatory Adaptation of Personal Data Protection Standards to Hybrid Threats in the EU and Ukraine

2026-02-21T22:01:39+00:00

The article examines the directions and mechanisms of regulatory adaptation of personal data protection standards to hybrid threat conditions within the legal systems of the European Union and Ukraine. The research methodology is based on qualitative analysis of primary regulatory acts (GDPR, NIS2 and CER Directives, DORA Regulation, Ukrainian legislation on personal data protection and cybersecurity), official documents of EU institutions, ENISA reports and Ukrainian regulators’ documentation, employing comparative legal method and inductive generalisation based on specific incidents from 2023–2024. It is substantiated that the traditional distinction between personal data protection as an element of human rights and cybersecurity as a technical discipline is losing relevance: personal data have transformed into an instrument of “weaponisation of identities” for micro-targeted disinformation campaigns, as confirmed by ENISA’s inclusion of information manipulation amongst the principal threats. The EU’s regulatory response has been systematised – a multi-layered architecture comprising NIS2, DORA, CER and the Cyber Resilience Act, which integrates security requirements into organisations’ operational activities and introduces personal liability of management for cyber risks. Four systemic gaps have been identified in the Ukrainian context: institutional imbalance with the dominance of security agencies over data protection authorities; absence of oversight mechanisms for wartime rights restrictions; multiplicity of reporting regimes without automatic information exchange between departments; shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The predominantly reactive nature of regulatory policy has been demonstrated: the attack on Kyivstar accelerated the adoption of Law No. 11290, attacks on state registries prompted Cabinet Resolution No. 1531, whilst the EU integration draft law No. 8153 on personal data protection yields priority to the wartime track. Comparative analysis revealed a fundamental difference in institutional models: the European model is based on a network of independent regulators coordinated by ENISA, whereas the Ukrainian model is characterised by centralisation and dominance of CERT-UA, the State Service of Special Communications and the Security Service of Ukraine. The research findings hold practical significance for the formation of integrated regulatory policy that combines protection of data subjects’ rights with ensuring operational resilience of state information systems.

Organizational and management aspects of medical and evacuation support for personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the pre-hospital stage in the conditions of the single medical space

2026-02-21T22:06:56+00:00

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally transformed the organization of military medical support, exposing critical gaps in pre-hospital care delivery and medical evacuation systems. This article examines the organizational and management aspects of medical and evacuation support for Armed Forces personnel at the pre-hospital stage within the framework of a unified medical space. The research substantiates the conceptual foundations and organizational approaches to developing an effective system aligned with NATO standards while accounting for Ukrainian wartime realities.
The study demonstrates that organizing medical support requires particular attention to deploying medical evacuation stages, their distance from combat zones, and the capacity to provide necessary types and volumes of care within established timeframes. Analysis reveals a direct correlation between the timeliness of tactical field care at the pre-hospital stage and reduction in fatality rates from severe injuries. Provision of care within the first 10 minutes after injury reduces mortality by 50%, while delays beyond 3 hours decrease survival rates below 60%. This validates the NATO 10-1-2 principle: tactical field pre-medical and first medical aid within 10 minutes, primary physician care within 1 hour, and urgent qualified medical care within 2 hours.
The article substantiates the necessity of building an effective medical and medical-evacuation support system for the Armed Forces and Defense Forces according to international standards, incorporating: tactical field care and non-medical evacuation (CASEVAC) aimed at preserving lives of wounded in combat conditions; pre-hospital care at medical evacuation stages (MEDEVAC) aimed at preventing combat and non-combat personnel losses; hospital care by type, including rehabilitation and appropriate medical support. The research examines the Role-based system (Role 1-4) adopted from NATO doctrine, analyzing functional capabilities at each level and adaptation mechanisms for Ukrainian conditions.
Special attention is devoted to organizing stabilization points in brigades, which serve as the first echelon of qualified surgical care proximate to combat zones. These units perform expanded resuscitation measures including Damage Control Surgery/Resuscitation, intubation, central venous access, hemotransfusion, and anti-shock therapy. The study identifies critical problems: staffing medical companies with qualified personnel, normative regulation of stabilization point structures and functions, equipment provision for evacuation transport, and coordination mechanisms between military medical services and civilian healthcare facilities.
The article emphasizes that enhancing medical-evacuation support effectiveness under military emergency conditions requires research from the perspective of crisis management concepts, interdepartmental interaction, and defining efficiency criteria. The unified medical space, formed through integration of military and civilian healthcare systems, significantly increased resource capacity but necessitates gradual civilian medicine involvement, focusing on facilities and specialists experienced in treating gunshot and mine-blast injuries specific to combat operations.

Resource optimisation through targeted digitalisation: overcoming systemic dysfunctions in regional sports infrastructure management in Ukraine

2026-02-21T22:10:36+00:00

This article develops a methodological approach to the digital transformation of public administration for sports infrastructure at the regional level under the systemic challenges of martial law. The relevance of this research is determined by the necessity to transition from universal digitalisation models to targeted technological solutions capable of addressing specific institutional dysfunctions within the management system. The aim of this article is to substantiate the methodology of targeted digitalisation as an alternative to comprehensive automation of management processes in the sphere of sports infrastructure. The research combines empirical analysis of management practices with theoretical modelling of digital transformation mechanisms, employing the concept of ‘digital levers’ for organisational change adapted from Westerman, Bonnet, and McAfee’s framework.
The study identifies systemic dysfunctions in public administration, including fragmentation of the management hierarchy, deficiency of control mechanisms, limited regional absorptive capacity, and institutional barriers to innovation implementation. Through triangulation of budgetary reporting data, audit conclusions from the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, and technical documentation from the DREAM digital platform, the research reveals a fundamental disconnect between technological capabilities and institutional readiness for transformation. The developed targeted digitalisation matrix establishes a methodological connection between the characteristics of management pathologies and the functional capabilities of digital technologies. This approach differentiates technological interventions according to three criteria: the nature of dysfunction (structural, procedural, behavioural), the level of digital maturity amongst management entities, and existing resource constraints.
The principle of ‘problem-oriented digitalisation’ is substantiated, whereby technologies are selected not for their innovative qualities but for their capacity to influence the reproduction mechanisms of specific management dysfunctions. Each digital instrument is mapped to particular pathology reproduction mechanisms: automation reduces subjective factor influence, distributed ledger technology ensures data immutability, machine learning algorithms optimise resource allocation, and IoT networks provide objective infrastructure monitoring. The research demonstrates that whilst platform-based solutions like DREAM represent technological advancement, their effectiveness remains limited without addressing underlying institutional incentives that perpetuate dysfunctional practices.
Prospects for implementing distributed ledger technologies are identified for ensuring transparency of financial flows and automating resource allocation through smart contracts. The study proposes a three-tier implementation architecture: cloud-based solutions for frontline territories lacking local infrastructure, hybrid platforms for regions with moderate capacity, and comprehensive smart ecosystems for developed urban centres. The conclusion is drawn that targeted digitalisation ensures systemic transformation of public administration through precise impact on the reproduction mechanisms of institutional pathologies, unlike universal solutions that merely digitise existing inefficient practices. This methodological approach offers particular value for post-conflict reconstruction contexts where resource constraints demand maximum efficiency in technological investments.