INSTITUTIONAL AND INVESTMENT MECHANISMS FOR ENSURING EXPORT ACTIVITIES IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY

STRATEGIC MECHANISMS FOR BUILDING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF UKRAINE’S AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN GLOBAL MARKETS AMID GLOBAL TRANSFORMATIONS

This article examines the theoretical, methodological, and practical foundations for developing strategic mechanisms to ensure the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural products in global markets amid contemporary global transformations. It is argued that the transformation of the international economic environment, increased geopolitical instability, changes in the configuration of global value chains, the acceleration of digitalization, stricter environmental requirements for food production, and the growing importance of food security are shaping new conditions for the agricultural sector’s operation, under which traditional price-based competitive advantages no longer ensure long-term positions in international markets. It has been demonstrated that the competitiveness of modern agricultural products is determined by a combination of production, technological, institutional, logistical, financial, marketing, and organizational factors, which must function as a single, strategically coordinated system.  The study employed systemic, structural-functional, institutional, strategic, comparative, and comprehensive approaches, which enabled the development of a holistic view of the mechanisms for ensuring the international competitiveness of agricultural products. The study identified key global transformations that most significantly influence the development of Ukrainian agricultural exports, including military risks, changes in global logistics, climate challenges, the digitalization of international trade, stricter environmental regulations, and the reorientation of international food markets. The paper demonstrates the need to transition from a predominantly raw-material-based export model to a model focused on high-value-added products, emphasizing innovation, quality, traceability, international certification, and effective marketing. A conceptual approach is proposed for developing a strategic mechanism to enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products, which integrates production and technological, export, financial and investment, institutional, logistical, marketing, and risk-oriented mechanisms. The paper justifies directions for improving state policy regarding the stimulation of exports of agro-industrial complex products, the development of modern logistics infrastructure, support for agricultural innovations, the integration of Ukrainian producers into global value chains, and the strengthening of the international competitiveness of domestic products.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Economic and Legal Issues

Selective Openness and Supply-Chain Resilience: Japan Under Geoeconomic Fragmentation

The article examines how Japan is adapting its international economic model to geoeconomic fragmentation. The research problem is the apparent contradiction between Japan’s continued dependence on global markets and its growing use of economic-security instruments. The study applies a structured descriptive and institutional analysis of trade, value-added linkages, foreign direct investment, technology policy, and energy security using official data and policy documents for 2010-2025, with the latest trade-in-value-added indicators available for 2022. The results show that Japan is not pursuing broad deglobalization. Instead, it is developing a model of selective openness: market access and participation in regional agreements are preserved, while concentrated dependencies in semiconductors, critical minerals, digital infrastructure, and energy are reduced through supplier diversification, domestic capacity support, stockpiling, investment screening, and public-private coordination. Japan’s 2023 exports remained concentrated in transport equipment and machinery; China accounted for about one-fifth of total goods trade in 2024; inward foreign direct investment stock reached a record 53.3 trillion yen in 2024; and energy self-sufficiency remained only 15.3%. The article contributes an integrated mechanism linking geoeconomic shocks, transmission channels, critical vulnerabilities, and adaptive instruments. For Russia, the most transferable elements are dependency mapping, supply-chain transparency, strategic reserves, industrial automation, and coordinated diversification toward Asian markets; alliance-specific instruments require substantial institutional modification.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF UKRAINE'S EXPORT ACTIVITIES UNDER MARTIAL LAW: THE INSTITUTIONAL ROLE AND STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMES

This article examines the transformation of Ukraine's SME export activities amid a full-scale war, addressing one of the most critical challenges for the national economy under martial law. The topic is particularly relevant due to the radical shift in the role of SMEs during the war, as traditional export drivers have lost their effectiveness, posing direct threats to economic security through declining foreign exchange earnings. The objective is to: quantitatively assess the asymmetric resilience of different size groups of enterprises; determine the role of SMEs as the foundation of economic security; identify systemic barriers; and justify public policy instruments to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in international markets and strengthen the economy's security capabilities. The methodology combines general scientific and specialized methods, including comparative analysis of export productivity dynamics, clustering by employee count, growth rate calculations, systematic approach to export potential, structural analysis of category shares, content analysis of barriers, and expert structuring for the strategic matrix. It has been established that SMEs serve as a fundamental element of economic security, ensuring the stability of the export sector amid the critical decline in the capacity of large corporations. The asymmetric nature of resilience has been substantiated: while large enterprises reduced both export volumes and productivity, SMEs maintained performance and increased their relative share. The ability of SMEs to sustain export revenues is a direct factor of financial stability, preventing the depletion of international reserves. Systemic barriers have been identified: financial deficits, logistical constraints, currency and regulatory burdens, a shortage of skilled personnel, and insufficient market competencies. A strategic matrix of measures has been developed across four areas, forming a new security architecture in which SMEs are a system-forming element. The results can be used to shape public policy aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, increasing tax revenues, and ensuring Ukraine's economic recovery and long-term security.

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS FOR ENSURING THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE IN THE GLOBALISATION CONTEXT

The article establishes that in the context of globalisation, Ukraine's economic security is of particular importance due to such factors as integration into the world economy, dependence on foreign markets and investments, influence of international financial institutions, technological and resource dependence, hybrid threats, etc. The main threats included structural imbalances in the economy, dependence on imports of critical resources, financial sector instability, corruption risks, low innovation activity, demographic problems, and threats related to military operations and geopolitical conflicts. In order to minimise the impact of these threats, the author proposes principles and strategic directions. The author proposes an algorithm for ensuring economic security of Ukraine in the context of globalisation changes, which provides for an assessment of the current state of economic security, creation of an economic security strategy, diversification of the economy, strengthening of the financial system, protection of the national producer and stimulation of innovation, integration into the international economic system on favourable terms, prevention of corruption and the shadow economy, improvement of the level of economic literacy of the population, monitoring and correction of economic policy. It is proved that the concept of economic security of Ukraine in the context of globalisation should be based on an integrated approach, including strengthening economic sustainability, adaptability to changes, increasing the competitiveness of the national economy and creating an effective risk management mechanism that will ensure the country's sustainable development in the long term

Theoretical principles of forming price competitiveness of export-oriented products of agricultural enterprises

The article substantiates the theoretical and methodological foundations for forming the price competitiveness of export-oriented agricultural products within the system of modern economic relations. It is demonstrated that under conditions of global agricultural market transformations, geopolitical instability, and deepening integration processes, price competitiveness is a paramount factor in ensuring operational efficiency, sustaining export activity, and consolidating Ukraine’s positions in international food markets. Special emphasis is placed on the profound impact of wartime challenges, including the temporary loss of arable land, infrastructure damage, rising production costs, and the forced shift from traditional deep-sea port logistics to land and river transportation corridors (“Lanes of Solidarity”). The study examines conceptual frameworks across neoclassical, institutional, structuralist, and evolutionary economic theories. Price competitiveness is conceptualized as an integrated economic category that reflects a business entity’s capability to market products internationally at prices ensuring market attractiveness, profitability, financial stability, and long-term developmental potential. The author identifies the central position of price competitiveness within the system of competitive advantages, establishing its systemic interconnections with technological, quality, logistical, innovative, and environmental components. It is proven that price competitiveness is formed under the combined influence of internal production-economic factors (cost structure, labor productivity, resource efficiency) and external market drivers (global price conjuncture, currency exchange fluctuations, customs and tariff regulations, and logistics costs). The article concludes that achieving sustainable price competitiveness requires a comprehensive synthesis of cost optimization, technological modernization, infrastructure development, institutional support, and adaptive management tailored to wartime and post-war agricultural transformations. Keywords: price competitiveness; export-oriented products; agricultural enterprises; economic relations; competitive advantages; agricultural market.