Digital transformation as a tool for ensuring economic security of Ukrainian regions in a crisis condition

Abstract

The article examines modern approaches to ensuring the economic security of the regions of Ukraine in the context of crisis transformations, in particular as a result of a full-scale war, global threats and internal structural unevenness. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to rethink institutional security mechanisms at the regional level, taking into account the latest challenges, among which the key ones are armed aggression, economic shocks, demographic imbalances, a decrease in investment activity and critical dependence on external support. The paper substantiates that the economic security of the regions is derived from national security, but it must have its own structured system of instruments and entities for implementation. Special attention is paid to the analysis of digital transformation as an important tool for ensuring stability in crisis conditions. The authors define digitalization not only as a technological update, but as a means of organizing managerial, informational, financial and social functions that affect the effectiveness of the functioning of the mechanism for ensuring the economic security of the region.

Within the framework of the empirical analysis, the dynamics of the main risks of economic security are revealed using the example of assessments by the expert community and official institutions. The criticality of such factors as the loss of labor potential, breaks in production chains, reduced access to financing and an increase in the share of problem loans is emphasized. At the same time, the study demonstrates that the process of decentralization, the strengthening of regional development institutions, as well as the ability of individual communities to cross-border cooperation and self-organization act as compensatory mechanisms for countering risks. Practical examples of the activities of regional development agencies indicate the presence of local points of stability that require support through targeted digital policy, increased autonomy and coordination with state and international structures.

The conclusion is made about the need to develop a multi-level, legally enshrined strategy for ensuring the economic security of the regions of Ukraine, which should be based on the principles of resilience, digital integration, interregional solidarity and adaptive management. The expansion of the powers of regional institutions, the modernization of digital infrastructure, the development of human capital and the implementation of the principles of sustainable development are the main prerequisites for the formation of an effective system of economic security in the long term.