REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IT CLUSTERS IN UKRAINE

Анотація

The article investigates regional disparities in the development of Ukraine’s IT sector and examines the role of IT clusters as an institutional mechanism for mitigating spatial asymmetry and supporting regional resilience under wartime conditions. Drawing on data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine on the dynamics of active IT enterprises in 2021–2024, regional Digital Transformation Index indicators, and analytical reports of cluster associations, the study explores the structural shifts caused by business relocation, human capital migration, and security-related risks. The theoretical framework is grounded in M. Porter’s cluster theory and the contemporary concept of innovation ecosystems, which define clusters as essential nodes for coordinating economic actors and generating knowledge-intensive growth. The empirical analysis includes an assessment of regional trends in IT enterprise activity, the categorization of clusters into “resilience locomotives,” “adaptive growth centers,” and “recovery clusters,” and an evaluation of their contribution to institutional capacity building, talent retention, and digital transformation during wartime. The findings demonstrate that IT clusters help reduce regional digital inequality by integrating business, educational institutions, and local authorities into coherent and adaptive innovation systems capable of maintaining functionality under external shocks. The article formulates policy recommendations aimed at strengthening regional resilience through targeted support for cluster development, enhancing the capacity of local digital transformation teams, and expanding international cooperation as a tool for sustaining innovation-driven recovery in Ukraine. In addition, the study highlights the strategic importance of aligning regional digital initiatives with national innovation priorities, emphasizing that effective coordination between clusters and government agencies can accelerate post-war reconstruction, stimulate high-value job creation, and reinforce Ukraine’s integration into the global digital economy.

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