Mechanisms of State Regulation of the Innovative Development of Ukraine’s Territories in the Context of Economic Digitalization

Abstract

The article examines the mechanisms of state regulation of the innovative development of Ukrainian territories under conditions of economic digitalization. Scientific approaches to the interpretation of territorial innovative development are generalized, including regional-economic, institutional, innovation-system, digital-transformational and smart specialization approaches. The mechanism of state regulation is specified as a system of organizational-economic, legal, financial and digital instruments aimed at increasing innovation activity, digital capacity and territorial competitiveness. It is determined that digitalization changes the content of state influence through the use of e-governance, digital platforms, open data, geographic information systems and analytical management tools. Based on statistical data, positive dynamics in the innovation activity of enterprises and the development of industrial parks have been identified as a result of combining financial incentives with digital transformations. The main limitations of the current mechanism are revealed, including insufficient coordination of its components, uneven digital capacity of regions and weak interaction between different levels of government. Priority directions for improving state regulation mechanisms are substantiated. They include the formation of a unified digital environment for regional development management, coordination of financial support with smart specialization strategies, and further development of innovation infrastructure in territories. The implementation of these measures will contribute to strengthening regional competitiveness, increasing investment attractiveness and reducing interregional disparities. Prospects for further research are related to the development of methodological approaches for assessing the effectiveness of digital instruments of regional policy and designing adaptive management models for territorial development in the context of Ukraine’s post-war recovery.