Development of Instruments of State Regulation and Stimulation of Small Entrepreneurship in Ukraine under Resource Constraints

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the theoretical and methodological foundations for the formation of an integrated model of state support for small entrepreneurship in Ukraine, based on the synergy of financial, credit, fiscal, and digital instruments aimed at mitigating the destructive impact of wartime resource constraints.

Methods. The methodological framework of the study is based on systemic and comparative analysis, which enabled the identification and classification of key business environment deficits. The application of a structural-functional approach made it possible to assess the effectiveness of existing state support programs. Methods of predictive modeling and abstraction were used to determine the trajectories of regulatory policy transformation and to evaluate their potential impact on the resilience of the entrepreneurial sector.

Results. A detailed diagnosis of the critical contraction of the resource base of domestic small business was carried out. The factors constraining business activity were systematized and classified by their origin into internal, external, and institutional categories, revealing their cumulative nature. It is demonstrated that traditional financial, fiscal, and deregulation mechanisms, despite their short-term stabilizing effect, remain limited in effectiveness due to high fragmentation, administrative complexity, and low targeting precision. The expediency of implementing a data-driven paradigm based on big data analytics and expanding the service functionality of digital interaction platforms is substantiated. A set of applied recommendations is proposed, including the introduction of hybrid financial instruments (combining state guarantees with crowdfunding mechanisms), selective tax incentives for innovation activities, and the deployment of regulatory sandboxes for the safe testing of new business models.

Conclusions. It is established that the transition from passive subsidization to the concept of smart regulation will significantly optimize time and transaction costs for business entities. It is further demonstrated that the implementation of an integrated approach will enhance financial inclusion, accelerate technological modernization, reduce institutional risks, and create economic prerequisites for natural de-shadowing and the long-term sustainability of small entrepreneurship. Prospective directions for further research are outlined, focusing on the development of criteria for differentiating tax preferences based on SME energy efficiency levels and the adaptation of policy instruments to the regional specifics of local communities.