Managing Development Strategies of Small Entrepreneurship in the Post-War Recovery of Ukraine's Economy: A Synergetic and Institutional Approach

Abstract

Purpose. To develop conceptual foundations for managing small entrepreneurship development strategies in Ukraine’s post-war recovery by synthesizing synergetic and institutional approaches, enhancing adaptability, resilience, and sustainable growth amid high uncertainty, nonlinear dynamics, exogenous shocks, and transition from survival to proactive growth. Synergetics views small businesses as open nonlinear dissipative systems capable of self-organization, emergent transitions, and attractors via order parameters (adaptability, innovation, cooperation, efficiency). Institutionalism emphasizes formal (policy, regulation, SME Strategy to 2027) and informal institutions (social capital, trust, networks) in reducing transaction costs and fostering resilience, aligned with Small Business Act EU. Methods. Combination of qualitative (systematic literature review 2023–2025, 17 sources) and quantitative methods: systems analysis for conceptual modeling (micro-, meso-, macro-levels as open system elements), secondary data analysis (State Statistics: 1773.9k FOPs Oct 2025, +40% Q4 growth; EBRD: 90% in conservation mode, 91% restored, 68.3% digitalized, 71% labor shortage, 50% tax burden), illustrative calculations (emergence coefficient ≈1.25–1.6; regression β1≈1.23, R²=0.85). Comparative case studies with post-conflict economies. Results. Literature shows fragmentation: empirical resilience descriptions lack synergetics-institutional integration. Data confirm sectoral adaptability (25–60% revenue exceeding linear trend in adaptive sectors) but barriers (energy instability, disparities, gender – >50% new registrations by women). Developed hybrid three-level model: micro- (self-organization via digital transformation), meso- (networks, hubs, PPP), macro- (policy & EU alignment). New elements: emergence coefficient, post-conflict comparison. Recommendations: national agency for veteran/women’s entrepreneurship, digital hubs, AI forecasting, cooperation strengthening. Conclusions. The synergetic-institutional approach shifts from reactive to proactive strategies, boosting small entrepreneurship’s role in recovery, stability, and regional development. Novelty: paradigm integration, three-level structure, indicators. Practical value: policy recommendations for SME Strategy 2027 and EU integration. Prospects: empirical testing, green economy/AI/gender adaptation.