Methodological approaches to assessing sustainable development management in the agricultural sector

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the study was to develop a methodology for assessing the management of sustainable development of agricultural enterprises, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of their performance from economic, social, environmental, institutional, and financial perspectives. To achieve this goal, a five-point scale of categorical indicators was applied, with quality coefficients determined by experts and reflected in the overall development index. In addition, a scenario-based risk and sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine management effectiveness depending on changes in the external environment. As a result of the research, a structural model of an integrated index was developed, which most accurately reflects the enterprise’s strengths and weaknesses, its adaptability to change, and establishes priorities for managerial decision-making. It was also found that the risk associated with changes in external economic and environmental conditions is the most sensitive factor in the study; however, it ensures long-term stability in social and institutional terms. Through this strategy, the methodology provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of rapid enterprise growth. It offers a reliable reference point for managerial decision-making at the level of an individual farm and serves as a basis for developing national agricultural policy aimed at improving the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the entire agricultural sector. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of adapting the proposed evaluation system to the conditions of different regions and scales of operation, ensuring its universality and suitability for application at both micro- and macro-levels of sustainable development management in the agricultural sector.