The role of export-import operations in the development of trade and entrepreneurship enterprises

Abstract

The ongoing transformation of the global economic environment, driven by geopolitical, logistical, and market shifts, requires new approaches from trade enterprises to ensure resilience and competitiveness. Foreign economic activity, particularly export-import operations, has become a key tool for adapting to global market challenges. In this context, the study of the role of international economic relations in enterprise development emerges as a relevant scientific and practical issue. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the methodological principles and practical tools for implementing export-import operations as a mechanism for strengthening competitiveness and ensuring the strategic flexibility of trading enterprises in the context of global transformations. The methodological basis of the research includes a system-based, logical-analytical, comparative, and graphical-analytical approach, which enables both theoretical generalization and empirical analysis of external economic activity at the enterprise level. Results. The study systematizes theoretical and methodological approaches to interpreting foreign economic activity, with a particular focus on classical models of absolute and comparative advantages, the institutional approach, product life cycle theory, and the concept of the global value chain. Special attention is given to assessing the impact of foreign economic operations on economic efficiency, innovation activity, competitiveness, logistical maturity, and strategic sustainability of trade enterprises. The research also highlights current trends in Ukraine’s foreign trade, as well as the geographical structure of its exports and imports. Based on the conducted analysis, the authors have developed a mechanism for enhancing export-import activity, which integrates internal enterprise resources, diagnostics of the external environment, selection of appropriate forms of international cooperation, and the involvement of institutional and governmental support. Conclusions. It is substantiated that export-import operations constitute one of the key drivers of business strategic stability and adaptability under conditions of global turbulence. The practical significance of the findings lies in developing conceptual guidelines for managing foreign economic activity at the enterprise level. The article’s materials can be helpful to scholars, analysts, international trade professionals, and managers, as well as in the formulation of strategies for integrating Ukrainian enterprises into the global economy.