Ukrainian Society

27-42

Authors: Sidenko V. R.

The article examines the evolution of the non-economic factors role in the development and enlargement processes of the EU. Author emphasizes that European integration has been guided not merely by economic considerations but political (in particular, security) and social factors as well as mental and value patterns determining the identity of the European community. The significance of non-economic factors shows an upward trend that correlates tightly with the growing complexity of the integration process, diversification of social ties on different levels of the social structure, and the general tendency towards greater role of non-economic factors in modern development. The processes of European integration are aimed not only at higher economic efficiency, but mainly are a value and cultural choice based on the recognition of the primacy of a human being – in the integrity of its natural and formal rights, aspirations, feelings and social responsibility. The process of formation of the Europe of civil rights and values, freedom, solidarity and security determines the main vector of social modernization of the countries joining the EU. Preparation to EU membership played a major role in profound systemic social transformations in all candidate countries of the fifth–seventh waves of enlargement. However, these processes were generally difficult and controversial, highly dependent on the starting position, institutional maturity and political will to change. The biggest problem has been the gap between formally proclaimed rules and the actual practice of relations, including the capacity to implement European standards.

62-74

Authors: Johnson J. S.

Article dwells upon the analysis of successful businesses in Ukraine started and operated by women-owners, focusing on personal experiences and perceptions of obstacles and incentives of their businesses success. Author presented background information on the peculiarities of socio-economic situation and business climate in Ukraine, and the business launching by women right after the Soviet Union collapse. Study participants were of different age, education level, businesses types and sizes, and were divided into two groups according to the year of their business launching. Qualitative research was conducted in different regions of Ukraine, 23 female business owners were interviewed and ten became participants of the focus group interview in Kyiv. Data was analyzed through the NVIVO 8 software, and revealed several key factors that hinder work of Ukrainian women-entrepreneurs: lack of government support, lack of independent fundings, lack of qualified stuff, bureaucracy and lack of self-confidence. Researchers explored how successful Ukrainian business women experience and respond to the challenges of conducting business in Ukraine. Given research project reaffirmed the concept of successful female owner, and suggested role models for the new generation of female entrepreneurs. Research findings reveal that in spite of the profitability of their business, many of the respondents were reluctant to call themselves successful entrepreneurs.

86-95

Authors: Stehnii O. G.

The article dwells upon modern interpretation of social sustainable development concept not as a purely environmental issue, but as a basic principle of interaction between society and the environment, maintaining a balance between economic, social development and environmental preservation of the natural environment. Sociological analysis of the representations of public opinion in Ukraine in relation to sustainable development is based on the respondents’ understanding of the main provisions of the three Rio conventions. At the time when there is considerable concern about the natural environment state of pollution and the associated environmental hazards, participants of the national survey demonstrate not fully conscious awareness of the need for sustainable development, the importance of this model for the development of economic and social field.

104-112

Authors: Gnatenko I. A.

Article dwells upon the peculiarities and problems of the partner cooperation between small enterprises and large-scale production. Under current circumstances, there is a need to review traditional forms of interaction between enterprises. Such cooperation should take into account identification of the most effective ways of partnership with a special assessment system. The article raises the question of whether there is a specific classification of the small businesses interaction, namely: objects’ functioning, size, origins and intensity of relationships, participant number; protection of the relationships. A detailed study of this classification allows to choose the best option of interaction between small firms, taking into account current time. The article also examines the interaction of small and large businesses. In this regard, author allocated the most common form of this interaction: intrapreneurship, incubators, satellite forms. The study of these forms of interaction, allows to come to the conclusion that the satellite form of interaction can be displayed in following forms: dipole, atomic, netlike, corporate. Author’s attention is focused on the interaction between enterprises that is somewhat effective without a proper assessment of this interaction and its production of positive synergies for all participants. The aim of our future work is the search of criteria and indicators for determining the effect of the interaction between enterprises, depending on the type of industrial cooperation. Another important aspect of author’s future work is scientific and practical developments related to the implementation and realization of intrapreneurship and business incubators in modern Ukraine.

122-129

Authors: Lopukh K. V.

The article dwells upon scientific heritage of the prominent Ukrainian scholar M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky, in particular, the origins and preferences of paper money in the economic system. Author studies evolution of money during the dynamic development of capitalism in European countries. The scientist’s contribution to explanation of paper money value fluctuation and inflation (deflation) is analyzed. M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky’s conjunctival theory of money has been considered. It was determined that this theory allowed to expand scientific toolkit for money value analysis, as well as its impact on economic system. The article emphasizes key innovative ideas of M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky in the context of scientific study of financial and monetary systems, including credit relations and banking system functioning; exchange rates in terms of international trade development and their government regulation; financial market and its relationship with a real economy. Finally, the study concludes that M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky’s heritage and his contribution to the theory of money have become the world’ scientific attainment and influenced different areas of modern economic thought, including Keynesianism and Monetarism.

144-159

Authors: Zhovnir S. M.

The projected increase in migration flows is a significant factor for further economic growth in the midst of the new global globalization processes. Ukraine is an active participant in the exchange of labor. Determinants of labour migration among Ukrainians are significant gaps in wage levels, lack of quality jobs at home. Further deterioration of the socio-economic situation in Ukraine, reduced income, increasing stratum of the working poor and a general fall in living standards enhance sentiment Ukrainian emigration. The Ukrainian foreign labor migration is influenced by the economic situation and the situation on the labor markets of the national labor force main recipients (EU, Russia, Belarus). Expected after the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU the increase of migratory flows associated with the workers’ mobility will occur in the midst of the further increasing migration loading on European countries and the introduction of the more stringent measures of migration policy towards new immigrants, and those who already live in the EU. In Russia, the economic stagnation caused by rising unemployment, a significant devaluation of the ruble against the US dollar, the sharp increase of the prices for wholefood, and the introduction of strict immigration regulation, will reduce employment opportunities for Ukrainian labor migrants and will negatively affect their status and income. As a result of military aggression of Russia in the Crimea and Donbass region, there is an unprecedented increase in migration flows – both internal and external. High intensity movement defines powerful challenges for Ukraine: the loss of a significant number of people of reproductive and working age is irreversible due to the migration to Russia and Belarus, emigration of more affluent (entrepreneurs) and highly skilled workers to developed countries in Europe and North America, the increased overload on the regional labor markets, which contain largest amounts of the internal migrants. Today Ukrainian state migration policy needs modernizing on legal and social security of citizens who became labor migrants as a result of their internal relocation and those who are employed abroad. Among the modernization measures – a more flexible and operational structure based on the analysis and forecasts of the migration situation; the international experience of migration processes regulation, primarily related to the forced relocation; improvement of the social security for the Ukrainian migrant workers by developing mobility of retirement plans; empowering effective employment of migrant workers who have acquired new professional experience and returned to Ukraine; through the introduction of a recognition system and harmonization of education obtained abroad, both formally and informally.