Social innovations of small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine

Abstract

Methods. During the research, such methods of scientific research were used as abstraction – when determining the essence of the concepts «social investments», «social entrepreneurship», «green technologies» and «silver technologies»; the method of classifications and comparison – when forming the structure of the main economic indicators for large, medium and small enterprises, as well as carrying out a comparison in the countries of the European Union and Ukraine; statistical – when determining the dynamics of capital investments of small and mediumsized businesses of Ukraine. Results. Based on open statistical data, the main quantitative indicators of the economic activity of small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine are summarized, taking into account their influence on the level of involvement in social innovations, and their dynamics for the period 2010– 2022 are analyzed. The analysis of the peculiarities of the functioning of small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine allowed to highlight specific features of the existing model of involvement in social innovation activities of business structures. A trend towards more stable small business activity was revealed, which, however, is characterized by a sufficiently low level of profitability (except for 2021). This actualizes the issue of financial security and requires more active support from the state for this type of business structure. Novelty highlights the characteristic features of the Ukrainian model of the involvement of small and medium-sized businesses in the implementation of social innovations and determining their impact on the functioning of the social sphere of the national economy. Practical value. The problems identified during the research in the functioning of the Ukrainian model of social investment of medium and small businesses can be used as examples of negative processes in the field of social responsibility of business structures. Taking them into account when developing the directions of state social policy can contribute to its higher efficiency.