THE LEVEL OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AS A FACTOR OF COMPETITIVENESS OF UKRAINIAN REGIONS

Abstract

Within the processes of globalization and deepening of integration the development of all kinds of infrastructure is the most important approach to improve the competitiveness of Ukraine and its regions. The infrastructure not only plays a role of general stock base of the territory but it also has a significant impact on other sectors of Ukrainian economy, that’s why its regional evaluation and analysis are not only scientifically but also practically important. The aim of the article consists in assessment and analysis of competitive potential of Ukrainian regions infrastructure based on the methodology of International Institute for Management Development (IMD-Lausanne). According to IMD-Lausanne methodology the infrastructure is analyzed by subfactors of basic, technological and scientific infrastructure, health and environment and education. Taking into account infrastructure factors, we consider that leading positions in the ranking of Ukrainian regions competitiveness are occupied by Kyiv region which holds the first position in almost all subfactors and Kharkiv region which has a highly innovative infrastructure. Our and other researches show that the level of infrastructure development in most Ukrainian regions is insufficient (according to European standards). The establishment of a proper management mechanism to work with competitive potential will improve the infrastructure of Ukrainian regions.