Current state and assessment of the competitiveness of the united territorial communities: regional aspect

Abstract

Goal. To develop and substantiate scientific and organizational principles and practical recommendations for ensuring the competitiveness of rural territorial communities at the regional level in the context of decentralization of management. Methods. In the course of the research a set of methods was used, which made it possible to obtain scientifically substantiated results. In particular, the following general scientific approaches were used: dialectical, systemic and synergetic, as well as a number of special methods: abstract (methods of induction and deduction, analogy and comparison, operationalization of concepts), method of theoretical generalization and analysis and synthesis, economic statistical method (statistical observation, comparison, grouping, tabular). Results. Theoretical and methodological bases of the need to determine the competitiveness of united territorial communities (UTC) in the context of decentralization of management are substantiated. Features and methodological approaches to determining the indicators that characterize the level of competitiveness of the united territorial communities are revealed. The factors influencing the formation of community competitiveness in modern conditions are identified and the need to take them into account during strategic planning of community development for the future is proved. The OTC of the Volyn region was grouped according to the level of their competitiveness in terms of factor-forming indicators for 2019. It is established that the decisive role in ensuring the competitiveness of the territorial community is played by economic independence, financial independence and investment activity, which can be formed with the appropriate production and labor potential. Conclusions. It is proved that the strategic guidelines for the development of OTC, in contrast to the existing ones, to ensure their own competitiveness should be aimed at: reviving human capital and improving the living conditions and welfare of the rural population; development of small and medium business in the conditions of decentralization; creating a favorable climate for attracting domestic and foreign investment in the economic, social and environmental spheres of the rural economy; improving the mechanism of formation and use of public financial resources intended for investment. The obtained results, formulated conclusions and proposals will contribute to the solution of theoretical and practical problems of formation of competitive OTC as a key element of the modern model of rural economy of Ukraine.