Background. The IT market in Ukraine annually demonstrates continuous growth and development. This contributes to the fact that its participants are more in contact with their colleagues from other countries. International strategic alliances are becoming one of the most appropriate forms of partnership between domestic IT companies and leading foreign IT companies. In order to anticipate all the risks of joining the ISA, in particular not to lose its subjectivity due to the acquisition, it is necessary to understand the reasons, essence and consequences of the creation of international strategic alliances. An analysis of recent research and publications has shown that despite the existence of some scientific achievements, the issues of forming international strategic alliances in the field of information technologies and the use of this type of cooperation by domestic IT companies remain unresolved. Theaim of the article is to analyze international strategic alliances as forms of cooperation of companies in the IT sphere and the possibility of including Ukrainian companies in these relations. Materials and methods. The research was conducted using the methods of theoretical generalization and analysis. The information base is domestic and foreign works on the functioning of ISAs, statistical sources and Internet resources. Results. The factors that determine the transition from competition to cooperation and the formation of alliances between companies in the IT sector are identified. The types of alliances are described: tactical, quasi-strategic and strategic. It is noted that each of them can be both internal and external (international). The nature of the strategic alliance is analyzed, its characteristics are revealed. Based on the results of the generalized characteristics of the ISA in the IT sphere, its definition is given, on the basis of which the advantages of the alliance are described. It is noted that the peculiarities of the connections of its participants should be taken into account when solving many tasks related to the participation of domestic IT companies in the ISA for the internationalization of business and management. It is proved that in ISA as a pragmatic union the interests of the participants in the strategic direction of their development coincide: each of the participants focuses its activities on the common goals of the alliance. Conclusion. The ISA of IT-sphere is proposed to be considered as a form of inter-firm interaction of IT companies that maintain independence based on the combination of complementary assets of each of them. If all parties of the alliance pursue strategic goals, then this alliance is created in the form of strategic, if there are other goals, the alliance will be tactical or quasi-strategic. In addition, any of the forms can be used to achieve certain business results. Unlike all others the strategic alliances, especially international strategic ones, require a stricter and more systematic management approach to success. The interest of European and American IT companies in forming strategic alliances with leading Ukrainian companies was noted. However, the ultimate goals of such ISAs are not equal long-term partnership, but the acquisition of promising Ukrainian companies. The necessity of careful substantiation of decisions on the entry of domestic IT companies into the international strategic alliance, tactical and operational participation in its management, etc. is proved.

Background. In conditions of unprecedented aggravation of competition in the 21st century for strategic markets for goods and services, the practice of introducing not only traditional open methods but also latent ones for promoting national goods and brands on foreign markets, including strategies of so-called «soft power», is becoming more widespread. Analysis of recent research and publications. Despite the wide range of research on the issue of «soft power», the most of them are characterized by political and cultural dimension. Publications on the economic consequences of using «soft power»resources mostly focus on their individual elements and components. The aim of this article is to assess the potential impact of «soft power»strategies onto strengthening the position of countries in global trade and economic competition and to evaluate some successful international regulatory practices based on «soft power»strategies as the part of a system of latent external expansion. Materials and methods. The information base for the study were scientific publications of foreign and domestic scientists, data of analytical services and international rankings. The combinatorics of the institutional approach and the Case method were used to assess the results of the implementation of «soft power»strategies into the regulatory practice of individual states. Results. The article identifies the channels of impact of «soft power»strategies onto strengthening the position of countries in the global trade and economic environment. Some successful international regulatory practices for the implementation of «soft power»strategies in the system of state regulation have been assessed. Conclusion. The generalization of the results of the international rankings of the TOP-10 countries of the world testifies to the dominance of traditional leaders –countries from the group of the so-called Golden Billion. The use of Case method approaches to the latest strategic priorities of China, Japan and Turkey allows us to assess the focus of national rebranding programs on modernizing the economies of these countries and their external sector, achieving balance between import dependence and export orientation during the post-industrial challenges.

Background. The international finance in the conditions of globalization is providing the strengthening for international cooperation and activity of supranational institutions, up growth volumes of foreign trade, and development of digital technology. It is important to identify the factors that influence and determine the development of international finance. The aim of the paper is to develop the theoretical and methodological approaches to defining the determinants of globalization’s impact on the development of international finance. Materials and methods. It was used a system of scientific methods and approaches, which allowed to achieve the study goal, in particular: system method –for disclosing approaches to the evolution of international financial relations and substantiation of the determinants of their development; methods of scientific abstraction, structural, analysis and generalization are used for the study of the dynamics and features of the functioning of individual segments of international finance. Results. The development of international finance reflects the growth of financial potential countries and the global GDP. The new general principles in society development are forming in the condition of globalization. The international finance makes for “blurring the borders”, acceleration of calculations and the movement of capital. It has deepened the system of interrelations of the architectonics of international finance and it is forming a new matrix of their relations. The financial and banking technologies of settlements play an important role in the conditions of globalization. The emergence and functioning of global financial centers accelerated the movement of international financial flows. There is an accumulation of significant financial resources at the disposal of TNCs, TNPs, TNBs in the world. The dollarization of the nation’s economy and rapid development of Internet digital technologies affect the volumes of foreign economic activity, and individual sovereign and global risks. International financial institutions play an important role in stabilizing global development, financing the strategic goals of the world community, counteracting and overcoming financial-banking crises, etc. Conclusion. The deepening of integration processes in international finance strengthens the influence of general and specific factors. The adaptability of the international finance system provides a new global matrix of financial relations and its institutional architecture. Transparency, stability, and development of national financing and banking systems and international financial-credit institutions play a significant role in ensuring sustainable development in the world. The development of the institutional environment should ensure the effectiveness of international cooperation and the use of financial resources, the protection of national sovereignty, and national security.

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic led to problems in all sectors of the global economy. The world’s leading companies are focused on how to adapt their activities to quarantine measures, save jobs and minimize losses due to the recession. There is no doubt that the pandemic will have far-reaching negative consequences for the world economy, including Ukraine. The economic consequences predicting of an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus is a difficult task due to uncertainty and lack of reliable information. The aim of the article is to study the development trends of Ukraine’s foreign trade in goods in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the measures taken by countries around the world to stimulate it under these conditions. Materials and methods. The information base of the article is presented by analytical reports of international and national organizations, statistical data, forecasts of experts. The research was conducted using general scientific methods: system analysis, synthesis, theoretical generalization and comparison. Results. Trends in the development of Ukraine’s foreign trade in goods in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were studied. Groups of countries that have introduced restrictive measures in trade policy were identified. The complex of measures taken by the countries of the world to stimulate the economy in the conditions of a coronavirus pandemic was analyzed. Systemic and crisis obstacles in the development of Ukraine’s foreign trade were highlighted. Measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic were identified in trade and economic cooperation of Ukraine in the international arena. Conclusion. The economic damage from the pandemic has not yet been estimated due to the further spread of the virus. Research of measures taken by countries around the world to stimulate the economy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that developed countries are trying to restore its economies, primarily through the mobilization of financial resources, the introduction of large-scale programs to support producers and tax breaks. It was found that only some developing countries introduce temporary foreign trade restrictions to avoid shortages in the domestic market. Most other countries use economic incentives to the leveling effects of the pandemic. Ukraine has implemented economic measures against the pandemic and temporary trade restrictions. COVID-19 has a neutral effect on exports of goods, but together with other global trends has led to a reduction of critical imports.The existence of systemic and crisis gaps in Ukraine’s trade policy requires immediate action in the field of trade and economic cooperation with the countries of the world.

Background. Today, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector is one of the most dynamic sectors of the world economy. Since IT services are the second largest export sector in Ukraine, the study of the impact of international trade in ICT services on economic growth becomes relevant. Analysis of recent research and publications. Numerous papers have shown the positive impact of international trade in ICT goods and services on production volumes, employment and productivity of national economies. In particular, UNCTAD data show that the ICT services sector shows an increase in employment and international trade in all geographical regions and provides most of the added value in the ICT sector. The aim of the article is to study the impact of international trade in ICT services on the development of economies of different levels of development, taking into account national policies of ICT sector, and to develop recommendations for Ukrainian policy of ICT sector, taking into account the experience of analyzed countries. Materials and methods. The information base for the study was data from UNCTAD, OECD, Eurostat, and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Methods of statistical, structural, regression, comparative analysis are used. Results. Regression analysis was used to identify the relationship between GDP and the volume of exports and imports of ICT services in the analyzed countries. The results showed that in order to ensure economic development through trade in ICT services, countries need to pursue a stimulating policy, which includes measures in three main areas: support for innovation (R&D funding and startup ecosystems); education and training of ICT specialists; and support for investments in ICT services (through preferential taxation and grant schemes). Conclusion. In order to support the growth of the national IT industry, the Ukrainian government is proposed to legalize existing schemes of cooperation of IT companies with private individuals, to avoid additional regulation of the industry, and to develop schemes to financially support innovation in science and business.

It is established that an important base for interstate confrontation and a promising direction for the development of the concept of hybridity are trade and economic relations between the opposing parties. Based on the analysis of the current state and dynamics of interstate conflicts of varying intensity, the priorities of trade and economic policy of the state in a hybrid confrontation are defined on the following aspects: macroeconomic, sectoral, international, foreign trade, force majeure. The necessity of active use of economic-mathematical methods and management tools for estimation and forecasting the economic losses of the parties of hybrid confrontation is indicated.

The results of the comparative analysis of tourism development in the conditions of the global pandemic COVID-19 are presented. Government programs for overcoming the crisis are generalized. An effective mechanism for restoring the functioning of domestic tourism entities for the period and after quarantine through the implementation of priority measures has been developed.

Background. Ensuring the innovative development of the country is the main prerequisite for its survival and national security, dynamic economic growth and access to international markets. An important indicator of the development of innovative activity is the expenditure of research and development. The aim of the article is to analyze current trends in research and development expenditure in Ukraine, assess their compliance with global trends to determine the prospects for innovation and its activation. Results. The dynamics of R&D expenditures in Ukraine indicates a recession in innovation in contrast to the EU, where there is a steady upward trend in these expenditures. The gap between Ukraine and European countries is deepening both in terms of total R&D expenditures and certain types of work, as well as in terms of science-intensive GDP. Practically the only source of financing the enterprises innovative activity in Ukraine is their own funds, the share of which is growing rapidly. Conclusion. Increasing spending on research and development worldwide indicates that innovation is a key factor in economic growth. The results of the analysis of the dynamics and structure of R&D expenditures in Ukraine do not correspond to global trends and give grounds for serious concern about the development of innovation. The growth of R&D expenditures in Ukraine is impossible without the development and implementation of an adequate state innovation policy.