CORPORATE INTEGRATION AS A TOOL FOR ENHANCING THE INNOVATIVE CAPACITY OF UKRAINE’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive study on the structural transformation of the Ukrainian construction industry, emphasizing corporate integration as a fundamental instrument for enhancing innovative capacity during the post-war recovery phase. The research argues that the unprecedented scale of infrastructure destruction, combined with the imperative to implement "Build Back Better" principles, necessitates a paradigm shift from a fragmented market structure to consolidated organizational forms. The study identifies a significant gap between the high technological demands of modern reconstruction—such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), prefabricated construction, and green material recycling—and the limited capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in isolation. Through a systematic analysis, the paper validates that large integrated structures possess a significantly higher propensity for innovation, confirming the relevance of the Schumpeterian hypothesis in the context of the war-torn economy. The article classifies and evaluates various forms of corporate integration, highlighting the resilience of vertically integrated holdings, such as Kovalska Group, in generating operational and financial synergy to fund complex R&D projects. Furthermore, it examines the potential of industrial clusters to facilitate technology transfer and export expansion, drawing critical parallels with the successful Polish experience of utilizing construction clusters as export hubs. Special attention is paid to emerging forms of "soft" intellectual and digital integration, specifically urban planning coalitions (e.g., Ro3kvit) and the state digital ecosystem DREAM, which act as catalysts for transparency and modernization. The study proposes a methodological framework for assessing the innovation potential of integrated structures based on a weighted integral index. The conclusions offer strategic recommendations for policymakers to foster a "Triple Helix" of government, business, and science cooperation, which is essential for integrating the Ukrainian construction sector into European value chains and achieving sustainable technological leadership.