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RESEARCH CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS of NAS of Ukraine (KHARKIV, UKRAINE)

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Liburkina L. M.

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Digitalization as a Tool for Minimizing War Risks for Small Businesses in the Trade Sector
Makarov S. A.

Makarov, Serhii A. (2026) “Digitalization as a Tool for Minimizing War Risks for Small Businesses in the Trade Sector.” Business Inform 4:112–122.
https://doi.org/10.32983/2222-4459-2026-4-112-122

Section: Information Technologies in the Economy

Article is written in Ukrainian
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UDC 334.012.63:004:658.5:355.01

Abstract:
The article examines theoretical and applied aspects of digitalization as a tool for minimizing war risks for small businesses in the trade sector. In the conditions of the ongoing full-scale war, enterprises face a complex of interconnected threats, among which logistic, financial, personnel, operational, and security risks are of particular importance. The article clarifies the essence of the concept of «wartime risks» and substantiates their systemic nature and impact on the efficiency of small business operations. It is determined that the specifics of trade activities cause increased vulnerability of enterprises to changes in supply chains, demand fluctuations, and restrictions on physical access to markets. The content of digitalization is revealed as a comprehensive process of business model transformation, which involves the integration of information and communication technologies into all areas of enterprise activity. It has been substantiated that digitalization serves as an efficient tool for adapting small businesses to martial law conditions, ensuring business process continuity, increasing flexibility, and reducing dependence on physical infrastructure. The main areas of digital technology application have been studied, in particular the development of e-commerce, the implementation of ERP and CRM systems, the use of cloud services, digital financial instruments, business analytics tools, and cybersecurity. It has been found that their comprehensive use contributes to reducing the impact of external shocks and increasing the resilience of enterprises. Special attention has been paid to substantiating directions for improving the efficiency of small business digitalization, among which are highlighted the formation of a digital strategy, the development of employees’ digital competencies, the expansion of sales channels, supply diversification, and integration into digital ecosystems. The role of State support and the institutional environment in promoting enterprise digital transformation has been identified. It is summarized that digitalization is not only a tool for increasing operational efficiency but also a strategic factor in ensuring the resilience and viability of small businesses under martial law conditions, which determines the necessity of its systematic implementation and further scientific research.

Keywords: digitalization; military risks; small business; trade; digital transformation; e-commerce; resilience of enterprises.

Fig.: 1. Tabl.: 2. Bibl.: 12.

Makarov Serhii A. – Postgraduate Student, National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» named after M. Ye. Zhukovskiy (17 Vadyma Manka Str., Kharkіv, 61070, Ukraine)
Email: [email protected]

List of references in article

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