THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF FORMING ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC LINKS IN AGRO-CLUSTERS

Abstract

The article examines the key aspects of the formation and functioning of agro-clusters as important elements for the sustainable development of agricultural enterprises. The study pays special attention to the theoretical foundations of organizing interaction between cluster participants, including producers, processing enterprises, research institutions, and government bodies. The significance of organizational and economic links within cluster structures is substantiated, as they contribute to the implementation of innovative technologies, improvement of environmental safety levels, and reduction of resource consumption. It has been revealed that existing barriers in the development of Ukraine's agricultural sector, particularly organizational and technical shortcomings, hinder the effective functioning of clusters. A two-level model of cluster structure organization is proposed, which, unlike existing ones, can serve as a foundation for the formation of an agricultural cluster and will allow for the optimal combination of various scale business units into a single integrated economic system. In particular, the proposed model foresees the development of a common systemic goal by the participants, to which individual goals are subordinated. It also allows for the realization of both economic and socio-economic connections and functions of the association. The research has identified opportunities to improve the organizational and economic mechanism of clusters to enhance interaction between enterprises, which will increase their competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets. Based on the principles of the two-level model of cluster structure organization in the agro-sector, a methodological approach is proposed for studying the organizational model of business entities within the agro-cluster structure. Unlike existing approaches, this allows for the study, analysis, evaluation, and systematization of existing links between agricultural sector enterprises, processing, and service industries and using them as a basis for organizing cluster associations, as well as determining and substantiating further cluster development paths, directions for optimizing organizational processes, and links between participants in the integrated structure.