COMPETITIVE TRENDS IN THE GLOBAL INNOVATION ENVIRONMENT: GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND STRATEGIC IMPERTATIVES

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the global innovation environment in the context of intensifying geopolitical confrontation, with a particular emphasis on the strategic management of dual-use technology transfer. Adopting a multidisciplinary framework that integrates innovation management theory, international technology transfer practices, and geopolitical analysis, the research identifies structural trends reshaping the competitiveness of national innovation systems. Key determinants include the accelerated integration of digital technologies into both industrial and defense sectors, the increasing significance of intellectual capital as a primary source of competitive advantage, and the expansion of open innovation platforms enabling cross-sectoral and transnational collaboration. The analysis also considers the governance of sensitive knowledge flows and the role of sustainable technologies in achieving long-term resilience. The Ukrainian case serves as a focal example, illustrating the challenges and opportunities of innovation policy under wartime conditions, including the mitigation of external technological dependencies, transformation of the defense-industrial complex, and integration into global research and production networks. The study formulates strategic imperatives aimed at enhancing adaptability, resilience, and competitiveness through active participation in global innovation ecosystems, reinforcement of intellectual property protection, and promotion of public–private partnerships. The findings contribute to the scholarly discourse on innovation governance under crisis conditions and provide practical recommendations for policymakers, analytical institutions, and industry stakeholders. Practical significance: The results may inform the design of national innovation strategies, the optimization of technology transfer mechanisms, and the formulation of competitive positioning policies in the global innovation arena..