CORPORATE CULTURE AS A STRATEGIC TOOL FOR RETENTION AND ATTRACTING HUMAN RESOURCE POTENTIAL
Abstract
The article investigates and analyzes the role of corporate culture as a key factor in retaining and attracting the human capital of enterprises amid transformational changes. It has been established that corporate culture is a strategic factor that ensures the retention and effective engagement of human capital in the context of contemporary economic dynamics and labor market transformation. The increase in competition for qualified specialists, demographic changes, labor migration, and the consequences of crises and military factors lead to higher employee turnover and a shortage of professional competencies across various sectors of the economy, making the formation of an effective corporate culture particularly important for workforce stabilization and retention. The article analyzes contemporary HR challenges arising in the context of labor market transformation and changes in the economic environment. Their impact on workforce stability is examined, particularly through mechanisms of trust-building, corporate loyalty, and employee motivation. It is shown that factors such as competition for qualified personnel, labor migration, and unstable working conditions directly contribute to increased employee turnover and decreased levels of workforce engagement. The study demonstrates that most challenges in the field of human resource management are of a non-material nature, meaning they are not limited to issues of salary or financial incentives. They are primarily related to aspects such as corporate values, behavioral norms, internal communication, and the level of trust within the workforce. The analysis indicates that the state of an organization’s corporate culture directly affects the effectiveness of motivation, employee engagement, and the stability of the workforce. Furthermore, it has been established that non-material factors, such as the level of trust in leadership, transparency of communication, and alignment of values with organizational practices, are key determinants of employee engagement and loyalty. Insufficient development of these aspects can lead to increased staff turnover, reduced productivity, and the emergence of conflicts within the workforce. Therefore, the formation and maintenance of an effective corporate culture represent a strategic resource for ensuring workforce stability, developing human capital, and enhancing the competitiveness of the enterprise in the market.
References
Melnik O. Ukraine has lost 40% of its working-age population: how the labor market is responding to the skills shortage. Finway. 2025. URL: https://finway.com.ua/en/ukrainehaslostitsworking/ (дата звернення: 01.02.2026)
HR wisdom Summit 2025: A place of power for business change leaders. HRWS.Delo.Ua. 2025. URL: https://hrws.delo.ua (дата звернення: 01.02.2026)
Report on the Research Findings “Labour Market Barometer 2025: Forecasts for 2026” Ukraine. GRC.UA. 2026. URL: https://grc.ua/blog/report-on-the-research-findings-labour-market-barometer-2025-forecasts-for-2026-ukraine (дата звернення: 01.02.2026)
HR-дослідження в Україні: досвід, барʼєри та складнощі в people management. Gradus. 2023. URL:https://gradus.app/uk/open-reports/hr-research-in-ukraine-experience-barriers-and-difficulties-in-people-management/ (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Nikčević G. On Organizational Culture in the Western Balkans: a review of the literature. KNOWLEDGE-International Journal. 2024. Vol. 65.1. P. 31-36. URL: https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/article/view/6891/6659 (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Seguin M., Lewis R., Amirejibi T., Razmadze M., Makhashvili N., Roberts B. Our flesh is here but our soul stayed there: A qualitative study on resource loss due to war and displacement among internally-displaced women in the Republic of Georgia. Social Science & Medicine. 2016. Vol. 150. P. 239-247. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.12.045 (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Shertzer Y. HR under fire – The role of HR in war time. Human resources Management and Services. 2024. 6(2):3409. DOI:https://doi.org/10.18282/hrms.v6i2.3409 (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Про схвалення Стратегії зайнятості населення України на період до 2030 року та затвердження операційного плану заходів з її реалізації у 2026–2028 роках: Розпорядження Кабінету Міністрів України від 7 січня 2026 року № 92-р. URL: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-skhvalennia-stratehii-zainiatosti-naselennia-ukrainy-na-period-do-2030-roku-ta-t70126 (дата звернення: 27.01.2026)
Оцінка проблем і можливостей забезпечення промисловості робочою силою в умовах воєнного стану та повоєнної розбудови України: наукова доповідь / О.Ф. Новікова, Ю.С. Залознова, В.П. Антонюк, О.О. Хандій, Н.А. Азьмук, Я.В. Остафійчук, О.В. Панькова, І.М. Новак, С.В. Охременко, О.Ю. Касперович, Д.В. Паньков, О.В. Іщенко, Я.Є. Красуліна, О.Ю. Мальцев; НАН України, Ін-т економіки пром-сті. Київ, 2024. 108 с. URL: https://iie.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/application/pdf/otsinka-problem-i-mozhlyvostej-zabezpechennia-promyslovosti-robochoiu-syloiu.pdf (дата звернення: 27.01.2026)
Новікова О. Ф., Остафійчук Я. В., Панькова О. В. Стан, проблеми та можливості забезпечення української промисловості робочою силою в умовах довготривалої війни. Економіка та суспільство. 2024. № 68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-68-210 (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Антонюк В. П. Проблеми розвитку промисловості України та її кадрового забезпечення в умовах війни. Економіка промисловості. 2024. № 1 (105). С. 55-79. DOI: http://doi.org/10.15407/econindustry2024.01.055 (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Залознова Ю. С., Азьмук Н. А. Людський капітал України в умовах війни: втрати та здобутки. Економіка та суспільство. 2022. № 38. DOI:https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2022-38-59 (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Ринок праці України увійшов у 2026 рік у режимі напруги. Впливовий HR. 2026. URL: https://www.hr.in.ua/post/ринок-праці-україни-увійшов-у-2026-рік-у-режимі-напруги (дата звернення: 02.02.2026)
Three quarters of employers are experiencing staff shortages in Ukraine. European Business Association. 2024. URL: https://eba.com.ua/en/try-chverti-robotodavtsiv-vidchuvayut-defitsyt-kadriv-v-ukrayini/ (дата звернення: 04.02.2026)
Ринок праці під тиском: найбільше бракує комунальників та медиків. Komersant. 2025. URL: https://komersant.ua/rynok-pratsi-pid-tyskom-naybilshe-ne-vystachaie-komunalnykiv-ta-medykiv-doslidzhennia/ (дата звернення: 04.02.2026)
Дефіцит кадрів та зростання заробітних плат – тенденції ринку праці у 2026 році. EBA. 2025. URL: https://eba.com.ua/defitsyt-kadriv-ta-zrostannya-zarobitnyh-plat-tendentsiyi-rynku-pratsi-u-2026-rotsi/ (дата звернення: 04.02.2026)
Лазарєва К. Дефіцит працівників: майже половина компаній відчули на собі виїзд чоловіків 18-22 роки. The Page. 2025. URL: https://thepage.ua/ua/news/rinok-praci-ukrayini-2025-2026-deficit-kadriv-ta-viyizd-molodih-specialistiv (дата звернення: 04.02.2026)
Сухорукова Г. Український ринок праці у 2026 році: тренди від HR-експертів. Kyivstar Business Hub. 2025. URL: https://hub.kyivstar.ua/articles/ukrayinskij-rinok-praczi-u-2026-roczi-trendi-vid-hr-ekspertiv (дата звернення: 04.02.2026)
Melnik O. (2025) Ukraine has lost 40% of its working-age population: how the labor market is responding to the skills shortage. Finway. Available at: https://finway.com.ua/en/ukrainehaslostitsworking/ (accessed February 1, 2026)
HRWS. Delo.Ua. (2025) HR wisdom Summit 2025: A place of power for business change leaders. Available at: https://hrws.delo.ua (accessed February 1, 2026)
GRC. UA. (2026) Report on the Research Findings “Labour Market Barometer 2025: Forecasts for 2026” Ukraine. Available at: https://grc.ua/blog/report-on-the-research-findings-labour-market-barometer-2025-forecasts-for-2026-ukraine (accessed February 1, 2026)
Gradus. (2023) HR-doslidzhennia v Ukraini: dosvid, barʼiery ta skladnoshchi v people management [HR Research in Ukraine: Experience, Barriers, and Challenges in People Management]. Available at: https://gradus.app/uk/open-reports/hr-research-in-ukraine-experience-barriers-and-difficulties-in-people-management/ (accessed February 2, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Nikčević G. (2024) On Organizational Culture in the Western Balkans: a review of the literature. KNOWLEDGE-International Journal. Vol. 65.1. P. 31-36. Available at: https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/article/view/6891/6659 (accessed February 2, 2026).
Seguin M., Lewis R., Amirejibi T., Razmadze M., Makhashvili N., Roberts B. (2016) Our flesh is here but our soul stayed there: A qualitative study on resource loss due to war and displacement among internally-displaced women in the Republic of Georgia. Social Science & Medicine. Vol. 150. P. 239-247. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.12.045 (accessed February 2, 2026).
Shertzer Y. (2024). HR under fire – The role of HR in war time. Human resources Management and Services. 2024. 6(2):3409. Available at: https://doi.org/10.18282/hrms.v6i2.34 (accessed February 2, 2026).
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (Jan. 7, 2026) Pro skhvalennia Stratehii zainiatosti naselennia Ukrainy na period do 2030 roku ta zatverdzhennia operatsiinoho planu zakhodiv z yii realizatsii u 2026-2028 rokakh [On approval of the Employment Strategy of Ukraine for the period until 2030 and approval of the operational plan of measures for its implementation in 2026-2028]. Available at: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-skhvalennia-stratehii-zainiatosti-naselennia-ukrainy-na-period-do-2030-roku-ta-t70126 (accessed January 27, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Novikova O. F., Zaloznova Yu. S., Antoniuk V. P. et al. (2024) Otsinka problem i mozhlyvostey̆ zabezpechennia promyslovosti robochoiu syloiu v umovakh voiennoho stanu ta povoiennoï rozbudovy Ukrainy [Assessment of problems and opportunities for providing industry with labor force under martial law and post-war development of Ukraine]. Kyiv: Institute of Industrial Economics of the NAS of Ukraine. Available at: https://iie.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/application/pdf/otsinka-problem-i-mozhlyvostej-zabezpechennia-promyslovosti-robochoiu-syloiu.pdf (accessed January 27, 2026) (in Ukrainian)
Novikova O. F., Ostafiichuk Ya. V., Pankova O. V. (2024) Stan, problemy ta mozhlyvosti zabezpechennia ukrainskoi promyslovosti robochoiu syloiu v umovakh dovhotryvaloi viiny [The State, Problems, and Opportunities of Providing the Ukrainian Industry with Workforce under Conditions of Prolonged War]. Ekonomika ta suspilstvo – Economy and Society, no. 68. Available at:https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-68-210 (accessed February 2, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Antoniuk V. P. (2024) Problemy rozvytku promyslovosti Ukrainy ta yii kadrovoho zabezpechennia v umovakh viiny [Problems of the Development of Ukrainian Industry and Its Workforce Provision under Conditions of War]. Ekonomika promyslovosti – Industrial Economy, no 1 (105), pp. 55-79. Available at:http://doi.org/10.15407/econindustry2024.01.055 (accessed February 2, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Zaloznova Yu. S., Azmuk N. A. (2022) Liudskyi kapital Ukrainy v umovakh viiny: vtraty ta zdobutky [Human Capital of Ukraine under Conditions of War: Losses and Gains]. Ekonomika ta suspilstvo – Economy and Society, no 38. Available at:https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2022-38-59 (accessed February 2, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Vplyvovyi HR. (2026) Rynok pratsi Ukrainy uviishov u 2026 rik u rezhymi napruhy [The Ukrainian Labor Market Entered 2026 under Conditions of Tension]. Available at: https://www.hr.in.ua/post/ринок-праці-україни-увійшов-у-2026-рік-у-режимі-напруги (accessed February 2, 2026) (in Ukraine)
European Business Association. (2024). Three quarters of employers are experiencing staff shortages in Ukraine. Available at: https://eba.com.ua/en/try-chverti-robotodavtsiv-vidchuvayut-defitsyt-kadriv-v-ukrayini/ (accessed February 4, 2026)
Komersant. (2025) Labor market under pressure: utilities and healthcare workers are most in short supply – research. Available at: https://komersant.ua/en/rynokpratsipidtyskomnaybilshebrakuiekomunalnykiv-ta-medykiv-doslidzhennia/ (accessed February 4, 2026)
EBA. (2025) Defitsyt kadriv ta zrostannia zarobitnykh plat – tendentsii rynku pratsi u 2026 rotsi [Labor Shortages and Wage Growth – Trends in the Labor Market in 2026]. Available at: https://eba.com.ua/defitsyt-kadriv-ta-zrostannya-zarobitnyh-plat-tendentsiyi-rynku-pratsi-u-2026-rotsi/ (accessed February 4, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Lazarieva K. (2025) Defitsyt pratsivnykiv: maizhe polovyna kompanii vidchuly na sobi vyizd cholovikiv 18-22 roky [Worker Shortages: Almost Half of Companies Have Felt the Impact of the Departure of Men Aged 18–22]. The Page. Available at: https://thepage.ua/ua/news/rinok-praci-ukrayini-2025-2026-deficit-kadriv-ta-viyizd-molodih-specialistiv (accessed February 4, 2026) (in Ukraine)
Sukhorukova H. (2025) Ukrainskyi rynok pratsi u 2026 rotsi: trendy vid HR-ekspertiv [The Ukrainian Labor Market in 2026: Trends from HR Experts]. Kyivstar Business Hub. Available at: https://hub.kyivstar.ua/articles/ukrayinskij-rinok-praczi-u-2026-roczi-trendi-vid-hr-ekspertiv (accessed February 4, 2026) (in Ukraine)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

