ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY OF UKRAINE AND THE EU COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF INDUSTRY 4.0 DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
The relevance of the study is determined by the growing importance of Industry 4.0 technologies for the transformation of international economic activity and strengthening digital competitiveness in Ukraine and the countries of the European Union. In today’s world, the development of a secure digital infrastructure, innovative capacity and highly skilled human capital has become a key prerequisite for sustainable economic growth and effective integration into global digital markets. The aim of the article is to identify and analyze the main factors influencing the international activity of Ukraine and the EU countries in the context of the development of Industry 4.0, and to determine the relationship between digital readiness, investment in education, secure network infrastructure and export efficiency of ICT services. The research methodology is based on a combination of comparative, statistical, analytical and correlation-regression methods used to assess the impact of digital and educational factors on international economic activity. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the level of digital readiness, the development of secure network infrastructure, public spending on education and the dynamics of ICT services exports in the context of digital transformation. The results of the study show that countries with developed digital infrastructure and high innovation potential demonstrate stronger positions in international markets and achieve more effective implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. The analysis also confirms that Ukraine maintains stable digital readiness indicators, despite economic and geopolitical challenges, while the ICT sector remains one of the key drivers of economic sustainability and international integration. Correlation and regression analysis reveals a close relationship between the development of secure Internet infrastructure, investments in education and the growth of ICT services exports, which confirms the importance of technological modernization and human capital development for increasing international competitiveness. The practical significance of the article lies in the possibility of using the obtained results to develop state strategies aimed at strengthening digital competitiveness, supporting innovation policy, stimulating ICT exports, and strengthening Ukraine's integration into the European digital environment in the context of Industry 4.0.
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