Socio-Economic Drivers of Sustainable Agrobusiness Development: Implications for Responsible SME Practices

Abstract

Focusing on Ukraine as a country undergoing profound economic and institutional transformation, the study analyzes demographic shifts, migration patterns, regional disparities, investment limitations, and global market volatility as key factors influencing the performance and resilience of agricultural SMEs. A comparative assessment of major international agro-industrial models demonstrates significant differences in state support, technological advancement, resource utilization efficiency, and the social role of SMEs. The analysis shows that Ukraine's current agro-raw material model remains vulnerable due to low processing capacity, limited diversification, and weak institutional incentives. The findings form a conceptual foundation for adapting international best practices in responsible management to the Ukrainian context. By strengthening human capital, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable rural development, agricultural SMEs can reinforce their social mission while contributing to long-term economic growth and integration into global agro-food value chains.