Features and trends in the development of HR management in Ukraine
Abstract
Ukrainian Human Resource (HR) practices have multiple difficulties from economic changes combined with digital transformation and workforce instability brought on by the war in 2022. The study examines Ukrainian HR practices between 2015 and 2024, focusing on the digitalization of HR systems, talent development, staff engagement, and hiring strategies. It considers the effects of organizational size and industry type. The study combined interviews with 30 HR professionals and surveyed 150 organizations from different industry groups and sizes. Our data required both quantitative statistical tests and manual content breakdown with codes. Research has shown significant differences between Information Technology (IT) and farming firms, as 89% of IT businesses have integrated artificial intelligence (AI)-powered HR tools. In comparison, only 15% of agricultural companies have adopted them. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) showed less commitment to digital transformation and European Union (EU) requirements than large enterprises, which adopted these systems at rates of 75% and 88%, respectively. Western Ukraine first established mental health initiatives during the crisis, and Eastern Ukraine moved toward decentralized administration. Digitalization assistance for small businesses, along with EU and local human resources frameworks, should form the basis of our suggestions. This research calls for flexible people management methods to boost the Ukrainian workspace’s ability to recover from shocks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
1. Ali, Q., Salman, A., & Parveen, S. (2022). Evaluating the effects of environmental management practices on environmental and financial performance of firms in Malaysia: the mediating role of ESG disclosure. Heliyon, 8(12), e12486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12486
2. Amca, Y., Yorucu, V., & Kırıkkaleli, D. (2025). Construction cost index: Political, economic, and financial risk indices within the european continent. Sustainability, 17(3), 917. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030917
3. Armstrong, M., & Taylor, S. (2023). Armstrong’s handbook of human resource management practice: A guide to the theory and practice of people management. Kogan Page.
4. Artemenko, L., Tiutiunikov, D., & Guk, O. (2024). Implementation of artificial intelligence in business models of international and ukrainian companies. Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Częstochowskiej. Zarządzanie, 55(1), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.17512/znpcz.2024.3.01
5. Aslam, M. (2023). Cochran’s Q test for analyzing categorical data under uncertainty. Journal of Big Data, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40537-023-00823-3
6. Balan, O., & Shepel, M. (2024). A model for innovative human resource management technologies implementation into the civil service of ukraine. Economics: Time Realities, 6(76), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.15276/etr.06.2024.2
7. Bannikova, K., & Mykhaylyova, K. (2023). Effective global recruitment strategy: Cultural competence. Review of Economics and Finance, 21, 592–598. https://doi.org/10.55365/1923.x2023.21.61
8. Bolduieva, O., Dashchenko, H., Vialets, O., et al. (2025). Peculiarities of strategic development of enterprises in the conditions of digital transformation of the economy of Ukraine. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 1(60), 415–426. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.1.60.2025.4596
9. Bondar, A., Tolchieva, H., Bilyk, M., et al. (2024). The role of digitization in management and strategic decision-making in modern management. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 2(55), 214–227. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.2.55.2024.4349
10. Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.
11. Buriak, I., Nechyporenko, K., Chychun, V., et al. (2022). Trends in the development of management and business technologies in the context of the modern Ukrainian economy. Futurity Economics&Law, 2(4), 56–77. https://doi.org/10.57125/FEL.2022.12.25.04
12. Cachón-Rodríguez, G., Blanco-González, A., Prado-Román, C., et al. (2022). How sustainable human resources management helps in the evaluation and planning of employee loyalty and retention: Can social capital make a difference?. Evaluation and Program Planning, 95, 102171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102171
13. Caire, G., & Becker, G. S. (1967). Human capital, a theoretical and empirical analysis with special reference to education. Revue Économique, 18(1), 132. https://doi.org/10.2307/3499575
14. Chernysh, O., Kuryliuk, Y., Kolomiiets, V., et al. (2023). Strategic priorities for the development of Ukraine’s economy in wartime conditions: a response to modern challenges. Financial & Credit Activity: Problems of Theory & Practice, 3(50). https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.3.50.2023.4079
15. Cochran, W. G. (1977). Sampling Techniques, 3rd ed. Wiley.
16. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2023). Revisiting mixed methods research designs twenty years later. The Sage Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design, 21–36. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529614572.n6
17. Dabić, M., Maley, J. F., Švarc, J., et al. (2023). Future of digital work: Challenges for sustainable human resources management. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(2), 100353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100353
18. De Prins, P. (2022). ‘Beyond the clash?’: Union-management partnership through social dialogue on sustainable HRM. Lessons from Belgium. German Journal of Human Resource Management: Zeitschrift Für Personalforschung, 36(1), 32–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/2397002221995807
19. Deloitte. (n.d.). Available online: https://www.deloitte.com (accessed on 3 June 2025).
20. Dimitrova, A. L., & Dragneva, R. (2023). How the EU-Ukraine association agreement and its consequences necessitated adaptation and drove innovation in the EU. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 61(6), 1454–1470. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13425
21. Elkhwesky, Z., Salem, I. E., & El Manzani, Y. (2023). Talented women for senior positions across multi-regions: Challenges, strategies, and future research agenda. Management Review Quarterly, 75(1), 353–389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-023-00383-z
22. European Commission. (2023). Ukraine 2023 report on EU enlargement strategy. Available online: https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/ukraine-report-2023_en (accessed on 3 June 2025).
23. Gallup. (2024). From suffering to thriving. Available online: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx (accessed on 3 June 2025).
24. Groves, K. S., Margolis, J., & Gibson, C. (2024). Cultivating the experience of dignity at work during digital transformation: Protective & proactive strategies for leaders and organizations. Organizational Dynamics, 101103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2024.101103
25. Guo, X., Chmutova, I., Sochynska-Sybirtseva, I., et al. (2023). Assessment of China’s macro-readiness for integrated innovative management technologies employment. Economics. Ecology. Socium, 7(4), 40–53. https://doi.org/10.61954/2616-7107/2023.7.4-4
26. Havrylyshyn, A., Eckardt, R., & Yakushko, N. (2024). Management research on the war in Ukraine: Building theory and supporting practitioners. European Management Journal, 42(5), 647–652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.01.003
27. Hess, M. (2023). Economic war: Ukraine and the global conflict between russia and the west. Hurst.
28. Hetmanczyk, M. P. (2024). A method for evaluating the maturity level of production process automation in the context of digital transformation—Polish case study. Applied Sciences, 14(11), 4380. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114380
29. Higgins, P. (2024). Conceptual and methodological issues in international and comparative HRM: Transferring lessons from comparative public policy. Human Resource Management Review, 34(2), 101015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2024.101015
30. Huang, X., Yang, F., Zheng, J., et al. (2023). Personalized human resource management via HR analytics and artificial intelligence: Theory and implications. Asia Pacific Management Review, 28(4), 598–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2023.04.004
31. ILO. (2024). Employment opportunities ILO Country Office Ukraine. Available online: https://www.ilo.org/employment-opportunities-ilo-country-office-ukraine (accessed on 3 June 2025).
32. Kachur, A. R., Tadeiev, Y. P., & Shkrobot, M. V. (2024). HR management and war: impact and consequences for international consulting companies in Ukraine. Economic Bulletin of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, (29), 127-132. https://doi.org/10.20535/2307-5651.29.2024.308824
33. Kim, S. (2025). Impact of trust on workforce agility and logistics performance: Korean manufacturing industry. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2025.2455923
34. Kissi, E. A., Segbenya, M., & Oti Amoah, J. (2024). Environmental sustainability among workers in Ghana: The role of green human resource management. Heliyon, 10(13), e33380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33380
35. Koshekov, К. Т., Savostin, А. А., Seidakhmetov, B. K., et al. (2021). Aviation profiling method based on deep learning technology for emotion recognition by speech signal. Transport and Telecommunication Journal, 22(4), 471–481. https://doi.org/10.2478/ttj-2021-0037
36. Koul, S. (2025). Does workplace spirituality enhance employee well‐Being? The mediating role of workplace happiness. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 44(3), 99–111. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22277
37. Limar, V. (2023). Innovative management approaches and venture investments: A blueprint for startup success. Law, Business and Sustainability Herald, 3(1), 18–32.
38. Maksymchuk, B., Melnyk, N., Bidyuk, N., et al. (2019). Models and organizational characteristics of preschool teachers’ professional training in some EU countries and Ukraine. Zbornik Instituta za Pedagoska Istrazivanja, 51(1), 46–93. https://doi.org/10.2298/ZIPI1901046M
39. Marín Díaz, G., Galán Hernández, J. J., & Galdón Salvador, J. L. (2023). Analyzing employee attrition using explainable AI for strategic HR decision-making. Mathematics, 11(22), 4677. https://doi.org/10.3390/math11224677
40. Ochieng, E. M. (2023). A study of the history, functions, roles, and challenges of human resources management. Journal of Enterprise and Business Intelligence, 54–64. https://doi.org/10.53759/5181/jebi202303006
41. Parast, M. M., & Safari, A. (2022). Improving quality and operational performance of service organizations: An empirical analysis using repeated cross-sectional Data of U.S. Firms. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 71, 656–670. https://doi.org/10.1109/tem.2021.3107499
42. Potwora, M., Vdovichena, O., Semchuk, D., et al. (2024). The use of artificial intelligence in marketing strategies: Automation, personalization and forecasting. Journal of Management World, 2024(2), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.53935/jomw.v2024i2.275
43. Roieva, O., Oneshko, S., Sulima, N., et al. (2023). Identification of digitalization as a direction of innovative development of modern enterprise. Financial and credit activity-problems of theory and practice, 1(48), 312–325. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.1.48.2023.3968
44. Salikhova, O., & Krekhivskyi, O. (2023). Policy of development of high-tech in China: Lessons for Ukraine. Statistics of Ukraine, 100(1), 61–76. https://doi.org/10.31767/su.1(100)2023.01.06
45. Sharma, R. C., & Sharma, N. (2024). Human resource management: Concepts, theories and contemporary practices. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032628424
46. Shostak, V. (2024). Innovations in human resource management in the public sector of Ukraine. Philosophy and Governance, (2), 21–30. https://doi.org/10.70651/3041-248x/2024.2.03
47. Shvedun, V., & Khlamov, S. (2016). Statistical modelling for determination of perspective number of advertising legislation violations. Actual Problems of Economics, 184(10), 389–396.
48. Štaffenová, N., & Kucharčíková, A. (2023). Digitalization in the human capital management. Systems, 11(7), 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11070337
49. State Statistics Service of Ukraine. (2024). Labor Market Indicators 2023. Kyiv: SSSU. Available online: https://stat.gov.ua/en/explorer (accessed on 3 June 2025).
50. Торгово-Промислова Палата України. (n.d.). Available online: https://ucci.org.ua (accessed on 3 June 2025).
51. Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. (2023). SMEs in Ukraine: Annual Report. Available online: https://ucci.org.ua/en/ (accessed on 3 June 2025).
52. Uygur, M. R., & Peyravi, B. (2025). Business resilience and strategic responses in Ukraine and Lithuania during the Russia-Ukraine conflict: insights from the energy, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. Business: Theory and Practice, 26(1), 62–77. https://doi.org/10.3846/btp.2025.22164
53. Vakulenko, V., Sargiacomo, M., & Klymenko, V. (2025). Addressing complexity and planning for the uncertain: local finances in wartime Ukraine. Public Money & Management, 45(3), 206–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2024.2374333
54. Vasylieva, N., & Velychko, O. (2017). Development of the controlling system in the management of dairy clusters. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 4(3 (88)), 20–26. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2017.108591
55. Vasyl’yeva, O. O., Sokolov, A. V., Lisnichenko, M. O., et al. (2023). Socio-economic dimension of human potential of world countries in the digital space of the labor market. Qubahan Academic Journal, 3(4), 106–129. https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v3n4a162
56. World Bank. (2025). The World Bank in Ukraine. Washington, DC: World Bank Group. Available online: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ukraine/overview (accessed on 3 June 2025).
57. Zaloznova, Y., Pankova, O., & Ostafiichuk, Y. (2020). Global and Ukrainian labour markets in the face of digitalization challenges and the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual Economics, 3(4), 106–130. https://doi.org/10.34021/ve.2020.03.04(6)
58. Zelinska, H., Andrusiv, U., Protsyshyn, A., et al. (2022). Innovative development of Ukraine: Competitiveness of enterprise staff in the context of globalization changes. Journal of Hygienic Engineering & Design, 40.
