THE INSTITUTIONAL ROLE OF DATA CENTERS IN THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF UKRAINE’S ECONOMY

Under current conditions of digital transformation, geopolitical instability, and the urgent need for post-war recovery of Ukraine’s economy, the formation of a resilient institutional infrastructure capable of ensuring technological autonomy, continuity of digital services, and economic adaptability to emerging challenges becomes particularly significant. In this context, the study of the functional and institutional role of data centers as key components of the digital ecosystem is especially relevant. Their integration into national development models requires a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between technical, economic, regulatory, and social factors that shape the effectiveness and scalability of digital infrastructure. Drawing on system analysis, institutional theory, and digital economy methodology, the article substantiates the significance of data centers as strategic nodes that underpin the digital resilience of the state. It demonstrates that their development depends on energy supply, regulatory frameworks, human capital, and investment dynamics, all of which require coordinated governance. The impact of global technological trends on national institutional models has been clarified. An analytical model for assessing the readiness of data centers for large-scale deployment has been developed; institutional constraints have been classified; integration pathways into the economic system have been grouped; and strategic prerequisites for establishing digital sovereignty have been substantiated. The findings can be applied to optimize managerial decision-making, improve the efficiency of digital services, mitigate infrastructure risks, and stimulate investment activity. They will support the development of digital modernization strategies, regional infrastructure planning, and the enhancement of national economic competitiveness. The proposed framework may be utilized by government authorities, analytical institutions, and digital policy stakeholders to design institutional mechanisms for integrating data centers into national and international digital ecosystems.