Сутність інноваційної діяльності та напрями її реалізації в будівельній галузі України

The article provides a thorough investigation of the theoretical, regulatory and applied elements involved in understanding the nature of innovation in the construction industry. It substantiates the urgency of transitioning to an innovation-oriented model of economic development that takes into account the needs of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, infrastructure modernization and increased competitiveness of construction enterprises. The genesis of the term 'innovation' and the evolution of its interpretation in economic science, as seen in the works of J. Schumpeter, N. Kondratiev, P. Drucker, K. Christensen and other scholars, is revealed. The semantic differences between the concepts of 'innovation', 'innovation' and 'innovation', as well as their role in shaping the logic of the innovation process, are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to analyzing the legislative framework within which innovation activity is carried out in Ukraine. The author identifies significant differences in the interpretation of the category 'innovation activity' in the Ukrainian laws 'On Innovation Activity' and 'On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activity', the Commercial Code of Ukraine, and official statistical reporting. The author emphasises the lack of a coherent approach to defining the essence of innovation activity, criteria for its identification and forms of support, which complicates the formation of a coherent State policy in this area and limits the practical possibilities of enterprises to confirm the innovative status of their products or processes. The author's own definition of innovation activity is formulated and its forms inherent in the construction industry are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to specifying the forms of innovative activity in construction, which include innovative design and survey work, introduction of new technologies for construction, installation, restoration and reconstruction, use of new building materials and structures, modern equipment and software.