Conceptual approaches to shaping mechanisms for managing the integration of agribusiness entities

The article develops and theoretically substantiates the conceptual foundations for creating an adaptive management mechanism for inter-firm integration among agribusiness entities amidst military shocks, logistical chain disruptions, and systemic European integration transformations. It proves the inefficiency of maintaining Ukraine’s traditional raw-material export model and highlights the strategic imperative of transitioning toward closed-loop domestic processing chains with high added value. The study compares four primary integration vectors (horizontal, vertical, conglomerate, and cluster-network) across coordination mechanisms, entity autonomy, asset specificity, and transaction costs. The study establishes a four-component architectural model of the integration management mechanism, harmonizing institutional-regulatory, organizational-managerial, economic-financial, and information-digital subsystems. The study categorizes value chain governance models (modular, relational, captive) based on Global Value Chain (GVC) theory and identifies four core upgrading pathways (process, product, functional, and inter-sectoral upgrading). Furthermore, it evaluates the impact of strict EU regulatory frameworks and climate standards (General Food Law, GAEC, EUDR 2023/1115, CBAM, ESG/CSRD) on organizational-economic tools for inter-firm interaction and digital traceability. Finally, the study develops a five-stage conceptual model for managing inter-firm integration, accompanied by a balanced system of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure economic, operational, institutional, environmental, and social effectiveness. The scientific novelty lies in synthesizing transaction cost economics, GVC governance, and digital compliance into a unified adaptive mechanism that aligns heterogeneous market actors. The practical significance resides in offering a structured roadmap for modernizing the national agricultural sector, overcoming wartime shocks, ensuring full product traceability, and facilitating seamless integration into the European Union internal market. Keywords: adaptive management mechanism, agribusiness, inter-firm integration, value chains, agro-clusters, agricultural cooperation, European integration, EUDR, ESG standards, digital traceability.