THE ROLE OF MANAGERIAL CAPITAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNIZATION OF MEDICAL CLUSTERS: A CASE ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL STRATEGIES

Abstract

This article examines the strategic role of managerial capital in shaping the formation, development, and modernization of medical clusters within the context of ongoing healthcare transformation in Ukraine. Amidst the complex challenges posed by digitalization, war, demographic decline, and the need for post-war recovery, managerial capital is conceptualized as a key integrative resource that aligns clinical practice, education, scientific research, and innovation. The author critically evaluates international models of medical clusters (EU, Canada, South Korea), comparing them with the administrative-medical logic that currently dominates the Ukrainian approach, which lacks structural integration and strategic depth. The paper presents a case-based analysis of Ukraine’s regulatory framework, identifying five critical barriers that hinder effective cluster development: the absence of systemic managerial training tailored to multi-level healthcare systems; limited awareness of cross-sectoral leadership as a management tool; fragmentation between healthcare, education, and science sectors; a lack of mechanisms for evaluating managerial performance; and the rigidity of governance structures during crises. These barriers collectively constrain the diffusion of innovation, reduce inter-institutional synergy, and weaken cluster sustainability. To address these challenges, the author proposes a set of practical solutions, including the implementation of cross-sectoral professional development programs for health managers; the creation of strategic councils within clusters; the revision of national legislation to reflect global best practices; and the introduction of performance-based management systems using KPIs. The study concludes that managerial capital is not merely a support function but a cornerstone of sustainable, competitive, and innovation-driven healthcare cluster ecosystems.