INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES ON ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF ENTERPRISES ACTIVITY

Abstract

The influence of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the economic development of Ukrainian enterprises is investigated in this article. Firstly, the main advantages and threats of ICT implementation at different levels of economic relations are identified.ICTs play an important role in the country's business environment improvement via positive impact on development of communications in trade, finance and transport. ICT offers a real chance to narrow the economic gap existing in developing countries and world leaders.They also allow to achieve benefits due to create additional material goods and jobs for highly skilled workers. However, there are also some problems in the use of ICT, including the emergence of cybercrime. Secondly, the scope of ICT use by business entities (legal entities) is considered. Thirdly, the following hypothesis was formed and tested based on the research of ICT factors of economic development: the high level of ICT usage in enterprises leads to the formation of competitive advantages and, accordingly, the growth of economic indicators of enterprise activity. The results of the correlation-regression analysis confirmed that the higher the level ofcomputerization of enterprises, the availability of specialists in the IT sphere, the use of Internet activities (including to obtain and disseminate information about goods and services), the greater the volume of sales and profits. However, in terms of profits, the closest link with this financial indicator has the use of Internet in business to obtain and disseminate information about goods and services.Profitability is also influenced by the level of the ICT provision including computers as well as staff skills in ICT application. Fourthly, it is proposed to use state and contractual regulatory instruments comprehensively to achieve a high level of ICT development.