Implementation of the “Strategy Kernel” Concept in the Management of Sumy State University during the Active Phase of the War with Russia

The academic management of Sumy State University during the active phase of hostilities with Russia is characterised by the effective implementation of strategic elements. This became the main factor in the stability of the organisation’s development in critical times, which gives grounds for asserting the expediency of using similar strategic experience by other education institutions of Ukraine. The effectiveness of the strategic activities of Sumy State University, in particular, is confirmed by the increase in the volume of enrolments of citizens for the first course in the 2022/23 academic year by 12.2%, compared to last year, by the stability of the functioning of the finance, infrastructure development and resource provision sectors, which are critical for wartime. The positive dynamics of an organisation’s development in critical times is associated with an understanding of strategy in the context of the classical definition, i.e. a general plan for the implementation of a long-term goal in conditions of uncertainty and change. Of particular importance is the practical use of the “strategy kernel” concept developed by the American scientist Richard Rumelt, which consists of three consecutive elements: “diagnosis”, “guiding policy” and “coherent actions”. “Strategy kernel” is characterised by the attributes of universality and necessity. Therefore, the use of such a concept can become a guarantee of the stability of any organisation, including an education institution. In the form of a functional document, the «strategy kernel» concept was implemented in the Strategic Development Plan of Sumy State University for 2020-2026. The correct diagnosis of the problem of the military threat, other diagnostic aspects presented in the SWOT analysis, provided the basis for determining the “guiding policy” in the parts of the vision, mission, principles and values. “Coherent actions” were reflected in the strategic “roadmap” and, in particular, in the practice of stabilising the organisation’s financial condition during the active phase of the war with the Russian Federation. The analysis of the experience of implementing strategic concepts in the management of higher education institutions of Ukraine during the active phase of the war opens up prospects for improving the higher education system of Ukraine as a whole.