This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the information and communication technology (ICT) market as a multi-level, multifactor system integrated into the global economy. It examines macro- and microeconomic factors, sociocultural aspects, software and digital-economy development, and international trade in services, hardware, and software. The ICT market is defined as a dynamic system: at the macro level, international regulators, global standards, and integration processes operate, while at the micro level, companies pursue competitive strategies and interact with the regulatory environment. Social aspects are identified as important, including digital inclusion and equal access to technology. Effective ICT development is shown to require accounting for the interaction of global and local factors. The specifics of software distribution across public, private, and social sectors are revealed. Key trends include the growing role of cloud technologies, spread of Freemium and subscription models, and increasingly complex licensing. Considerable attention is paid to software piracy, which requires a combination of technical, legal, and economic countermeasures.
The digital economy is defined as a leading direction of business transformation. The impact of e-commerce, IoT, AI, and 5G on business models, the labor market, and public administration is examined. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption in business, education, healthcare, and the public sector, catalyzing remote work, cloud services, e-commerce, and online education. Growth is noted in videoconferencing platforms (Zoom, Teams, Slack) and cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). Attention is given to cybersecurity, contactless payments, and mobile banking. The shift of education to LMS and the experience of South Korea, Singapore, India, and the EU with contact-tracing apps are discussed. The link between hardware development and software evolution (AI, machine learning, cloud solutions) is shown to shape new social practices.
The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index is applied to analyze concentration in international ICT trade, adjusted for re-exports. An algorithm for calculating a re-export coefficient is proposed for a more objective assessment of leading exporters and importers. Clustering of export-import dynamics identifies groups of countries with similar trade patterns. For 2016–2023, China's dominance as leading exporter is confirmed, alongside strengthening positions of Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and declining shares of the US, Germany, and Japan.
Ukraine's ICT import-export dynamics for 2016–2024 are summarized: cyclicality caused by the pandemic and war, dependence on Chinese imports, and steady growth in computer services exports as a key balance-of-payments factor. High concentration of ICT goods imports is established, oriented toward a limited circle of suppliers, primarily China, indicating structural vulnerability and the need for diversification. In ICT services, Ireland and India lead, with China growing and the US declining.
Software, web, and mobile development are found to be the most common IT company activities, while cybersecurity and IT management command higher prices due to complexity. Trends in leading countries' IT services markets (US, UK, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, India, etc.) are revealed: developed countries dominate the premium segment, developing ones focus on mid- and lower-price segments. Ukraine's IT sector features a high concentration of small firms and competitive rates, positioning it as a key regional outsourcing hub. Open pricing models prevail, reflecting competition and transparency; closed pricing dominates complex corporate solutions like HR and BI systems. Trial versions remain the most common approach regardless of pricing model.
Smartphone market features are examined, including brand share dynamics, innovation, and geographic model distribution: 2018–2024 shows export growth with fluctuations from economic and seasonal factors. In mobile software, the game share grows alongside unification between Google Play and App Store: apps dominated in 2010–2015, games grew from 2017, and 2022 marked a near-equal split. American apps dominate the Ukrainian market alongside growing local products and shifting service popularity from the pandemic and war: sharp growth in Telegram, TikTok, Zoom, financial platforms, and government apps ("Diia," "Air Alert"), reflecting societal adaptability.
The findings indicate increasing complexity and diversification of the ICT market, affecting the growth of the digital economy and its ability to meet global and regional user needs. The study broadens understanding of the ICT market and deepens existing analytical approaches.
