Reglobalization As a Driver of Transformation in European TNC Strategies
Yeremenko A. V.

Yeremenko, Andriy V. (2026) “Reglobalization As a Driver of Transformation in European TNC Strategies.” The Problems of Economy 1:5–12.
https://doi.org/10.32983/2222-0712-2026-1-5-12

Section: World economy and international relations

UDC 339.924:334.726(4)

Abstract:
The article presents a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of reglobalization as a determining factor that drives the radical transformation of the strategic development of European transnational corporations (TNCs) in the third decade of the 21st century. It is found that the current stage of world economic development is characterized by a departure from the neoliberal model of hyperglobalization, focused on cost minimization, in favor of the architecture of «strategic globalization», where the key determinants become security, supply chain resilience, and geopolitical loyalty. The study is based on the analysis of systemic shocks – the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, and the trade confrontation between the USA and China – which revealed the critical vulnerability of sprawling global value creation chains. The work provides a detailed analysis of the transition of European TNCs from offshoring strategies to reshoring, nearshoring, and friend-shoring models. Particular attention is paid to the conception of the European Union’s «open strategic autonomy» and its implementation in corporate strategies through «de-risking» mechanisms. Special emphasis is placed on the role of «connector economies», such as Poland, Vietnam, and Mexico, which are becoming new hubs for the redistribution of global flows, allowing transnational corporations to maintain access to critical resources amid fragmentation. The analysis is supplemented by a study of the impact of the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act on the investment priorities of European businesses. The results obtained confirm that reglobalization stimulates the formation of a «dual-track» operating model: localization for strategic markets and diversified regionalization to ensure scalability. The scientific novelty lies in identifying the synergistic effect between digital transformation and the implementation of ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, Governance) as tools for ensuring transparency and control in conditions of geoeconomic fragmentation. It is found that digitalization acts not only as a means of increasing productivity but also as a technological basis for bringing production back to countries with high labor costs. The work of domestic scientists studying transnationalization processes under conditions of military turbulence has also been integrated.

Keywords: reglobalization, European TNCs, strategic autonomy, friend-shoring, value creation chains, ESG strategies, digitalization, geoeconomic fragmentation, connector economies.

Tabl.: 6. Bibl.: 23.

Yeremenko Andriy V. – Candidate of Sciences (Economics), Associate Professor, Department of European Economics and Business, Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman (54/1 Beresteiskyi Ave., Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine)
Email: yeremenko.andriy@kneu.edu.ua

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