INFRASTRUCTURE MEDIATION IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of infrastructure mediation as an instrument of strategic management of the socio-economic development of territorial communities. It is substantiated that infrastructure projects, while acting as catalysts for economic growth and social transformation, simultaneously generate multi-level conflicts among local self-government bodies, business entities, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and community residents. Such conflicts are characterized by a complex structure of interests, often including hidden political and economic motives, and their prolongation creates significant risks for the sustainable development of territories.

The article reveals the specifics of infrastructure mediation as a multi-party process characterized by asymmetry of resources and influence among the parties, uncertainty of representatives’ mandates, and the combination of public and confidential interaction formats. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of conflicts of interest in the context of the strategic development of communities, including role conflicts of local residents, contradictions between short-term and long-term development objectives, as well as the influence of individual interests of group leaders on decision-making processes.

An approach to integrating infrastructure mediation into the system of strategic management is proposed, which includes the identification of key stakeholders, mapping and prioritization of interests, identification of shared long-term goals, and the use of hybrid dispute resolution formats. It is emphasized that mediation mechanisms can be effective not only at the stage of resolving existing conflicts but also during the formulation and implementation of community development strategies. The application of infrastructure mediation contributes to reducing the conflict potential of managerial decisions, increasing the level of trust among stakeholders, and minimizing the socio-economic risks associated with the implementation of infrastructure projects. It is concluded that infrastructure mediation forms a foundation for the institutional development of communities and ensures a more sustainable and balanced model of socio-economic development in the long term.