RISK MANAGEMENT IN STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE: FROM THREATS TO PROACTIVE STRATEGIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal the ontological nature of risk as a category of future governance under conditions of strategic uncertainty, as well as to substantiate the necessity of creating specialized intellectual tools for effective risk management in various spheres, including public administration. The article analyzes the categorical essence of the concept of risk as a phenomenon arising at the boundary between the present and the future. Particular attention is paid to the conceptualization of risk management as an instrument for enhancing the effectiveness of managerial decisions.The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines philosophical and categorical analysis, logical and semantic reconstruction of concepts, elements of systems thinking, as well as interpretation of international risk management standards (in particular ISO 31000:2018 and ISO 31010:2009). Within the framework of source analysis, a comparative legal analysis of Ukrainian normative legal acts and international documents concerning the terms «risk», «uncertainty», «threat», and «danger» was also applied.The scientific novelty lies in the formulation of a new vision of risk as an intellectual tool for managing the future in the context of present decisions. Risk is interpreted as a measurable form of uncertainty that enables the projection of current actions while taking into account possible future scenarios. It is proposed to consider risk as manageable uncertainty that requires the development of specialized response models. It is demonstrated that risk performs the function of an integrative managerial category, which allows not only the identification of potential threats but also the formation of proactive decision-making strategies at the level of any policy.Conclusions. Risk is a key element of strategic management under conditions of ambiguity and dynamic uncertainty.It appears not only as a challenge but also as an instrument for the constructive formation of the future. Effective risk management requires the creation of a holistic intellectual toolkit that integrates analytical, predictive, and normative mechanisms. In this context, risk management is not only a reaction to potential dangers but also an active strategy for designing a safe and foreseeable future. The standardization of approaches to risk management (in particular ISO31000) creates a methodological foundation for the unified identification, analysis, and response to risks in various fields – from public administration and national security to the economy, technosphere, and social environment.