On 29 June 2026, the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies (USUST) hosted the public defence of the PhD dissertation of Vitalii Savko, a postgraduate student of the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the Educational and Scientific Institute “Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology“.

The dissertation, entitled “Developing an Image Strategy for a Law Firm in the Legal Services Market under the Conditions of the Digital Economy”, was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of knowledge 05 “Social and Behavioural Sciences”, specialty 051 “Economics”. The defence took place before an ad hoc Specialized Academic Council established by USUST Order No. 206k of 30 April 2026.

The research was supervised by Nataliia Chupryna, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Humanities and Law at the Educational and Scientific Institute “Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology”, USUST.

The ad hoc Specialized Academic Council consisted of:

• Chair: Larysa Harmider, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Economics and Law, Educational and Scientific Institute “Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology”, USUST;
• Reviewers:
  • Pavlo Fisunenko, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Professor of the Department of Real Estate Development, Finance, Accounting and Marketing, Educational and Scientific Institute “Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture”, USUST;
  • Olha Kuchkova, Candidate of Economic Sciences (PhD), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Marketing and Logistics, Educational and Scientific Institute “Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology”, USUST;
• Official Opponents:
  • Yevhen Romat, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv;
  • Oleksandr Zozuliov, Candidate of Economic Sciences (PhD), Professor, Professor of the Department of Industrial Marketing, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”.

The dissertation addresses current challenges in the development of the legal services sector under the conditions of the digital transformation of the economy. The research proposes a comprehensive approach to the development and evaluation of a law firm’s image strategy, introduces an economic and mathematical model for assessing the impact of corporate image on the performance of legal service providers, and further develops theoretical and methodological approaches to the use of digital communications and modern marketing tools.

The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of applying its findings in the activities of businesses, professional organizations, and higher education institutions.

Following the open vote, all five members of the ad hoc Specialized Academic Council unanimously supported the award of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree to Vitalii Viktorovych Savko.

We sincerely congratulate Vitalii Viktorovych Savko and his academic supervisor, Professor Nataliia Chupryna, on the successful defence of the dissertation. We wish them continued scientific achievements, successful implementation of promising research projects, professional growth, and further contributions to the advancement of economic science.

More information about the dissertation is available on the University website here.