International Journal of Applied Research in Management and Economics
The International Journal of Applied Research in Management and Economics is a platform for scientific discussion and knowledge sharing open for all researchers worldwide. The abbreviation for the Journal is IJARME. It provides a forum for both academics and decision-makers to advance theory and application in the fields of Management and Economics. All submitted articles should report original, previously unpublished research results, experimental or theoretical, and will be peer-reviewed. Articles submitted to the journal should meet these criteria and must not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Manuscripts should follow the style of the journal and are subject to both review and editing.
Mokslinės Leidybos Deimantas (Diamond Scientific Publication)
The operational management of a warehouse is a crucial component in a company’s supply chain, directly influencing the efficiency and competitiveness of the entire organization. A well-managed warehouse not only optimizes logistics costs but also improves customer service quality by reducing delivery times and increasing overall satisfaction. The basic components of warehouse operations include receiving and storing goods, inventory management, picking, and order preparation. Each of these phases requires careful planning and effective execution to ensure that operations are carried out efficiently and without errors. Warehouse organization is not only about creating an effective and efficient process—it must also take place within a properly designed environment. In this context, the paper aims to provide both academics and professionals with a set of elements that must be considered and analyzed in order to correctly design warehouse layouts and processes. Starting from a literature review aimed at identifying the key components used in operational design, the main topics addressed by various authors were examined, leading to the presentation of an analytical model. The proposed model identifies the following core elements in warehouse design: the goods and their management, information systems and information management, space, non-removable physical constraints, internal infrastructure, handling and transport equipment, external infrastructure, processes, and personnel. This study aims not only to provide a practical guide for logistics managers and warehouse supervisors—helping them improve the management of storage spaces and achieve efficiency and sustainability goals—but also to offer material for academic study into warehouse operations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Andrea Payaro, Anna Rita Papa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Transformational Leadership and Accountability Performance of the Employees in the Public Sector
Context & Research Problem: This study explores the impact of transformational leadership on teachers' accountability performance in a public college in Bangladesh. The research addresses the problem of how principals’ leadership styles, characterized by motivation, inspiration, and a shared vision, affect teachers' responsibilities and accountability, both positively and negatively. Methodology & Instrument: A qualitative case study approach was used, involving interviews with eight teachers with varying levels of experience to gather insights into their perceptions of transformational leadership. Thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data to identify key patterns and trends. Results: Findings reveal that transformational leadership positively influences the accountability of motivated, engaged teachers. These teachers reported feeling more responsible, proactive, and committed to their duties under principals who practiced transformational leadership. However, the study also identified a drawback: less motivated teachers sometimes took advantage of the autonomy and trust associated with this leadership style, neglecting some responsibilities. Significance: The significance of this study will lie in its contribution to understanding the complexities of applying transformational leadership in public educational institutions in Bangladesh. It will highlight both the potential positive outcomes, and the challenges associated with transformational leadership. The findings are expected to suggest that while transformational leadership will enhance accountability among dedicated teachers, additional oversight mechanisms may be needed to address performance gaps among less motivated staff.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Easin Ibne Massud, Mohammad Mohi Uddin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
How Does Income Inequality Impact Economic Growth in the United States?
This paper aims to examine the effect of income inequality on economic growth in the United States at the county level, using linear regression models to analyze the data from 2010 and 2019. Since income inequality has significantly increased in recent years, understanding its impact on economic growth, specifically through median household income, has become essential for policymakers and economists. Through statistical analysis, using linear regression of median income on the Gini index with an instrumental variable of economic connectedness, a significant causation between income inequality and economic growth was found, suggesting that higher levels of inequality can impede overall economic progress. According to the results, a 0.01 rise in the Gini coefficient results in a 12,590 dollar drop in median income for 2010 and in a 48,858 dollar drop in median income for 2019. However, only the results for 2010 are statistically significant. This might suggest that the impact of income inequality on median income is decreasing.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sahana Venkatesh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Enhancing University Research Project Efficiency through the Application of a Risk-Based Methodology
University research projects usually aim to create innovations. All research and innovations inherit risks from uncertainties in the requirements or procedures. Risk management, therefore, has an important impact on the management of these projects to achieve objectives and ensure that risks are handled correctly. For this reason, this paper develops a risk management concept based on a single case study for university research projects. For this purpose, a 3D simulation of an innovative combustion process for a car engine is examined. The simulation focuses on meeting the challenges based on higher efficiency, lower emissions, and the use of alternative fuels. To investigate this at the management level, an adapted risk management procedure for the detailed combustion model is integrated into the project plan. This aims to determine if the developed model and the simulation can be used for forecasts. The project plan includes base costs (personnel resources, computer resources), uncertainties (physical model accuracy), and risks (new developments, incompatibility of the models). The model is validated using a Monte Carlo simulation, aiming to improve the handling of risks and the accuracy of the simulation. The relation between the simulation results compared to the development and computing times is examined. This procedure intends to optimise the decision-making process for models and simulations to meet the time and budget constraints, to improve the achievement of objectives, and the quality of the research results. In addition, the classification and resilience of the simulation results should be obtained and ensured.
Copyright (c) 2025 Christina Angela Gross, Larissa Michaela Grundl, Christian Trapp, Philip Sander https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Organizational Change in the Age of Digital Governance
The rapid rise of e-government has transformed public sector operations, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centered service delivery. This article examines e-government implementation within the Ministry of Justice, using organizational change theories to assess how digital transformation reshapes traditional administrative structures. Focusing on digital case management, online legal services, and reengineered judicial processes, the study explores efforts to improve accessibility and reduce bureaucratic burdens in a highly formalized environment. It also identifies key challenges, including rigid hierarchies, technological limitations, and resistance to change. Despite notable progress in expanding access to justice and streamlining operations, issues such as bureaucratic inertia, data privacy, and the need to balance efficiency with fairness persist. The article concludes with actionable recommendations for policymakers and public managers, emphasizing inclusive change strategies, updated legal frameworks, and continued digital investment. This research contributes to the broader discourse on digital governance by offering insights into inter-organizational collaboration and the distinct challenges of justice sector reforms.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nouhayla Boutaleb, Larbi Tamnine https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Fintech Advancing Sustainable Tourism in Morocco-Spain
This research explores the role of Fintech in enhancing tourism management and sustainability of Morocco and Spain, particularly in their co-hosting of the 2030 world cup, while examining how fintech innovations are transforming financial interactions between tourism businesses and travelers, with the potential to improve tourism sustainability, strengthen financial inclusion. The main purpose of this study is to investigate how the integration of fintech can promote sustainable and inclusive tourism by modernizing financial systems, improving service quality, and increasing access to digital financial tools in both developed and emerging market contexts. Specifically, the research aims to: first to identify the drivers and barriers of fintech adopting among tourism stakeholders, secondly to compare the digital readiness and infrastructure of Spain and Morocco, and thirdly to evaluate the extent to which fintech contributes to economic inclusion, transaction security and improved tourist experiences in preparation for the 2030 world cup. The methodology research employed for this study is a mixed approach, while the quantitative includes the collection and analysis of secondary data on Fintech adoption trends, on tourism operations. The qualitative component consists of semi-structured interviews with stakeholders including tourism and fintech experts, to gather insights into the practical challenges and benefits of Fintech in the tourism sector. The study shows that both countries benefit from fintech in touristic firms. Spain demonstrates great ease of use in digital payments but faces cybersecurity challenges. Morocco shows moderate progress but still struggles with infrastructure limitations and uneven digital access.
Copyright (c) 2025 Halima Taouil, Ahmed Arare, Abdelhak Sahib Eddine https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Paper to Platform: How Digitalization is Driving the Transformation of Morocco’s Tax System
The digital transformation of tax administration is increasingly recognized as a strategic lever for improving governance, transparency, and efficiency in public finance management. This study examines the case of Morocco, a middle-income country that has progressively introduced digital tools such as e-filing, e-payment, and pilot initiatives for electronic invoicing within its tax system. Using a qualitative research design, the study combines insights from thirty semi-structured interviews with tax officials, business representatives, accountants, and taxpayers, alongside a comprehensive document analysis. The findings reveal significant progress in streamlining administrative processes and enhancing taxpayer trust, particularly among larger enterprises and accounting professionals. However, persistent challenges remain, notably regarding digital literacy barriers, system navigation for smaller businesses and micro-entrepreneurs, and concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity. The study also identifies cautious optimism among stakeholders regarding the potential use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, to further improve compliance and efficiency. The Moroccan experience highlights the importance of a balanced and inclusive approach to digital tax reforms and offers practical insights for other emerging economies pursuing similar modernization efforts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Maryem Jmahri, Issam El Filali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ESG Reporting and Consumer Product Choice – Evaluating Corporate Sustainability Branding in Fast Moving Consumer Goods
A conjoint-based study was conducted with identical chocolate bars displaying varying sustainability labels and prices. The study distinguishes between a state-certified ESG label and a third party, privately organized ESG label. Analyzing respondents' behavior, the willingness-to-pay of the different labels are estimated. ESG labels have the highest importance for consumers, followed by the Organic and the Fairtrade label. The premium respondents are willing to pay is reduced if too many labels are displayed together. The results remain robust across gender, age, and income, pointing to the importance for companies to incorporate ESG labels and policymakers to institutionalize ESG labelling.
Copyright (c) 2025 Melina Komeyer, Jens Kai Perret, Yvette Skretkowicz, Kai Rommel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Seven Years of Nutri-Score – An Evaluation by German Experts
The Nutri-Score looks back on seven years of use in France and four years of use in Germany. Since it has been developed by a group of French scientists, retrospective evaluations for its use in the French market are more prominent than for the German market. Research on the Nutri-Score, in general, is rather sparse for the German market. Implementing a qualitative interview study with 23 experts and consumers, this study elicits the relevance, advantages, drawbacks, and potentials of the Nutri-Score regarding the German market. Results indicate that the Nutri-Score offers consumers an easy-to-understand orientation but faces significant criticism about its informative value. This criticism is not new and in the last few years, found recognition by national and supranational institutions. Thus, the most pronounced problem can be found in a missing education of the society; not only regarding the Nutri-Score, but healthy and sustainable nutrition in general.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jens Kai Perret, Yvette Skretkowicz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Enhancing Sustainable Blue Economy Strategies: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Baltic Sea Region's Policy, Practices, and Innovations
The sustainable blue economy in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) has become a focal point for balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. Originating from the broader concept of sustainable development, the blue economy emphasizes the sustainable use of marine resources to drive economic and social progress. This research investigates the key challenges and opportunities faced by the blue economy in the BSR and assesses the effectiveness of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in addressing these issues. Challenges in the BSR's blue economy include environmental degradation, technological integration, and the need for coordinated governance across national borders. The region also faces sector-specific challenges such as the decarbonization of maritime transport, sustainable coastal tourism, and the expansion of aquaculture within environmental limits. However, there are significant opportunities as well, particularly in leveraging technological advancements, fostering innovation, and exporting successful blue economy practices globally. To provide a concrete example, the research includes a case study of Denmark's approach to the blue economy. Denmark has made significant strides in offshore wind energy, sustainable fisheries, and maritime innovation, showcasing how targeted national strategies can align with broader regional goals. The Danish case highlights both the successes and ongoing challenges in achieving sustainable blue growth, offering valuable lessons for other BSR countries. The EUSBSR, launched in 2009, has played a pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation and promoting sustainable blue growth. Through initiatives such as Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and targeted funding programs, the strategy has addressed some of the critical challenges, particularly in improving governance and encouraging sustainable practices. However, the effectiveness of the EUSBSR in fully realizing the potential of the blue economy remains contingent on further integration of policies, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and continued innovation. The conclusion will discuss the pathways for optimizing the blue economy in the BSR, focusing on strategic recommendations for overcoming existing challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, with insights drawn from the Danish experience.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anna Zaccaro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ESG and Corporate Valuation of Non-financial Listed Firms: Evidence from China
ESG has become increasingly important for modern businesses seeking to drive growth while achieving sustainable development. Studies have found a significant positive relationship between a company's ESG performance and its market valuation, as measured by Tobin's Q. This paper evaluates the effect of ESG on the corporate valuation of Chinese non-financial listed firms during 2019 and 2024 by using multiple regression analysis and robust tests. The results indicate that corporate valuation is positively correlated with social factors, governance factors, and overall ESG score, while it is negatively correlated with environmental factors. This suggests firms should focus on enhancing their internal governance systems, including strengthening the board, ensuring transparency, and managing stakeholder relationships. Digitization can also improve ESG scores by reducing costs and improving communications. While environmental factors may initially reduce valuation, green marketing and promoting eco-friendly products can help offset this by attracting environmentally conscious consumers and investors.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yiru Chen, Jiatong Jiang, Weijie Liu, Jiaqi Chen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Counterfeit Luxury Goods – Effects on the Brand Image and Exclusivity Perception
As counterfeits of luxury brands threaten the authenticity of genuine brands, this study considers, in the context of a quantitative analysis, the impact exposure to good and bad counterfeits has on the perception of the exclusivity and the brand image of genuine luxury brands. The monolithic concept of brand image is split into the four dimensions of quality, price, aesthetics, and tradition, which are key aspects of any luxury brand. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering a current look at the post-Covid situation regarding the impacts of counterfeiting in the luxury market in Central Europe, i.e., Germany, from a multi-faceted perspective. It establishes that for quality and aesthetics perceptions, counterfeits do not harm the brand image of genuine luxury items. In contrast, they strengthen the consumer-brand relationship. For brands, these results imply that while counterfeits decrease their profits, they also could increase brand loyalty.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jens Kai Perret, Christiane Beyerhaus, Leonie H. Steinkamp https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of COVID-19 on SMEs: A Case Study of the Pay TV Installation Sector in Johannesburg
This paper intends to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, generally referred to as SMEs. The case study is on the Pay TV installation sector in Johannesburg, a city in South Africa. The article further ascertains if Pay TV installers were able to cope with the pandemic due to limited operational and financial resources as a result of the pandemic. The use of qualitative research is deemed suitable for this study to determine the opinions, thoughts, and feelings of SMEs in the Pay TV installation sector in Johannesburg whose operations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of Pay TV installers is estimated to be 117. Since this number is quite large and would serve impractical to base the research on the entire population, an approach of sampling Pay TV installation SMEs in the Johannesburg area was adopted. The authors sampled 11 Pay TV installers as participants, which they considered enough to achieve data saturation and article objectives. Amongst others, the article findings indicate that the constrained movement of people limited word-of-mouth advertising. Some participants got infected with COVID-19 and other participants had employees that were infected. Furthermore, poor administration of government financial assistance applications caused additional strain on Pay TV installation businesses. The overall impact of this was limited business continuity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anathi Lwabi, Zamokuhle Welcome Shabane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Green Waves: How Leaders’ Actions Shape Employee Behaviours, a Moderated Mediation Model of Organizational Green Culture and Personality Traits
In the recent decade, the literature on corporate greening, sustainability, and environmental performance has burgeoned. Organizational citizenship behaviour for the environment (OCBE), defined as employees’ voluntary behaviours that aim to contribute to the organization’s environmental management, has recently attracted considerable scholarly attention. Through a holistic review and synthesis of the current literature on OCBE, we aim to bridge the gaps in the literature and provide new and novel insights into the cascading effect of leaders’ OCBE throughout the organization. Specifically, we delineate the link between leaders’ OCBE engagement and followers’ propensity to engage in OCBE, a link mediated by organizational green culture (OGC). In addition, given the lack of attention to intra-personal variables in the OCBE literature, we also aim to explain the moderating effect of personality in the proposed mediated relationship. Theoretically, from the social learning and social exchange lenses, the paper contributes to the current literature by explaining the interplay between interpersonal (leaders’ behaviour) and organizational (OGC) variables in predicting employees’ OCBE. We also highlight the role of the personality trait of openness to experience as a boundary condition that can affect employees’ propensity to perform high-intensity OCBE. From a practical perspective, this paper offers valuable insights for management and HR practitioners who are committed to effective environmental management and sustainability.
Organizational Citizenship Behaviour for the Environment (OCBE)
Copyright (c) 2024 Cheng Zheng, Ruth McKay, Cristina Ciocirlan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Change on the Brain? The Neuroscience of Organizational Transformation
True transformations aim to change the core identity of an organization, are often disruptive, and rarely result in their intended outcomes. The objective of this paper is to propose a theoretical approach for more effective transformations via the syntheses of emerging findings in managerial science, organizational psychology, and social cognitive neuroscience. The authored conducted a literature review of traditional methods and the application of neuroscience to organizational transformation, proposing that consideration to leader and employee neuroanatomy can significantly impact transformation success. The emergent five-phase approach - Exploration & Discovery, Surfacing & Co-Creation, Enablement & Prioritization, Implementation, and Empowerment - integrates practices informed by neuroscience to enhance leadership alignment, employee engagement, and change sustainability. By focusing on activities such as vision alignment, co-creation, and leadership development, the approach seeks to optimize brain functions related to trust, motivation, and adaptability. Neuroscientific concepts like neural synchrony, hormone and neurotransmitter release, and specific neural circuit activations are utilized to improve team dynamics, decision-making, and learning. This neuro-informed approach challenges conventional practices by emphasizing co-creative solutioning with employees, piloting programs, and empowering middle managers to lead transformation efforts. Data from case studies demonstrate significant improvements in employee experience and sustainable shifts in organizational behavior. The paper concludes with a call for further research to solidify the emerging intersection of neuroscience and organizational transformation.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ryan T. W. McCreedy https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Generative AI, Disruptive Innovation, and Marketing Firm Strategies: Opportunities and Implications
This study investigates the potential of small marketing firms to disrupt the market by adopting generative AI technology and the theory of disruptive innovation. The study employs a qualitative approach, combining a comprehensive literature review with in-depth interviews with leaders of small marketing firms. The research findings position generative and conversational AI as the next technological evolution, succeeding the internet and mobile/social era. It is the first study applying the theory of disruptive innovation to generative AI use in small marketing firms, presenting a positive outlook toward integrating generative AI into marketing operations. The study contributes to the emerging knowledge of AI in marketing, offering practical implications for scholars and practitioners to advance this field.
Copyright (c) 2024 Emad AbouElgheit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Championing Green Marketing: Environmental Responsibility in Sapang Palay's Micro-Food Businesses
The study titled "Environmental Responsibility in Sapang Palay Market: A Look at Green Marketing in Local Micro-Food Businesses" delves into green practices and business operations. Through a quantitative analysis, the research reveals the utilization of environmentally conscious practices such as the use of energy-saving tools, waste segregation, and engagement in recycling through scrap reselling. Other eco-friendly practices such as the use of paper straws, while observed, turned out to be less prevalent. Notably, water and energy-conserving production practices and sustainable packaging emerged as significant drivers of sales, while effective waste management proves instrumental in fostering environmental growth. Although micro-food businesses demonstrate a notable utilization and integration of green practices, the findings suggest opportunities for improvement such as the prevalent use of plastic products, and Styrofoam which are scientifically proven to be detrimental to the environment as waste. Micro-Food Businesses continue to patronize these packaging options due to cost and profitability considerations. Collectively, the research underscores the critical need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to foster the widespread adoption of sustainable practices, advocating for the reduction of waste, energy conservation, and the use of non-toxic materials to promote a healthier and more environmentally conscious business landscape.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jason C. Santos, Loreta P. Sibayan; Sarah Jane T. Haber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Perceived Organisational Support Towards Psychological Capital and Organisational Thriving in Lithuania
This study examines the interconnectedness of positive organisational resources at three levels through a cross-sectional analysis of 408 participants from various organisations in Lithuania. It investigates the relationships between Perceived Organisational Support for Strength Use (POSSU) and Deficit Correction (POSDC), Strength Use (SUB) and Deficit Correction Behaviour (DCB) with both individual and collective Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and Organisational Thriving. Findings indicate moderate correlations between POSSU and SUB with both types of PsyCap, which are more robust than those with POSDC and DCB. Significant correlations between POSSU, POSDC, and Organisational Thriving suggest that supportive practices enhance overall perceived thriving. These results imply that managers should create environments encouraging employees to use their strengths for greater positive psychological resources. Despite limitations in design, this study contributes to Positive Organisational Scholarship and Positive Organisational Behaviour by addressing gaps in the links between positive psychological resources at individual, collective, and organisational levels. Future research could use longitudinal or experimental studies to expand these findings and address noted limitations.
Perceived Organisational Support for Strength Use
Perceived Organisational Support for Deficit Correction
Copyright (c) 2024 Evelina Savickaite-Kazlauske, Rita Bendaraviciene https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The State of the Art of Methodological Research on the Role of the Brand in Local Products
The products of the territory play an important role in the economic life of a country. They provide the right framework for economic and social development at the local and national levels. In the Albanian literature, there are no in-depth studies regarding the methodology used to increase the value of the local brand, and as a result of not researching this factor, this study helps the brand with local indicators. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the methodology in general and the method used in the research on the role of the brand with indicators of origin in local products in Albania. Methodologies are suggested, which consist of the examination of all methodological approaches for the role of the brand with local indicators and the identification of the method for researching the case study. For the importance of branding agricultural and livestock products with local indicators and preserving their originality and development, the concept of the methodology and method that must be followed in order to give accurate results and the values that the local brand carries in itself in development is important of it and the area that is applied to increasing the economic performance of agro-processing industries. The literature shows that the impact of increasing the value of the territorial brand in our country is based on the case study method and the cross-case research methodology. Meanwhile, in order to prove the importance of the local brand in increasing the consumption of products and increasing the income of the industries in this sector, the STATA program was used to process the data collected from consumers, and the "R" program was used to process the data of the collected industries. From the results of the research, it has been established that the local brand affects the increase in consumption and income in the agricultural and livestock agro-processing industries. This paper serves as a methodology for studies in this field that are necessary for the case of Albania.
Copyright (c) 2024 Edvina Polaj, Edmond Kadiu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Business Development Through E-Commerce Adoption: A Case Study of an Entrepreneurship Expo at Makerere University
This study examined students' e-commerce adoption factors using data from an entrepreneurship expo at the College of Business and Management Sciences in 2018. A cross-sectional survey involving 774 students revealed significant predictors of e-commerce adoption. Smartphone ownership and regular internet usage increased adoption (OR = 1.7307, p = 0.043), while exhibitors offering food and beverages saw higher adoption rates (OR = 3.6558, p = 0.047). However, post-purchase reviews, entrepreneurship support participation, and e-commerce application use were associated with lower adoption odds. The findings underscore the shift towards digital models, with smartphones enhancing sales and profitability among university students. This study sheds light on e-commerce adoption drivers among students, emphasizing marketing strategies, internet engagement, and technology accessibility.
Copyright (c) 2024 Proscovia Katumba, Hellen Namawejje, Patricia Ndugga, Augustine Ssekyondwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Comparative Statistical Analysis of Foreign Visitors' Volume and Overnights Spent at the Balkan Locale
Tourism is an intertemporal field of research due to the sensitive nature of the elements that constitute the field. Heritage, religion, history, art and life make the Balkans a craving destination for tourists to visit. The simplicity of moving across continents through the Balkans enables the growth of movement. The Balkan borders and the way to demarcate them were always a topic of great conflict. Half of the Balkan countries belong entirely to the region and the rest by a small portion to half of their borders. Two clusters have been raised through the history of research, the west-ern and the eastern Balkans. Both locals living out of the country of origin and foreigners are travelling to the Balkan area. Thus, the Balkans is a competitive destination both for its residents and the rest of the visitors. The most visited destinations are Greece and Croatia and the rest follow. An exploratory data analysis (E.D.A.), with secondary data collected from the national statistical offices of each country under study, tourist national organisations, minis-tries, confederations, O.E.C.D. (Organisation for Economic Coop-eration and Development) and the U.N.W.T.O. (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) tourism barometer has been pre-pared. The secondary data analysis presents and compares, through charts, the volume of visitors per country and/or per year, their overnights and the total count for the aforementioned vol-umes by each country either separately or in conjunction with the rest of the Balkan locale. A growth trend in all volume numbers of tourists and their overnights is showcased until the 2019 pandemic outburst, as a progression, and from 2019-2021 the volume num-ber has diminished due to COVID-19 and movement restrictions. From 2021 onwards volume numbers came back to their rise trend surpassing or equivalent in numbers to the benchmarks of 2019. Thus, tourism is returning to the growth numbers with no re-striction assisting the situation. Countries with coastlines receive more tourism than the rest of the countries. Further research is needed to accumulate and compare data for the gender and nation-ality of the tourists arriving in the Balkan locale.
Copyright (c) 2024 Vasileios Baratsas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spouse Support, Innovative Behaviour and Entrepreneurial Effectiveness of Women-Owned Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda
The purpose of this study is to establish whether innovative behaviour mediates the relationship between spouse support and entrepreneurial effectiveness of Women-owned agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises in Uganda. This is a cross-sectional and correlational study. A self-administered questionnaire was utilised to collect information from women-owned agricultural SMEs in Uganda's central region. In order to determine the mediating role of innovative behaviour, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS.25) and Medgraph - Excel Version were used to conduct correlation, hierarchical regression and mediation analyses on the data. Study findings revealed that spouse support and innovative behaviour positively and significantly explicate the entrepreneurial effectiveness of Women-owned agricultural SMEs. In addition, spouse support is positively and significantly associated with innovative behaviour and finally, innovative behaviour partially mediates the association between spouse support and entrepreneurial effectiveness. The study established that innovative behaviour partially mediates spouse support and entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agricultural SMEs, unlike extant studies that interrogated the direct relationship between the study variables in predicting entrepreneurial effectiveness.
Copyright (c) 2024 Marion Nanyanzi, Dr. Proscovia Katumba , Dr. Anthony Tibaingana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Bibliometric Analysis Presenting the Current State of Scientific Research, Evolution and Management of Sustainability
The concept of sustainability has gained attention in academia, business, and policy, driven by concerns about environmental degradation, social inequities, and economic imbalances. This study analyzes scientific research and the evolution of sustainability, focusing on the automotive industry in management, business, and economics. Conducted from May to August 2023, a bibliometric analysis explores global trends, revealing diverse contributions. It emphasizes the need to enhance industry sustainability, particularly in the automotive sector, a significant contributor to global emissions responsible for ~10% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Regulations for achieving net-zero emissions extend from production to vehicle usage. Despite substantial volume of sustainability-related publications between 1900-2023, a comprehensive understanding of sustainability management practices, especially in specific industries, is underdeveloped indicating a gap between existing research and the practical implementation of sustainable practices, especially within industries such as automotive.
Copyright (c) 2024 Corina Cruceru, Danut Dumitru Dumitrascu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analysis of the Current Status on Entrepreneurial Intentions among CrowdWorks Freelancers in Japan
Entrepreneurship is vital for economic growth in Japan. However, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for 2022 reveals that Japan still lags behind in entrepreneurial intentions and attitudes. The purpose of this paper is to establish statistically the structural aspects of entrepreneurial intentions among Japanese social media freelancers by applying a social psychological approach, the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Furthermore, it aims to outline the framework and link it to future research activities. A total of 476 respondents were surveyed. While no significant differences in the variances of entrepreneurial intentions were found between platforms, three other factors showed significant distinctions when analysed for each variable. The mean score for perceived behavioural control stood at 2.213, aligning with the 2022 GEM report’s low rating. However, attitudes towards entrepreneurship (mean score 4.423) and entrepreneurial intentions (mean score 3.844) were moderate. Correlation analysis highlighted a strong positive and significant relationship between attitude and entrepreneurial intention, as well as positive and significant relationships between perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intention, and between subjective norm and entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, path analysis using SPSS Amos indicated that perceived behavioural control may influence attitudes and subjective norms. Subsequent research should explore new variables in a broader sample, customised to participants’ cultural backgrounds.
Copyright (c) 2024 Atsushi Kobayashi, Lakshman Hazra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Internal Auditors’ Perception of Blockchain Technology Implementation in Companies’ Business Activities
Nowadays, business activities of every company deal with numerous challenges related to various microeconomic, national, and global aspects. Information and communication technologies’ (ICTs’) developments have been crucial in that context, as they disrupt internal business processes, ways of communication, tax services, risk and regulatory functions, and other business aspects. A key game changer new technology, with concrete application in companies, is blockchain technology (BCT). BCT enables automation, acceleration, transparency, traceability, and increased security of numerous business processes. BCT and related disruptions in the ways of working do not bypass internal audit function, as an internal corporate governance monitoring mechanism, either. As a result, contemporary internal auditors must be adaptable, agile, and proactive to be able to audit and consult about BCT enabled companies’ business activities. Thus, the research problem was related to internal auditors’ perception of implementing BCT in their companies’ business activities. Based on the conducted critical literature review, we developed the following research hypothesis: internal auditors who work in a company where BCT is already implemented in its business activities will have a favorable view of the implementation of BCT in the company’s business activities compared to internal auditors whose company does not currently use and have no plans to implement BCT in the following years. To test research hypothesis, survey research was conducted among internal auditors in Croatia. We obtained responses from 77 internal auditors from different sectors. Collected data were analysed by applying multiple regression analysis. Obtained results indicated that there exists a statistically significant relationship between internal auditors’ perception of implementing BCT and companies’ application level of BCT.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ana Jezovita, Petra Halar, Boris Tusek https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Economic Variables as an Early Warning Sign for Monitoring Construction Cost Indices – “An Empirical Study on Egypt”
The construction industry plays a crucial role in any nation's economic growth and prosperity through the implementation of the SDGs. Researchers reveal that the 17 SDGs are directly dependent by 17% and indirectly reliant by 27% on the construction industry's activities. In addition, the construction projects, whatever their type or components, continue for several years, during which many price changes and sharp economic fluctuations occur, whether at the local or international level, reflected in overall economic performance and the construction industry's health, leading to the project's cost changes and a shortage in the allocated budgets. Due to the difficulties this industry faces in reaching these goals, including the Egypt Vision 2030, we chose to look into these effects by using the ENR methodology to develop an explanatory construction cost indices model in Egypt similar to models used in other countries while making appropriate changes for the Egyptian markets. To illustrate the relationship between these selected economic variables and construction costs in Egypt and to act as an early warning sign to quantify, track, and predict the construction cost movements and trends in Egypt's construction sectors through a reliable model. A mixed research methodology consisted of semi-structured interviews with 15 industry experts and an empirical study covering 1990 through 2020 for selected local and international economic variables. We concluded that national and international economic variables significantly impacted as explanatory and predictive variables in Egypt's construction industry's cost indices; these variables are as follows: gross domestic product (GDP), consumer price index (CPI), USD to EGP exchange rate ($), inflation rate, lending rate, money supply, and unemployment rate, as well as international crude oil prices, gold prices, and copper prices. Nevertheless, further investigation is required with more economic variables across various construction industry sectors over various time intervals and different time series statistical and econometric modeling techniques.
Copyright (c) 2023 Mohamed Abdel Latif Elsayed Eldesoky, Hamdy Elwany, Mohamed A. Raghab, Fahd A. Hemeida https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
In the supplier evaluation process, companies focus on comparing performances. The literature offers various analysis methods, although the matrices used are often subjective and difficult to implement in practice. This article aims to develop an easily implementable model, aimed at meeting the company's need to identify suitable suppliers for integration projects. Integration involves establishing close collaboration and cooperation between suppliers and customers with the goal of reduced inventory levels, shorter delivery times, and improved customer service. Thanks to the collaboration of a sample of companies, a new model is proposed. Our research is structured in three phases: identification of parameters for supplier evaluation; creation of the matrix; evaluation of the satisfaction level reported by the companies that have used the model. A comparison matrix between ABC classes and a multi-criteria supplier evaluation index allow the company to define a set of suppliers with a high probability of integration. This practical approach has been implemented in approximately 23 companies, and the level of satisfaction reported is high because it demonstrates greater rationality in supplier evaluation.
Copyright (c) 2023 Andrea Payaro, Anna Rita Papa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Correlation of European and U.S. Technology and Financial Stocks during COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2022 stock markets around the world lost some of their value, led by high-growth sectors, sectors that tend to show a significantly higher growth rate than the average market. At the same time the financial sector shows a potentially higher interest rate sensitivity. The prevailing academic opinion is that central bank monetary policy during the COVID-19 pandemic is one key factor for the stock market development globally. This paper discusses the assumption of a significant technology and financial sector correlation for Europe and the United States from 2020 to 2022 based on market capitalization. The objective is fulfilled with a Pearson correlation for representative parts of STOXX Europe 600 and S&P 500. The results confirm significant correlation for the selected sectors and stocks for both regions, indicating potentially general sensitivity for the entire investigation period. Based on this, further research on sectors and potential alternative independent variables is recommended.
Copyright (c) 2023 Petr Budinský, Alexander Hütteroth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Nutri-Score – A Quantitative Study of the Effectiveness of Visual Nudging on Consumer Behavior
Globally, unhealthy diets have a significant impact on people's risk of disease and mortality, so the German Ministry of Nutrition and Agriculture also focuses on healthier and balanced diets in its reduction and innovation strategy. By means of the Nutri-Score, the nudging principle is used to provide consumers with additional nutritional labelling and to encourage the purchase of healthier foods. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of visual nudging in FMCGs, i.e., the food industry, in the form of the Nutri-Score on consumers' purchase decisions and to validate its robustness with respect to demographic factors. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted with 294 participants leading to a total number of up to 3,528 observations regarding their purchase intention of selected products. A logistic regression analysis showed that the purchasing behaviour changed with the insertion of the Nutri-Score per se and with subjects avoiding negatively rated products and preferring positively rated ones. It was further shown that these effects persist regardless of participants’ demographics.
Copyright (c) 2023 Yvette Skretkowicz, Jens K. Perret https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Personal values, norms and sustainable consumption behaviours of beverage consumers in Central Uganda
This study investigated the relationship between personal values, norms, and sustainable consumption behaviours of beverage consumers in central Uganda. The study employed a correlational design where 400 beverage consumers aged 18 and older provided the data in a survey. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling in the SPSS AMOS extension Version 23. The study results show that personal values and norms were critical determinants in beverage consumers’ engagement in sustainable behaviours like recycling, reusing, and proper disposal of waste from plastic bottles. Notably, consumers with biospheric values were more predisposed to engaging in such behaviours. Both personal and social norms positively influence sustainable consumption behaviours. The mediation effects of both norms were also confirmed in this research. Therefore, this study offers valuable insights to policy-making bodies and beverage companies in Uganda regarding the factors that drive sustainable consumption behaviours among beverage consumers. These findings can be used to develop effective environmental policies and marketing campaigns.
Copyright (c) 2023 Hanifah Nantale, Dr. Mutunzi Ahmed Kitunzi, Dr. Anthony Tibaingana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0