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Rapid technological advancements have drawn increased attention to consumers' intention to use mobile banking (m-banking). This study addresses the gaps in understanding the determinants of this behavioral intention by introducing a novel research model that amalgamates constructs from three perspectives: diffusion of innovation, the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and gamification. Analyzing data from four Western Balkan countries, the study employs partial least square–structural equation modeling to confirm the model's robustness. Key factors influencing m-banking intention include compatibility, performance expectancy, facilitation conditions, hedonic motivation, and gamification. These findings provide valuable insights for scholars and practitioners, enabling model refinement and application improvements to enhance consumer acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates direct and indirect impacts of an individual’s digital engagement on their financial satisfaction considering a significant role of an individual’s financial capability and financial advice. The study is administered on the individual level, surveyed the working youth in northern India. PLS-SEM were employed using SMART-PLS version 3 for a confirmatory analysis and structural model assessment. Digital engagement has been established as a vital factor substantially influencing the individual’s financial advice, financial capability and financial satisfaction both directly and indirectly. The outcome of the study strongly favours the role and importance of digital engagement in the individual’s financial satisfaction. What is more, this paper contributes to the current knowledge by clarifying digital engagement as a possible predictor of financial capability, financial advice and financial satisfaction in the context of a low-income, developing country and applies it as a variable with the selected financial constructs. The originality and novelty of the study may be found useful to design effective policies.

Social media has become explosive, permeating every sphere of the socio-cultural lives of individuals and businesses, and causing nations to technologically evolve. The dramatic growth in the adoption and use of social media has become beneficial to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), significantly contributing to resolving a nagging challenge of effectively advertising their goods and services. Consequently, SMEs can achieve business growth and sustainability through increased adoption and harnessing the opportunities provided through the use of social media. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an impetus for both consumers and SME businesses to leverage interaction through social media, which may lead to business growth. This research thus sets out to identify how social media contributes to the growth of SMEs within a developing country context. To accomplish this objective, primary data was collected from SMEs in the hospitality industry across the sixteen administrative regions of Ghana using survey and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires were distributed to the managerial staff of each randomly selected survey participant. Out of the 900 questionnaires distributed, 718 were filled correctly for the data analysis. The researchers quantitatively analyzed the responses using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling(PLSSEM) statistical software ADANCO 2.0 version. The results indicated that Small and Medium Enterprises are capable of using social media for customer attraction, business marketing strategy, communication channel and increased financial performance.

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research background: The sustainability of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represents a significant scientific and professional problem in the current turbulent period because these enterprises play an important role in any country's economic and social systems. Purpose of the article: This paper aimed to define the significant sustainability factors of small and medium-sized enterprises and to quantify their impact and importance on the sustainability of SMEs. The areas of Human Resource Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, and financial management were defined as significant sustainability factors. Methods: Empirical research, on which the scientific hypotheses were formulated and evaluated, was conducted in June 2022 in V4 countries (Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Poland, and Hungary) using a structured questionnaire. The study accumulated a sample of 1398 respondents. Data collection was conducted through an external agency, MN FORCE, operating in Central European countries. The Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method was used to record respondents' perceptions. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the hypotheses. Findings & value added: The research showed that all defined factors in the areas of Human resource management (HRM), Corporate social responsibility (CSR), and financial management of the firm had an impact on defined sustainability attributes. The greatest impact was found on the firm's financial management, followed by CSR and HRM. The empirical results confirm that the intensity of the independent variables varies across the V4 countries. These results also show that the intensity of the selected HRM, CSR, and financial management factors of a firm is higher in the integrated models than in the models for individual V4 countries. The research results have shown that a range of factors determine the right attitude towards the sustainability of companies. In this context, economic policymakers and entrepreneurs must perceive sustainable growth as complex and apply a systemic approach to its design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates how institutional constraints and firms’ and entrepreneurs’ characteristics affect business recovery. Some elements have not yet been rigorously examined in the existing literature, especially not concerning the post-communist countries’ business recovery component and the same is the research gap current study intended to address. To evaluate the study model, ordinal logistic regression was used. More than 300 valid questionnaires are collected from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Serbia. The findings show that factors such as firm tenure and size, location, sector, entrepreneurial motivation, product change, etc., have conflicting effects on business recovery. Some of the outcomes of the present study is supported by the existing studies and some requires further research. The study focuses on the less explored independent variables and their association with business recovery, specifically on SMEs, which highlights the paper’s originality. The output of the current study adds to the existing literature of business recovery and institutional constraints. Policymakers interested in removing institutional limitations and promoting a quicker business recovery for SMEs are drawn to the research. The study findings are also helpful from a managerial standpoint because business owners and managers significantly impact decisions about entrepreneur motivation, product change, and other issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research background: The research has two objectives and employs a serial mediation approach. First, using the general strain theory, it examines the mediating role of negative feelings and impact of economic adversity on people's risk tolerance and prudent financial behavior. The second is determining the various categories' variations according to age. Purpose of the article: The study's main objective is to evaluate financial behaviour of people with lower and medium incomes after the second wave of COVID-19 in India, and to contribute to the body of knowledge on general strain theory. Methods: The study examined the proposed framework and tested the serial mediation model based on the general strain theory used as a survey method for data collection, targeting lower and middle-income individuals in India's most populated state. The study applied PLS-SEM to test the framed hypotheses. Furthermore, the Kruskal Wallis test was applied to identify the difference in the various groups classified based on age. Findings & value added: The results reveal that economic hardship significantly influences improved financial behavior. Risk aversion attitude, loneliness, and depression mediate the relationship between economic hardship and financial behavior. Moreover, the study found quite a few significant differences between the different age groups. The present study will add to the existing literature on financial behavior under the scope of general strain theory and probably be among the few that test general strain theory with financial variables impact on lower and middle-income group individuals from a developing nation in post-COVID-19 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to find the role social networking sites (SNSs) have in the form of expert opinions and blogs available at digital platforms, on financial product choice (FPC). How do social blogs and online expert opinions influence people's purchasing decisions when using a TPB-based model? The research is conducted in northern India on an individual-level survey basis. The effects of the chosen variable on purchase intentions through the theory of planned behavior were examined by partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SMART-PLS 3.2. The results revealed that social media platforms have a positive impact on individuals' FPCs through blogs and opinions. This study adds to the literature by providing insights into the impact of social media on financial product selection in a developing country like India, an area that is not much explored. More so, there is no conclusive literature available in the Indian context using gender as a moderator over TPB while examining intention to invest in financial products. The study provides a better understanding of investment behavior using online social platforms, blogs, and online expert opinion to policymakers and regulators like SEBI and service providers for enhancing the reach of their services. However, constraints such as dealing with self-reporting and generalizing findings to various situations are expected to be overcome with additional research in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: According to the EU agenda, CSR should be considered an integral element of the current organizational strategy, including SMEs. While the debate continues about the optimal approach for successful CSR adaptation in SME, yet there is a need to shed light on the impact of owner-manager's demographics on CSR practices. Purpose of the article: The paper aims to examine whether owner-manager's demographics (age, gender, education) matter for the implementation of CSR or not. Methods: The study is based on a questionnaire filled in by owner-managers of SMEs operating in Czechia (454) and Slovakia (368). Factor analysis and nonparametric methods are used to test the hypotheses. Findings & value added: This study shows that the relationships between CSR and owner-manager's demographics are not alike between Slovakia and Czechia. Compared to owners, the evidence shows that the Czech managers are more oriented toward the CSR practices, while in Slovakia there is no difference. Such finding can be explained by Hofstede culture difference. In addition, analysis demonstrates that female Slovaks are more oriented to CSR than men, while it is not true in Czechia. Moreover, Czech individuals who graduated in the same field as their business are more oriented to the CSR, whereas in Slovakia this is not. In addition, young and old Slovak entrepreneurs are more oriented to the CSR than those 35-55 years old, manifesting a U-shape type of relationship. The originality of this work is manifested by the fact that it enriches the literature since it is among the first studies to analyze the relationships between owner-manager's demographics and CSR in the SME segment for Czechia and Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-medium enterprises (SMEs) have a huge and not fully maximized potential to address the socio-economic challenges that emerging economies are facing. This study assessed the contributions of SMEs in an emerging economy, using ADANCO version 2.0 of the partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM). A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 375 employees of SMEs in the fashion, microfinance, and hospitality sectors in four major business regions in Ghana, namely the Greater Accra, Central, Western and Ashanti Regions. The results reveal that SMEs continue to provide maximum support and contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as well as employ about 70 percent of the entire working population. The study recommends that SMEs should receive greater attention from the government through appropriate tailor-made policies to support and assist them to unleash their full potential to enhance economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the collective impact of financial literacy and inclusion on individuals' financial capability focusing on the mediating role of financial behaviour. The research is conducted on an individual-level survey. The relationships were examined by using PLS-SEM. Financial capability can be improved by increasing individuals' financial knowledge, financial behaviour and promoting their inclusion in financial services. Furthermore, the indirect effect of financial knowledge and attitude on financial capability is found to be significant, highlighting the importance of financial behaviour. The results assist policymakers and industry leaders in understanding the most influential factors on financial capability in the context of a post-communist transition country. This enables them to design policies and services aimed at equipping citizens with knowledge and skills to make best use of their financial resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research examined the attitudes of owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises in the V4 countries, who behave responsibly - they use corporate social responsibility in their managerial practice on issues focused on the market and operational area of business. The paper is based on a questionnaire survey with data collection from September 2019 to January 2020. Statistical methods of Pearson's chi-square and z-score were used to assess the hypotheses. The results proved that there are significant differences in companies in services and tourism in the context of implementing the CSR concept. Entrepreneurs who implement social responsibility with a significant positive difference agree that a company places great emphasis on the innovation of its products and services. Researchers found that the sector has an impact on the perception of decreasing customers' requests on specific products/services. We found that corporate social responsibility and its implementation in corporate practice positively affects the relationship of V4's small and medium enterprises in the services and tourism sector to service production innovation issues, which helps increase business performance and decline customer complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media has become explosive, permeating every sphere of the socio-cultural lives of individuals and businesses, and causing nations to technologically evolve. The dramatic growth in the adoption and use of social media has become beneficial to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), significantly contributing to resolving a nagging challenge of effectively advertising their goods and services. Consequently, SMEs can achieve business growth and sustainability through increased adoption and harnessing the opportunities provided through the use of social media. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an impetus for both consumers and SME businesses to leverage interaction through social media, which may lead to business growth. This research thus sets out to identify how social media contributes to the growth of SMEs within a developing country context. To accomplish this objective, primary data was collected from SMEs in the hospitality industry across the sixteen administrative regions of Ghana using survey and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires were distributed to the managerial staff of each randomly selected survey participant. Out of the 900 questionnaires distributed, 718 were filled correctly for the data analysis. The researchers quantitatively analyzed the responses using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling(PLSSEM) statistical software ADANCO 2.0 version. The results indicated that Small and Medium Enterprises are capable of using social media for customer attraction, business marketing strategy, communication channel and increased financial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an integrated framework for understanding the determinants of financial satisfaction in the context of two European nations with different cultural environments. The direct, indirect and interactive effects were tested through the path analysis method. It was found that to be financially capable is imperative because it governs the impacts of financial attitude and financial knowledge on financial satisfaction. Moreover, findings show that culture matters in explaining differences between countries. Hence, individualistic societies, compared to collectivistic ones, reflect a stronger relationship between financial attitude and financial satisfaction. Additionally, countries showing a high propensity in avoiding uncertainty reflect a negative association between risk tolerance and financial satisfaction, while those lacking such preference manifest a positive relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personnel risk significantly affects the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises. The aim of the paper is to define and present significant factors affecting the perception of personnel risk in the SME segment, and compare the current status and development in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The empirical research was conducted in 2020 in the SME segment in the Czech Republic and Slovakia via an online questionnaire, using a sample of 822 respondents. The obtained data were evaluated using the Chí square and Z score. Personnel risk significantly affects the SME segment and its business activities. This risk is perceived as the most significant business risk in both countries, even though its intensity is moderate and does not have a heavy negative impact on SMEs' activities. The overall evaluation of personnel risk's impact on SMEs' activities is similar in both countries. The evaluation of employee turnover was relatively positive, as a considerable part of entrepreneurs stated that turnover is low and does not have a negative impact on their business. The evaluation of turnover was similar in both countries. Based on entrepreneurs' statements, there are certain gaps in employee error rate, which affects their business. Slovak entrepreneurs provided a worse evaluation of the quality of their employees than the Czech entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs in both countries are dissatisfied with the way their employees strive to improve their performance or how they compete among each other. The comparison based on business size and age did not yield significant differences, nor did it provide a clear trend despite the general belief presented in literature that larger enterprises have a better access to important fields of business management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the present paper is to identify and defines the important factors of strategic management in SMEs with a specific focus on the service sector and to compare its current situation in the Czech Republic and Slovak republic firms. To shape the study, survey-based research planned and conducted in the Czech Republic and Slovak republic over SMEs in the service sector. The data were collected from the owners or top-level managers, the total sample used in the study was 822, 454 respondents from the Czech firms and 368 firms from the Slovak republic. The study employs basic statistics tools, percentages and mean values, used Z-score to compare the respondents in the Czech Republic and Slovak republic. The major findings of the study reveal that majority of the firms in both the countries use strategic management as an integral part of corporate governance and believe that strategic management usage improves the competitiveness of the firms and its stability in domestic and foreign markets. Another interesting finding reveals that the business sector is not a statistically significant factor in evaluating the sources of strategic risk, found from the firms of both countries. The paper adds to the existing literature of SMEs, investigated the use of strategic management tools for their sustainability and competitiveness. As the key aspects of strategic management are much used in large size organization but less explored in the smaller segment. The outcome of the study can help to understand the SMEs' attitude towards strategic management usage. It is very useful for long term survival, stability, and expansion, as both countries' economy is heavily depending on the SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The business environment is a profound concern for the state and institutions to make it encouraging to boost entrepreneurship. Given such relevance of the business environment, this paper aims to link selected business environment aspects to business sector. The study identified the perceived differences between sectors in the Czech and Slovak Republics and then a comparison of a similar group of firms. To shape the study, survey-based research planned and conducted in two segments of firm's (service and nonservice), covered 641 enterprises. The current research adopted factor analysis and then t-test and Mann-Whitney test to determine the results. The major findings of the study reveal that the Slovak firms in the service sector scored higher in macroeconomic environment, consumers' consumption and competition factors and lower in access to finance factor, as compared to their non-service counterparts. However, another key finding indicates that the Czech entrepreneurs' perception did not statistically differ in any selected aspects of business environment between the firms operating in service and non-service sectors. In all the cases business support was found insignificant. This paper adds to the existing literature in entrepreneurship by offering a better understanding of the linkage between business sector and business environment aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]