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Abstract This study aims to examine the budget deficit–inflation relationship, considering financial sector development and broad money supply as moderating and mediating variables. For this purpose, a panel data set ranging from polled mean group, mean group, and dynamic fixed effect estimation techniques are employed. Hence, the pooled mean group estimation result reveals that the budget deficit is inflationary. In addition, GDP per capita, the effective exchange rate, financial sector development, regulatory quality, and the interaction term of the budget deficit and financial sector development are significant determinants of inflation. The study further examines the role of the broad money supply as a mediating variable in the budget deficit–inflation relationship. The structural equation model results and the mediation effect tests confirmed a partial mediation effect of the broad money supply on the budget deficit–inflation relationship. Based on the findings, it is recommended to strengthen regulatory quality, reduce broad money supply, and improve financial sector development. By doing so, we can create a more stable and efficient economy that benefits everyone in the long run.

This paper explores the evolution and future perspectives of agricultural policies in Tunisia, focusing on their role in enhancing food security. The agricultural sector, while contributing around 9% to GDP and employing 16% of the active population, faces numerous challenges including water scarcity, climate change, and economic pressures from international trade. The study identifies that despite economic diversification, agriculture remains crucial for rural livelihoods and food security. Also, the paper critiques existing policies, particularly the inefficiencies in subsidies and the complexity of administrative procedures, which disadvantage small farmers. The analysis underscores the need for policy reforms aimed at improving farmers’ incomes, reducing policy costs, and enhancing efficiency. Recommendations include developing infrastructure, promoting modern agricultural technologies, and adjusting trade policies to better balance export promotion with import substitution. The study concludes that a dynamic and transparent agricultural policy, responsive to international changes and inclusive of all farmer categories, is essential for sustainable agricultural development and food security in Tunisia.

Geology, Palaeontology and History can be brought together under the auspices of biogeography, the ‘frontier’ disciplines, to guide us in the explanation of the orders and disorders of a World in perpetual movement through the theory of the ‘5 Times of the Biosphere’. The subject of Fernand Braudel’s geohistorical work, the Mediterranean sea and the Mediterranean region are like the cradle of a renewed reflection on Time and its rhythms in the light of climate change and rising salt water levels, which are accelerating at an alarming rate. This calls into question the biogeographical characteristics of the Grande Bleue or Big Blue and its shores. Global warming is thus likely to seriously weaken civilisations whose sustainability depends to a large extent, and even essentially, on the availability of water and an atmosphere that is simply breathable and physiologically bearable.

Fruit and vegetables play a crucial role in ensuring food and nutrition security, and developing more sustainable value chains in agriculture and the agri-food sector. To support a greater supply of fruit and vegetables, small farmers’ production is fundamental and needs to be integrated into stable value chains to maintain market, logistics and quality conditions. This article develops a theoretical framework based on the conditions, strategies and performances of supply chain systems, combined with the elicitation of expert opinion, to identify key variables for the specific analysis of fruit and vegetable supply chains. Empirical data was retrieved from eight supply chains in five Mediterranean countries to identify the most relevant issues related to their conditions, strategies and performances. Three different types of supply chains were included: 1) Short food supply chains, 2) Green public procurement, and 3) Exportoriented supply chains. This research made it possible to identify key indicators for the analysis of fruit and vegetable supply chain system dynamics. The variables identified in this study may contribute to prospective research for the assessment of fruit and vegetable supply chain sustainability and to the development of policies that encourage the adoption of environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible practices, thus contributing to the long-term sustainability of Mediterranean fruit and vegetables supply chains.

This study addresses the urgent need to enhance food security in Algeria, exacerbated by nearby economic and geopolitical instabilities. It investigates six critical challenges, beginning with an overview of agricultural settings in Algeria. First, it questions the prioritization of strategic sectors, compelling a thorough reevaluation. Second, it highlights ongoing rural development issues, emphasizing insufficient investments in infrastructure. Third, it addresses price stability management by reconsidering the efficacy of different storage mechanisms. Fourth, the study examines agrarian structures, advocating for a meticulous evaluation to optimize land market efficiency. Fifth, it explores irrigation water management, questioning concerns of abundance and scarcity. Lastly, it confronts climate change challenges, emphasizing the need for more resilient agricultural practices. By analyzing these fundamental aspects, this study aspires to offer insights that can inform strategic policies and public interventions, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of Algerian food security in light of current and future challenges.

Over last two decades, the research and evaluation paradigm in agri-food sector has shifted towards comprehensive perspective called sustainable food system. The heavy pressure on earth bio-capacity and massive environmental externalities, biodiversity loss, climate change impacts on agricultural supply and food security, food safety and health issues, and consumers’ cultural concern are major factors induced to change the perspective from agri-food supply chain to sustainable food system. Although the sustainable food system perspective has become important paradigm in researches and impact evaluation studies on agri-food system recently, the studies at this perspective are missing in Türkiye. The aim of this study is to fulfil this gap in literature and provide evidences for policy makers. This study evaluates the food system and agri-food policies in Türkiye consisting of the state of the agri-food sector, historical evaluation of agri-foo policy transform, climate change policies and environment, rural development measures, agri-food policy impact studies, and the performance level of sustainable food system indicators. Türkiye initiated the process of transformation of food systems in 2019 with an aim “to create sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems”. National Program for Agricultural Support Policy is announced each year as a Presidency Decision. The scope of agricultural support measures and its relative importance in GDP has not considerable changed much for over three decades. Nevertheless, it has been observed a positive development in most of the sustainable food system indicators. However, especially food and nutrition indicators have not considerable improved and it has been even worsened in some subcategories during the last decade. Although national policy agenda and documents cover the transition towards sustainable food system, monitoring-evaluation system and assessment of national agri-food policies considering sustainability dimension data and indicators is lacking.

This paper evaluates the role of wheat in Moroccan agriculture. A social accounting matrix for 2015 disaggregates soft and durum wheat, focusing on agriculture and the agri-food industry. Results show that soft and durum wheat account for 19% of agricultural product resources. Their production contributes 21% to agricultural valueadded, represents 3% of national value-added, generates 16% of agricultural wages, and 17% of agricultural capital. The industrial processing of these wheats contributes only 5% of the total value-added in the agri-food industry, generating 4.3% of labor and 5% of capital in this sector. Multiplier effects indicate that soft and durum wheat impact production activities by 2.66 and 2.6, respectively. An additional 1% injection would lead to an 84% increase in soft wheat production, a 16% rise in value-added, and a 26% increase in household income. For durum wheat, production would rise by 75%, value-added by 13%, and household income by 22%. Comparing the multiplier effects of wheat processing to production activities, the processing industry has a greater impact on production, value-added, and household income. These findings underscore the significant role of wheat in Morocco’s agricultural and agri-food sectors, highlighting its economic and social importance. The multiplier effects suggest strategic investments and policy decisions could optimize benefits from wheat production and processing activities.

The EU pre-accession economies, namely Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, rely heavily on agriculture, a key employer in rural areas. The agriculture in these countries challenges slow productivity, lack of infrastructure, and poor access to finance and markets. EU membership aspirations and the European Green Deal influence regional agricultural policies, emphasizing sustainable practices and organic farming. The need for balanced increase in production and demand, improved supply chains, and compliance with EU standards is evident. Although, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) emphasizes the countries commitment to agriculture sustainable agriculture, yet implementation is inconsistent due to low level of support for agriculture and rural development in terms of environmental benefits, and for organic agriculture specifically. Developing marketing channels, financial support, and educational activities is crucial for sustainable transformation. Further research on economic viability and behavioral factors affecting environmentally linked policy adoption is necessary to inform policy interventions.

Agrifood policies shape the different stages of the agrifood sector from production to consumption. In Egypt, the agrifood system is a key player in the Egyptian economy providing jobs and income, mainly for rural and vulnerable households. Though the system in not on full potential and face several challenges. Challenges include climate change, water and land scarcity, rising population, poverty and inequality. Over the years, several agrifood policies had been implemented to overcome these challenges. Agriculture and food subsidies, land tenure and crop procurement are the main policies applied by the Egyptian economy. Instead of the drawbacks of some of the policies in the sector, Egypt succeeded in increasing agricultural production and ensuring access to food.

Abstract This article aims to fill an existing knowledge gap within the literature: the characteristics of networks of publication on innovation management research and its relationship with country’s innovativeness. The study is grounded in the theory that the creation of knowledge and collaboration within networks play a pivotal role in improving a nation’s innovation capacity. It presents and describes the characteristics of co-authorship networks of scientific publications among authors from different countries. The published articles were extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, considering a period of 12 years. Following the identification of pivotal countries, the research proceeded to investigate whether their positioning within the network has an impact on their innovation capabilities. To underpin this analysis, data from the Global Innovation Index ranking were employed. Among the six countries demonstrating noteworthy centrality metrics throughout the entire period, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom are also categorized as innovators according to the Global Innovation Index. The overlap observed suggests a relationship between countries maintaining consolidated and resilient innovation networks and positive performance in terms of innovation. However, it should be noted that innovation is influenced by a range of factors, including strategies and policies on international collaboration.

Abstract The adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) in small- and medium-sized firms (SMEs) is steadily increasing. However, the implementation of ICT in SMEs is hindered by constraints, such as limited financial resources, lack of ICT knowledge, and reluctance to change. The objective of this study is to identify and analyze prevalent patterns, obstacles and influences that impact the adoption of ICT in SMEs in developing nations. In addition, this study aims to provide recommendations on the most effective methods to optimize the utilization of ICT in these contexts. This review is conducted using a sample of 25 publications that have been published and are available in the Scopus database. The selection process focuses on works that have received significant citations and have been published between 2014 and 2023. The PRISMA statement form was utilized to elucidate the comprehensive procedure of selecting and accepting pertinent publications. This research makes two distinct contributions. The writers begin by doing a thorough literature analysis to examine the progress of ICT in the past decade. They next emphasize noteworthy research discoveries in this field. Furthermore, the authors give a comprehensive analysis of the ICT literature by quantifying yearly publications and identifying SMEs that primarily utilize ICT, academic journals that publish pertinent articles, and ICT-related publications across various fields and areas in developing nations. The study also discloses the papers, journals, and authors that have received the highest number of citations. The author's final argument in the paper is that, despite the extensive research conducted in the field of ICT, there is a necessity to customize strategies and policies that can support SMEs in the ICT sector, particularly in developing countries.

Abstract This research investigates the impacts of contextual factors, including organization-, project-, product-, and market-related factors, on New Product Development (NPD) process and explores how these factors shape the NPD process of the company within a specific context—a large-sized company in Thailand. By interviewing 11 managers from a large-sized company in Thailand, the findings reveal different impact of the contextual factors on the company’s NPD process. Based on these findings, we develop a practical NPD model to overcome company-specific challenges and, consequently, offer valuable insights to enhance the NPD process in similar contexts. Importantly, our findings suggest that innovative companies should strategically integrate the route-to-market for radical innovation into their NPD process because it enhances the customer perception of the innovation’s value before commercialization, leading to the success of NPD. Our empirical evidence fills the gaps in the literature regarding the practical configuration of NPD processes in developing countries as well as large-sized companies, acknowledging the variation in the NPD process that depends on contextual factors where innovation occurs. It also provides detailed insights beyond most existing studies that investigate correlation of factors with the NPD process and offers practical implications for management involved in the NPD process, emphasizing the need for contextual awareness in formulating effective NPD strategies.

Abstract This study investigates the factors that influence the adoption of digital technology in rural areas of India, with a focus on the Digital India Program (DIP). By analyzing the age distribution, education levels, technology adoption rates, and utilization patterns among rural populations, this research provides insights into the effectiveness of the DIP in targeting specific demographics and promoting digital inclusion. Quantitative data were collected from 400 respondents in Kalahandi District in the Odisha state of India. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal a predominantly young population in rural India, indicating a workforce with significant economic potential and a higher likelihood of embracing digital technologies. Moreover, the study highlights the high levels of education among respondents, indicating a population well-equipped to understand and benefit from digital initiatives. Unexpectedly, the research shows a higher rate of digital technology adoption among female respondents, challenging the perception of gender disparities in technology access. This finding suggests that the DIP has played a vital role in bridging the gender gap and empowering women in rural areas. Additionally, the study uncovers a trend towards mobile-based services over computer-based services, signaling a shift in technology utilization patterns. This emphasizes the need to prioritize mobile technology and improve connectivity in rural areas to ensure wider access to digital platforms.

Abstract Collaborative innovation addresses intricate, multifaceted problems of a systemic nature involving a multitude of actors with diverse and often unknown expectations. To facilitate this collaboration, innovation spaces—such as Makerspaces, Hackerspaces, Fablabs, among others—have emerged as arenas where networks of actors interconnect and solidify. Understanding the diverse nature of these innovation spaces poses a challenge, particularly in distinguishing their specific characteristics and assessing how each contributes to fostering innovative networks. This article aims to address the question: how can we classify innovation spaces based on the innovation networks they constitute? To tackle this query, we initially conducted an in-depth exploration of various innovation spaces through web content analysis, scrutinizing their individual value propositions. Subsequently, employing innovation network theory alongside domain analysis methodology, we proposed a taxonomy designed to classify the distinct types of innovation spaces under scrutiny. Our taxonomy reveals three types of spaces—learn-and-explore, partner-and impact, and transitory—as well as convergent and divergent spaces, showing the diversity and complexity of networks they constitute. The findings also show that while the majority of innovation spaces unite diverse actors to drive collaboration and innovation, many resulting networks have a medium level of formality and are project-centric. These networks tend to be synthetic in nature, seeking to apply existing knowledge, and represent exploration networks wherein the adaptability and diversity of initiatives foster learning, the acquisition of new knowledge, and the development of fresh capacities through interactions.

Abstract Continuous technological development, digitalization, Industry 4.0, robotization, virtualization, and related investments in new types of physical assets are imposing increasing financial and intellectual demands on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). While fast technological development and rapid societal change make maintenance of a successful competitive edge ever more challenging, they also offer considerable potential for differentiation. In the area of networking and outside resources, MSMEs can utilize external resources and cooperate and collaborate with higher educational institutions (HEI) to boost their innovations pipeline and develop new technologies and processes to generate commercial products/services and improve their service offering. This research explores existing highly effective university–industry collaboration (UIC) models and seeks explanations for their success by examining the literature from the point of view of establishing successful relationships, emphasizing the importance of critical drivers for success. Our work synthesizes current knowledge of best practices based on a comparative analysis of practical collaboration. In the work, we identify eight popular and successful collaboration models: research and development partnerships, internships and co-op programs, knowledge transfer programs, entrepreneurship, and incubation programs, sponsored projects and grants, joint ventures and licensing agreements, executive education, professional and student career development. Based on analysis of globally reviewed successful models, a concept for robust, productive, and extended collaboration between companies and universities is produced suitable for the Finnish context. Several practical experiences are given for robust collaboration in the current post-COVID transition and energy crisis.

This article delves into the transformative impact of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology within the textile and apparel industry, emphasizing its pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiencies, supply chain visibility, and inventory management. The advent of RFID technology marks a significant shift towards digitalization and datadriven decision-making in an industry characterized by rapid product cycles, diverse product ranges, and high demand for quality and sustainability. Utilizing a literature review, case studies, and empirical data, the research underscores RFID's potential to address the unique operational complexities of the fashion sector, facilitating improved accuracy, security, and operational agility. Furthermore, the paper explores RFID deployment's environmental and social implications, considering its role in promoting sustainable practices. This article offers valuable insights for academic researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers aiming to navigate the evolving landscape of fashion technology and its impact on global supply chains by providing a nuanced understanding of RFID technology's advantages, implementation challenges, and broader implications for sustainability and efficiency in the textile and apparel industry.

This study investigates the incorporation of accounting and informatics in contemporary company management, with a specific emphasis on the influence of information technology on corporate governance and its effects on firm management. This evaluates the significance of ICT in business and the function of economic information systems in corporate management. The study used a qualitative methodology, using academic literature, industry reports, and case studies. The studies seek to improve comprehension of the correlation between accounting and informatics in contemporary corporate management. The study highlights the pivotal significance of information technologies in creating corporate settings and promoting innovation.

The overlap of crises that most countries in the world are currently facing generates the need to increase tax revenues, so the analysis of the factors that influence tax revenues is useful and important. There are many factors that influence the level of tax revenues, but those related to the activity of the tax administration and the tax behavior of taxpayers are of great importance. The multifactorial linear regression model developed in this paper demonstrates the existence of a direct and positive correlation between tax revenues: % of GDP and the number of tax inspections, the number of tax penalties and the degree of tax compliance, and a direct and negative correlation between tax revenues: % of GDP and the cost of tax revenue collection. The developed model offers the possibility to make predictions for approaching tax administration strategies aimed at increasing tax compliance and streamlining the activity

The COVID 19 pandemic has seriously affected human resource management practices, as it has in many other aspects of work and life, both internationally and domestically. Through this paper we do not propose to highlight the challenges that managers had to face when they decided to work from home, adopting innovative solutions, examining changes in workforce management and employee well-being. Employees need for flexibility was the driving force behind HR manager’s decisions, as well as safety measures and maintaining employee motivation and productivity. Also, the one that can play an important role in addressing the challenges of human resource management during a pandemic is social responsibility, according to some research in the field. Human resource management practices in Europe show that organizations were somewhat prepared, but faced difficulties in facing the situation. At the same time, the US pandemic has forced management to consider alternative approaches to work and address disparities within the profession.

This paper explores how the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into research methodologies is changing the research paradigm by improving data analysis, efficiency and innovation in a variety of fields. All the emerging and disruptive technologies based on AI and BIG DATA will thus allow researchers to model, train, calibrate and ultimately simulate very complex research scenarios by accelerating and simplifying current quantitative testing methods, allowing to work with sample sizes close to those of the analyzed population. Emerging and innovative research methodologies based on the application of AI tools are thus presented, which actually revolutionize traditional ways of research by adopting artificial intelligence algorithms on each hypothesis and creating specific working models for each tested hypothesis, obtaining valuable insights regardless of the validation or not of a hypothesis by classical quantitative analysis. In the particular situation presented, it will be explained how the Elaboration Likelihood Model will be applied to the marketing of social networks, with an emphasis on the cognitive process and the expression of attitude within them, depending on the characteristics of the message and the involvement of users. This proposed research will also consider the ELM framework and increase its dimension, providing a more contemporary perspective on persuasion and cognitive engagement by introducing AI and big data as part of the dimension of ELM methodologies, thus illustrating a paradigm shift in research and representing a model approach to moving from methodologies based on traditional qualitative and quantitative methods to emerging ones based on AI and BIG DATA

The tax system serves as a crucial tool for achieving fiscal policy objectives efficiently, with minimal impact on the economy's functioning. Its primary role extends beyond merely funding government expenditures to include income redistribution and economic stabilization, fostering an environment conducive to sustained economic growth. The progress of nations on economic, social, political, and cultural fronts hinges significantly on governments' adeptness in revenue collection and maintaining fiscal system stability. This research delves into the intricate interplay between fiscal and social policies and their influence on the economies of emerging and developed nations within the Central and Eastern European Union member states during the period 2005-2020. Employing the autoregressive regression model (VAR), the study aims to unearth the impulse-response functions triggered by fiscal variables on the gross domestic product (GDP). By scrutinizing historical data, the research endeavors to offer forecasts concerning the economy's responses to shocks induced by both direct and indirect taxes, as well as social security contributions. The findings reveal nuanced insights. Indirect taxes exhibit minimal and statistically insignificant impact on the GDP. Conversely, direct taxes and mandatory social contributions demonstrate a substantial and adverse effect on the gross domestic product, signaling a noteworthy impact on the overall economy. This research contributes valuable perspectives on the intricate dynamics between fiscal policies and economic outcomes, shedding light on the need for strategic and calibrated approaches to taxation for sustained economic development and social welfare in the Central and Eastern European Union member states.

This paper focuses on how will capital markets look like in the future, identifying the new trends in this field. Given the fact that the main challenges of our time are finacing the transition to a green and low-carbon economy and dealing with digital disruption, the future capital markets will be digital due to innovation by technologies such as automated advice, robo-advisory service which involves a low cost of the financial advice service. Also the future of capital markets can be defined by the trading algorithms which quickly process information in high-frequency trading and by the distributed ledgers technology (DLT), which could change the backbone of the stock market, considering that modern technology enables stock markets to be faster and more complex than ever. As we gaze into the future of capital markets, one of the most promising trends is the utilization of AI to promote sustainability in finance. This paper delves into the transformative potential of AI in reshaping capital markets, highlighting emerging trends and its profound impact on promoting sustainability in financial ecosystems. So, the capital markets will undoubtedly evolve in the future as technological advancements, particularly the integration of new and traditional artificial intelligence capabilities, transform the financial ecosystem into a faster, smarter, and more efficient system.

This paper examines the connection between the change in 10-year government bond yields, as a proxy of the long-term interest rates and the stock returns for Romania, between April 2020 and December 2023. The stock prices were represented by the reference index BET (Bucharest Exchange Trading) of the Romanian stock market, Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE). The regression analysis showed an inverse linear connection, of medium intensity, between the exogenous variable, the change in government bond yields, and the dependent variable, the stock returns listed by BSE. The increase in interest rates will lead to a decrease in the price of the companies' stocks, the increase in the cost of financing for companies will decrease the value of their investments, and therefore the investors will anticipate the decrease in future cash flows. On the other hand, the lower interest rates will appreciate the companies’ market value, because the investors anticipate the increase of corporate investments.

In today competitive tourism market, with the rise of the web 2.0 era, destinations have shifted their focus from the traditional means of promotion to the online process. This study examined the online marketing of 10 Romanian cities as emerging destinations for cultural tourism based on the content analysis of website content. Using Google search to select tourism websites for analysis and applying eMICA model, a review of 200 websites was made, so as to understand how each city is promoting its image and products online. The results show that only some of the analyzed cities have official tourism websites and quite frequently, they lack interactivity, which is currently seen as a must for any successful destination. Main areas for improvement regarding the online promotion of the Romanian cities are suggested.

The foundation of a healthy Single Market is represented by a strong trade policy. Over the years that shaped the European Union as it is known today, European trade policy had to adjust to new tendencies regarding economic growth, free trade and respecting new regulations set in place by the new wave of green economy. The European Union’s (EU) Green Deal is the main new growth strategy to transition the EU economy to a sustainable economic model. Being green, mindful of the carbon neutrality challenges the trade policy and pushes the law makers and other entities to take serious action. The European Green Deal aims to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy and stop climate change, revert biodiversity loss and cut pollution. One of the most important challenges faced by the European Union’s trade policy represents its alignment with the imperatives of environmental sustainability and Green Deal. Focusing on trading partners around the world, the study assesses the impact of EU trade policy on the adoption of initiatives to promote environmental protection, decent working conditions, ecolabelling, and sustainable marketing of natural resources. Considering trade agreements as tools to promote sustainable development goals and emphasizing the need for coherence between trade policy and environmental commitments, this article will use explanatory graphs and data collected from the European Commission and others to demonstrate the need for a common framework to contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement's environmental, economic and social sustainability goals.

This blockchain system that certifies the ecological certification of businesses provides safe and easy-tounderstand information for consumers, contributing to the development of local markets in the virtual environment. The adoption of a model based on blockchain technology enables the certification of the quality of green businesses, providing consumers with certain guarantees regarding the safety and quality of businesses, contributing to the development of local spots. Thus, through this blockchain model for the quality certification of green businesses, a strategic advantage is obtained in terms of the valorization of green businesses and the development of local markets. Promoting the development of markets for green businesses is part of all measures to combat climate change, efficient management, reduction of production costs and risks by promoting green marketing models.

A social enterprise is a business with specific social objectives. Like every business endeavor, it is built on a commercial framework, yet the social enterprise aims to make – besides its money-making purpose - a powerful social, and environmental impact on the populace which it serves. Nowadays profit-making shareholders-only, mantra makes it challenging to fund a social enterprise. On the same token, the current volatile economic climate is calling for more such adaptable, and dynamic structures, which provide a solid vehicle for sustaining change, as well as strengthening the fabric of their communities, fostering socio-economic innovation, and sustainable growth. In financing such a bold and complex undertaking, we aim to find sustainable ways of funding a social enterprise, in order to make them attractive to investors, by looking at financial and non-financial return of investment. In analyzing the donor-investor model, we posit that sustainable growth can be fueled by sustainable giving, which in turn nourishes deep brain structures of fulfillment. We aim to escape the profit-loss dualistic paradigm, and expand to the plurality of multiple capitals, hence multiple returns of investment, by promoting business structures acting as pillars of socio-economic stability, in times of rapid business change, by adding new essential business skills such as social entrepreneurship (and intrapreneurship) into today’s economic enterprise, as steps towards a more sustainable business, and socio-economic future.

The starting premise in proposing and developing this study is that there is an intrinsic conditioning of the development of management science, built around at least three pillars: social phenomena of impact, the perception and internalization of their effects at the level of organizational groups, and methodologies for investigating these characteristic processes. From the simple observation of activities in organizations to the creation of mathematically tractable conceptual models with the help of specialized software packages, management research has gone through and is still going through a complex and complicated path given both the multitude of organizational variables that need to be considered from reality and the nature of interdependencies between variables. The approach to organizational culture, a classic subject of management but with significant potential for new theoretical and practicalapplicative investigations, is also part of this register. The group of authors proposes, after creating an introductory framework on the coordinates of the current state of scientific research in management, the presentation of the main lines of effort useful in the operationalization of factor analysis, applied to identify correlations between organizational culture and sustainable development in higher education institutions.

In recent years, the development of technology and the process of accelerated digitalization have radically transformed the way in which society interacts, communicates and manages information, this led to the change of the socio-economic environment in a dynamic environment. In order to achieve greater performance and efficiency in this ever-evolving era of digitalization, the optimization of internal processes is becoming increasingly important. The combination of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and RPA (Robotic Process Automation) technologies is an innovative way to achieve the strategic objectives of an organization by automating repetitive tasks, optimization of workflows and reduction of manual intervention. This article aims to analyze the impact resulting from the combination of these technologies within the modern organization, with a special emphasis on presenting the benefits brought.

Local public debt and total public debt exert a significant influence on the financial sustainability of the public budgets. The impact of the local public debt on the total public debt is little addressed in the published literature, these two indicators being rather treated individually or in relation to other influencing factors. This study starts from the research hypothesis that supports a weak or non-existent financial dependence between the local public debt and the total public debt at the level of the EU states. In a first stage, the influence of DPL on DPT was analyzed for Sweden, Denmark and Finland, being states with high financial autonomy, in opposition to states showing low financial autonomy and high financial dependence on national governments, such as Romania, France. A second part of the study focused on the impact of DPL on DPT at the level of EU member states. The statistical methods used, namely the simple linear regression carried out at the EU level, show that there is no statistical link between the increase in local public debt and the total public debt.

Inflation is a concern for both businesses and people, and it is affected by many factors. In this paper, we tried to touch on the effect of the Russia – Ukraine war on inflation. The research questions are: “Is inflation higher after the war began?”, ”Is the inflation higher in Romania after the war began?” and “Is the inflation higher in countries who are near to the war?” The data analyzed in this paper was extracted from Eurostat for 34 countries, for the period of 2017- 2022. The conclusion is that inflation was higher in all analyzed countries after the war started and was more substantial for Romania and for the countries that were near the conflict. This paper can contribute to the literature on the effect of the war on inflation.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is to an increasing extent given credit for the economic development of a country along with the creation of new jobs, foreign capital, technology and knowledge transfer, generating positive spillover effects or the opportunity of joining global value chains. In the current paper the authors aim to investigate the impact of the subsidiaries of transnational companies (TNCs) which operate in Romania and carry out foreign trade activities on the trade balance of Romania during the period 2014-2022. The analysis demonstrates they generate a significant surplus in the case of services and a deficit in the case of goods, the surplus surpassing the deficit until 2018. Beginning with 2019, the high growth rate of deficits can no longer be balanced through a slower growth rate of surpluses resulting from the trade in services. Other findings reveal the sectors contributing the most to these imbalances: the manufacturing industry, telecommunications and information technology, manufacturing services and transportation generate a large surplus and trade generates a huge deficit. Data was extracted from BNR FDI annual reports, issued during 2013-2022, based on Combined Nomenclature and the IMF’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6th edition (BPM6) methodology. The research might be extended with the identification and evolution of TNCs at the microeconomic level, and subsequently studying the case of key multinational companies.

This study examines the mediating effects within the relationship between organizational culture, government policies, and the quality of public services. Through structural equation modeling, the complex relationships and interdependencies among these critical variables are explored. The SEM results highlight the significant impact of organizational culture and government policies on the quality of public services, as well as the mediating role of strategic human resource management practices within this relationship. By understanding and quantifying these mediating effects, the study makes significant contributions to understanding how organizational dynamics and government policies influence the quality of public services. These findings have important practical implications for organizational management and policy formulation aimed at improving public services and the efficiency of the public sector.

This paper bibliometrically examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into decisionmaking in management contexts. Using advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI provides transformative capabilities for analyzing complex data sets, forecasting trends, and optimizing decision outcomes. Through a comprehensive literature review and case studies, this paper explores the diverse applications of AI in management decision-making, from strategic planning and resource allocation to risk management and operational efficiency. In addition, the bibliometric analysis discusses the implications of AI adoption, including ethical considerations, the dynamics of organizational change, and the role of human judgment along with AI-based perspectives. By synthesizing current research findings and practical insights, this paper provides a nuanced understanding of how AI can be effectively leveraged to improve management decision-making processes.

This article examines the impact of blockchain in agriculture and the food supply chain, and discusses the overall implications, challenges and potentials, in context of the green agreement, which is aimed at promoting durability in all sectors, agriculture is an essential role to play in a variety of objectives durable, Introducing blockchain and digital technology could contribute to the development of a sustainable agricultural system. Research points to blockchain as a promising technology for a transparent food supply chain, with many initiatives underway in various food products and food-related issues, but many barriers and challenges still exist, preventing its wider popularity in large among farmers and systems. These challenges involve technical, education, policy and regulatory frameworks.

Abstract Regions play an important role in the global economy by driving research and innovation policies through a major tool, the Regional Innovation System (RIS). The RIS is a social system that encompasses the systematic interaction of the various organizations that comprise it, to improve local knowledge and innovation. It consists of interconnections of various public and private sector institutions, whose activities and interactions create, introduce and diffuse innovations. This paper outlines the methodology employed in developing and validating a mathematical model of Regional Innovation Systems, utilizing the system dynamics approach. To provide a demonstration of the aforementioned concept, the proposed model will then be implemented in the RIS of two specific regions in Greece, namely Western and Central Macedonia. Within this context, various policies will be formulated to modify the indicators of Smart Technology, with the objective of assessing their influence on the overall regional development of the aforementioned regions. The model focuses on the functional structure of the RIS, separating it in six diverse, interacting subsystems consisting of different components, captured by a total of 38 different factors which can be quantitatively assessed.

Abstract This study recognized the importance of linking higher education institutions with various industries in a given country to promote technology transfer and sustainable development. However, in one or another way, the linkage was not well-practiced in Ethiopia. The study aims to assess the role of university–industry linkages in technology transfer and identify the barriers and opportunities of the linkage. Universities have institutionalized intermediary organizations such as technology transfer offices, collaborative research centers, incubators, and science parks to enhance university–industry collaboration. The collaboration between academia and industry is understood as the transactions between universities and firms that involve the exchange of knowledge, skills, resources, and capabilities. The study uses the concept of the triple helix model and proposes the establishment of the Higher Education Institutions–Industry Resource Integration Center as a way forward to solving the problems that Ethiopian industries are facing. A triple helix of university–industry–government relations is emerging as a common format that transcends national boundaries. The integration of these functions is changing the nature of the university and its role in society. The potential for national development in Ethiopia and elsewhere resides in entrepreneurial universities taking the lead in infusing knowledge, innovation, technology, and enterprise into the entire society.

Abstract This systematic review aims to review the effect of innovation strategy on firm competitiveness and to establish a theoretical background for future studies in the innovation and firm competitiveness literature. A total of 40 studies covering the innovation strategy and firm competitiveness were from 2015 to 2023 and analysed via a PRISMA method using the descriptive content analysis. These studies were found in the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Taylor and Francis databases. The findings from this review show that a large majority of the reviewed studies has concluded that innovation strategy have a positive relationship and effect between firm competitiveness. This study offers the chance to empirically examine innovation strategy and firm competitiveness from various angles. Despite a rapid recent increase in publications and special issue calls, many opportune research avenues within the innovation strategy and firm competitiveness field require further investigation.

Abstract Working capital management is an important financial management decision for the profitability of commercial banks. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of working capital management on commercial banks' profitability. The study used secondary data from audited financial statements of five private commercial banks in Ethiopia covering the period from 2011 to 2020. The banks were selected on a convenience basis. The financial information from the banks was analyzed to determine the impact of the current ratio, bank size, a current asset-to-total asset ratio, loans and advances to total asset ratio, and current liabilities-to-total assets ratios on profitability. The researchers applied descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The data were analyzed using the Stata data processing package. An econometric model is applied to examine the impact of working capital management on the profitability of commercial banks. A random effect model was employed and the result revealed that bank size and loans and advances to total assets were found to have a significant impact on banks' profitability. The current ratio, a current asset-to-total asset ratio, and current liabilities-to-total assets ratios were found insignificant to influence banks' profitability. Since the profitability of the banks depends on working capital management, rigorous attention should be given to those factors that influence the profitability of commercial banks.

Abstract Selecting appropriate market outlets offer the opportunity for farmers to capture a bigger share of the price paid by final consumers. However, smallholder farmers in developing countries are still confronted with myriad challenges regarding selecting profitable market outlets. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze determinants of market outlet choices by smallholder mango farmers in Aleta Chuko District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. The study's representative 391 sample mango producers were selected using a multi-stage sample selection technique and a cross-sectional research approach. Descriptive statistics and the multivariate probit model were used to analyze the data. The result of the study showed that the probability of mango producers to choose consumer, collector, and retailer and wholesaler market outlets was 38%, 39.4%, 41% and 25%, respectively. This shows that retailer was the most likely chosen market outlet while wholesaler was the less likely chosen market outlet. The joint probability of farmers to choose the four market outlets is (0.042%) lower than the likely of not choosing four market outlets (23.21%). The result of the multivariate probit model showed that the sex of the household head, age of the household head, educational level of the household head, the quantity of mangoes produced, size of the land allocated for mango production, use of market information, credit access, livestock holdings, and distance to the nearest market were all statistically and significantly influencing factors in the market outlet choice behavior of mango producers. Based on the results of this study, the government and other concerned organizations should take action to improve the efficient marketing of mango producers in all outlets by providing market information, expanding and following up on extension services, increasing credit access, and building roads and other marketing infrastructure in the study area.

Abstract Micro-enterprises have recently received increased research attention due to their contribution to economic growth and employment, and an increasing amount of research has focused on studying their performance. The current objective was to study factors affecting the growth and internationalization of micro-enterprises, as well as the most important barriers for growth in the sparsely populated region of South Savo in Finland. Owners or managers of 108 micro-enterprises responded to a questionnaire probing variables representing aspects of growth, internationalization, innovation, networking, digital maturity, and business environment, among others. Statistical analyses including multiple regressions were used to analyze the data collected on quantitative rating scales. The results suggested that intention to grow and level of networking with other companies and public actors were directly related to actualized growth. Intention to grow was, in turn, affected by innovativeness, growth capability, intention for internationalization, and business environment. In addition, the level of innovativeness and intention for internationalization were related to actual level of internationalization. The most important barriers for growth selected by the participants were lack of time for development activities, threshold to hire new employees, and sufficiency of funding. The results were utilized in guiding regional development activities in the South Savo region.

Abstract This study examined the effect of strengthening management literacy on digital business innovation and accelerating performance recovery and examined the impact of digital business innovation on accelerating performance recovery. This study is explanative/associative research accompanied by hypothesis testing. The unit of analysis in this study was creative industry entrepreneurs, with a total population of 354. Sampling in this study used purposive sampling with specific criteria and obtained 194 as a sample size, after which they were referred to as respondents. Path analysis results show that strengthening management literacy directly and significantly influences digital business innovation and accelerates performance recovery; digital business innovation directly and substantially influences the acceleration of performance recovery in the creative industry sector. The findings of this study indicate that strengthening management literacy, which is carried out in a structured and massive manner, will encourage innovative behavior in implementing digital business. Digital business innovation will spur business activities to become more effective, because they are not limited by space and time.

Abstract Innovation management stands as a pivotal driver in attaining enduring sustainability in livelihoods. However, its progress can face formidable obstacles, encompassing the complexities arising from human perceptions. This research delved into the realm of innovation management within the context of fruit and vegetable preservation, with a keen focus on the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the perceptual evaluations surrounding the viability of utilizing ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for this purpose. The perceived effectiveness of UV irradiation in fruit and vegetable preservation was found to be significantly influenced by factors, such as cost, safety, and limited understanding. The respondents' preference for preserved fruits and vegetables was most significantly influenced by the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms, as indicated by a mean score of 4.6. Notably, around 50.9% of the participants demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the use of ultraviolet irradiation as a preservation technology. In addition, approximately 21.6% of the respondents expressed disinterest in adopting ultraviolet irradiation for preserving fruits and vegetables. In contrast, a smaller percentage of participants, merely 12.3%, showed a positive inclination towards employing ultraviolet irradiation in the preservation process. Interestingly, approximately 15.2% of respondents remained undecided and did not express a definitive preference concerning their willingness to utilize ultraviolet irradiation for preserving fruits and vegetables. Notably, the analysis has revealed a compelling trend, with a substantial portion of participants (63%) perceiving medium-sized enterprises involved in fruit and vegetable processing technologies as displaying notably low levels of motivation for innovation during the COVID-19 era. A similar viewpoint was shared by 51% of respondents regarding large-scale businesses. In stark contrast, the survey has illuminated a striking disparity, as small-scale businesses exhibited significantly heightened innovation motivation at 28%, surpassing the modest 10% observed in both medium-sized and large-scale counterparts. This pronounced variation in innovation motivation across diverse business scales highlights the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on their inclination towards embracing innovation. These findings offer invaluable insights into the intricacies governing innovation management within the fruit and vegetable preservation sector amidst the challenging COVID-19 period.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify the factors that influence senior management for adopting blockchain technology in the banking industry in general and Islamic banking in particular. Furthermore, the research addressed the moderating role of technological turbulence as it holds a significant hindering role. This study employed the analytical approach, and the data were collected through questionnaires distributed to several senior management employees in both the Jordan Islamic Bank and the Islamic Arab Bank. The research instrument was developed and confirmed by the experts in the field. For identifying the significance of the variables incorporated in the researchers applied structural equation modeling technique. The findings revealed that economic efficiency, bank security, customer expectations, education, training and preparation all are significant predictors of readiness for implementing blockchain technology in the Islamic banks in Jordan. The study concluded that blockchain technology should be adopted by all Islamic banks because of its advantages and also the management needs to be educated regarding the same; they should be provided appropriate training.

Germany has sought to accomplish an energy transition by progressively shifting from dependence on fossil fuel sources to reliance on various forms of renewable energy sources. This transition is facilitated through the implementation of a range of legislative measures that align with the goals of the energy transition program. Furthermore, Germany leads in European scientific research, prioritizing the involvement of the private sector. These initiatives have resulted in positive outcomes in the German energy market, prompting the development of infrastructure for renewable energy sources. Consequently, their contribution to Germany’s energy supply has seen a gradual rise.

No Brasil, como em muitos outros países, não existem dados oficiais para os fluxos de comércioentre regiões subnacionais. Então, a estimação de sistemas inter-regionais de insumo-produto, em condições de informação limitada, tem sido tema de pesquisadores do Núcleo de Economia Regional e Urbana da Universidade de São Paulo – NEREUS, por mais de duas décadas. Nesse período, podem-se destacar a criação de dois métodos de estimação: Supply and Use Interregional Tables – SUIT e Interregional Input-Output Adjustment Systems – IIOAS. Esse artigo descreve esses dois diferentes métodos, estimando um sistema inter-regional para os 27 estados da economia brasileira. Posteriormente, os sistemas inter-regionais estimados pelo IIOAS e SUIT são comparados, no intuito de identificar suas principais similaridades e diferenças em termos holísticos e partitivos. Os resultados mostram que, apesar das diferenças, principalmente em termos partitivos, em geral a escolha entre esses dois métodos não compromete os resultados da análise estrutural de insumo-produto. Além disso, esse artigo contribui para a literatura, dado que ambos os métodos podem ser aplicados na construção de sistemas inter-regionais de insumo-produto para qualquer país que publique matrizes de Usos e de Produção e possua alguma informação subnacional para regionalização.

Neste artigo, analisamos como os choques de incerteza no mercado imobiliário afetam a economia de diferentes estados dos EUA. Primeiramente, construímos uma medida de incerteza imobiliária para cada estado. Utilizando esta medida, estimamos um modelo Bayesiano de Vetor Autorregressivo em Painel para obter funções de resposta ao impulso a choques de incerteza imobiliária. Examinamos então quais as características estaduais podem explicar as variações nas respostas da atividade econômica a estes choques. Os nossos resultados mostram que os choques de incerteza imobiliária têm efeitos adversos sobre a atividade econômica, com intensidades variadas entre os estados. Mostramos também que os impactos adversos sobre a renda são maiores em estados com uma elevada proporção do setor financeiro, de construção e de transformação, bem como uma grande proporção de bancos pequenos. Por outro lado, estados que alocam mais recursos para políticas de bem-estar sofrem impactos menores.

Neste estudo construímos o Índice de Capital Humano (ICH) para o Brasil, cobrindo o período de 1995 a 2022. Utilizamos os microdados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD) e PNAD Contínua, ambas disponibilizadas pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), e adaptamos para o caso brasileiro a metodologia empregada por diversas organizações internacionais, como o Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). O ICH captura os movimentos estruturais da qualidade da mão de obra brasileira, dada a ampla abrangência temporal dos dados, e sua derivação é compatível com a metodologia usual de decomposição do crescimento econômico. Neste sentido, empregamos o ICH no ajuste do fator trabalho utilizado no cálculo da produtividade total dos fatores (PTF). Os resultados mostram que no período de 1995 a 2022 o ICH apresentou um crescimento anual médio de 2,2%. Além disso, a inclusão do ICH influenciou a dinâmica da PTF, que registrou queda anual média de 0,9% no período analisado

Este artigo tem o objetivo de avaliar o impacto do programa Cartão Mais Infância Ceará (CMIC) no desempenho escolar, nos exames do Sistema Permanente de Avaliação da Educação Básica do Ceará (SPAECE) de português e matemática de alunos pertencentes a famílias beneficiárias desse programa entre os anos de 2018 e 2019. Para tanto, utiliza-se o método de Diferenças-em-Diferenças em conjunto com o escore de propensão nos moldes propostos por Blundell e Dias (2009), adequado para estruturas de dados de cross sections repetidos. Os resultados indicam que pertencer a uma família beneficiária do CMIC está associado, em média, a um desempenho aproximadamente de 11,63% e 11,52% maior nos exames SPAECE de português e matemática, respectivamente, em relação aos alunos que não pertencem a famílias atingidas pelo programa.