Business: Theory and Practice

Assessing the commercial potential of high-tech production business targets in risk-generated innovation economies using fuzzy set methods

2025-01-09T18:29:56+02:00

The purpose of the article is to develop a methodology that will make it possible to use attitudes and expressions of professional language to the maximum extent when selecting business goals of high-tech entrepreneurship during the development, production and sale of the latest products and to reduce the sensitivity of the assessment to small deviations of the factors and increase its reliability. It is proven that the proposed method allows to use the attitude and expression of professional language to the maximum when choosing a business goal. At the same time, the sensitivity of the assessment to small deviations of the factors decreases, and the reliability increases. It has been investigated and established that when using fuzzy methods in the decision-making process in high-tech production, unlike the existing ones, there is an opportunity to actively use fuzzy estimates and different points of view of people who carry out planning or decision-making, as well as fuzzy information expressed in words.

Impact of physical vanity, achievement vanity and brand equity on the consumption of luxury skincare products

2025-02-05T11:28:03+02:00

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity on luxury consumption in the skincare industry, considering the promising US$13.9 billion beauty and personal care market in India, as estimated by Euromonitor International. Data were collected from 200 male and female participants in the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, belonging to various geographic groups and income levels. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between observed and latent variables, while regression analysis was employed to determine the impact of physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity on luxury consumption. The study reveals that physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity positively affect luxury product consumption, with brand equity having the most significant impact. The associations between luxury consumption and physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity were found to be statistically meaningful. The findings offer valuable insights for skincare market marketers, allowing them to identify opportunities and strategize to capture untapped markets in the country. Additionally, the results enable them to understand the relative influence of the three factors – physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity – on luxury consumption. This research contributes to the understanding of the positive effects of physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity on luxury product consumption. The survey-based approach offers a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the existing literature and its implications, benefiting both luxury brand managers and future researchers.

The impact of internal and macroeconomic factors on the profitability of the banking sector. A case study of the Western Balkan countries

2025-01-31T18:30:20+02:00

The banking sector in the Western Balkan countries has changed dramatically in recent years. A variety of factors have contributed to these changes, such as economic growth, increased competition, and the implementation of new regulations. As a result, the profitability of the banking sector varies greatly between countries. The purpose of this research is to look into the impact of internal and macroeconomic factors on the profitability of the banking sector in the Western Balkan countries. The research used 85 observations from unbalanced panel data from five countries from 2005 to 2021. Data were gathered from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, which contains information on the trend and progress of banking in the Western Balkans. The variables used included macroeconomic variables, internal bank variables, and industry variables, with return on assets and return on equity used to measure bank profitability. Panel regression with pooled least squares, fixed effects, and random effects was used to analyze these variables. Internal factors such as bank Z-score, 3-bank asset concentration, bank net interest margin, bank overhead costs to total assets, bank credit to deposits, and bank capital to total assets have a positive impact on profitability, according to the findings. GDP and inflation, for example, have a mixed impact on profitability. The impact of industry factors such as liquid assets, deposits, and short-term funding, as well as bank Z-score, on profitability is mixed. The study’s findings have significant implications for policy experts and bank managers in Western Balkan countries. The findings can be used by policymakers to create policies that promote the profitability of the banking sector. The findings can be used by bank managers to improve their banks’ profitability by making strategic decisions about asset allocation, capital structure, and risk management.

Entrepreneurial determinants of Moroccan business failure: entrepreneurial behaviors and attitudes

2025-02-06T18:30:26+02:00

The main objective of this article is to determine the entrepreneurial determinants of Moroccan business failures. To address our research problem, we employ multiple regression models. Entrepreneurial behaviors and attitudes are sourced from the dataset provided by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). Additionally, we enhance our dataset by incorporating entrepreneurial variables from the World Bank entrepreneurship database and OMPIC. Applying variable selection techniques and models selection criteria, such as AIC and BIC, the main results indicate that the model composed of variables related to entrepreneurial behavior and attitudes variables, specifically fear of failure rate, perceived capabilities rate, and perceived opportunities rate, better explains bankruptcy rate. This empirical study represents the inaugural examination in Morocco employing entrepreneurial behaviors and attitudes variables to assess their impact on business failure. The findings from this article could open up new perspectives for identifying entrepreneurial variables that explain business failure in Morocco. To the best of our knowledge, our research is the first to explore this topic in this country.

Business resilience and strategic responses in Ukraine and Lithuania during the Russia-Ukraine conflict: insights from the energy, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors

2025-02-21T18:30:41+02:00

This study examines the economic implications of Russia-Ukraine conflict has had on business operations in Ukraine and Lithuania. It seeks to examine how businesses have responded to the turmoil emanating from the conflict by breaking down disruptions in supply chains, regulatory adjustments as well as changes in market needs with specific reference to energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The research will analyze secondary data from industry reports, financial disclosures and government sources. We chose this method so that we can evaluate what is presently there without the complexities and biases that come with collecting primary data using methods such as interviews. At the center of this dissertation lies unearthing patterns plus strategic insights that would inform businesses practices for similarly turbulent climates. Thus, it should be noted that the key thrust of this particular work is to extract strategies and tactical recommendations which could help keep firms resilient to geopolitical risks as well as exploit any arising advantages. The results are expected to be relevant for lawmakers, corporate executives, and economy planners thereby broadening their strategic frameworks on business operations within areas characterized by wars. This proposal is looking for funding support for comprehensive data analysis aimed at developing informed strategies that might considerably change sustainability and growth paths of enterprises both in Ukraine and Lithuania. Therefore, reliance on documented evidence alongside rigorous analysis of data will assist us in understanding how these economies operate in challenging contexts like these; providing essential knowledge required not only for theoretical debates but also suggesting ways towards enhancing economic resilience during times of geopolitical conflicts.

Improving obsessive-compulsive buying through brand attachment and hedonic value: customer-based brand value

2025-03-12T18:31:00+02:00

This study aims to explore how hedonic value influences obsessive-compulsive buying behavior by examining the mediating roles of brand attachment and customer-based brand value. The research addresses inconsistencies in previous studies on the influence of hedonic market value on obsessive-compulsive buying by integrating brand attachment and customer-based brand value as key factors. The literature review reveals a gap in understanding the mediating role of these variables in the relationship between hedonic value and compulsive buying. Six hypotheses were developed and tested using PLS-SEM within a sample of 246 customers in Central Java, Indonesia. The results highlight that customer-based brand value significantly mediates the impact of hedonic value on brand attachment, which in turn enhances obsessive-compulsive buying. Additionally, the study finds that brand attachment directly contributes to the increase in compulsive buying behavior. The findings suggest that a positive customer experience, influenced by strong brand identity, is crucial in fostering brand attachment and subsequently driving obsessive-compulsive purchasing. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of how hedonic and brand-related factors interact to influence consumer behavior.

Corporate social responsibility, work engagement and hospital image: the roles of hospital reputation, organizational trust and information technology application

2025-03-18T18:31:06+02:00

This study investigates the mediating role of hospital reputation (HOR), organizational trust (ORT), and the moderating role of perceived usefulness of information technology application (ITA) in the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), work engagement (WOE), and hospital image (HOI). Using survey data from 586 healthcare workers employed at public hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the measures and hypotheses. The results reveal that effective CSR practices not only foster a positive work environment and enhance WOE but also significantly improve HOI. HOR and ORT partially mediate the impact of CSR on WOE and, alongside WOE, act as crucial mediators in the CSR-HOI relationship. These findings confirm that organizational reputation and trust are foundational to building sustainable relationships between organizations and employees while also strengthening the hospital’s image in the community. Furthermore, the study identifies perceived usefulness of ITA as a significant benefit that positively modifies the impact of CSR on HOI. From these results, practical managerial implications are proposed for hospital leaders to enhance WOE and HOI through the implementation of CSR and ITA practices.

Social enterprises as a tool for supporting housing supply in compliance with the Agenda 2030

2025-03-19T18:31:07+02:00

There is a space at the interface between the public and state sectors and the private profitable, market sector for the operation of the social economy. The social economy is a socially beneficial area in solving social problems in many countries of the European Union and is still consolidating its position in terms of the Agenda 2030. The paper presents a framework of new and unexplored issues, where the novelty a current overview of the role of social enterprises in providing housing support for low-income groups in regions of the Slovak Republic with elevated unemployment rates, in alignment with the objectives set forth in Agenda 2030. We also focus on the potential of social enterprises in solving the issue of housing for people with insufficient income in marginalized communities, as this area has received little attention in Slovakia. As part of the empirical part, we conducted an analysis of the development of social enterprises and their establishment in the regions. Since a quarter of the social enterprises are located in the least developed regions, where unemployment is significantly worse than the Slovak average, we examined by correlation whether there is a dependence between the number of available job seekers of working age in % of the working age population in individual regions of the Slovak Republic and the number of social enterprises established in the regions of the Slovak Republic. From empirical research, we can identify that social housing enterprises are an important tool that helps solve the issue of housing for people who do not have sufficient income to secure it however, the absence of effective financial support results in their uniform composition.

Relationship of CSR, innovation, human resource practices, and competitive advantage: a test of two mediation models

2025-03-20T18:31:08+02:00

In the dynamic business environment, manufacturing companies need a competitive advantage for long-term survival, and this can be achieved by focusing on CSR, HR practices, and innovation. While CSR is often viewed as a tool for enhancing corporate reputation and addressing societal concerns, its potential to drive innovation and contribute to a sustainable competitive advantage remains underexplored. Additionally, the role of human resource practices in mediating these relationships is not well understood. This research seeks to address the gap in the literature by examining the relationships between CSR, innovation, human resource practices, and competitive advantage, and investigating how these elements interact to help organizations gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market environment. The current research aims to highlight the influence of CSR on competitive advantage. Moreover, it also examined how mediation mechanisms of innovation and HR practices influence the effect of CSR on competitive advantage. The current study utilized quantitative research approach and the data were gathered from the managers of manufacturing companies in Jordan. The results highlighted that CSR significantly influences innovation, HR practices, and competitive advantage. Furthermore, innovation and HR practices both significantly mediate the relationship between CSR and competitive advantage. The findings of this study can act as a guideline for managers of Jordanian manufacturing companies aiming to achieve competitive advantage.