IMPACT OF DIGITAL FINANCE ON BANKS’ CREDIT ALLOCATION IN NIGERIA

Author(s): Gbenga Festus BABARINDE / Language(s): English Issue: 29/2023

Using Vector autoregression (VAR), variance decomposition and Pearson correlation techniques, this study investigates the impact of digital finance on banks’ credit allocation in Nigeria between 2009Q1 and 2019Q4. The study specifically aims to examine the impact of digital finance (proxied with value of Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Point of Sales (POS) and web payment (WEBPAY) transactions) on total sectorial credit allocation of deposit money banks in Nigeria. This study finds no long-run relationship between digital finance and credit allocation of deposit of money banks in Nigeria. Furthermore, digital finance and banks’ credit allocation were found to have strong and positive correlation in Nigeria. It is also unveiled that, unlike the value of POS transactions which have negative and non-significant impact, the value of ATM and WEBPAY transactions have positive but non-significant impacts on banks’ credit allocation in Nigeria. It can therefore be concluded that, though, a strong and positive correlation exists between digital finance and banks’ credit allocation but the former (digital finance) does not exert significant impact on the latter (credit allocation function of deposit money banks) in Nigeria in the period of study. There is therefore the need for the current pace of digital finance adoption in Nigeria be intensified in order for it to achieve the desirable impact on banks’ credit allocation function in the country.

A sötét minták

Author(s): Anita Barabás / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 2/2024

The purpose of the research is to provide consumers with better information about whether advertisements seen on the Internet or even on television can deceive them, and how they can reduce and eliminate this. I think it is important to understand the process of determining dark patterns and the significance of the problem during research. Furthermore, it is necessary for readers to be able to analyse the factors necessary to define the research problem: past information and forecasts, user behaviour, economic and legal environment, and the marketing and technological capabilities of companies in the online environment, as well as to be able to define the problem, develop the approach, and understand emerging problems and conflicts.

Bridging the Gap: Human Resource Management Strategies in Romania's Evolving Labor Market within the European Union Framework. Study Case in Bihor County, Romania

Author(s): Botond-Zsolt Bottyan,Delia-Georgeta BEKESI / Language(s): English Issue: 16/2024

This study examines the role of human resource management (HRM) practices in addressing labor market challenges in Romania, a relatively new member of the European Union (EU). Focusing on Bihor County, the research investigates how Romanian employers adapt their HRM strategies to navigate labor shortages and align with EU competitiveness standards. Through a quantitative analysis of 254 private sector employers, the study explores the interplay between post-communist entrepreneurial culture, evolving HRM practices, and EU-driven economic objectives. Findings reveal a persistent parochial management approach, with employers reluctant to engage professional recruitment services or explore international labor markets. The research identifies a significant mismatch between employer demands and available skills, particularly in vocational and technical fields. While employers recognize the value of workplace training, there is less emphasis on other retention strategies such as competitive compensation or work-life balance initiatives. The study highlights the need for closer collaboration between educational institutions and employers to align training programs with market needs. It also underscores the importance of developing more sophisticated HRM strategies to address ongoing labor shortages and enhance Romania's competitiveness within the EU. This research contributes to the understanding of HRM's role in bridging the gap between Romania's economic potential and its current performance within the EU framework.

MANAGING THE EUROPEAN FUNDS AND INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS. INTRODUCTIVE GUIDING LINES

Author(s): Anca Oltean / Language(s): English Issue: 16/2024

Review of: Istvan Polgar, Guide for European Funds and International Project Management, Debrecen/Oradea, 2023, ISBN 978-963-490-528-8, ISBN 978-606-102264-9.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF MONETARY POLICY SHOCKS ON FINANCIAL STABILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Author(s): Tshembhani M HLONGWANE,Johannes P S Sheefeni / Language(s): English Issue: 29/2023

The study examined the monetary policy shocks on financial market stability. This was achieved by means of econometric analysis. The study made use of quarterly time series macroeconomic data spanning from 2003Q2 to 2020Q4. The study used various econometric techniques such as stationarity, determining optimal lag length, cointegration analysis, estimating a vector error correction model, impulse response functions, forecast error variance decomposition and granger causality. The study found that, credit to nonfinancial sector responds negatively to its own innovations in the short and positively to its own innovations in the medium to long term. Meanwhile, credit to non-financial sector responds negatively to shocks in interest rates and money supply during the entire period. Similarly, the findings reveal that credit to nonfinancial sector responds negatively to systematic risks, that is, shocks induced by poor financial conduct. Systematic risks create disturbances in the financial market, and this hampers financial market stability. The response of credit to non-financial sector to shocks in the consumer price index is found to be positive in the short run although this trend becomes negative overtime. A uni-directional causation can be observed between credit to non-financial sector and global economic activity at the 5% significance level. Similarly, uni-directional causation can be seen between the 2008 global financial crisis dummy and credit to nonfinancial sector at the 1% statistical significance level. Interestingly, a bi-directional causality was established between broad money supply and credit to non-financial sector at the 1% and 5% statistical significance levels, respectively.

EU AND TRANSFER PRICING. TOWARD PETRIFICATION OR REVOLUTION?

Author(s): Krzysztof Lipka / Language(s): English Issue: 29/2023

Two EU documents important for transfer pricing were announced in 2021 and 2023. The first one is a framework of the EU’s tax strategy disclosed in a document called “Communication on Business Taxation for the 21st century” published in 2021. The next one is Transfer Pricing Directive (TPD) proposal published in 2023. TPD proposes cementing current TP rules proposed by OECD decades ago. The first document contains some very significant proposals, one of which calls for the introduction of a new taxation mechanism imposed on “groups of companies “as the term is used in the document. This new tax would be based on the Formulary Apportionment Mechanism (FA) of income allocation. The article puts forward the thesis that the choice between the directive and the strategy addressed in “Communication on Business Taxation for the 21st century” will have a significant impact on the global development of TP standards and the entire global tax order. The article is to analyse the possible impact of the EU’s adoption of FA approach and not petrification of ALP standard through TPD on evolving global taxation principles (which are currently based on the Arm’s Length Principle - ALP). We will go on to analyze the impact of its adoption on further development with respect to ALP, potential transformation of the transfer pricing to-date model and e-commerce taxation, and, finally, the emergence of a new global system of taxation.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO DOMESTIC ECONOMIC GROWTH IN MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SOUTH AFRICA

Author(s): Peter Bongani MAHLANGU,Shaiem PATEL / Language(s): English Issue: 29/2023

The primary goal of the study is to look at how entrepreneurship affects regional economic development in the Nkangala District Municipal area. Economic empowerment, income and employment development, economic restructuring, and the eradication of economic inequality can all be achieved through entrepreneurship. Through creating jobs, encouraging creativity, creating effective techniques for utilising resources, and improving people's socioeconomic well-being, entrepreneurship promotes economic progress. This investigation employs a quantitative research approach. There are 55 business owners in the study sample. The data from the study were analysed using SPSS. Regression and correlation analysis were used to quantitatively analyse the research variables. Using Cronbach's Alpha, the results indicated that a coefficient greater than.70 ensures the validity and reliability of the research instruments. The study concludes that building knowledge and abilities in this area, emphasising entrepreneurial education, and considering mentorship initiatives are crucial. Recognising adequate education in the context of the digital economy and the fourth industrial revolution is one of the main principles in this. The use of digital technology affects the environment and creates previously unthinkable exponential development for new participants with a variety of business models and philosophies.

ENGLISH FOR EMPLOYABILITY: A CASE STUDY FOR THE ROMANIAN LABOUR MARKET

Author(s): Alina-Maria NISTORESCU,Andrei NISTORESCU / Language(s): English Issue: 29/2023

This article presents the importance of English as an employability skill on the Romanian labour market nowadays. The purpose of the research is to gather information about the necessity of knowing English for securing employment and to what extent English is used regularly by Romanian professionals at the workplace. The study provides information about the employees’ current level of English proficiency, LSRW English skills used at the workplace, confidence in LSRW skills and area for improvement.

FORESIGHT IN THE GLOBALIZATION ERA ON RETAIL

Author(s): Miriam TIUTIU / Language(s): English Issue: 30 Special/2023

The paper addresses the topic of Forecasting in the era of globalization on retail, influenced by Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is defined as the science of creating machines with the ability to achieve goals in the world. Humanity is currently facing a great change. We will live in a world of technology, which brings with it many opportunities but also many unknowns and challenges. They are generated by the impact of globalization, technological progress and the changes generated by the presence of millennials. Retail stores should be open to AI but be careful to adopt those AI solutions that lend themselves to their specific context. For this scientific article we implemented a qualitative research. Among other things, following the research, we found out that Artificial Intelligence applied in retail is the solution to achieve higher performance in the field of retail, but without being used in an unethical way. The results obtained from the research provide an overview of Artificial Intelligence in the sphere of the web at the present time. Considering the direction in which technology is evolving and based on the arguments of specialists, it can be stated that Artificial Intelligence will represent an element of distinctiveness and competitive advantage in the era of globalization.

A NEW TOOL FOR ANALYSING THE PERFORMANCE OF INSTITUTIONS REGARDING PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCESSES

Author(s): Cosmin Ilie UNGUREANU / Language(s): English Issue: 30 Special/2023

Public procurement is one of the ways in which authorities contribute to the welfare of citizens through investment and services. Articles in the literature have done relatively limited work on analysing the performance of the public procurement system and the factors that influence this performance in comparison with procurement and the way these processes are organised in private companies. The aim of this paper is to propose a new tool for analysing the factors influencing the performance of public procurement structures in Romanian government institutions. Based on the literature and the author's more than 15 years of experience in the field of public procurement, the present framework was developed. Several dimensions have been taken into account in the development of the tool, thus the following were taken into account: the organisation of the institution, the degree of specialisation of the staff involved in the procurement process, the degree of recognition of the procurement function within the institution. This questionnaire can be used in any analysis of factors leading to the performance of institutions in Romania in terms of the duration of public procurement processes. These analyses will contribute to the development of strategies in the field of optimising staffing requirements and improving the performance of procurement structures in public institutions.

Manutention au TC1 au port d’Abidjan : un enjeu de coordination et de suivi du transport des conteneurs entre mer et terre

Author(s): Seydou Ouattara / Language(s): French Issue: 2/2024

In the era of containerization of goods, container terminals represent essential links in a port's logistics chain. They constitute a point of contact between the outside world and the port. They have been the subject of numerous scientific discussions because of their importance in port traffic. However, they focused on the management or operation of the terminal in general to the detriment of specific operations, particularly handling. The objective of this study is to understand the mechanisms ofmanagement of port handling operations within the TC11. The methods used to obtain the results are part of a qualitative approach. This involves documentary research, direct observation and semi-structured interviews using interview guides with TC1 managers. It appears that the management of the Vridi container terminal (TC1) makes it possible to coordinate three types of operations: operations linked to the loading and unloading of ships, storage and handling operations ,and finally operations of transfer or delivery of containers thanks to the road and rail connection. The temporal and geographical coordination of all these activities is a guarantee of the competitiveness of TC1.

Theoretical aspects of wine tourism. Case study Republic of Moldova

Author(s): Gheorghe Cheia / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

Wine tourism is one of the modern directions of tourism development, both through the products it offers and through the experience it can offer the tourist in the vineyard field. This type of tourism is increasingly present among the visiting preferences, many of the vineyards developing numerous facilities to serve tourists in search of this type of tourism. Depending on certain geographical conditions (climate, relief, soil) the spreading of these locations is quite limited. Within Europe, the countries of the Mediterranean basin excel wine tourism destinations, but an increasingly important place belongs to the republic of Moldova. The present study wants to analyze the presence of this type of tourism in this country, by analysing a survey conducted into the main specialized locations. The purpose of the conducted investigation is to identify the characteristics of the sample of participating tourists and highlight the degree of satisfaction following the experience. All this can help industry developers create development and promotions strategies tailored to the areas and clientele, as well as tourists in selecting visiting locations.

Hogyan ösztönözte lokalizációra Közép-Ázsia a kínai cégeket?

Author(s): Dirk van der Kley,Niva Yau / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 33/2024

A Foxconn-felkelés Csengcsouban: Promise Le interjúja Yige Donggal

Author(s): Dong Yige / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 33/2024

Managerial Communication from the Perspective of Increasing the Performance of Enterprises

Author(s): Daniela Corina ROTESCU,Cristinel Sorin SPINU,Ionuț Riza,Irina Andreea PEGULESCU / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

Communication is an essential component of life because in order to achieve our goals, we must understand the basic elements of communication as correctly as possible. In addition, communication plays a significant role in the performance of an organization. Implementation efficiency is negatively affected by conflict generation and positively by communication, especially in a written and interpersonal form. Excellent communication and transparency between the parties involved, as well as the clear definition of performance factors, have a vital role in the development of economic agents (and implicitly of companies, regardless of their size starting from SMEs to multinationals). The purpose of the article considers the role of managerial communication in increasing the performance of SMEs. Therefore, a major objective of managerial communication is to develop and disseminate knowledge that leads to increased efficiency and effectiveness of managers. Moreover, the manager sees communication as a means to an end, something to be exploited in the service of organizational objectives after weighing cost-benefit considerations.

Financial and Non-Financial Disclosures for Agriculture: is there any Connection in between GRI 13 and IAS 41?

Author(s): Răzvan HOINARU,Daniel BUDA,Jonel Subić,Adela Jansen / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

This article compares and contrasts two financial and non-financial standards, IAS 41 Agriculture and GRI 13 Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing to check if they mirror one another and what are the connections or disconnections between them, whether they are complementary or supplementary to one another, otherwise just unrelated. This research is conducted on text-based analysis of density of keywords in the professional standards, as well as a check-up on firms’ market capitalisation and revenues, alongside with non-financial reporting data. This argument builds in on the potential association between financial and non-financial demands for companies and how their reported facts impact on society, environment, economic growth, and trade-offs. There is a pressure mainly from public institutions for a merger of non-financial and financial data, yet, market reactions and primarily users’ needs advance at a difference pace. The conclusion explains that IAS 41 has its own sustainability in-built information capacity on biological assets maintenance, financial sustainability, and even well-being of animals, while GRI 13 is definitely more detailed and dedicated in terms of food security, soil health, waste, animal health, economic inclusion, and traceability. Despite some greenwashing techniques when reporting, non-financial reporting has a value enhancing effect and will fulfil its role of broadening and improving on decision usefulness.

Financial Instruments for Decarbonization: Likely Pathways in the Romanian Economy

Author(s): Corina MURAFA,Theodor COJOIANU / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

The article explores which financial instruments have the highest potential to deliver the transition to a low-carbon economy in Romania, given the structure of the national economy. Based on a Scopus comprehensive query resulting in 364 analysed articles on green and sustainable finance in Romania, the paper fills a research gap by looking not only at stakeholders' perception of this emerging field in Romania or by describing different kinds of green financial instruments, but by analysing which instruments are most likely to have the highest leverage and impact to mobilize finance towards decarbonizing the local economy. The banking sector in Romania accounts for 75% of total financial system assets, total net assets in the Romanian banking sector amounting to approx. 140 bio. EUR and dwarfing the Stock Exchange, bonds, European Structural and Investment Funds, etc. While green bonds have seen double digit growths, green loans and other banking instruments (debt denial, etc.) have the highest potential to decarbonize the national economy most effectively.

A Net-Zero World, Climate Technology and Business Models

Author(s): Andreea Grecu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

Technology and business model innovation are needed to build a net-zero world and doing so will open up new business opportunities for organizations that take initiative. A considerable economic transition will be required to achieve net-zero emissions. To maintain warming on a 1.5°C trajectory, developing, growing, and implementing climate technology will be essential. The move to a low-carbon economy will expand some markets while endangering others. Businesses that can innovate swiftly and work together across value chains will be in a position to take advantage of several prospects for green growth. The 200-year history of industrial activity by humans is what led to the current trends and exchanges. The transition to the new paradigm of a net-zero planet has a 30-year timeframe. Here, climate technology as well as commercial structures that enable this evolution enter the picture.

Counterfeiting and Demographics: What Factors Influence the Buying Process of Portuguese Consumers?

Author(s): Susana Bernardino,J. Freitas Santos,Isabel ANTUNES,Joana ALVES / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2023

Counterfeiting is a worldwide spread phenomenon with serious economic, social, and political impacts on the society. This study examines the profile of consumers who admit to purchasing counterfeit products in Portugal. Specifically, it investigates whether demographic profile is able to impact the decision factors that drive consumers to purchase counterfeit products. The investigation reveals that a high proportion of consumers have been involved in some way in the purchase of counterfeit products, although consumers distinguish between counterfeit products that can be dangerous for its well-being (medicine) and vanity (clothes and shoes, perfume), and relatively risk-free (auto-parts, machinery) products. The study developed shows that the factors that influence the buying process of counterfeiting products in Portugal can be grouped into intangible (status, brand, design, exclusivity, fashion) and rational (price, perceived quality, and personal satisfaction) factors. Finally, the findings suggest that only in one factor (price) and for age and education, the demographic characteristics seems to be important in the moment of buying counterfeit products.

Diagnosis of Quality Management in the Call Center Industry

Author(s): Adrian POP / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2023

The purpose of this study is to carry out a diagnostic analysis of the quality management system (QMS) in the Romanian call center industry In order to achieve this goal, the method of selective research was used, carrying out an investigation in the relevant companies. The sample was made up in such a way that the condition of representativeness in relation to the general community of the call-center industry is fulfilled. The questionnaire contained questions regarding the elements (processes) from which is compose quality management system, because the diagnosis must be made by analyzing the elements that from which the QMS is compose. In the second chapter, the QMS diagnosis was presented, analyzing the four elements that, according to the specialized literature, make the quality management system The third chapter analyzes the current status of quality management system implementation in the call center industry. Through the diagnostic analysis, the QMS dysfunctions most frequently faced by the call center industry were identified. Knowing the causes that determine nonquality, remedial and quality improvement solutions presented in the conclusions section were formulated.