Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice
Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice (JMB) ISSN: 1339-9381 Registration number: EV 175/23/EPP Periodicity: twice a year The scientific journal - Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice (JMB) - is issued by Faculty of Management and Business - University of Prešov in Prešov since 2009. The aim of this scientific journal is to provide a platform for the discussion of current topics of strategic importance primarily in the fields of management, marketing and economics. Publications in all areas related to economics and business are welcome, such as sectoral economics, sustainable economics, finance, management and marketing at corporate as well as national and international level, business psychology, health economics and tourism. JMB prefers publications focused on basic research written in English. The journal does not accept articles which have already been published somewhere else. All accepted articles are peer-reviewed, might be accepted or refused by the editorial board taking into consideration results of the peer review process, and are available Open Access upon publication. The Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice is a open-access journal. There are no charges for publication or submission. The editorial team welcomes your submissions to the Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice. Older issues of the Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice can be found at this link.
Faculty of Management, University of Prešov in Prešov
MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES
Background: Research on economic development represents an important factor in ensuring sustainability and competitiveness in today’s global economy, which is influenced by various threats and shocks. Aims: The main objective of the paper is to identify and quantify the impact of selected macroeconomic factors on economic performance. Sample: The study examines the macroeconomic determinants of economic development—public debt, budget deficit, unemployment, dependency ratio, and inflation (HICP)—in the member states of the European Union over the period 2013–2024. Methods: The research is based on the analysis of secondary data processed using a linear regression model. Due to the confirmed presence of heteroskedasticity in the dataset, robust standard errors of the HC3 type were applied in the estimation of parameters. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the fiscal balance was statistically significantly associated with real GDP growth, reflecting the close relationship between economic performance and public finances, particularly during crisis periods. Conversely, unemployment and the old-age dependency ratio were identified as statistically significant negative factors, confirming the increasing sensitivity of European economies to demographic changes and labour market inefficiencies. Public debt and inflation did not prove to be statistically significant determinants within the selected model, which is explained by the specific environment of low interest rates and the broad nature of price shocks. Implications: There is a need for structural reforms aimed at mitigating demographic risks and maintaining the long-term stability of public finances in a changing macroeconomic environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice
INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL MODULE FOR PERSONAL POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MANAGERIAL ENVIRONMENT
Background: The development of managerial skills is an important part of higher education in the field of Management, while the personal development of students is considered an important prerequisite for their future professional readiness. Aims: The aim of the article is to point out the possibilities of developing the personal potential of students using personality typologies and self-knowledge questionnaires in higher education. Methods: The article presents the implementation of these tools within the innovative educational module titled "Training Program for the Development of Personal Potential and Managerial Skills, which was verified at the Faculty of Management and Business, University of Prešov. Within the module, the development of personal potential is understood as a prerequisite for effective management, communication, persuasive and negotiation situations. The analysis is based on a combination of quantitative results of the Big Five and IASR-B5 personality questionnaires and qualitative feedback from students. Results: The results indicate that working with these tools contributes to increased student engagement, a deeper awareness of their own personality traits, and the development of the ability to make realistic self-assessments. Conclusions: The findings also point to the importance of integrating self-awareness tools into teaching as a means of supporting self-reflection, self-regulation, and the formation of managerial thinking.
MANAGING PUBLIC DISCOUNTS: A SYSTEMATIZED REVIEW OF BENEFIT POLICIES IN CZECH STATE-FUNDED CONTRIBUTORY ORGANIZATIONS, 2014–2024
Background: Discounts for economically inactive groups — children, students, seniors, and people with disabilities, who together exceed 40% of the Czech population — are a widespread pricing tool in the public sector, yet economic literature offers no comprehensive overview of the entities providing them. Aims: The article maps discount provision by Czech state-funded contributory organizations (SCOs) between 2014 and 2024 and quantifies the related fiscal burden on state economic policy. Methods: A systematized review cataloguing relevant sources, combined with demographic and economic data drawn from national statistical, ministerial, sectoral, and OECD sources. Sample: SCOs established chiefly by the Ministries of Culture, the Environment, and Agriculture, spanning museums, galleries, theatres, heritage sites, and caves. Results: Discounted admission is a structural rather than marginal element of pricing; in 2024, discounted entries to museums and monuments exceeded full-price ones, while institutions remained dependent on founders' operating contributions to offset reduced revenue. Conclusions: Public discounts simultaneously widen cultural access and erode institutions' revenue potential. Implications: Future research should weigh discounts' fiscal against social effects and consider investment-based benefit alternatives for students.
FROM NATIONAL BRANDING TO ADMINISTRATIVE REBRANDING: SYMBOLIC LEGITIMACY AND PUBLIC IDENTITY MANAGEMENT IN SLOVAKIA
Background: Place and nation branding research increasingly links identity, participation, legitimacy, and public value, but less attention has been paid to the continuity between national branding campaigns and later symbolic interventions within the same national identity field. Aims: This article examines how selected top-down national branding and public-sector identity interventions in Slovakia construct, communicate, and institutionally support symbolic legitimacy. Methods: The study uses a qualitative case-study design based on document analysis and qualitative content analysis of official materials from 2016–2026. Sample: The corpus includes national branding and tourism communication materials, official documents on the new arrangement of the Slovak national anthem, legal and institutional materials concerning STVR, and an exploratory survey among 572 university students. Results: National branding appears broad and communicatively portable; the anthem intervention reveals limits of formal recommendation in a symbolically dense domain; and the STVR case shows that legal and organisational restructuring does not automatically stabilise public identity. Conclusions: Formal authorisation alone is insufficient for symbolically legitimate public identity management. Implications: Public identity interventions require cultural grounding, transparent justification, institutional continuity, and socially recognisable representational fit.
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ALOGICAL APPROACH IN THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTING IN BULGARIA
Background: The transition to sustainable reporting in the public sector in Bulgaria requires a principle-based approach to the recognition, accounting treatment, and disclosure of assets and liabilities that determine the financial position of public sector entities, as well as contingent assets and liabilities. Aims: This paper critically analyses the regulatory framework of public sector accounting and its impact on the choice of an applicable model for the recognition of non-current assets, as well as on the accounting treatment and disclosure models for contingent assets and liabilities. Methods: A theoretical analysis of the regulatory framework of public sector accounting in the Republic of Bulgaria, focusing on its application to the accounting treatment and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and an empirical comparative study of current accounting practices in selected Bulgarian museums. Results: The study identifies key differences compared to the conceptual model of public sector financial reporting. Conclusions: The lack of timely and complete accounting information on contingent liabilities may lead to an underestimation of entities’ future financial commitments, which in turn affects their capacity for sustainable development and raises doubts regarding the going concern assumption. Implications: It also outlines the implications and challenges facing the public sector accounting system in Bulgaria in relation to the application of sustainable financial reporting models.
ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED LISTED FIRMS IN NIGERIA: THE SHORT- AND LONG-RUN EFFECTS
Background: Environmental expenditures generate divergent financial outcomes in Nigerian listed firms based on strategic orientation. Aims: This study examines how internal and external environmental costs differentially affect operating cash flow margin and market-to-book value ratio. Methods: The Pooled Mean Group (PMG) ARDL/ECM estimator was applied to examine the short- and long-run effects. Sample: The study used 150 firm-year observations from ten Nigerian manufacturing firms (2010-2024). Results: The PMG long-run estimates show a clear asymmetry: internal environmental costs are positively and significantly associated with operating cash flow margin (β = 4.85, p < 0.001) and market-to-book value ratio (β = 16.48, p < 0.001), while external environmental costs show significant negative associations with both (β = -6.31 and -20.34, respectively, p < 0.001). Short-run effects show immediate market reactions to environmental incidents, whereas preventive investments yield gradual returns. Error correction terms (-0.39 to -0.42) indicate 39-42% annual adjustment toward equilibrium, highlighting that avoiding failures delivers greater financial value than incremental prevention. Conclusions: Findings establish that the cost allocation strategy, not aggregate spending, determines performance, positioning proactive environmental management as value creation rather than regulatory compliance. Implications: The study provides empirical grounding for Nigeria's sustainability disclosure framework by demonstrating that capital markets reward prevention and penalize remediation.
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN LISTED OIL AND GAS COMPANIES IN NIGERIA AND GHANA: A COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION
Background: Sustainability practices and corporate financial performance have become increasingly important in the corporate world, particularly for publicly listed oil and gas companies. Aims: The study investigated the effects of sustainability practices on the financial performance of listed oil and gas companies in Nigeria and Ghana. Methods: An ex post facto research design was employed, with panel regression estimates used to test the hypotheses. Secondary data were retrieved from the annual financial publications of the selected companies in Nigeria and Ghana. Sample: The study focused on 5 listed oil and gas companies in Nigeria and 5 listed oil and gas companies in Ghana using a purposive sampling technique. Results: Findings revealed that economic sustainability practices greatly improve RoA and Tobin's Q in Nigerian oil and gas companies, whereas the effect is statistically insignificant in Ghanaian firms. Environmental sustainability positively impacted RoA in Nigeria, but it had no significant effect on performance metrics in Ghana. Governance sustainability influenced financial performance in both nations, noting the significance of efficient governance structures in promoting financial results. Additionally, social sustainability practices enhanced firm performance in Nigeria, whereas their impact in Ghana was insignificant on RoA but significant on Tobin's Q. Conclusions: The research finds that sustainability practices significantly contribute to improving firm performance in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, especially in terms of economic, environmental, social, and governance aspects. Conversely, sustainability practices exhibit limited and varied impacts on firm performance in Ghana, with governance sustainability standing out as the most reliable factor influencing financial results in both nations. Implications: The findings imply that sustainability practices, especially strong governance structures, enhance oil and gas firm performance, with greater effectiveness in Nigeria than in Ghana due to differences in implementation and institutional support.
AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS IN ACCOUNTING-BASED TECHNOLOGIES AND EMPLOYABILITY OF ACCOUNTING STUDENTS IN OGUN STATE
Background: The emergence of new technologies has dramatically transformed the entire accounting process and may determine employability. Aims: This study explored the role of accounting-based technologies in enhancing the employability of accounting students in Ogun State. Specifically, it examined the need for raising awareness about accounting-based technology, the importance of preparing students for the modern work environment, and the impact of accounting-based technologies on students' employability. Methods: Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 60 respondents, in which a sample size of 20 employers and 40 students were conveniently selected. Results: The findings from this study revealed that awareness of accounting- based technology has a significant positive effect on the employability of accounting students. In addition, accounting students' preparedness in accounting-based technology has a significant positive effect on the modern work environment. Further, accounting-based technology significantly influences the employability of these students in Nigeria. Conclusions: Accounting- based technology, when properly leveraged, offers substantial benefits in terms of skill acquisition and employability. Implications: The universities and colleges should integrate comprehensive modules on accounting-based technology within their curricula. This includes practical training on widely used accounting software and tools to better prepare students for the job market. Incentives such as grants or subsidies for technology upgrades could be provided to support this initiative.
EFFECT OF OPERATIONAL AND INVESTMENT RISK ON THE VALUE CREATION OF LISTED INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NIGERIA
Background: Insurance firm performance in Nigeria is shaped by financial risk dynamics and firm-specific characteristics such as size. Aims:This study examines the impact of financial risk variables on the market capitalisation of listed insurance companies in Nigeria, focusing on the moderating role of firm size. Methods: Panel regression techniques are employed, with diagnostic tests confirming the absence of multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, and serial correlation. Lagged variables address endogeneity, while interaction terms capture firm size effects. A dynamic GMM model accounts for autocorrelation and temporal dynamics. Sample: The study uses firm-level data from listed Nigerian insurance companies. Results: Market capitalisation averages ₦5.06 billion with high variability. Claims Ratio (CR) positively and significantly affects market value, whereas Expense Ratio (ER) negatively affects it, indicating inefficiencies. Total Premiums Earned (TPE) enhances firm value, whereas Asset-Liability Ratio (ALR) and Loss Ratio (LR) show minimal influence. Firm size exhibits a positive moderating effect. The model is robust (Adjusted R² = 0.6708). Conclusions: Financial risk management, operational efficiency, and revenue growth are key drivers of firm value. Implications: Firms should improve cost efficiency and premium growth, while regulators and investors should emphasise risk management and firm size in decision-making.
MOTIVATIONS FOR SEASONED EQUITY OFFERINGS AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE OF ISSUING FIRMS IN NIGERIA
Background: Equity financing remains a critical source of corporate investment funding, yet evidence on the post-issue operating performance of seasoned equity offering (SEO) firms remains mixed, particularly in emerging markets. Aims: This study examined the determinants of SEO decisions and evaluated post-issue operating performance among non-financial firms in Nigeria. Methods: A dynamic fixed-effects logit regression was employed to analyse the determinants of SEO decisions, while post-issue operating performance was assessed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Sample: The study covered 24 non-financial firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group over the period 2010-2022. Results: Cash flow returns on assets, leverage, and price-earnings ratio exert significant negative effects on SEO decisions, whereas capital expenditure, market-to-book ratio, and interest rate exert significant positive effects. Post-issue operating performance indicators generally decline following SEOs, with a mild rebound in returns on market value of assets; however, these changes are statistically insignificant. Conclusions: SEO activity in Nigeria is primarily driven by financing needs, capital restructuring, and market timing considerations rather than improvements in operational efficiency. Implications: The findings revealed to managers, investors, and policymakers the need for disciplined capital allocation and stronger performance governance to ensure that equity financing supports long-term firm value creation.
BANK SPECIFIC FACTORS AND BANK PERFORMANCE: A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING APPROACH
Background: The Deposit Money banks determines the direction of growth and viability of the Nigerian economy, so their performance is an important component that is determined and affected by internal and external factors. Aims: This study examines the effect of bank-specific factors on the performance of deposit money banks, including return on average asset (ROAA), return on average equity (ROAE), Capitalisation ratio (CAR), Asset quality (AQ), Board size (BOS), and Bank Size (BS). Methods: The study employed the Structural Equation modelling technique on selected and listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The convenience sampling technique informed the selection of ten deposit money banks that have continuous and active operations on the Nigerian Exchange Group. The secondary data was sourced from the audited financial statements from 2018 to 2024. Results: The findings reveal that bank size has a positive and significant effect on return on average assets and return on average equity, while capitalisation ratio has a negative and significant effect on return on assets. Conclusions: Deposit money banks in Nigeria should pursue strategies that encourage sustainable growth in size, such as mergers, acquisitions, and expansion into underserved markets, to leverage economies of scale and enhance both asset and equity returns. Implications: This implies that economies of scale, wider customer bases, and diversified operations enhance profitability in the Nigerian banking sector.
Evolution of the european aviation r&i landscape: a data-driven analysis across three framework programmes
Background: European aviation research and innovation (R&I) plays a central role in achieving the Flightpath 2050 vision and the European Green Deal objectives for climate-neutral transport. Aims: This paper analyses the evolution, concentration, and collaboration dynamics of aviation-related R&I under FP7 (2007-2013), Horizon 2020 (2014-2020), and Horizon Europe (2021-2027). Methods: Using harmonized datasets of nearly 80 thousand EU-funded projects derived from the European Commission’s CORDIS databases, the study applies descriptive statistics and network analysis to examine funding patterns and organizational participation. Sample: The aviation subset comprises approximately 1,500 projects and more than 4,000 organisations across 30 European and associated countries. Results: The findings reveal persistent cumulative-advantage effects, with major industrial actors such as Airbus, Safran, and Rolls-Royce dominating coordination roles and EC contributions, while Horizon Europe increasingly emphasizes sustainability and digitalization through the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. Conclusions: European aviation R&I exhibits a polycentric governance structure balancing EU-level coordination with national and industrial co-funding. Implications: The results inform future mission-oriented policy design by highlighting the need to balance excellence with inclusiveness, ensuring equitable participation while advancing Europe’s transition toward climate-neutral aviation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice
Perception of sustainable consumption among Generation Z in Slovakia
Background: Considering the current state of the environment and alarming information about global warming, sustainable development is a pressing issue. Sustainable consumption and production are the primary ways to achieve sustainable development globally as well as locally. Aims: The aim of the paper was to examine the extent to which Generation Z consumers are interested in environmental issues and their willingness to adjust their consumption in favour of sustainability. Methods: To achieve the goal, a questionnaire survey was implemented. Sample: Primary research was conducted on a sample of 357 respondents. The sample was stratified to ensure gender representativeness. Results: The primary research revealed that less than half of young consumers are interested in environmental issues. Approximately half of the respondents perceive the consequences of climate change and express concerns about the future in this regard. Only 57% of consumers are willing to adapt their own behaviour in favour of environmental protection and sustainable development. Based on the examination of secondary data, it was found that there is no communication and information campaign focused on sustainable development in the Slovak Republic. Conclusions: Although Generation Z is considered the most environmentally conscious, only half of young consumers in Slovakia show interest in sustainable development issues. The reason may be the lack of a communication and information campaign in Slovakia. Implications: The results highlight the necessity of well-designed communication strategies to strengthen consumer environmental awareness. In this context, social media campaigns and narrative approaches could be essential tools.
Audit Quality and Performance of Listed Consumer Goods Firms in Nigeria
Background: In recent years, cryptocurrencies have emerged as alternative financial assets, gaining increasing attention in Nigeria due to rising inflation, currency depreciation, and restrictions on foreign exchange (FX) access. Aims: The study examined the effect of foreign exchange policies' spillover on the volatility of cryptocurrency returns in Nigeria. Methods: The study utilised time series data, which consisted of United States dollars and Nigerian Naira, while the cryptocurrencies were extracted from the Nigerian foreign exchange market over a two-year period. Vector Autoregressive (VAR) was employed as a method of data analysis. Results: The findings revealed that there is a statistically significant long-run relationship between FX rates and cryptocurrency returns. The exchange rate fluctuations, reflective of FX policy shifts, generate asymmetric and persistent volatility in major cryptocurrencies, and the impact of FX policies on crypto returns varies across assets, with BTC and ETH being more responsive than USDT and SOL. Conclusions: Cryptocurrencies can no longer be viewed in isolation, as they are increasingly influenced by global and national economic decisions. Implications: There is a need to incorporate macroeconomic indicators, particularly exchange rate trends, into trading strategies to anticipate market movements and reduce risk exposure.
The Spillover of Foreign Exchange Policies on the Volatility of Cryptocurrency Return
A review of music stimuli and genre preferences in consumer contexts
Background: Music stimuli are widely used in retail, hospitality and service industries to shape customer experience. They create atmosphere, evoke emotions and support loyalty. Variations in genre, tempo, volume and tone influence movement patterns, time perception, comfort and willingness to stay, while also guiding product choices and encouraging unplanned purchases. Aims: This paper synthesises theoretical and empirical studies on the role of music stimuli in economic environments, with a specific focus on conscious consumer genre preferences. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted, drawing on research from marketing, psychology, and sensory science to identify and compare key concepts, frameworks, and findings. In addition, a bibliometric analysis of international publications was performed using Web of Science data, with keyword co-occurrence visualised through VOSviewer. Results: Genre choice interacts with demographic characteristics, cultural context, and service type. Conscious preferences can mediate the impact of music, influencing both satisfaction and purchasing outcomes. Conclusions: Music stimuli function as strategic tools in consumer contexts, with genre alignment crucial for perceived congruence and engagement. Implications: Effective practice should address not only the presence of background music but also the alignment between genre and audience preferences to maximize economic impact.
Earnings management, corporate governance and the financial performance of listed Multinational Companies in Nigeria
Background: Earnings management and effective corporate governance are some of the ways corporate executives respond to fierce global competition to achieved improved financial performance. Aims: The study examined the moderating effect of board structure on the interaction between earnings management and the financial performance of listed multinational entities (MNEs) in Nigeria. Board structure was classified into board size and board independence. Earnings management included accrual earning management (AEM) and real earnings management (REM), and financial performance was measured by ROA and Tobin’s Q. Methods: The study employed the ex post facto research design and panel regression estimates was utilized to test the empirical models. Sample: Data were acquired between 2014 and 2023 from the annual reports of 32 listed MNEs in Nigeria. Results: Board structure had positive moderating influence on AEM and ROA, but negative moderating influence on AEM and Tobin‘s Q. In addition, board structure showed positive moderating influence on REM, ROA and Tobin‘s Q. Conclusions: The findings showed that board structure significantly moderates the association of earnings management and financial performance in listed multinational companies in Nigeria. Implications: The study implies that earnings management can enhance the efficiency and value of Nigerian multinational firms when used as an informational and performance-stabilizing strategy. However, its effectiveness depends on strong corporate governance, particularly optimal board size and greater board independence, to ensure prudent oversight, protect shareholder interests, and sustain long-term financial performance.
The Influence of Country Branding on Student’s mobility: An Academic Perspective
Background: Country branding has emerged as a crucial factor in shaping a nation's reputation, cultural appeal, and competitive positioning in the global academic landscape. Aims: This paper explores the relationship between country branding and student mobility, investigating how the branding of a country impacts international student enrollment and higher education attractiveness. Methods: This study employs a qualitative multiple case study design to explore how country branding influences international student mobility in four selected national contexts of Finland, China, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Results. This study points out in the “Cross-Case Comparison” based on published studies, the approach of four selected countries in terms of using their own brand, campaigns, strategies and policies in relation to attracting students' interest in higher education. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for strategic alignment between national branding efforts and higher education policies, recommending future research into the interplay between both. Implications: The study examines key factors such as the reputation of academic institutions, visa policies, economic conditions, and cultural perception, arguing that effective country branding enhances a nation's ability to attract and retain global talent.
UNDERSTANDING MOTORIST PREFERENCES FOR FUEL STATIONS IN ADO EKITI METROPOLIS
Background: The increasing competitive markets for petrol station services has made customers more selective on the quality of services they expect, thereby making the service providers more committed to service offerings. Aims: This study examined the determinants of patronage in filling stations in Ado Ekiti Metropolis. Methods: The study uses a sample size of 316 from the 1500 population of motorist chosen through a convenience sampling. The method of data analysis used was simple regression. Results: The study found out that there is a significant and positive relationship between service quality and motorists’ patronage of petrol station in Ado-Ekiti metropolis, there is a significant relationship between price and motorists’ patronage of petrol station in Ado-Ekiti metropolis, there is a significant relationship between location and motorists’ patronage of petrol station in Ado-Ekiti metropolis and there is a significant relationship between trust and motorists’ patronage of petrol station in Ado-Ekiti metropolis. Conclusion: The study concluded and implies that location, trust, service quality and price contributes to patronage in the highest ranking respectively.
ASSET-LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA
Background: The development of asset-liability management was a response to the challenge of financial intermediation risks. Aim: This research looked into how asset-liability management impacted the economic success of DMBs, as quoted on the NGX, over a decade. Information was gathered from these banks' financial statements from 2013 to 2022. Methods: Analysis used descriptive, correlation, panel, and generalized least square techniques. The study categorized asset-liability management into asset management and liability management, each with its own performance indicators. Asset management's indicators included Asset Coverage Ratio (ACR), Total Asset Turnover (TAT), and Working Capital Turnover (WCT); liability management's indicators were Cash Flow Ratio (CFR), Capitalization Ratio (CAPR), Current Ratio (CR), and Return on Asset (ROA). Results: The study found that measures like ACR and TAT, under asset management, positively and significantly affect ROA, whereas WCT, a measure of asset management, negatively and insignificantly affects ROA. Conclusions: Conversely, measures under liability management, such as CFR and CR, positively influence ROA, whereas CAPR negatively impacts it.
INSTAGRAM AS AN INFLUENCER MARKETING TOOL IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Background: Social media has created a new paradigm of how people share and consume in the market. This facilitated the flow of information via media such as Instagram and provided a new area for the development of marketing strategies and trends. Aims: The aim of this paper is to find out how influencers on Instagram reach their audience and to identify which of the communication channels available on Instagram is the most effective to use. The geographical area of this study is narrowed to the Czech Republic market. Methods: To achieve the objective of this paper, a wide range of methods are applied, including observation and benchmarking. Results: The results show that there are numerous ways of communicating with followers on Instagram. Among these, the most effective is sharing the content via posts. Conclusion: As posts last longer at the influencer profile, the marketing effect can be more significant. Implications: Due to that, companies should encourage influencer marketing mainly by sharing the posts on influencers' accounts.
MICROFINANCE BANKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Background: Microfinance banks play a crucial role in promoting economic growth and financial inclusion by offering credit and financial services to underserved populations. Aims: This study examines the relationships between Per Capita Income (PCI) and selected financial indicators, including Loans and Advances (LA), Deposit Liabilities (DL), Total Assets (TA), and Total Earnings (TE), to assess the contribution of microfinance banks to economic growth. Methods: Econometric techniques, including descriptive statistics, unit root tests, Johansen cointegration analysis, and the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) model, are employed to examine both short- and long-term relationships among the variables. Sample: The dataset comprises quarterly financial records from microfinance banks, providing insights into the interaction between financial performance indicators and per capita income. Results: The cointegration analysis reveals no long-term equilibrium relationships. However, FMOLS results indicate that Loans and Advances and Total Assets have significant positive effects on Per Capita Income, while Deposit Liabilities and Total Earnings do not. Conclusions: Loans and Advances, along with Total Assets, are key drivers of per capita income growth in the microfinance sector. Implications: Policymakers should prioritise reforms to improve credit accessibility and asset management, fostering sustainable economic growth through microfinance institutions.
INFLUENCES OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ON TRAVEL MOTIVES OF SLOVAK WOMEN ABROAD
Background: The sustainability of tourist destinations and tourism businesses relies on identifying markets supporting long-term growth. Success depends on understanding the needs of potential consumers and adapting to trends and shifts in source market conditions. This adaptability is key to ensuring continued development and competitiveness. Aims: This paper aims to find which motives are important to Slovak women when traveling abroad and which characteristics of women cause differences in the perceived importance of motives when traveling abroad. Methods: We use the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test to verify three hypotheses. We consider generation, parental status, and marital status as group characteristics. Sample: The research sample consists of 232 Slovak women. Results: The results showed differences between groups for some motives. Conclusions: The study reveals that age, parental status, and marital status significantly influence women's travel motivations, offering valuable insights for the travel industry to develop tailored, generation-specific, and life-stage-sensitive marketing strategies to enhance the travel experience. Implications: Understanding these differences can help cater to diverse needs, ensuring more personalized and satisfying travel experiences.
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice
EVALUATION OF SALES BEHAVIOR BY CUSTOMERS IN THE CONTEXT OF SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF SALESPEOPLE
Background: The research focuses on the psychological approach to the evaluation of sales behavior from the customers' perspective. In the context of sales behavior, it is essential to consider the approach of the seller, which is successful when sales are effective. Aims: The aim of the contribution was to evaluate selected types of sales behavior from the perspective of customers in the context of interpersonal relationships. Methods: The research evaluated sales behavior from the customers' perspective, focusing on four distinct types of sales behavior: manipulative, involved, stressed, and assertive. The study utilized the DOS-Z methodology and the Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS). Sample: The research sample consisted of 203 respondents, employees from the public and private spheres. Results: The study found no significant differences in sales behavior perceptions between urban and rural customers, but women rated salespeople as more stressed. Manipulative, assertive, stressed, and engaged behaviors correlated with traits like dominance, warmth, extraversion, and with some negative associations such as assertiveness with arrogance and introversion with engagement. Conclusions: The study concludes that place of residence minimally impacts perceptions of sales behavior, while gender influences stressed behavior. Interpersonal traits significantly shape customer perceptions, emphasizing their role in positive experiences.
TAX REVENUE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA 1970- 2022: VECTOR ERROR CORRECTION MODEL
Background: Tax revenue is a major source of funding for governments globally. The impact of tax revenue on economic growth has been a subject of debate amongst scholars largely because of a lack of consensus on findings from prior studies and effects on the lives of citizens. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of direct taxes on the long-run economic growth of Nigeria for the period 1970 to 2022 using CBN and World Bank data publications for Nigeria. Methods: Direct taxes were proxied as company tax, petroleum profit tax, education tax, and personal income tax while economic growth variables considered were real GDP, unemployment, and the VAR method of vector error correction model was used. Sample: The population of the study covered tax and economic data for the period of Nigeria's independence 1960-2022 and in all sixty-three years. However using a purposive sampling technique to determine sample size, the researcher focused on data for the post-war period which covered 1970-2022, and eliminated the period of war. Results: Company income tax and education tax have significant positive impacts on real GDP growth in Nigeria, while the effects of personal income and petroleum profit taxes are insignificant. The effects of taxes on economic growth are more long-term rather than short-term. Conclusions: The author concludes that company and education taxes improve economic growth in Nigeria with these impacts more glaring in the long run rather than in the short run while petroleum and personal taxes play minor roles. Implications: The tax system for companies should be designed and implemented in a way to minimize distortions and inefficiencies taking into account any constraints that may arise, thus enhancing revenue collections. Also, policymakers should re-appraise current tax policies and formulate new policies on petroleum and personal income taxes that will improve GDP growth.
ROLE OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES ON EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF AL-QALAM UNIVERSITY KATSINA
Background: Managerial communication significantly influences employee participation by enhancing organizational identification, job satisfaction, motivation, commitment, and performance, even in Al-Qalam University Katsina’s multicultural and developing context. Aims: This study examines the impact of communication strategies on employee engagement, employing Self-Determination Theory, Job Demands-Resources Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Communication Satisfaction Theory. Methods: A qualitative design was used, focusing on a pluriphonic analysis of existing literature. The study utilized Al-Qalam University as a case to analyze feedback systems, cultural intensity, and openness, without direct data collection. Sample: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather academic insights into communication issues and solutions in organization-focused communication within multicultural settings. Results: Key barriers identified include organizational culture, political barriers, and cultural differences. Effective communication strategies, such as decentralized communication, culturally appropriate training, and robust feedback mechanisms, enhance motivation by fulfilling the psychological needs of autonomy, mastery, and relatedness under the Self-Determination Theory. Conclusion: Employee engagement emerges as a product of managerial communication, particularly where decentralized communication, culturally tailored training, and optimal feedback systems are implemented. Implications: The findings underscore the importance of internal communication as an engagement strategy, with implications for multinational organizations and providing a theoretical basis for future empirical research.
EFFECT OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON EMPLOYEES' PERFORMANCE IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, GUSAU
Background: Fuel subsidy removal has been a subject of considerable debate and analysis, with far-reaching implications for various sectors of the economy. Aims: This study investigates the effect of fuel subsidy removal on employees' performance at the Federal University, Gusau. Methods: Using primary data sources, the study had a sample of 264 participants from a population of 950. Fuel subsidy removal was measured by changes in fuel prices, adjustments in transportation costs, and fluctuations in inflation rates, while employees' performance was assessed based on attendance and punctuality. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the data analysis. Conclusions: The findings indicate that both changes in fuel prices and adjustments in transportation costs exert a positive and significant influence on employees' levels of attendance and punctuality. However, fluctuations in inflation rates were found to have an insignificant effect on employees' performance. Recommendations: It is recommended that the management of FUGUS should design a strategy for supportive measures to alleviate the adverse effects of fuel subsidy removal on employees' performance.
IS LOGISTIC REGRESSION RELIABLE IN BANKRUPTCY PREDICTION?
Background: The fundamental foundation of financial and economic analysis is the implementation of financial and statistical models in business entities. Financial indicators help assess the company's financial situation and, at the same time, represent the most used tool in the detection of bankruptcy. A still significant method is the logistic regression, which ranks among classic statistical methods. Aims: The aim of the paper is to propose a scoring model for non-financial corporations in the electrotechnical industry and to estimate the probability of bankruptcy of enterprises in the electrotechnical industry of the Slovak Republic. Sample: The research sample consists of 1,241 companies operating in the electrotechnical industry of the Slovak Republic, according to SK NACE 26, 27 in the year 2020. Methods: We used logistic regression and designed a logistic model. Financial data were sourced from The Register of Financial Statements of the Slovak Republic. Results: In the bankruptcy model for the electrotechnical industry, the estimated odds ratios showed that the chances of bankruptcy significantly reduce the financial indicators EBITDA/T, ROA, L2, and NWC/A. When these indicators increase, the company's probability (or chance) of bankruptcy decreases. Conclusions: The estimate of a risky company or the probability of its bankruptcy is always very important. Therefore, it seems appropriate to look for applicable models. Assessing the financial health of business entities using various models is an important area not only in scientific research but also in the practice of business entities. Implications: The benefit of the paper is the construction of an early warning model for the Slovak electrotechnical industry. We constructed an appropriate model and evaluated the financial situation in the selected branch of industry.
REASONS FOR STUDYING MANAGEMENT: EXPLORING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GROUPS
Background: Comprehending the reasons driving students' choices of study programs is crucial for academic institutions in customizing their offerings and for the broader education sector to synchronize with industry needs and student ambitions. The pursuit of management studies enjoys global popularity and is recognized for its ability to confer a competitive edge across diverse professional domains. Aims: This paper aims to identify differences in the reasons to study the study program Management at the Faculty of Management and Business (FMB) at the University of Presov (UP) considering the different characteristics of the students. Methods: We use the Mann-Whitney U test to test four hypotheses. We consider gender, nationality, form of the study, and level of the study as group characteristics. Sample: The research sample consists of 416 students of the study program Management at the FMB at the UP. Results: Results showed the most differences considering the form of study and nationality. Conclusions: The differences between the analyzed groups were predominantly confirmed through the rationale considering low travel expenses, the recommendation from family, the recommendation from teachers (counselors) from high school, and the modern teaching methods. Implications: Understanding these differences can also help educational institutions in designing targeted recruitment strategies and support services for students.
CHANGE DRIVERS AS KEY SUCCESS FACTORS IN EUROPEAN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROJECTS
Background: Change management involves the communication and implementation of organizational changes, focusing on managing both people and processes to ensure smooth transitions. Aims: This study aims to identify key change drivers within European research and innovation projects under Horizon Europe and to evaluate the level of project commitment to change and transformation. Methodology: We analysed project data from the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS), covering projects from 2021 to 2024. Our analysis included keyword density calculations for terms such as "change" and "transformation" in project objectives. Results: Our findings indicate that the European Research Council; Digital, Industry and Space; and Health sectors are the top recipients of funding, highlighting research as a significant change motivator. Notably, European Research Council projects have yielded substantial intellectual property, start-ups, and publications. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, with the highest number of projects and partners, accentuates its role in enhancing the European Research Area's visibility. Approximately 23.4% of the 8,800 analysed projects explicitly mention "change" or "transformation" in their objectives. The highest commitment ratios were found in "Careers and universities" and "Promote and co-fund innovation programmes," while some priorities, like "Promoting Public Outreach," showed no such commitment. This variation suggests differing focal points across thematic priorities, warranting further investigation into the factors influencing these disparities.