Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development

EXPLORING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN START-UP ECOSYSTEMS

Ni Made Estiyanti — 2025-03-28

A start-up involves creating a new company in an unpredictable environment with limited resources, and human resource management (HRM) is often undervalued in small firms. This review study emphasizes the significance of HRM in start-ups by 219 publications through Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA) using the Scopus database. HRM critical challenge is focusing on the development of effective entrepreneurial teams. HRM in start-ups also includes modern processes and digital transformation, which can enhance performance and support sustainable development goals. The findings provide valuable insights for both practitioners and academics, suggesting tailored approaches to navigate the unique challenges faced by start-ups.

ENVIRONMENTALLY ORIENTED INNOVATIONS AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL ENTERPRISES

Denys Krylov — 2025-03-28

In the article, modern economic trends affecting the development of innovative and active enterprises implementing environmental projects are identified. The following methods were used: formalization, dialectical, decomposition, generalization, comparative, and graphical. The interrelationship of environmentally oriented innovations with economic development of regions and the impact on the environment is considered and graphically presented. Ways to intensify implementation of ecologically oriented innovations as a tool for sustainable development of enterprises in the region are proposed. Advantages of implementing these innovations are revealed. Prospective directions for implementation of ecologically oriented innovations are reflected. The European experience regarding active development of ecologically oriented innovations is outlined, which involves formation of the systemic approach to the use of transformational aspects of ecologically oriented innovations and study of their impact on effective functioning of the sustainable management mechanism of natural resources. The unified strategic position of EU countries on formation of strategic vision of innovative and ecological development of enterprises, taking into account globalization processes, using complex multi-level approach to formation and implementation of the policy of ecologically oriented innovations, was studied. Modern trends in environmental orientation of enterprises in EU countries are analyzed.

THE ROLE OF INTERNAL CONTROL INTEGRATION IN ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Rita Bužinskienė — 2025-03-28

Enhancement of internal control is a relevant and ongoing process in organizational performance. This process involves the systematic design, application and monitoring of an organization’s internal control measures to achieve its objectives, minimize errors and financial losses as well as to comply with legal requirements. Enhanced integration of internal control into the efficiency of organizational performance not only helps to identify and control risks, but also ensures the efficient use of resources, improves the quality of performance processes and promotes the responsibility and integrity of employees. The aim of this study is to analyze how the internal control integration contributes to the improvement of organizational performance and to identify success factors and areas for improvement. The study results reveal that most employees are actively involved in the processes of internal control, but some of them lack information or a clear understanding of these processes. This points to the need for enhanced communication and training to improve staff understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Although the organization has a clear structure, there is a lack of information on its meaning and principles of ethics. In addition, there are weaknesses in communication and a lack of focus on strategic aspects. The study shows that clearer dissemination of communication on internal procedures, control procedures and the use of technology needs to be ensured to achieve greater efficiency and transparency. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of internal control system integration on the efficiency, transparency and competitiveness of organizational performance. It contributes to the optimization of control processes and to the development of scientific knowledge on internal control.

DIGITAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS: STRATEGIC MARKETING OF MODERN ENTERPRISES

Volodymyr Lagodiienko — 2025-03-28

Within the article, main theoretical provisions of development of domestic marketing strategy in the context of introduction of business communication technologies are studied. The state of digital technologies use in activities of enterprises is considered and global endogenous factors of their spread are substantiated. Main trending technologies of marketing activities based on digitalization have been determined. Relevance of using the network structure of business communication management within digital technologies spread is substantiated. It is proposed to consider the marketing strategy as a complex system of elements that contributes to transformation of marketing activity into a new plane based on implementation of digital tools of communication interaction. Using the strategic map as a marketing tool is proposed, the result of which is obtaining analytical information on effectiveness of digital communications in terms of the main components of the enterprise's functioning.

ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCES FOR DESIGN STUDENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LATVIAN AND UKRANIAN STUDENTS

Jevgenija Dehtjare — 2025-03-28

The relevance of the research is high as it addresses the intersection of entrepreneurship education and creative industries, focusing on design students in Latvia and Ukraine. It highlights the importance of the perceived entrepreneurial competencies for enhancing the employability and innovation potential of the students of the creative industries, thus impacting the national economy and resilience.

The problem of the research lies in the identification and evaluation of entrepreneurial competencies among design students in Latvia and Ukraine.

The purpose of this research is to investigate which entrepreneurship competencies are the most important to the students of design-related programs from HEIs of Latvia and Ukraine, as well as to see if there is a difference in the perceived importance of these competencies between the two countries and, finally, how the students perceive the opportunities to start a business and to suggest according to recommendations for the higher education institutions.

The research methods - quantitative research design was used to collect data in a survey of students of Latvian and Ukrainian HEIs.

The main results revealed which competencies are the most valued and if there are any differences between Latvian and Ukrainian students. It also demonstrated the level of the preparedness of the students to start their own businesses.

CIVIL LIABILITY OF SHARING ECONOMY OPERATORS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE APPLICATION OF TORT LIABILITY

Eglė Brinkman — 2025-03-28

The sharing economy platforms, such as Uber, Bolt, and Airbnb, often limit liability by claiming intermediary status between service providers and users. However, in Lithuania and other jurisdictions, such limitations may be invalid if they attempt to disclaim liability for gross negligence or intent. The study explores challenges in applying tort liability to these platforms, focusing on the nature of platform-provider relationships and vicarious liability under employment or control frameworks. Using comparative and systematic analysis methods, the article identifies gaps in regulation and proposes solutions such as “respondeat superior” and independent contractor liability theories. Legislative recommendations include prohibiting excessive liability disclaimers, defining criteria for employment and contractor relationships, and promoting stricter provider oversight.

REGULATORY POLICY OF THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF STATE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Volodymyr Filippov — 2025-03-28

The purpose of the article is to develop and substantiate the theoretical foundations of the formation of a regulatory policy for the use of artificial intelligence in the context of the socio-economic development of the state. The theoretical foundations of the development of a regulatory policy for the use of artificial intelligence are considered. To substantiate the conceptual provisions of determining the prerequisites of the regulatory policy of the use of artificial intelligence, it is advisable to use a modified methodical approach of SWOT analysis. The world experience of the development of the institutional foundations of the use of artificial intelligence in the leading spheres of the national economy has been studied. The need for the formation of an appropriate organizational mechanism of regulatory policy as a set of tools, methods, approaches of the state's economic policy. The specifics of the implementation of the regulatory policy mechanism for the use of artificial intelligence in the context of a systemic approach are considered. The potential possibilities of applying regulatory policy in the context of identifying production, social, and institutional potentials are substantiated. It is proposed to use the SWOT analysis method to assess the prerequisites and justify the strategic directions of the regulatory policy in the field of artificial intelligence.

BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF BRAND EQUITY RESEARCH IN FAST FOOD BUSINESSES (2013 – 2023)

Bravo Muchuu — 2025-03-28

Purpose: This study performs a systematic review of the scientific literature regarding brand equity in fast food businesses. Bibliometric analysis fucuses on the publication growth, subject area, geographic distribution of publications, productive journals and authors, keywords, and citations. Method: Relevant articles were identified using search engines in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The PRISMA methodology was applied, and 82 relevant articles were found to be suitable for analysis. All identified articles were further analysed to determine the complete picture of the field of knowledge. Findings: The research reveals influential articles, authors, journals, and institutions within the field of brand equity and fast-food businesses. It has been found that no study related to the topic was conducted in Africa. All the studies reviewed were done in USA, China, Europe, and the Middle East. Popular keywords in the study area have also been reported. The research contributes to the better understanding of the field of brand equity and helps scholars and researchers to identify quality literature, research areas as well as appropriate journals for publishing their own findings. Contributions/implications: The study reveals research trends as well as areas that have received limited attention. The identification of such research trends or gaps guides future research efforts and help scholars and researchers to focus on underexplored aspects of brand equity in the fast-food industry. Considering the study findings and the identified highly cited articles, further qualitative analysis can be provided to determine the most prolific research trends.

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION AND TOURISM POTENTIAL OF REGIONS IN THE CONDITIONS OF MODERN CHALLENGES

Vira Lebedieva — 2025-03-28

The article examines the main theoretical aspects of managing the development of the recreational and tourism potential of the Ukraine’s regions in the conditions of current challenges. The importance of the following directions of potential development in the context of sustainable development is noted. The content of the concept of “recreational and tourism potential” is specified. The expediency of its research in the context of a systemic approach as a complex dynamic system is substantiated. Based on the synergy of the structural components, the system characteristics of the recreational and tourism potential are determined. The importance of state support, the use of administrative tools for the development of recreation and tourism potential based on taking into account the interests of local and regional organizations and institutions in the field of tourism, as well as the use of a cluster approach in the management of recreation and tourism potential is substantiated. The method of comprehensive assessment of the potential in the context of determining the prerequisites for the formation of a tourism and recreational cluster based on the calculation of an integral indicator is proposed.

THE ROLE OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE DIMENSIONS IN ENHANC-ING OIL AND GAS SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY- CASE STUDY IN NORTH OIL COMPANY

Waleed Ali Hussein Al-Zaidi — 2025-03-28

This study examines the role of operational excellence dimensions—namely Health and Safety, Assets and Process Reliabil-ity, Operational Efficiency, and Environmental Performance—in enhancing the efficiency of the oil and gas supply chain due to diagnosing a gap in existing research on the relationship between these dimensions. The study was conducted at the North Oil Company specifically the departments related to the current study, which included four departments, namely (Pe-troleum Engineering Department, Drilling Department, Lines Department, and Production Department). The study data was collected through personal interviews with the department managers, assistant department managers, division managers, and engineers working in the departments related to the study to gain insight into the company’s operations. Additionally, 31 questionnaires were distributed across relevant departments. The data were analyzed using SPSS software to identify corre-lations, assess impact, and test the study’s hypotheses.
The findings indicated significant correlations between all dimensions of operational excellence and supply chain efficien-cy, with the highest correlation (0.70**) observed between Assets and Process Reliability and supply chain efficiency. Sig-nificant impact relationships were also observed.
The study recommends enhancing the operational excellence dimensions to sustainably improve supply chain efficiency in the oil and gas sector, a fundamental pillar of the Iraqi economy.

AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES AS AN INDICATOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

Mariya Karpyak — 2025-03-28

It has been revealed how inadequate access to medical services manifests as social exclusion, leading to poverty and limited life opportunities. The way the decentralization reform contributes to improving access to social services is examined. Significant dysfunctions in the healthcare system are identified, particularly due to variability in service accessibility levels across different regions. A methodological approach to assessing the accessibility of medical aid is proposed, including the development of integral indices that consider multiple dimensions of the quality of medical care. The necessity for strategic intervention by the state to reduce social exclusion through improved access to social services is emphasized, especially in light of contemporary challenges such as military actions in Ukraine. The importance of understanding the interconnections between social infrastructure and societal inclusiveness is demonstrated, highlighting the role of accessible social services in forming a more equitable and cohesive society.

MECHANISMS FOR DEVELOPING TOURISM CLUSTERS TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF UKRAINE'S TOURISM INDUSTRY

Oksana Lytvyn — 2025-03-28

The article proves that tourism clusters are one of the effective tools for the development of the tourism industry, since their activities contribute to increasing the competitiveness of enterprises, optimizing the use of resources, introducing innovations, interaction between tourism market participants and developing the regional economy. The purpose of the article is to identify effective approaches to the formation of cluster associations to enhance the competitiveness of the tourism industry of Ukraine. The economic advantages and prospects for the development of tourism cluster associations in certain regions of Ukraine are determined. The authors propose an optimal model that is comprehensive and takes into account the peculiarities of regional tourist attractions, tourist resources, infrastructure of tourist destinations and cluster associations of enterprises.