The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between household (HH) composition and HH expenditure using quantile regression. Secondary data for the analysis were obtained from the 2017–2018 Household Budget Survey, utilizing a sample of 296 HHs. The analysis reveals significant heterogeneity in expenditure determinants across the distribution of HHs.Theanalysis further revealed that secondary education increases expenditure by 0.53–0.77 log points (p < 0.05) across quantiles, while urban residence shows a consistent positive effect (p < 0.01 in all quantiles). There is a widening expenditure gap between urban and rural HHs across quantiles, with urban HHs spending 25–38% more. The findings also revealed that there is a positive effect of HH size and that expenditure diminishes from 0.13 (20th quantile) to negligible at higher expenditure levels. The findings highlight the need for differentiated policies, with education inter ventions showing greater returns for middle-income HHs (pseudo R2 = 0.14–0.16) and social protection being more crucial for larger, low-expenditure HHs. The analysis also shows that medium and large HH sizes are linked with higher expenditures, especially among middle- and upper-income groups, suggesting growing consumption needs with family expansion. Formal employment emerges as a crucial driver of spending capacity from the 40th percentile upward. The f indings underscore the importance of tailored, income-sensitive policy interventions that address both poverty reduction and sustainable HH development across the expenditure spectrum.
The recent agitation from labor unions in Nigeria for an upward review of wages as a result of hyper-inflation is a typical response in recessionary gaps and introduces new spheres of complexities in the dynamics of an already underper forming labor market. A novel feature of this research is its focus on the actual labor market rigidities (as opposed to the technological changes or skill mismatches) that cause long-run unemployment to persist in the Nigerian economy, a departure from current literature. To this end, this study attempts to eliminate cyclical and frictional noise via the application of a disaggregated labor market model within the real business cycle framework. This approach allows for a moreefficientdiagnosis of the threshold effects of wage–price interactions and the structural unemployment problem in the Nigerian labor market. Results show that the policy of upward wage adjustments in response to rising inflation rates can explain the structural unemployment levels in the Nigerian economy. Data analysis reveals that a strictly positive relationship exists between wage growth and price levels such that labor market rigidities are intensified in line with progressive wage policy regimes as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned. The study recommends a policy switch from wage increments to price controls in order to reduce the long-run unemployment rate and improve the overall dynamics of the Nigerian labor market.
This study examines the foreign direct investment (FDI) dynamics in Romania during the challenging 2020–2023 period characterized by multiple global shocks– the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions of supply chains, and geopolitical instability. Despite these adverse conditions, Romania demonstrated remarkable resilience in attracting and retaining foreign capital, with FDI flows reaching record levels in 2022. The research combines macroeconomic analysis of national FDI trends with a comparative case study of two prominent multinational companies in the fast-moving consumer goods sector: Procter & Gamble and Unilever Romania. Through examination of financial performance indicators and strategic positioning, this study reveals how these companies have navigated market volatility while maintaining substantial contributions to Romania’s economy. The findings highlight three critical factors that influence Romania’s FDI landscape: institutional quality and regulatory stability, strategic government policies beyond tax incentives, and the competitive advantages stemming from European Union (EU) membership and geographical positioning. This research contributes to the understanding of FDI resilience during economic turbulence and provides insights for policymakers seeking to enhance Romania’s investment attractiveness in an increasingly competitive global environment. The study concludes that Romania’s ability to sustain FDI growth will depend on addressing structural challenges while leveraging its strategic advantages through coordinated, forward-looking policies.
Occupational stress is an increasingly common problem, having a significant impact on employee health and organiza tional performance. The causes of stress are varied, from overwork, tight deadlines, lack of collegial or managerial support, to inadequate working conditions and lack of work–life balance, factors that not only affect employee morale and productivity but can also lead to physical and mental health problems. This article aims to analyse this issue from the perspective of employees, studying the level to which they are aware of this phenomenon as a barrier to their professional well-being, also seeking to identify appropriate measures, which could be reflected in positive effects on the health of the organization as a whole. Through exploratory research conducted on a sample of 208 respondents, this article explores the causes of stress at work, analysing the link between stress, individual well-being in the organization, and organizational performance, emphasizing the importance of adopting an integrated approach in managing this phenomenon.
This study analyzes the heterogeneous labor market effects of digital infrastructure across 134 countries (2010–2022) using first-differenced fixed-effects panel models. Results show that in low-income economies, internet access significantly increases labor force participation but simultaneously reduces formal service employment, indicating substitution toward informal or gig work. No comparable effects are found in high-income countries, underscoring asymmetric digital transitions. These findings suggest that digital access without institutional safeguards may intensify labor precarity rather than promote inclusion. While consistent with the dual-channel hypothesis of participation and substitution, the results remain correlational, not causal.
This article explores the impact of ethics education and training on the ethical attitudes and workplace behavior of recent graduates. The study is based ona systematic literature review and analyzes secondary data, including empirical research, statistical findings, and theoretical discussions. The research question addresses whether ethics education influences the ethical attitudes of recent graduates and how it affects their behavior in the workplace. As recent graduates enter the labor market with developing value systems and behavior patterns, ethics training has the potential to shape their professional conduct significantly. This review includes studies that examine the relationship between ethics education, awareness, and behavioral outcomes. Particular attention is paid to interactive training methods such as case studies, role plays, value-based training, and group discussions, which help participants internalize ethical decision-making principles. Findings from the literature suggest that ethics training increases ethical awareness, improves conflict resolution skills, enhances employee satisfaction, and promotes an organizational culture based on integrity and collaboration. In addition, the research highlights that graduates with strong moral foundations are more likely to apply ethical principles in their work, especially when faced with dilemmas. While ethics education alone is not a guarantee for ethical behavior, it plays a vital role in reducing misconduct, strengthening workplace trust, and supporting long-term organizational success. Companies benefit not only from improved internal dynamics but also from enhanced reputation and stakeholder confidence. The findings also reflect a growing expectation from employers that graduates demonstrate responsible attitudes and ethical awareness. This study concludes that ethics education and training are essential tools in developing an ethical workplace culture, particularly in the formative career stages of young professionals. This research is useful for HR professionals, organizational leaders, educators, and policymakers who are seeking to enhance ethical standards within the workforce.
This study examines the relationship between board chair characteristics and firm performance in Indian family business group firms. Drawing on agency and stewardship theories, it investigates whether family chair leadership enhances or constrains firm performance. Using a panel dataset of 223 listed family business group firms over a five-year period, the analysis employs pooled ordinary least squares and instrumental variable two-stage least squares (IV2SLS) estimations to address potential endogeneity concerns. The results indicate that the presence of family board chairs is positively and significantly associated with firm performance, even after controlling for endogeneity. The estimated effect is economic ally meaningful, suggesting that concentrated family leadership may enhance strategic alignment and monitor efficiency in emerging market contexts. In contrast, CEO duality is negatively related to firm performance, consistent with agency based arguments regarding excessive managerial power. These findings contribute to the corporate governance literature by providing new evidence from Indian family business groups and highlighting the contextual relevance of stewardship mechanisms in emerging economies.
This study explores the influence of tax planning on the financial performance of conglomerate firms in Nigeria between 2014 and 2023. The study focuses on the roles of effective tax rate (ETR), tunneling incentive (TI), and bonus mechanism (BM). A fixed effects panel regression model was employed, validated through the Hausman test (p = 0.0036). Findings indicate that ETR and log of gross profit (LOGGP) significantly and positively affect firm performance, showing that profitable firms often bear higher tax burdens but also display stronger operational efficiency. Conversely, TI and BM recorded negative and positive coefficients, respectively, though both were statistically insignificant. The model explained 46.57% of the variation in performance, and all diagnostic checks confirmed its robustness. These findings highlight the importance of taxmanagement, corporate governance, and incentive systems in shaping the financial outcomes of conglomerates in Nigeria.
This study examined the factors that motivate student entrepreneurs in adopting sustainable entrepreneurial practices, ascertained the factors that pose a challenge to student entrepreneurs in adopting sustainable entrepreneurial practices, as well as examine the sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities available to student entrepreneurs. This study made use of the survey design. The population of this study is made up of all the students of the University of Benin, Edo State, and Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria. A sample of 450 students was taken from the two universities. However, 398 copies of the questionnaire administered were found usable for data analyses. This study made use of descriptive statistics, explanatory factor analysis, t-test, and ANOVA in order to analyze the data that were obtained from the questionnaire with the aid of IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0) software. The findings reveal that student entrepreneurs are primarily motivated to adopt sustainable practices by environmental safety concerns, self fulfillment, recognition, psychological needs, and profit considerations. The results also indicate that student entrepre neurs are inclined to develop environmentally friendly products and processes that reduce waste, minimize pollution, and lower reliance on finite natural resources. The factor analysis confirmed that students’ motivations for adopting sustain able entrepreneurship are structured around environmental–intrinsic, social recognition, and economic dimensions, while perceived challenges are grouped into institutional and structural barriers to demonstrate a clear multidimensional pattern. While gender did not significantly influence these perceptions, faculty affiliation significantly shaped environ mental and social motivation dimensions, suggesting that academic discipline plays a role in sustainability orientation. The study recommends that more awareness of sustainability, as low awareness results in the poor acceptance of sustainable products by members of society. Governments should be more involved in the training of entrepreneurs in adopting sustainable practices, especially students in tertiary institutions.
There is an increasing emphasis on the role played by digitalization in our daily life. Starting with the industrial revolution, digitalization was applied primarily in the automation of manufacturing processes or in service provider processes. As a result, the effect of digitalization in many economic sectors has grown worldwide. The enhancement of digital potential is continuously supported at the European Union level. In order to improve the lives of citizens and enterprises, the 27 EU member nations therefore develop regulations that allow digitalization to be implemented at national level. The main goal of this article is to provide an overview of Romania's digital position within the framework of the European Union. The outcomes provide important insights into this nation's strengths as well as possible growth sectors that could potentially meet the level of the European Union. In regard to this goal, the paper first proposes a brief descriptive analysis of Internet access in Romania based on certain groups related to education and occupation. This will ultimately be followed by a comparative analysis that aims to highlight the ways in which Romania and the European Union differ based on the primary dimensions of the Digital Economy and Society Index.
This paper explores strategic directions to enhance the competitiveness of Romania’s agri-food sector, focusing on the fruits and vegetables market. Despite its rich agricultural heritage and favourable climate conditions, Romania’s fruit and vegetable sector faces challenges such as low productivity, fragmented supply chains, outdated farming practices, and limited access to modern agricultural technologies. These factors have weakened its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. In response, this study identifies key strategies, including the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies, improvements in supply chain management, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices. This paper seeks to develop strategic pathways to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Romania’s fruits and vegetables sector by rigorously addressing systemic challenges and providing comprehensive information for the promotion of strategic directions of competitiveness in the agri-food market. The research adopts a quantitative approach, with a strong emphasis on a comprehensive literature review on agricultural competitiveness, this literature-driven analysis will provide a robust foundation for understanding current challenges and opportunities in the agri-food sector. This paper is important in economics as it addresses the vital role of the agri-food sector in national economic development, particularly for Romania. By identifying strategic directions to boost competitiveness, it contributes to enhancing agricultural productivity, increasing exports, improving rural livelihoods, and aligning with global market trends. The analysis suggests that by investing in sustainability, enhancing resource efficiency, climate-smart practices, and aligning production with emerging consumer trends for organic and local products, Romania can strengthen its market position. These measures will not only boost productivity but also position Romania as a key player in the European agri-food market and future competitiveness will also rely on policy support and rural development initiatives. The paper concludes with policy recommendations and strategic actions to boost productivity and sustainability in Romania’s fruits and vegetables sector.
This study investigates the influence of organizational culture on the emotion’s regulation of teachers in Arab high schools in Israel. It explores how cultural and social dynamics within the school environment affect teachers’ emotional regulation and overall performance. Through qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with principals and teachers, the study uncovers the emotional challenges teachers face, such as a sense of alienation and frustration stemming from their cultural identity as Palestinian Arabs. Findings indicate that the lack of emotional support from school leadership exacerbates these challenges, leading teachers to seek emotional relief through peer support. The study contributes to the understanding of how organizational culture impacts teacher emotions and highlights the need for leadership to foster an environment that acknowledges and supports teachers’ emotional well-being within culturally distinct educational contexts.
In 2025, Romania’s potential downgrade to junk status could be driven by a combination of worsening fiscal health, political instability, economic slowdown, and external challenges. A downgrade would likely reflect a loss of confidence in the country’s ability to maintain economic stability, service its debt, and attract investment. However, such a scenario would likely be preceded by warning signals, such as increased debt levels, budget deficits, economic contraction, or growing political unrest. Downgrading a country’s credit rating to «junk» status is a serious financial move and would typically be based on a range of economic, fiscal, and political factors. If Romania were to face such a downgrade in 2025, the reasons could stem from several issues. Rising government debt level, which is today almost 54% of the GDP, it could become a concern for investors, especially if the country struggles to meet its debt obligations or service the debt. The 7% annual budget deficit negotiated with the European Commission could be in peril and if it increases, it could create uncertainty around the ability to manage public finances effectively. The fail to enact sufficient reforms to stabilize Romania’s finances combined with a lack of political will to implement harsh fiscal consolidation measures could lead to a downgrade. If the economy slows down significantly or enters a recession, it could raise doubts about the country’s future economic prospects, and the USA tariffs are a big push in that direction, hitting the country traditional European trade partners, due to the fact that more than 70% of goods and services are traded with the EU. Due to these factors, the paper addresses the possibility of a downgrade to JUNK status for the Romanian economy, and what the economic impact should be, plus the necessary measures that have to be addressed in order to put the economy back on track. The paper will analyze statistical data from Eurostat, UNCTAD statistical data base, and TradingEconomics in order to assess the impact and possible measures in comparison the what Greece and Argentina did in order to improve their countries rating. Romania doesn’t have to invent the weal; it can learn from other countries best case scenarios and the good case measures that those economies have taken. Despite some credit agencies downgrade, the Romanian economy has the potential to recover quickly, supported by strong domestic measures, resilient growth sectors, and a proactive governmental approach to economic stability.
Today’s work market presents candidates with increasing demands and unaddressed challenges that underscore the importance of adaptability, understood as one’s capacity to adjust behaviors, thoughts, and emotions to respond effectively to changing work demands, environments, or situations. Although numerous studies have examined graduates’ intentions to leave a job or even a profession, there remains a significant knowledge gap. Drawing on social exchange theory and job embeddedness theory, the present study aims to examine how graduates from Romania and Zanzibar perceive their ability to adapt to workplace demands and their intentions for turnover. To meet this end, the authors conducted an empirical study using the survey technique, with a questionnaire as the research instrument, targeting graduates from the University of Oradea, Romania, and The State University of Zanzibar. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate the differences in adaptability to work and turnover intentions between Romanian and Zanzibaris respondents. Our findings reveal that Zanzibaris graduates scored lower than Romanian graduates in individual adaptability to work, both overall and in specific aspects, as well as in turnover intentions. Additionally, the variability of the investigated variables was lowest among Zanzibaris compared to Romanians. Specifically, respondents from both countries attributed the lowest score to the “Embracing continuous learning” component of individual adaptability to work and the highest score to the individual adaptability to work component, namely “Coping with Work Stress.” The paper contributes to a better understanding of how individual adaptability to work, combined with turnover intentions, is perceived by university graduates from Romania and Zanzibar, providing some explanations and opening new avenues for research.
According to international literature, managers who adopt a positive leadership style indicate a number of characteristics that are beneficial to the business organization, both in terms of individual and organizational performance. However, the conscious emergence and diffusion of these styles in the entrepreneurial sphere, as well as their research at the academic level in the Carpathian Basin, is still in its infancy. The aim of this study is to go beyond a general description of the styles and to explore the possibilities of their practical application, including their measurability. In this paper, we compare the measurement instruments (questionnaires) of authentic leadership presented in the literature using a comparative analysis method, and we also evaluate the measurement instruments under study by means of measurements carried out in a Hungarian company. The comparison will identify which measurement instruments, both from the literature and from the empirical point of view, could be applicable for a future larger sample study.
This paper examines the influence of the leadership styles (transformational, transactional, laissez-faire) used by school principals on the happiness, motivation and job satisfaction of teachers in Arab schools in Israel. The article presents the findings of a quantitative analysis, where the impact of the leadership styles was examined. The data was obtained using a questionnaire that was distributed to teachers. The findings show that transformational and transactional leadership style have a low influence on the happiness of teachers, and a strong influence on the motivation of teachers in Arab schools. Their use by school principals enhances the development of collaborative relations between teachers at school, and thus increases their job satisfaction, too. The authors recommend to school principals to learn and practice a mix of leadership styles, such as transformational, transactional, collaborative and empowering is formulated.
Research on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation has long shown that, while still popular, extrinsic rewards are mostly ineffective, especially in cognitive and creative tasks. To further research intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, we focused on universities, where tasks are largely cognitive and creative. This article presents a mixed-method literature review on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in academia. By synthesizing findings from empirical studies employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches, this research highlights how motivational factors influence performance, job satisfaction, and teaching practices in universities. The analysis draws on recent literature (2017–2024), selected for methodological rigor and relevance to higher education personnel. The review identifies core themes such as: the mediating role of quality culture, the importance of psychological need satisfaction, and the connection between intrinsic motivation and engaged pedagogies. Implications for institutional leadership, academic policy, and directions for future research are also discussed.
The introduction of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles by the United Nations in 2004 marked a pivotal moment in global sustainability efforts, prompting widespread adoption of ESG frameworks within the corporate and investment sectors. ESG investing, which blends financial goals with sustainable values, has gained significant traction, driving innovations in financial products such as green bonds and ESG indices. This shift in investment strategies aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is reshaping global markets, notably through exchanges like the Eurex Exchange, which launched ESG-focused financial products in response to rising demand. However, the ESG landscape is not without challenges. The lack of a universally accepted definition and the presence of competing ratings systems contribute to confusion and the potential for deceptive practices like greenwashing. Despite these issues, ESG investments continue to grow rapidly, fostering transparency and sustainability practices while posing risks related to unclear performance outcomes. Sustainability management at the company level includes not only environmental impacts but also social and governance dimensions, with strong reputational benefits for firms adopting comprehensive ESG strategies. By addressing interconnected environmental, social, and economic issues, businesses can foster competitive advantage, gain market trust, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The purpose of this article is to provide both researchers and practitioners with a better understanding of the concept of artificial intelligence, by explaining in a simplified way this concept and related concepts, since understanding the concept of artificial intelligence is very important in the current socio-economic context. This paper is a literature review. The main articles in the literature that define the concept of artificial intelligence or related concepts of artificial intelligence have been analyzed. This article provides its own analysis of the concept of artificial intelligence. The analysis is deep, as proof the article does not just summarize what is already written, but provides a holistic explanation of artificial intelligence with the aim of clarification for researchers and practitioners.
