Issue #3 (Volume 24 2026)

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Understanding factors that drive employee performance in SMEs is crucial, as human resources are central to success. This study was conducted among batik-producing SMEs in East Java Province, Indonesia, a cultural heritage sector of labor-intensive, skills-based businesses that rely on employees to maintain production quality, sales service, and sustainability. Although entrepreneurial leadership and employer branding are recognized as drivers of employee outcomes, prior studies have examined them separately in large organizations, limiting understanding of their combined effects in SMEs. This study aims to examine the effects of entrepreneurial leadership and employer branding on employee performance, with employee engagement as a mediator and organizational trust as a moderator. Data were collected from 357 employees of batik-producing SMEs in East Java Province, Indonesia, between October and December 2025. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling, targeting production, sales, and administrative staff, as these groups contextually represent core operations. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results show that entrepreneurial leadership (β = 0.222, p < 0.001) and employer branding (β = 0.476, p < 0.001) positively influence employee performance. Both variables exhibit significant indirect effects through employee engagement (β = 0.074, p < 0.01; β = 0.045, p < 0.01). Organizational trust strengthens the entrepreneurial leadership–employee engagement relationship (β = 0.135, p < 0.01) but weakens the employer branding–employee engagement relationship (β = −0.165, p < 0.01). These findings clarify how entrepreneurial leadership and employer branding shape employee performance in batik SMEs under uncertain environments.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
The study develops a framework for forecasting conflict-related socio-economic vulnerabilities in a cross-country sample using indicators of armed conflict risk, forced displacement, and illicit practices. The analysis uses panel data covering 135 countries over 2012–2024. The Conflict Risk Index, Refugee Load Index, and Cyber Vulnerability Index were constructed using standardized indicators and Principal Component Analysis. The Cyber Vulnerability Index is a proxy for digital exposure to cyber-related disruptions. First-difference panel regressions identified associations between conflict- and migration-related risks and socio-economic indicators. Separately, GRU neural networks were applied to forecast these indicators, while comparative quartile-based ablation and scenario-based perturbation analyses assessed the contribution and sensitivity of corruption, AML-related risk, and cyber vulnerability across country groups. Regression analysis showed that the Conflict Risk Index was statistically associated with deterioration in GDP, GDP per capita, GDP per capita growth, political stability, life expectancy, labor force dynamics, and migration balance. The Refugee Load Index was associated with positive net migration alongside weaker economic growth and lower political stability in host countries. Forecasting results were heterogeneous: adding corruption, AML-related risk, and cyber vulnerability indicators improved accuracy for several targets, but deteriorated performance for some variables and showed evidence of overfitting for GDP per capita in the conflict-risk specification. In high-conflict-risk countries, the largest forecast improvements were for life expectancy (61.02%), GDP per capita (43.96%), and net migration (10.75%); in high-refugee-load countries, they were observed for life expectancy (60.30%), political stability (38.41%), and net migration (16.20%). The framework can support early warning, resilience assessment, and crisis response.

Acknowledgment
We acknowledge with gratitude the financial support provided by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for the research project “Cybersecurity and digital transformations of the country’s wartime economy: the fight against cybercrime, corruption and the shadow sector,” state registration number 0124U000544.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Employee involvement in environment-oriented innovation is increasingly recognized as a key driver of organizational sustainability. This study explores the influence of organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment as a mediator in the relationship between psychological empowerment and green innovative work behavior, while considering perceived green organizational support as a moderator variable. This study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing data collected through a survey conducted in June 2025 among 222 employees of plantation companies in Indonesia using purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling, supplemented with simple slope analysis to test for interaction effects. The results indicate that psychological empowerment has a positive and significant influence on green innovative work behavior (β = 0.253, p < 0.001) and on organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment (β = 0.569, p < 0.001). Organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment also significantly influences green innovative work behavior (β = 0.312, p = 0.004) and was found to mediate the relationship between psychological empowerment and green innovative work behavior (β = 0.178, p = 0.009). Furthermore, perceived green organizational support was found to moderate the influence between organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment and green innovative work behavior (β = 0.096, p = 0.018), such that the effect of organizational citizenship behavior on green innovation becomes stronger when perceptions of organizational support for the environment are high. By integrating individual psychological factors, voluntary environmental behaviors, and organizational support into a single framework, the study expands the understanding of sustainable, green innovative behaviors.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Drawing on institutional and communication theories, this study tests whether regulatory adaptation and cultural training drive project success and whether communication efficiency mediates these relationships. A mixed-method design was adopted. Quantitatively, a structured questionnaire was administered to project personnel involved in Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group (YCIH) overseas delivery in Southeast Asia, yielding 412 valid responses. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with bootstrapping was used to assess the measurement model, direct effects, and mediation. Qualitatively, 18 semi-structured interviews were used to triangulate the interpretation of coordination frictions and improvement levers. The interview evidence indicated that regulatory translation gaps, bilingual document control, culturally different feedback norms, and delayed closure of site issues were recurrent communication bottlenecks. Regulatory adaptation and cultural training positively affect communication efficiency (β = 0.347 and β = 0.359, p < 0.001). Communication efficiency positively affects project success (β = 0.406, p < 0.001). Regulatory adaptation and cultural training also show positive direct effects (β = 0.245 and β = 0.160, p < 0.001). Communication efficiency partially mediated the relationship between regulatory adaptation and project success, and cultural training and project success through significant indirect effects (β = 0.141 and β = 0.146, p < 0.001). The model explains 33.9% of the variance in communication efficiency and 43.6% of the variance in project success. The study integrates regulatory and cultural capability-building into a communication-based mechanism for international project success, providing actionable guidance for contractors operating across institutional and cultural boundaries.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Although Ecuador has a high rate of women’s business ownership, only a small proportion of these enterprises operate within the technology sector. This study aims to examine women’s technological entrepreneurship in Ecuador using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 female entrepreneurs between September and October 2025. The findings revealed recurring themes in participants’ experiences, including gender inequality, bureaucratic obstacles, conservative social attitudes, and limited access to professional networks. Despite these challenges, the entrepreneurs emphasize that they possess considerable resilience and innovation, adapting to emerging technologies and building strategic support networks. Participants also highlighted the importance of inclusive public policies to address these barriers and promote a more equitable and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem for women in the technology sector. Although the study focuses on a single country, its findings provide valuable insights into the current state of women’s technological entrepreneurship and highlight the significant role of the institutional and social environment in shaping the development of such ventures.

Acknowledgment
We would like to thank the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, CENTRUM, our families, and colleagues for their support throughout this process.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a key driver of employment and economic growth in South Africa, yet their increasing reliance on digital technologies has significantly increased exposure to cyber threats that can undermine customer trust and business sustainability. However, empirical evidence on how cybersecurity investment influences customer trust among SMEs in South Africa remains limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between cybersecurity investment and customer trust among SMEs operating in the retail, hospitality, e-commerce, professional services, and small-scale manufacturing sectors in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. These sectors were selected because of their high dependence on digital transactions and customer data processing. A quantitative research design was adopted using primary data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to SME owners and senior managers between 2024 and 2025. A total of 375 valid responses were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression techniques. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship between cybersecurity investment and customer trust (r = 0.312, p < 0.001). Regression analysis further indicates that cybersecurity investment explains 9.7% of the variance in customer trust (R2 = 0.097, p < 0.05). SMEs that implemented secure digital payment systems, data protection measures, employee cyber-awareness training, and compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) reported higher levels of customer confidence and perceived business credibility. These findings highlight that strategic investment in cybersecurity contributes to strengthening customer trust and improving the competitiveness and resilience of digitally enabled SMEs in South Africa.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Highly skilled and experienced professionals are essential to most profit-making organizations to sustain and remain competitive. This study aims to examine the central challenge of retaining skilled professionals in Malaysia, a key factor in sustaining organizational competitiveness and long-term profitability. A sample of 200 millennials was used to evaluate the potential for employee retention in relation to work-life balance, work environment, compensation, and supervisor support. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships among the constructs. The analysis shows that compensation (β = 0.353, t = 2.869, p = 0.002, f2 = 0.153) is the strongest predictor of employee retention, followed by work environment (β = 0.283, t = 1.653, p = 0.049, f2 = 0.082) and work-life balance (β = 0.246, t = 2.253, p = 0.012, f2 = 0.097). Together, these three factors explain 66.6% of the variance (R2 = 0.666) in employee retention, which is considered substantial. In contrast, supervisor support (β = 0.080, t = 0.681, p = 0.248, f2 = 0.010) does not significantly influence employee retention. Overall, the results show that financial rewards, supportive working conditions, and work-life balance are key drivers of professional retention in Malaysia. Instead of losing highly skilled employees to competitors, it is important to retain them by offering competitive pay, a positive work environment, and a fair work-life balance.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
As emerging economies pivot toward regenerative models, agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises face increasing pressure to harmonize sustainability with market performance. This study investigates the mechanisms through which green supply chain management and circular economy orientation drive sustainable competitive advantage, specifically focusing on the agricultural sector in Vietnam. Data were collected from 369 agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. The empirical results reveal that the structural model accounts for 43.3% of the variance in sustainable competitive advantage. While both strategies significantly enhance competitive outcomes, circular economy orientation (β = 0.307, p < 0.001) exhibits a stronger positive association with sustainable competitive advantage compared to green supply chain management (β = 0.181, p < 0.001). Furthermore, dynamic capabilities act as a potential mediator, partially mediating the relationship between green orientations and market superiority. Notably, market turbulence significantly strengthens the relationship between dynamic capabilities and sustainable competitive advantage (β = 0.098, p = 0.024), highlighting the boundary condition that enhances the strategic value of organizational agility. These findings suggest that for small and medium-sized enterprises in volatile emerging markets, transitioning from operational greening to systemic circularity is essential for long-term resilience and securing a robust competitive position.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Innovative and effective territorial development drives the country’s economic growth and its ability to compete on the world stage. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the effectiveness of regional innovative development and to use cluster analysis to identify typological groups of regions and pinpoint priority points of innovative growth. The study’s statistical database consists of official data from the Bureau of Statistics of Kazakhstan for the period 2003–2024. The study used econometric methods such as panel regression, stochastic, and cluster analysis. The results demonstrate that the innovative development of the regions of Kazakhstan is positively influenced by the human resource factor (β = 1.131, p < 0.001) and socio-economic development (β = 1.894, p < 0.001), and negatively influenced by the level of R&D costs (β = –0.473, p = 0.016). The results of the SFA analysis showed that regions with industrial specialization have the most effective innovative development (Pavlodar TE = 0.764, Kostanay TE = 0.751) in the production of innovative products, and that growth may be driven by investments in fixed assets (SFA (β =1.565, p < 0.001)). Cluster analysis showed that сluster 1 is characterized by a high level of commercialization, whereas сluster 4 demonstrates a high level of innovation activity; cluster 2 has a high level of knowledge intensity and return on science; cluster 3 has a good technological base. The results showed that a high level of financing does not always lead to breakthrough innovation.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is associated with perceived performance management efficiency of organizations in the United Kingdom. Drawing on the technology acceptance model (TAM), the study tests a revised partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) model in which AI implementation level and AI sophistication predict perceived usefulness, AI training for HR teams predicts perceived ease of use, perceived ease of use predicts perceived usefulness, and perceived usefulness, together with AI utilization maturity, predicts performance management efficiency. Data were collected from 320 decision-makers in the United Kingdom using AI in performance management. The results support all six hypotheses: AI implementation level (beta = 0.188, p < .001), AI sophistication (beta = 0.222, p < .001), AI training for HR teams (beta = 0.256, p < .001), perceived ease of use (beta = 0.336, p < .001), perceived usefulness (beta = 0.324, p < .001), and AI utilization maturity (beta = 0.405, p < .001) were positively associated with their respective endogenous constructs. The model explained 36.0% of the variance in perceived performance management efficiency. The findings contribute to research on AI-enabled HR analytics by showing how organizational AI capabilities and TAM perceptions jointly predict perceived improvements in performance management.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Education–job mismatch is a critical challenge in Vietnam, as rapid educational expansion and changing labor demand have intensified concerns regarding efficient human capital allocation. Despite growing attention to mismatch, there is limited evidence on how labor market structures and provincial institutional conditions jointly shape mismatch outcomes.
This study investigates the determinants of education–job mismatch using data from the 2022 Vietnam Labor Force Survey (LFS) and provincial institutional indicators from the 2022 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). Education–job mismatch is measured by comparing workers’ educational attainment with occupational skill requirements. A multinomial logit model is employed to estimate the likelihood of under- and overeducation relative to adequately matched employment, based on data from 411,173 workers.
The results show that educational attainment is systematically associated with observed mismatch outcomes. Compared with workers with upper secondary education, college graduates exhibit a relative risk ratio (RRR) of 39.87 and university graduates an RRR of 10.63 for overeducation. Workers employed in foreign-invested enterprises are 3.42 times more likely to be overeducated than workers in the state sector. Provincial institutional conditions are also associated with a mismatch. The Labor Training Index is associated with a lower likelihood of overeducation (RRR = 0.89), whereas the Informal Charges Index is positively associated with overeducation (RRR = 1.19).
The findings suggest that education–job mismatch in Vietnam reflects broader structural and institutional conditions in addition to individual characteristics. Strengthening workforce training systems and improving alignment between education and labor demand may contribute to more efficient human capital allocation.

Acknowledgment
This study uses secondary data obtained from the 2022 Vietnam Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) and the 2022 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) published by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). Access to the LFS microdata is subject to the data access and usage regulations of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, while PCI data are publicly available through the official PCI database.
The study is based exclusively on anonymized secondary data and does not involve direct participation of human subjects or access to personally identifiable information. Therefore, formal ethical approval was not required.
The authors received no specific funding for this research and declare no conflict of interest.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used solely to assist with language editing, grammar checking, and improving the clarity of academic writing. All analyses, interpretations, results, and conclusions were developed and verified by the authors, who assume full responsibility for the content of this manuscript.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Against the backdrop of economic stagnation, weak external demand, and rising social disparities, this study examines the determinants of economic growth in Germany. Specifically, it investigates the long- and short-run effects of gross capital formation (GCF), government expenditure on education (GEE), and income inequality (GINI) on GDP per capita (GDPPC) over the period 1996–2022. The empirical analysis applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach, supported by unit root tests, an error correction model (ECM), and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimation. The results confirm the existence of a long-run cointegration relationship among the variables, as the F-statistic of 5.67 surpasses the upper bound critical value at the 1% significance level. The ECM results show that approximately 51.8% of short-run deviations are corrected within one year, indicating a moderate speed of adjustment toward long-run equilibrium. FMOLS estimates suggest that gross capital formation and government expenditure on education are positively associated with GDP per capita in the long run, with coefficients of 0.475 and 0.088, respectively. Income inequality also exhibits a statistically significant but relatively small positive association with economic growth (0.024). In addition, external shocks show asymmetric effects, where financial crises are associated with a 0.055 increase in GDP per capita, while pandemic-related shocks are associated with a 0.089 decrease. Overall, the findings indicate that capital formation and public education expenditure are key long-run correlates of economic growth in Germany, while inequality and external shocks play supplementary but comparatively smaller roles in shaping growth dynamics.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Supply chain integration has become critical for improving firm performance in highly competitive and uncertain manufacturing environments. This study examines the relationships between supplier integration, internal integration, customer integration, and supply chain performance, while also investigating the moderating role of information and communication technology (ICT) capability in Vietnamese manufacturing firms. The study uses survey data collected from 386 middle and senior managers during 2024 and applies partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test six hypotheses grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) and the extended resource-based view (ERBV). The results indicate that supplier integration (β = 0.249, p < 0.001), internal integration (β = 0.357, p < 0.001), and customer integration (β = 0.388, p < 0.001) are positively associated with supply chain performance. The model explains 71.1% of the variance in supply chain performance. The findings suggest that the moderating role of ICT capability is more evident in the relationships between supplier integration, internal integration, and supply chain performance than in the relationship between customer integration and supply chain performance. This study contributes to the supply chain integration literature by providing evidence from an emerging economy and highlighting the heterogeneous moderating role of ICT capability across different dimensions of supply chain integration.

Acknowledgment
We would like to thank the National Economics University for funding this research through its Academic Development and Research Support Initiative. 

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Contemporary organizations face mounting pressure to adapt beyond the imperatives of market competition, navigating demands that span digital disruption, sustainability transitions, and systemic institutional change. Despite the centrality of dynamic capabilities as an explanatory framework in strategic management, the literature has predominantly examined them through the lens of competitive advantage, leaving broader organizational and societal applications underexplored. This study addresses that gap by examining how the dynamic capabilities framework is theorized and applied in contexts beyond firm-level competitive advantage. A systematic literature review combined with bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus, covering peer-reviewed publications from 1995 to 2025. Three search strings, dynamic capabilities and technology, dynamic capabilities and ambidexterity, and dynamic capabilities and sustainability, yielded 750 articles after applying inclusion, exclusion, and quality criteria. VOSviewer was used for keyword co-occurrence mapping and cluster visualization, while qualitative thematic coding was conducted in MAXQDA to deepen interpretation. The analysis identified four structurally interconnected clusters: innovation, digital transformation, technology, and sustainability. The findings suggest that innovation is frequently treated in the literature as a key enactment mechanism of dynamic capabilities, with 691 co-occurrences and 215 overlapping coded segments. Sustainability represented the largest and most rapidly expanding domain, with 352 filtered articles, while technology functioned as an enabling layer rather than a capability in itself. These findings demonstrate that dynamic capabilities are undergoing a substantive reorientation, from performance-centric mechanisms toward integrative governance processes for navigating socio-technical complexity. Organizations should embed dynamic capabilities in innovation routines, digitally supported sensing processes, and sustainability-aligned strategic priorities.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
The performance of public hospitals in Indonesia is becoming critical amid demands for high-quality care and resource constraints. The role of accreditation and managerial innovative capabilities (MIC) in driving performance, including through quality of care, still requires empirical evidence. This study aims to examine the influence of accreditation and MIC on Indonesian public hospital performance through service quality as a mediating variable. This study uses a quantitative survey-based approach, involving 136 respondents from various Public Service Agency hospitals in Indonesia. Data were collected from September 2024 to January 2025 using a combination of Google Forms and direct surveys conducted at public hospitals. Data were analyzed using SMART-PLS. The findings show that accreditation has a positive and significant influence on hospital performance (β = 0.499, t = 6.367, p = 0.000), as well as on service quality (β = 0.724, t = 20.477, p = 0.000). Service quality has a positive effect on performance (β = 0.417, t = 5.689, p = 0.000). Testing of indirect effects revealed partial mediation, meaning that accreditation influences hospital performance through service quality (β = 0.302, t = 6.046, p = 0.000). Surprisingly, however, MIC did not have a significant effect on hospital performance (β = 0.002, t = 0.035, p = 0.486). The R-squared value of 0.726 indicates moderate-to-substantial explanatory power. Thus, these findings confirm that the impact of accreditation becomes more meaningful when standards are internalized into continuous service quality improvements, making service quality important for enhanced hospital performance.

Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the support funding for the publication of this study from Endowment Fund for Education Agency LPDP Ministry of Finance of Republic Indonesia, Center for Higher Education Funding and Assessment (PPAPT), The Indonesian Education Scholarship Beasiswa Pendidikan Indonesia (BPI) Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of Republic Indonesia, awarded to Dahlia.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Drawing on social exchange theory, the study aims to explore the influence of workplace favoritism on counterproductive work behavior (CWB), with the mediating role of organizational cynicism and organizational silence and the moderating role of self-efficacy. A modified two-stage questionnaire was used to collect data in 2025 from 487 full-time employees from the private services sector in Iraq using non-probability convenience sampling. Hierarchical multiple regression and bootstrapping analysis were conducted to test the hypotheses, using SPSS 21.0 and Mplus 6.0. This study extends the literature on workplace favoritism as a prominent predictor of CWB (β = 0.31, p < 0.01). The study also highlighted the mediating role of both organizational cynicism (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) and silence (β = 0.56, p < 0.001). Furthermore, we extend prior research by exploring the moderating role of self-efficacy, as its interaction with workplace favoritism reduced the positive impact between workplace favoritism and both organizational cynicism (β = –0.19, p < 0.05) and silence (β = –0.21, p < 0.05) and reduced their indirect impact on CWB. The study recommends that organizational management should promote awareness of the harmful effects of favoritism and highlight the dangers of negative behaviors stemming from it, specifically organizational cynicism and silence, as these are prominent intermediate indicators of CWB. In addition, this study could provide useful guidance for reducing CWB by focusing on self-efficacy as a moderating variable that decreases the impact of favoritism on cynicism and organizational silence.

Acknowledgments
We are grateful to the University of Mosul, College of Administration and Economics, for providing facilities, which helped to improve the quality of this paper.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study aims to examine the relationship between public education expenditure, student enrollment, and crime among educated individuals in Azerbaijan over the period 1998–2023. Using annual time-series data, the analysis investigates whether education-related public investment and educational participation are associated with changes in criminal activity within the educated population. The empirical findings reveal the existence of a stable long-run relationship among the variables, indicating that education expenditure, student enrollment, and crime dynamics evolve in an interconnected manner over time. The results further demonstrate that both public education expenditure (Wald = 11.356, p = 0.003) and student enrollment (Wald = 27.576, p < 0.001) possess statistically significant predictive power in explaining variations in crime among educated individuals. In particular, the stronger statistical effect observed for student enrollment suggests that broader participation in the education system may play a particularly important role in shaping long-term crime patterns. Overall, the findings indicate that education policy extends beyond its conventional function of human capital development and may contribute to broader social outcomes, including the reduction of crime-related vulnerabilities. By providing empirical evidence from Azerbaijan as a transition economy, this study contributes to the growing literature examining the wider societal implications of education policy and its role in promoting long-term social stability and sustainable development.