Issue #1 (Volume 23 2025)

This study aimed to identify current research trends and future directions in the field of emotional intelligence and job performance through bibliometric and thematic analysis. Data were collected from 327 documents published between 2000 and 2024 in the Scopus database. Using descriptive statistics, bibliometric analysis, and thematic analysis with VOSViewer software, the findings indicate that the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance has been a longstanding research focus and continues to grow, especially in fields like business and management, with concentrated research efforts in leading developed nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Thematic analysis identified five primary research directions and confirmed the strong relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance. Particularly in critical fields like education, healthcare, information technology, banking, and hospitality, this topic has received considerable attention and is expected to continue producing notable research in the future. Additionally, the study’s findings suggest that the rapid advancement of science and technology, multicultural business environments, and the increasing complexity of workplace crises and conflict resolution underscore the necessity for continued exploration of emotional intelligence and its connection to job performance. Future research in this area is anticipated to diversify and expand across various industries and organizational types, adapting to the evolving demands of modern business settings.

Acknowledgment
This study is a product of the doctoral dissertation project carried out under decision No. 4740/QD-ĐHDT dated October 18, 2023, from Duy Tan University, Vietnam.

Information technologies (IT) have become a fundamental pillar for contemporary organizations, driving not only operational efficiency and automation, but also improving decision-making processes. The objective of this study was to measure the influence of the three dimensions of IT (devices, functionalities, and potentialities) on the two dimensions of productivity (service performance and performance of business processes) in service sector companies in Ecuador. Primary data were collected from 375 Ecuadorian companies at a single moment in the service sector, a sector chosen for being the one that contributes the most to the country’s economy, using a non-experimental research design. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software, with binary logistic regressions and the Nagelkerke pseudo-R² test to evaluate the explanatory power of the variables. The results indicate that IT, evaluated through its three dimensions (devices, functionalities, and potentialities), positively influences service performance by 44.80%. Similarly, these three dimensions positively influence 39.15% of the performance of business processes, empirically demonstrating that implementing IT allows achieving higher productivity levels in service companies in developing countries.

In contemporary managerial aspects, corporate social responsibility (CSR) plays an important role in the societal commitment of businesses. The objective of this study is to clarify the level of influence of corporate social responsibility management on the configuration of management control systems. In this perspective, a quantitative empirical study was conducted with 77 Moroccan companies recognized for their CSR practices by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, demonstrating their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey, offering significant insights into the effect of CSR management on management control systems. The results showed that certain aspects of CSR management significantly influence the configuration of management control, while others have no notable impact. Governance (β = 0.178, p < 0.05), consumer protection (β = 0.244, p < 0.05), and community development (β = 0.107, p < 0.05) have a positive effect, as does the CSR strategy (β = 0.393, p < 0.05), which has the greatest impact. This indicates that companies integrating CSR into their strategy generally adopt a more structured management system. On the other hand, working conditions and relationships (β = –0.019, p > 0.05) and environmental issues (β = –0.012, p > 0.05) did not show a significant effect, suggesting a limited integration of these aspects into corporate management.

The war against Ukraine has led to a substantial influx of Ukrainian migrants into many countries, including the Czech Republic. As these migrants navigate the integration process, a key aspect of their journey is often their entry into the Czech labor market. The paper aims to identify and analyze selected socio-economic aspects associated with the integration of Ukrainian immigrants, with a specific focus on their Czech language fluency, length of stay in the Czech Republic, and the underlying reasons for their migration. This quantitative research was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire. Data collection took place in the first half of 2023. The sample consisted of 158 Ukrainian immigrants. The results showed statistically significant connections between the subjective assessment of how the respondents communicate in the Czech language with the field in which they work (p < 0.05), the perception of economic status (p < 0.001), the subjective assessment of the difficulty of finding a job (p < 0.001), satisfaction with work (p < 0.005), and intention to change jobs (p < 0.005). Additionally, there are correlations between length of stay and use of original qualification (p < 0.01), reasons for migration and difficulty finding work (p < 0.05), and between subjective evaluation of the difficulty of finding a job in the Czech Republic in relation to coming to the Czech Republic (p < 0.01). The results can be used by counseling centers for foreigners and potential employers to improve Ukrainian employment opportunities in the Czech labor market.

Acknowledgments
This study is supported by the project GA JU 101/2022/S “Selected aspects of integrating foreigners living in the Czech Republic from the perspective of society and the labor market.”

The rapid digital transformation of public systems has improved interactions between governments and citizens. In Morocco, while efforts to digitalize public administration continue, the integration of artificial intelligence presents new challenges due to structural and technical limitations. This study explores the openness of Moroccan civil servants to adopting artificial intelligence solutions and examines the role of change management in facilitating this process. A quantitative approach was employed, with 129 civil servants from key ministries – Education, Finance, and Health – completing an online questionnaire. These ministries were selected due to their critical importance in the public system and their frequent interactions with citizens. Furthermore, they played a central role in the National Administrative Reform Plan (2018–2022), which emphasized digital transformation as a key pillar in advancing e-government. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing AI adoption. The findings reveal that while younger civil servants are more open to AI, over 40% of respondents pointed to insufficient digital skills as a major barrier to artificial intelligence integration. The study underscores the importance of effective change management strategies, highlighting that strong leadership and clear communication are essential in promoting artificial intelligence receptiveness and ensuring seamless integration within Morocco’s public sector.

The study aims to analyze the moderating role of eco-digital learning for the impact of the Internet of Things, blockchain, and artificial intelligence on the green supply chain to support SME internationalization. Questionnaires were distributed among 159 SME owners in Kediri, East Java, Indonesia. Hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM. The results indicate that the adoption of the Internet of Things demonstrates a significant positive effect (p = 0.0000, T-statistic = 4.6695), improving real-time monitoring and operational efficiency. Blockchain also positively affects SME internationalization (p-value = 0.0085, T-statistic = 2.6427), enhancing supply chain transparency and ensuring compliance with international standards. In contrast, the influence of artificial intelligence is marginally significant (p = 0.0799, T-statistic = 1.7548), constrained by financial limitations and lack of expertise. The moderating effects of eco-digital learning show mixed results. It significantly moderates the relationship between the Internet of Things and internationalization in a negative direction (coefficient = –0.0651, p = 0.0475), suggesting that increased eco-digital learning may add complexity, potentially delaying the benefits of the Internet of Things. For blockchain, eco-digital learning enhances its positive impact (p = 0.0277, T-statistic = 2.2085) by strengthening the organization’s ability to leverage transparency and sustainability. However, no significant moderating effect is observed for artificial intelligence (p = 0.2066, T-statistic = 1.2646), indicating limited integration due to resource constraints. These findings highlight the importance of technological readiness, resource allocation, and alignment of digital learning to fully capitalize on the benefits of these technologies in the global market expansion of SMEs.

Acknowledgments
Deepest gratitude is extended to the Ministry of Education and Culture, Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service (DRTPM), for the financial support provided through the National Competitive Research Program under the “Regular Fundamental Research” scheme for the 2024 fiscal year. This support was instrumental in enabling the successful completion of this research.

This study aimed to analyze the adaptation of workers in industrial parks in Vietnam post-COVID-19 through fluctuations in their income. Data were collected from a survey of 438 workers working in industrial parks and in-depth interviews with five workers in different positions in industrial parks. The study utilized the ordinary least squares (OLS) method to quantify the factors influencing workers’ income. Additionally, the difference test method was applied to assess the income variations among workers based on their professional qualifications and occupational skills. The most significant factor identified is the experience of workers (unstandardized coefficient = 0.271), followed by the education level of workers (unstandardized coefficient = 0.128). Additionally, the study reveals that differences in professional qualifications lead to an income disparity of 1.898 million VND per month, while the variations in complementary skills contribute to an income difference of 0.592 million VND per month. Furthermore, the adaptation of workers in Vietnam’s industrial parks post-COVID-19 is at a relatively good level. From there, the study suggests several solutions to enhance workers’ income to adapt to new post-COVID-19 conditions.

One of the main challenges in higher education management is the complexity of resource optimization and increasing volumes of data, which limits the efficiency and accuracy of decision-making. The application of artificial intelligence can address these issues.
The present study aims to identify the key trends, knowledge gaps, and opportunities for further research into the economic effects of using artificial intelligence and ChatGPT tools in higher education. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify and screen the scientific articles related to the topic of this study indexed in Web of Science and Scopus from 1986 to 2024. A total of 234 articles were selected, all demonstrating positive growth both in scholarly output and citation count. The study identified the key contributors to scientific research on this topic by region (the United States, China, and India). It concluded that the relevant research centers are still at an early stage of their development. Based on bibliometric clusters formed by co-occurrence relations, three main areas of research were defined: 1) artificial intelligence in education for decision-making; 2) process automation and digital transformation in educational institutions; 3) artificial intelligence technologies and their application in education.
The study highlights the main areas of economic effects of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT tools in higher education, including reducing administrative costs, saving time for teachers and students, and improving the quality and accessibility of educational process.

Acknowledgments
The publication is part of the research topic “Economic Basics of Technology Diffusion into the National Economy of Ukraine Considering Best International Practices” (№0124U003482).

As global conflicts and hostilities become more prevalent, it is essential to investigate the conditions necessary for the operation and growth of innovative enterprises considering post-war recovery. The paper aims to determine crucial favorable conditions for activating innovative entrepreneurship and startups in the post-war period in Ukraine. The analysis is based on inductive, qualitative data from 24 interviews with the respondents from Ukraine and the Netherlands (eight scientists, ten startup founders and entrepreneurs, two government officials, and four entrepreneurs) to identify a range of favorable factors by utilizing qualitative analysis. The paper used individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The study identified eight constraining aggregate themes (the consequences of war, policy and regulatory system, market and investment, the ecosystem, passive universities, education and skills, internationalization, and culture) and three enabling aggregate themes (the consequences of war, active universities, and the ecosystem) through the grouping of factors from the second-order code. The most significant constraining factor from aggregate themes “the consequences of war” is brain drain (40.63%). Among the eight constraining aggregate themes, 32.55% identified the policy and regulatory system as the main obstacle due to the absence of an effective strategy, ineffective legislation, passive municipalities, and bureaucracy. Moreover, the lack of funds is a critical issue in addressing the consequences of the war, financing startup projects, and creating favorable conditions. The results emphasize constraining and enabling conditions for activating innovative entrepreneurship and startups. Such results are helpful for policymakers to improve the conditions for startup development by overcoming the immediate identified obstacles.

Acknowledgment
The publication was prepared in the framework of the MSCA4Ukraine postdoctoral fellowship (Oksana Khymych Ref.№ UKR 1233171), which is funded by the European Union that provides support and funding for the Ukrainian researchers displaced by the war, while the Consortium (a consortium comprised of Scholars at Risk Europe hosted at Maynooth University, Ireland (project coordinator), the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and the European University Association (EUA)) is a collaborative network of institutions managing and implementing this initiative. The views and opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the European Union or the MSCA4Ukraine Consortium. Neither the European Union, the MSCA4Ukraine Consortium, nor any individual member institutions of the Consortium can be held responsible for these views and opinions. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the colleagues at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for their invaluable support in conducting the research and for fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence and innovation.

The objective of this study is to explore factors influencing the readiness to enter smart retail businesses. This paper employed a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 323 retail entrepreneurs in Thailand. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to verify whether the model constructed in this analysis is consistent, coherent, and suitable for practical application. The influencing factors are as follows: 1) The acceptance and use of technology by entrepreneurs (β = 0.63, p < 0.05), 2) The resource base of entrepreneurs (β = 0.52, p < 0.05), 3) The aspect of business networking by entrepreneurs (β = 0.48, p < 0.05), and 4) The competencies of entrepreneurs (β = 0.40, p < 0.05). These factors significantly affect the readiness to enter the retail market, aligning with empirical data. The structural equation model analysis examines the factors influencing the readiness of small and medium enterprise operators to enter the retail trade. The model meets the specified criteria, as indicated by the following compliance indices: CMIN/df = 2.841, CFI = 0.945, IFI = 0.942, and RMR = 0.036.

Acknowledgment
Gratitude is expressed to all the faculty members of the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Technopreneurship and Innovation Management at Chulalongkorn University for imparting valuable knowledge and experience, as well as for their support and encouragement.

This study addresses the relevance of export market orientation in enhancing the market performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), specifically examining the moderating role of government policy and the mediating effect of information access. The paper aims to provide insights into how these factors collectively impact SME performance. Data were collected from members of the Malang Regency SME Communication Forum, chosen for their relevance as active players in one of Indonesia’s regions with the highest SME concentration. An online questionnaire was used to gather insights directly from the business owners and managers, yielding 448 valid responses that provide a representative perspective on SME market dynamics. The collected data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The findings demonstrate that export market orientation significantly boosts SME market performance (path coefficient = 0.512, p < 0.001), highlighting its critical role in fostering customer-oriented practices and adaptive marketing strategies. Additionally, export market orientation positively influenced information access (path coefficient = 0.359, p < 0.001), facilitating timely market insights that support decision-making. However, the mediating effect of information access on the relationship between export market orientation and market performance was not statistically significant (path coefficient = 0.242, p = 0.072). Furthermore, the strengthening effects of government policy on both export market orientation and market performance and on export market orientation and information access were also insignificant (path coefficients = –0.103 and 0.053, p = 0.053 and 0.132, respectively).

Acknowledgment
We thank the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for funding this investigation through a decentralized grant for the Higher Education Fundamental Research scheme for the 2024 fiscal year.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of knowledge-based assets, namely the ability to integrate knowledge and intellectual capital, on organizational performance. This study uses a survey approach with a sample of 313 LPDs (village financial institutions) in the province of Bali, represented by the heads of LPDs. The heads of LPDs were chosen because they are operational executors of LPD and are responsible for the development of LPD management. Data were collected using questionnaires distributed directly to LPD heads. The results of this study indicate that organizational performance is substantially and positively influenced by human capital and relational capital. Spiritual capital does not have a substantial influence on organizational performance, whereas structural capital has a negative effect. Further analysis revealed that knowledge integration capability can mediate the influence of human capital, structural capital, and relational capital. However, it cannot mediate the influence of spiritual capital on organizational performance. The research results strengthen the intellectual capital theory that intellectual capital can increase organizational performance if integrated with ability or dynamic knowledge.

This study aims to identify and prioritize the barriers and strategies to improve halal certification accessibility for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Indonesia. The paper utilized the analytic network process (ANP) to model interrelationships among barriers and strategies. Data were collected through structured interviews and surveys involving representatives from halal certification bodies (e.g., BPJPH), government agencies (e.g., DKUM Depok), and experts from academia specializing in halal certification and MSE development. The findings highlight three major barriers: financial constraints, regulatory complexities, and limited awareness among MSE owners. Financial constraints include high certification fees and costs associated with compliance. Regulatory complexities stem from the intricate procedures and bureaucratic inefficiencies in the certification process, which deter small businesses from participating. Additionally, limited awareness and understanding of halal certification’s importance and procedures exacerbate the problem, particularly among MSEs in rural or underdeveloped regions. Financial support, regulatory reforms, and educational programs emerged as the most critical strategies for overcoming these barriers. Specifically, reducing certification fees and simplifying regulatory procedures were deemed essential to increase the uptake of halal certification among MSEs. By integrating actionable insights, this study provides a roadmap for policymakers to foster a supportive ecosystem for MSEs in the halal economy. The recommendations emphasize a balanced approach that combines financial assistance, regulatory reforms, and educational initiatives to address the multifaceted barriers. This analysis contributes to the broader discourse on enhancing MSE participation in the halal market, offering implications for both local and international stakeholders seeking to optimize the halal certification process.

Acknowledgment
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikbudristek RI) for providing financial support for this investigation. This study would not have been possible without their generous funding and commitment to advancing research in Indonesia. We also extend our appreciation to all the respondents and participants who contributed valuable insights and data for this study, as well as to the institutions involved for their support and collaboration.

This study aims to analyze the role of sustainable social responsibility in enhancing business sustainability, with entrepreneurial culture serving as a mediating variable. Focusing on Bisha University in Saudi Arabia, it demonstrates how the university’s socially responsible practices foster an entrepreneurial culture that, in turn, drives sustainable business outcomes within the local community. A descriptive-analytical approach was adopted, with data collected through a structured survey distributed to 200 faculty members of University of Bisha, yielding 190 valid responses. Hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression and path analysis to explore both direct and indirect relationships among the study variables.
The findings reveal that sustainable social responsibility significantly impacts business sustainability, explaining 49.1% of its variability. Additionally, entrepreneurial culture mediates this relationship, contributing an indirect effect of 0.446 and amplifying the total impact of social responsibility on business sustainability to 70.1%. Sustainable social responsibility also explains 46.5% of the variability in entrepreneurial culture. Model fit indices confirm the robustness of the relationships, with strong statistical significance across all paths. These results underscore the strategic importance of universities in integrating social responsibility into their operations to foster entrepreneurial culture and achieve sustainable outcomes. This study provides valuable insights for higher education institutions aiming to align their academic and operational practices with sustainability goals, contributing to broader initiatives like Saudi Vision 2030.

Acknowledgments
The Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at University of Bisha is acknowledged for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program.

Employee innovative work behavior plays a vital role in innovation management in private companies, especially in an emerging market like Vietnam. This study investigates the influence of individual factors (including employee creativity and innovative self-efficacy) and organizational factors (constituting innovation climate and organizational support) on innovative work behavior and the impact of innovative work behavior on employee job performance. To test the hypotheses quantitatively, the study uses a two-stage second-order partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method and a questionnaire-based study with 706 employees from private businesses in Vietnam. The findings indicate that individual factors substantially impact workers’ innovative work behavior (scoring 0.491) compared to organizational factors (scoring 0.395). In addition, all factors, including employee creativity, innovative self-efficacy, innovation climate, and organizational support, positively impact workers’ innovative work behavior. Specifically, innovative self-efficacy exerts the most significant influence on innovative work behavior (with a score of 0.360), followed by organizational support (scoring 0.272) and employee creativity (scoring 0.157). Simultaneously, the innovation climate exerts a minor influence on innovative work behavior, with a score of 0.142. Finally, innovative work behavior directly and positively affects employee job performance, scoring 0.641.

Artificial intelligence in public administration is critical for the modernization of the public sector and adaptation to the challenges of modern society. The paper analyzes studies dedicated to the impact of artificial intelligence on the efficiency, innovation, and transparency of management processes in the public sector using meta- and bibliometric analysis. The goal is to identify the main areas and keywords that highlight theoretical and practical aspects of artificial intelligence in public administration. In total, 879 scientific articles were analyzed, of which 598 works are devoted to artificial intelligence. Dynamic time analysis revealed a significant surge in scientific interest in artificial intelligence in public administration: from 2010 to 2019, 135 publications were devoted to this issue, and from 2020 to 2024, 421. Bibliographic maps of keywords and publication maps showed the main thematic areas of research on artificial intelligence: the application of AI in public administration and the public sector, decision-making in public administration, data management and digital technologies in public administration, and the strategic use of AI to forecast socio-economic trends.
The obtained data became the basis for expanding the scientific and practical potential of using artificial intelligence in public administration. The main areas of future research will concern the regulation of ethical issues to ensure the trust of citizens, the development of a regulatory framework and standards, increasing the efficiency of public services, the integration of artificial intelligence into strategic planning, and the use of artificial intelligence to achieve sustainable development goals.

Acknowledgment
The analysis was carried out within the framework of the implementation of the perspective plan for the development of the scientific area “Social Sciences” of Sumy State University, number d/r 0121U112685.