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Purpose: This study aimed to examine the adoption of consortium blockchain technology to ensure interoperability for the transparency of budgetary control in Ghanaian local government. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on the design science research (DSR) observational technique for developing a consortium blockchain budgetary control system for Ghana's local government. Findings: The study resulted in the design of a consortium blockchain monitoring and evaluation system to set up a mechanism to monitor various budget projects, processes and transactions for Ghana's local government. The findings also proved Ghana is ideally positioned to gain an advantage from designed artefacts such as ours, given its digital financial service (DFS) policy. In addition, the evaluation of the designed artefact proves there will be a positive impact on budgetary processes by addressing transparency concerns; however, the success of this concern depends on how the local government organisation embraces the artefact. Research limitations/implications: The study sheds light on budget monitoring and evaluation tied to peer-to-peer (P2P) participation in the public sector via an advanced administrative digitalised networking and communication algorithm (A Distributed Ledger Technology - blockchain). The difference between the designed artefact and the traditional M&E system is argued. The study is limited by the paradoxes and inefficiencies of the integration of blockchain into the Ghanaian local government but, at the same time, presents a high level of certainty and possibility. Practical implications: The proposed artefact has presented relevance because it is a new solution to existing concerns like trust, transparency, accountability and compliance, thereby improving local government budget administration. Originality/value: The study has offered unique and new methods, guidelines and designs for tracking various budget projects and processes beyond the conventional

In recent years, fintech has exploded in popularity and importance in the financial industry. Its impacts have spread widely throughout the world, including Vietnam. This study aims to investigate the effect of fintech’s development on bank performance in Vietnam. Based on the unstructured data about fintech on the financial expert websites from Vietnam, the word frequency statistic technique of the text mining approach is applied for measuring fintech’s development under the support of Python-based solutions. The bank-level data of 15 Vietnamese banks for the period from the first quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2021 are collected from the quarterly financial statements in the Vietstock organization. Python programming and text mining techniques are used to compile this dataset by gathering information from popular and relevant websites. The generalized least squares method is used for estimating the panel models. The estimation result shows the significant impact of fintech’s development on bank profitability, but the net interest margin does not associate with the fintech variable. Besides, some interesting findings are revealed: The slow banking transformation to adapt to the rise of fintech and the COVID-19 pandemic increased bank profitability. Furthermore, suggestions for the banks and fintech companies are recommended, and the limitations and directions for further research are also proposed.

Due to the ongoing global debate regarding the relationship between fintech and banks, including developing countries, this study aims to investigate this relationship in the case of Vietnam, an emerging nation. The study analyzes the relationship between fintech search and bank stock returns, which are measures of fintech and banks, respectively. The time series data for fintech and bank stock returns were obtained from Google Trends and Vietstock, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis was utilized to derive the fintech variables, while the bank stock return variable was calculated using a basket of eight listed banks from 2017w46 to 2021w46. The results were estimated using the vector autoregression and Granger causality method and validated with the copula method. A key finding of this study is the presence of a simultaneous negative change and bidirectional causality between bank stock returns and fintech lending. Furthermore, several other interesting findings were discovered: (1) the causal relationship from fintech to bank stock returns is weaker compared with the opposite direction; (2) unidirectional causality exists between different types of fintech, such as influence from FinFintech to FinLending, from FinPayment to FinLending and FinWallet, from FinMoney to FinFintech, from FinWallet to FinLending, and from FinProduct to FinFintech; and (3) there is an equal occurrence of simultaneous increase or decrease between bank stock returns and certain types of fintech, specifically between BankReturn and FinPayment, BankReturn and FinLending, as well as BankReturn and FinWallet. These findings shed light on the complex relationship between fintech and banks, offering insights that contribute to our understanding of this dynamic interplay in the context of Vietnam’s emerging fintech landscape.

Based on the relationship between fintech and bank performance and the role of mobile ap- plications in bank operations, we investigate the impact of mobile banking application (MBA) ratings on bank service income. The quarterly data from the 15 biggest Vietnamese commer- cial banks in 2019-2020 were extracted from the public financial statements and the Google Play Store. The Generalized Least Squares method is applied to process the proposed regression models. We find a positive impact of MBA ratings on bank service income. We additionally ex- plore the MBA quality of a large bank that does not meet customer expectations and how the in- teraction between MBA ratings and leverage harms bank service income. Finally, users gener- ally appreciate the MBA quality, and COVID-19 does not affect the link between MBA ratings and bank service income. The study provides novel knowledge on customer behavior through MBA ratings and their effect on bank service income in an emerging country.

Corporate investment inefficiency in the hospitality industry is an understudied topic. In this paper, we examine the effect of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) on the investment inefficiency of a sample of 213 hospitality firms in the U.S. for the period 2010-2019. The results reveal that a rise in economic policy uncertainty leads to an increase in firm-level investment inefficiency in the hospitality industry. The underinvestment and the overinvestment problems are exacerbated by uncertainty. The results are robust for different variables specification and econometric techniques. Policy implications are also provided.

Fan tokens, digital assets providing privileges including rewards and promotions as well as voting rights in polls, recently became highly popular among the football clubs and the (fan) investors. Fan tokens differ from the stocks of football clubs with respect to ownership properties. Fan tokens might be associated with investor mood changes and reaction to match results. This paper aims to explore the impact of football match results on token prices of the clubs. We show that both the losses and wins in the most prestigious European tournament, UEFA Champions League affect the fan token abnormal returns, losses with an effect of a larger magnitude. Domestic matches and Europa League matches are not followed by similar reactions from the investors. Our results are robust to the use of alternative model specifications and various benchmark assets. © 2022

Superlatives are commonplace in descriptions of traditional budgeting. Within managerial accounting techniques, it is one of the most frequently used, the most researched, but also the most criticized. While academics are largely united in criticism of traditional budgeting practices due to their inflexibility and consumption of resources, the existing studies have not identified universal assumptions to improve this system. The inconsistent conclusions in current literature create a need to explore approaches to mitigation of budgetary weaknesses. Furthermore, this incomplete knowledge is an impulse to examine factors influencing the choice of these approaches. The authors conducted a review of the literature to amass information on approaches developed to enhance traditional budgeting methods. Subsequently, research was conducted on the extent of utilization and the subjective perception of such methods at a sample of companies operating in the Czech Republic. The authors additionally attempted to determine which factors influenced the decisions of managers in selection of such a tool. A web-based survey was devised with the aim of gathering data, followed by analysis of correlation between selected variables through application of Pearson's chi-square test. The literature review revealed the importance of conducting a budgetary review in improving the budgetary control. In total, 136 Czech companies took part in the survey, and it was discovered that a significant number of them had implemented traditional budgeting methods. More than 80% of respondents monitored any variation within their budgets. In the following part, the share of foreign capital was identified as the factor that influenced choices made in budgetary control. Since no correlation was discerned between revision of a budget and subsequent perception of its efficiency, the results lend support to arguments that minor improvements do not radically affect budgeting overall.

Crisis management for the Covid-19 epidemic is unquestionably an emergent issue. It also taught us several lessons about how to prepare for future crises. When it comes to the healthcare industry, the need for urgent discussion as well as innovation to address the issue takes precedence. Over the last two years, there has been a high crisis in emergency drugs, scarcity of drug ingredients, and patients have become helpless in the fight against the coronavirus disease all over the world. The European Union (EU) was the central hub of this tragedy, and the EU is mobilizing all available resources to assist member states in coordinating their national responses, which includes providing objective information about the virus's spread, effective containment efforts, and measures taken to repair the pandemic's economic and social damage. The research explains pharmaceutical business models and tools that can help businesses respond to emergency situations. A systematic literature review was conducted, and a list of bibliographic notes is mentioned in the reference section of the paper, where future research ideas can be found.

Fan tokens, digital assets providing privileges including rewards and promotions as well as voting rights in polls, recently became highly popular among the football clubs and the (fan) investors. Fan tokens differ from the stocks of football clubs with respect to ownership properties. Fan tokens might be associated with investor mood changes and reaction to match results. This paper aims to explore the impact of football match results on token prices of the clubs. We show that both the losses and wins in the most prestigious European tournament, UEFA Champions League affect the fan token abnormal returns, losses with an effect of a larger magnitude. Domestic matches and Europa League matches are not followed by similar reactions from the investors. Our results are robust to the use of alternative model specifications and various benchmark assets.

In the ongoing situation, when the world is dominated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the development of self-care programs appears to be insufficient, while their role in mental health may be crucial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations between self-care activities and depression in the general Slovak population, but also in its individual gender and age categories. This was achieved by validating the self-care screening instrument, assessing differences, and evaluating the associations using quantile regression analysis. The final research sample consisted of 806 participants [males: 314 (39%), females: 492 (61%)] and data were collected through an online questionnaire from February 12, 2021 to February 23, 2021. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression (alpha = 0.89) and Self-Care Activities Screening Scale (SASS-14) [health consciousness (HC) (alpha = 0.82), nutrition and physical activity (NPA) (alpha = 0.75), sleep quality (SLP) (alpha = 0.82), and interpersonal and intrapersonal coping strategies (TICS) (alpha = 0.58)] were used as screening measures. Mild depressive symptoms were found in 229 participants (28.41%), moderate depressive symptoms in 154 participants (19.11%), moderately severe depressive symptoms in 60 participants (7.44%) and severe depressive symptoms in 43 participants (5.33%). The main findings revealed the fact that individual self-care activities were associated with depression. This supported the idea that well-practiced self-care activities should be an immediate part of an individual's life in order to reduce depressive symptoms. Sleep quality played an important role, while HC indicated the need for increased attention. Other dimensions of self-care also showed significant results that should not be overlooked. In terms of depression, females and younger individuals need targeted interventions. The supportive educational intervention developed based on the self-care theory can help manage and maint

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic creates inefficiencies in the health-care system by having devastating consequences. It has demonstrated how inefficiencies in the health system can have a significant impact on social cohesion, economic growth and public confidence in government. The main purpose of this study is to explore the contemporary challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in Europe. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a systematic literature review method and adopted inclusion and exclusion criteria after constructive reviews of articles from Web of Science and Scopus databases along with the ranked journals in the Chartered Association of Business Schools to search the following key terms “challenges in the European pharmaceutical industry” during the period from 2011 to 2022. The terms are set to be searched in the publications’ titles, abstracts and keywords. Findings: This study reviewed 57 papers, and the systematic review revealed the vulnerability of the European pharmaceutical industry, such as the default patent system, ineffective research and development, debate on the role of alliances, low level of expertise in the European health-care system, pharmaceutical supply chain management and other issues. Research limitations/implications: This study suggests that future research may explore the challenges of multisectoral and cross-country perspectives to get a better understanding, and for the long-term sustainability of public pharmaceutical spending, new models of enhancing research investments are needed, and Europe can still play a leading role in its tradition structure within capturing innovative ideas. Practical implications: It provides new useful insights to policymakers, global leaders and managers to devise policies to achieve a performance-oriented culture in their institutions and firms. Social implications: The pharmaceutical sector has recognized the influence of social determinants of health. It moves toward sustained

Superlatives are commonplace in descriptions of traditional budgeting. Within managerial accounting techniques, it is one of the most frequently used, the most researched, but also the most criticized. While academics are largely united in criticism of traditional budgeting practices due to their inflexibility and consumption of resources, the existing studies have not identified universal assumptions to improve this system. The inconsistent conclusions in current literature create a need to explore approaches to mitigation of budgetary weaknesses. Furthermore, this incomplete knowledge is an impulse to examine factors influencing the choice of these approaches. The authors conducted a review of the literature to amass information on approaches developed to enhance traditional budgeting methods. Subsequently, research was conducted on the extent of utilization and the subjective perception of such methods at a sample of companies operating in the Czech Republic. The authors additionally attempted to determine which factors influenced the decisions of managers in selection of such a tool. A web-based survey was devised with the aim of gathering data, followed by analysis of correlation between selected variables through application of Pearson's chi-square test. The literature review revealed the importance of conducting a budgetary review in improving the budgetary control. In total, 136 Czech companies took part in the survey, and it was discovered that a significant number of them had implemented traditional budgeting methods. More than 80% of respondents monitored any variation within their budgets. In the following part, the share of foreign capital was identified as the factor that influenced choices made in budgetary control. Since no correlation was discerned between revision of a budget and subsequent perception of its efficiency, the results lend support to arguments that minor improvements do not radically affect budgeting overall.

This study aims to understand the relationship between Google search and the Vietcombank stock price movement. Our weekly data consist of Google search variables and the Vietcombank variables extracted and standardized from Vietstock and Google Trend from April 2016 to April 2021. We apply the VAR Granger and Copulas approach to analyze the link between Google search and the price of Vietcombank stock. Results show that the connection between Google searches and the price of Vietcombank stock did not persist in the long run. Moreover, the evidence supporting the Granger causality between Google searches and the Vietcombank stock price was weak. Finally, the trading name (term "Vietcombank") was preferred by Google search users over the code "VCB," and the trading volume and Google search simultaneously increased within the sample period.

The study is conducted to answer the question 'Do fintech-related keywords on searching Google influence bank return?' The weekly data from 2016w1 to 2021w2 is extracted from Google Trends and the Vietstock website. The findings by VAR (Vector Autoregression) show no evidence of the association of fintech-related keywords with bank returns. Using OLS (Ordinary Least Squares), the Vietcombank return is not significantly influenced by the fintech-related keywords. In contrast, the term “financial technology” and the lag one week of the Vietnamese form of “mobile payment” are negatively significant with the Sacombank return, and the Vietnamese form of “peer-to-peer lendings” is significantly positive with the same. Moreover, the fintech-related keywords in English are more preferred than the Vietnamese forms. © 2021 SCMS Group of Educational Institutions. All rights reserved.

The study investigates the effect of innovation on bank efficiency and the difference in efficiency between Vietnam and Pakistan banks. The balanced panel data from 23 banks (7 banks in Vietnam and 16 banks in Pakistan) in 2011-2019 is aggregated from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Vietstock, the MorningStar, the World Bank, and the website of banks. The quantitative models' estimation result is processed by the Pooled, the Fixed-effect, the Random-effect, and the Generalized Least Square approach, and confirmed again by the Tobit and T-test approach. The outcomes gave that innovation is the negative factor of bank efficiency. With or without the effect of innovation, the bank's efficiency in Vietnam is still lower than in Pakistan. The finding indicates that bank efficiency can be enhanced by increasing bank size instead of innovation, and bank age is the barrier to utilizing innovation for enhancing bank efficiency. Moreover, we found the bank's efficiency in Vietnam can be improved more quickly than in Pakistan by increasing bank assets. The macroeconomic condition is favorable for bank efficiency in both countries. © 2021 University of Pardubice. All rights reserved.

Facebook is a popular social networking platform used for a variety of uses, including general and educational purposes. Digital links between teachers and students can now be created, removing physical distance barriers and enhancing the transformation of knowledge, data, and other tools. This research uncovered several variables that affect business students' usage of Facebook, primarily for educational purposes. A total of 611 business students from various Lahore universities took part in the survey. The data was then evaluated using the R programming language. To determine the relationship between latent and observable variables, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used. The relationship between latent variables was determined using path analysis. The findings revealed that social impact on business students could contribute to Facebook adoption. Finally, rather than its use as a social networking platform, Facebook's adoption has broadly explained its educational use. © 2021. Academy of Strategic Management Journal. All Rights Reserved.

Purpose: This paper contributes to budgeting-related literature by investigating whether the participation of operational managers in budgeting, and budget-based evaluations and the rewarding of operational managers, significantly mediate the relationship between budget use for operational management and the perceived usefulness of the budget. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on data gathered from a survey of Czech medium- and large-sized companies from the manufacturing sector. The hypothesised relationships are tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings: Overall usefulness of the budget, as perceived by principals (top managers), is positively influenced by the scope of budget use, but, more importantly, the positive mediating effects of participative budgeting and budget-based evaluation and rewarding on this relationship are significant and strong. Research limitations/implications: The subjective perceptions of respondents were investigated with the understanding that they may not represent actual situations in their organisations. Companies with well-functioning budgeting systems were more likely to take part in the research. Regarding satisfaction, the authors studied the perceived usefulness of the budget. Only medium- and large-sized manufacturing companies located in a post-communist country were analysed and generalisations should, therefore, be taken with caution. Practical implications: The results in the studied sample indicate that satisfaction with budgeting is positively correlated with the rewarding and evaluation of operational managers, and with enabling the participation of operational managers in preparing and updating their budgets. Originality/value: This research contributes to prior literature on budgeting by investigating the mediating effects of the participation of operational managers in budgeting, and the budget-based evaluation and rewarding of operational managers on the percei

The aim of the study was to analyse and evaluate the determinants influencing the overall satisfaction of patients with inpatient healthcare in the conditions of the Czech Republic. A total of the 1425 patients, who experienced hospitalisation and agreed to participate, were questioned in the study. A research questionnaire was used to obtain data on satisfaction with hospitalisation. The subject of the research consisted of the indicators related to the following factors: (i) satisfaction with the hospital, clinic, room and meals; (ii) satisfaction with medical staff—nurses, physician expertise and other staff; (iii) the quality of the treatment provided; (iv) satisfaction with leaving the hospital. The formulated statistical hypotheses were evaluated through structural equation modelling. The results of the analyses brought interesting findings. Satisfaction with medical staff is the most significant factor which has a positive effect on satisfaction with hospitalisation. Physician expertise (with trust and good communication skills) is more important for patients than satisfaction with nurses or other staff. The results obtained from the study represent valuable information for policy-makers, regional healthcare plans, as well as for managers of hospitals. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

This study aims to understand the relationship between Google search and the Vietcombank stock price movement. Our weekly data consist of Google search variables and the Vietcombank variables extracted and standardized from Vietstock and Google Trend from April 2016 to April 2021. We apply the VAR Granger and Copulas approach to analyze the link between Google search and the price of Vietcombank stock. Results show that the connection between Google searches and the price of  Vietcombank stock did not persist in the long run. Moreover, the evidence supporting the Granger causality between Google searches and the Vietcombank stock price was weak. Finally, the trading name (term “Vietcombank”) was preferred by Google search users over the code “VCB,” and the trading volume and Google search simultaneously increased within the sample period.

The study is conducted to answer the question 'Do fintech-related keywords on searching Google influence bank return?' The weekly data from 2016w1 to 2021w2 is extracted from Google Trends and the Vietstock website. The findings by VAR (Vector Autoregression) show no evidence of the association of fintech-related keywords with bank returns. Using OLS (Ordinary Least Squares), the Vietcombank return is not significantly influenced by the fintech-related keywords. In contrast, the term “financial technology” and the lag one week of the Vietnamese form of “mobile payment” are negatively significant with the Sacombank return, and the Vietnamese form of “peer-to-peer lendings” is significantly positive with the same. Moreover, the fintech-related keywords in English are more preferred than the Vietnamese forms. © 2021 SCMS Group of Educational Institutions. All rights reserved.

The study investigates the effect of innovation on bank efficiency and the difference in efficiency between Vietnam and Pakistan banks. The balanced panel data from 23 banks (7 banks in Vietnam and 16 banks in Pakistan) in 2011-2019 is aggregated from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Vietstock, the MorningStar, the World Bank, and the website of banks. The quantitative models' estimation result is processed by the Pooled, the Fixed-effect, the Random-effect, and the Generalized Least Square approach, and confirmed again by the Tobit and T-test approach. The outcomes gave that innovation is the negative factor of bank efficiency. With or without the effect of innovation, the bank's efficiency in Vietnam is still lower than in Pakistan. The finding indicates that bank efficiency can be enhanced by increasing bank size instead of innovation, and bank age is the barrier to utilizing innovation for enhancing bank efficiency. Moreover, we found the bank's efficiency in Vietnam can be improved more quickly than in Pakistan by increasing bank assets. The macroeconomic condition is favorable for bank efficiency in both countries.

This study aims to understand the relationship between Google search and the Vietcombank stock price movement. Our weekly data consist of Google search variables and the Vietcombank variables extracted and standardized from Vietstock and Google Trend from April 2016 to April 2021. We apply the VAR Granger and Copulas approach to analyze the link between Google search and the price of Vietcombank stock. Results show that the connection between Google searches and the price of Vietcombank stock did not persist in the long run. Moreover, the evidence supporting the Granger causality between Google searches and the Vietcombank stock price was weak. Finally, the trading name (term "Vietcombank") was preferred by Google search users over the code "VCB," and the trading volume and Google search simultaneously increased within the sample period.

Purpose: This paper contributes to budgeting-related literature by investigating whether the participation of operational managers in budgeting, and budget-based evaluations and the rewarding of operational managers, significantly mediate the relationship between budget use for operational management and the perceived usefulness of the budget. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on data gathered from a survey of Czech medium- and large-sized companies from the manufacturing sector. The hypothesised relationships are tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings: Overall usefulness of the budget, as perceived by principals (top managers), is positively influenced by the scope of budget use, but, more importantly, the positive mediating effects of participative budgeting and budget-based evaluation and rewarding on this relationship are significant and strong. Research limitations/implications: The subjective perceptions of respondents were investigated with the understanding that they may not represent actual situations in their organisations. Companies with well-functioning budgeting systems were more likely to take part in the research. Regarding satisfaction, the authors studied the perceived usefulness of the budget. Only medium- and large-sized manufacturing companies located in a post-communist country were analysed and generalisations should, therefore, be taken with caution. Practical implications: The results in the studied sample indicate that satisfaction with budgeting is positively correlated with the rewarding and evaluation of operational managers, and with enabling the participation of operational managers in preparing and updating their budgets. Originality/value: This research contributes to prior literature on budgeting by investigating the mediating effects of the participation of operational managers in budgeting, and the budget-based evaluation and rewarding of operational managers on the percei

Facebook is a popular social networking platform used for a variety of uses, including general and educational purposes. Digital links between teachers and students can now be created, removing physical distance barriers and enhancing the transformation of knowledge, data, and other tools. This research uncovered several variables that affect business students' usage of Facebook, primarily for educational purposes. A total of 611 business students from various Lahore universities took part in the survey. The data was then evaluated using the R programming language. To determine the relationship between latent and observable variables, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used. The relationship between latent variables was determined using path analysis. The findings revealed that social impact on business students could contribute to Facebook adoption. Finally, rather than its use as a social networking platform, Facebook's adoption has broadly explained its educational use. © 2021. Academy of Strategic Management Journal. All Rights Reserved.

The aim of the study was to analyse and evaluate the determinants influencing the overall satisfaction of patients with inpatient healthcare in the conditions of the Czech Republic. A total of the 1425 patients, who experienced hospitalisation and agreed to participate, were questioned in the study. A research questionnaire was used to obtain data on satisfaction with hospitalisation. The subject of the research consisted of the indicators related to the following factors: (i) satisfaction with the hospital, clinic, room and meals; (ii) satisfaction with medical staff—nurses, physician expertise and other staff; (iii) the quality of the treatment provided; (iv) satisfaction with leaving the hospital. The formulated statistical hypotheses were evaluated through structural equation modelling. The results of the analyses brought interesting findings. Satisfaction with medical staff is the most significant factor which has a positive effect on satisfaction with hospitalisation. Physician expertise (with trust and good communication skills) is more important for patients than satisfaction with nurses or other staff. The results obtained from the study represent valuable information for policy-makers, regional healthcare plans, as well as for managers of hospitals. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

This study aims to understand the relationship between Google search and the Vietcombank stock price movement. Our weekly data consist of Google search variables and the Vietcombank variables extracted and standardized from Vietstock and Google Trend from April 2016 to April 2021. We apply the VAR Granger and Copulas approach to analyze the link between Google search and the price of Vietcombank stock. Results show that the connection between Google searches and the price of  Vietcombank stock did not persist in the long run. Moreover, the evidence supporting the Granger causality between Google searches and the Vietcombank stock price was weak. Finally, the trading name (term “Vietcombank”) was preferred by Google search users over the code “VCB,” and the trading volume and Google search simultaneously increased within the sample period.

Research background: The study investigates the initial phase of budgeting process conducted in corporations. The basic concept correlates with findings in scientific literature that describe budgeting as an inefficient tool, burdened by considerable regulation in the preparation and compilation stages. As a consequence, the majority of academics and practitioners have concluded that producing a budget is merely a formality that minimizes wrinkles on the faces of their initiators, while reaping debatable benefits for managerial control. Purpose of the article: This paper compares data from the literature with the actual budgetary practices of companies operating in the Czech Republic. The attention was paid to the detailed aspects of the budgeting process, factors affecting the time it takes to prepare a budget, and the impact of ownership structure, especially the role of foreign ownership and foreign capital, on the level of decentralization in the budgeting process. Methods: The authors examined these topics through a questionnaire completed by 136 respondents, primarily industrial companies based in the country. The subsequent hypotheses were assessed via application of the Z-test. Findings & Value added: The results presented show that the budgeting practices of the Czech firms are not only influenced by traditional factors (e.g. the size of the company and its given economic sector), but also certain other aspects. Essential facets comprise the ownership structure and the share of foreign capital involved, the latter affecting the extent of autonomy of the business as to the budgetary process. This submitted paper can extend the current theory with new findings on the specific nature of budgeting in post-socialist countries with an open economy and the significant influx of foreign capital. © 2021 Nicolaus Copernicus University. All rights reserved.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper aims to make contributions to the debate on “performance measurement in practice” focussing on how organisational participants respond to the “new regime” of key performance indicators (KPIs) and whether KPIs materialise as intended in a transitional economy. Design/methodology/approach: Inspired by the epistemological instruction of Schatzki's practice theory, this paper draws on qualitative data collected through face-to-face interviews, observations and documentary analysis of a single organisation. Findings: KPIs were introduced at PK (a manufacturing concern in Czech Republic) but widely seen as contradictory, inconsequential, top-down and unrealistic. These lead organisational participants to adopt a pragmatic approach towards PM embracing KPIs' subjective assessment and manipulation, common sense or doing the job as given, and superficial compliance (symbolism). Research limitations/implications: The paper would be interesting to researchers because of its explanation of performance measurement practice in a distinct empirical setting, for its application of a practice theory inspired by Schatzki, and for inspiring new research agendas in transitional economies. Practical implications: The paper recommends the mobilisation of artefacts, such as various forms of bottom-up discussions, to encourage interactions between organisational members and influence individual beliefs and practical understandings of the intended managerial projects. Originality/value: The paper has focussed on “organisations of practice” to unravel the “doings” of organisational participants to explore the micro-processes of PM which otherwise would have been ignored. These “doings” and “sayings”, linked by pools of understanding, rules or instructions, and a teleoaffective structure, enabled the authors to unmask inherent tensions and contradictions in a new regime of performance measures such as KPIs. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Financial institutions remain one of the key industries making use of information and communication technologies to transform their products and services and their business in general. As the Internet becomes pervasive, most banks, in addition to their traditional mobile banking, have introduced mobile banking apps, which ride on smart devices and the Internet to offer banking services remotely to customers. However, given some contextual factors such as unstable Internet, adoption of this innovation may be a challenge in an emerging economy. Thus, the study sought to find out the factors, which could affect the adoption of mobile banking app in a less digitalized environment. To this end, data was sourced via the intercept approach on a sample of the entire population in Ghana for the analysis. By using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique, the study found that performance expectancy and hedonic motivation were the key factors that influence mobile banking app adoption. Contrary to our expectation, effort expectancy, perceived transaction cost, and privacy and information concerns were found to have no effect on consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking app. Implications for further research and practice are presented and discussed. © 2020, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper aims to make contributions to the debate on “performance measurement in practice” focussing on how organisational participants respond to the “new regime” of key performance indicators (KPIs) and whether KPIs materialise as intended in a transitional economy. Design/methodology/approach: Inspired by the epistemological instruction of Schatzki's practice theory, this paper draws on qualitative data collected through face-to-face interviews, observations and documentary analysis of a single organisation. Findings: KPIs were introduced at PK (a manufacturing concern in Czech Republic) but widely seen as contradictory, inconsequential, top-down and unrealistic. These lead organisational participants to adopt a pragmatic approach towards PM embracing KPIs' subjective assessment and manipulation, common sense or doing the job as given, and superficial compliance (symbolism). Research limitations/implications: The paper would be interesting to researchers because of its explanation of performance measurement practice in a distinct empirical setting, for its application of a practice theory inspired by Schatzki, and for inspiring new research agendas in transitional economies. Practical implications: The paper recommends the mobilisation of artefacts, such as various forms of bottom-up discussions, to encourage interactions between organisational members and influence individual beliefs and practical understandings of the intended managerial projects. Originality/value: The paper has focussed on “organisations of practice” to unravel the “doings” of organisational participants to explore the micro-processes of PM which otherwise would have been ignored. These “doings” and “sayings”, linked by pools of understanding, rules or instructions, and a teleoaffective structure, enabled the authors to unmask inherent tensions and contradictions in a new regime of performance measures such as KPIs. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Financial institutions remain one of the key industries making use of information and communication technologies to transform their products and services and their business in general. As the Internet becomes pervasive, most banks, in addition to their traditional mobile banking, have introduced mobile banking apps, which ride on smart devices and the Internet to offer banking services remotely to customers. However, given some contextual factors such as unstable Internet, adoption of this innovation may be a challenge in an emerging economy. Thus, the study sought to find out the factors, which could affect the adoption of mobile banking app in a less digitalized environment. To this end, data was sourced via the intercept approach on a sample of the entire population in Ghana for the analysis. By using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique, the study found that performance expectancy and hedonic motivation were the key factors that influence mobile banking app adoption. Contrary to our expectation, effort expectancy, perceived transaction cost, and privacy and information concerns were found to have no effect on consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking app. Implications for further research and practice are presented and discussed. © 2020, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.

Research background: The study investigates the initial phase of budgeting process conducted in corporations. The basic concept correlates with findings in scientific literature that describe budgeting as an inefficient tool, burdened by considerable regulation in the preparation and compilation stages. As a consequence, the majority of academics and practitioners have concluded that producing a budget is merely a formality that minimizes wrinkles on the faces of their initiators, while reaping debatable benefits for managerial control. Purpose of the article: This paper compares data from the literature with the actual budgetary practices of companies operating in the Czech Republic. The attention was paid to the detailed aspects of the budgeting process, factors affecting the time it takes to prepare a budget, and the impact of ownership structure, especially the role of foreign ownership and foreign capital, on the level of decentralization in the budgeting process. Methods: The authors examined these topics through a questionnaire completed by 136 respondents, primarily industrial companies based in the country. The subsequent hypotheses were assessed via application of the Z-test. Findings & Value added: The results presented show that the budgeting practices of the Czech firms are not only influenced by traditional factors (e.g. the size of the company and its given economic sector), but also certain other aspects. Essential facets comprise the ownership structure and the share of foreign capital involved, the latter affecting the extent of autonomy of the business as to the budgetary process. This submitted paper can extend the current theory with new findings on the specific nature of budgeting in post-socialist countries with an open economy and the significant influx of foreign capital. © 2021 Nicolaus Copernicus University. All rights reserved.

Though academics and professionals may disagree, budgets play a key role in business performance management and management control. Due to the lack of empirical evidence concerning budgeting practice in Central and Eastern Europe, an empirical questionnaire-based survey on budgeting in the Czech Republic was conducted. This paper analyzes and discusses the responses of 222 Czech manufacturing companies and delivers results on (a) the extent of budget use, (b) the purposes of budgets in management control, (c) the impact of budgeting on the behavior of managers and employees, and (d) satisfaction with the role of budgeting. The findings show that budgets still play an important role in Czech manufacturing companies, especially in planning, controlling, and performance assessment. The highest intensity of the usage of budgets was found to be for cost control and corporate performance assessment. In general, respondents expressed their satisfaction with budgetary control systems, especially with budgets as a performance management tool at the corporate level and at the level of organizational units. The respondents emphasize the enabling, rather than coercive, use of budgets and do not perceive the negative effects of budgeting on behavior as of high significance. © 2019 Innovation and Transformation in a Digital World. All Rights Reserved

An explosively growing international business model of peer-to-peer ridesharing brings benefits to the customers and provides part-time and full-time jobs for the drivers. While the services are provided mostly by the drivers with low knowledge of economics and finance, provision of the services might be a trap for them in case that they do not take into consideration all costs related to the service provision. The aim of the study was to investigate the economics of the ridesharing providers in case of UBER in Prague, and to create a simulation model estimating the annual performance of the ridesharing transport service operators and classic taxi service from the point of view of individual drivers, considering certain deviations and random effects defined by the stochastic methods using Monte Carlo approach. The results of the modelling show that the net income of Uber drivers is compatible with the taxi drivers only in case of the most expensive Uber Black category, but the net income of ridesharing providers in the category of Uber Pop and Uber Select hardly covers the costs of service provision. The alarming fact is that most of the drivers, who took part in our research, were not capable to acknowledge the hidden costs of ridesharing and were blinded by the vision of a short-term cash incomes without any awareness of the existence of the postponed or implicit costs. While our results confirm that Uber drivers in general are significantly underpaid, Uber Pop and Uber Select services generate a loss for the driver when we take into account the implicit costs of the driver's salary at the level of an average salary in the Czech Republic.

Though academics and professionals may disagree, budgets play a key role in business performance management and management control. Due to the lack of empirical evidence concerning budgeting practice in Central and Eastern Europe, an empirical questionnaire-based survey on budgeting in the Czech Republic was conducted. This paper analyzes and discusses the responses of 222 Czech manufacturing companies and delivers results on (a) the extent of budget use, (b) the purposes of budgets in management control, (c) the impact of budgeting on the behavior of managers and employees, and (d) satisfaction with the role of budgeting. The findings show that budgets still play an important role in Czech manufacturing companies, especially in planning, controlling, and performance assessment. The highest intensity of the usage of budgets was found to be for cost control and corporate performance assessment. In general, respondents expressed their satisfaction with budgetary control systems, especially with budgets as a performance management tool at the corporate level and at the level of organizational units. The respondents emphasize the enabling, rather than coercive, use of budgets and do not perceive the negative effects of budgeting on behavior as of high significance. © 2019 Innovation and Transformation in a Digital World. All Rights Reserved

An explosively growing international business model of peer-to-peer ridesharing brings benefits to the customers and provides part-time and full-time jobs for the drivers. While the services are provided mostly by the drivers with low knowledge of economics and finance, provision of the services might be a trap for them in case that they do not take into consideration all costs related to the service provision. The aim of the study was to investigate the economics of the ridesharing providers in case of UBER in Prague, and to create a simulation model estimating the annual performance of the ridesharing transport service operators and classic taxi service from the point of view of individual drivers, considering certain deviations and random effects defined by the stochastic methods using Monte Carlo approach. The results of the modelling show that the net income of Uber drivers is compatible with the taxi drivers only in case of the most expensive Uber Black category, but the net income of ridesharing providers in the category of Uber Pop and Uber Select hardly covers the costs of service provision. The alarming fact is that most of the drivers, who took part in our research, were not capable to acknowledge the hidden costs of ridesharing and were blinded by the vision of a short-term cash incomes without any awareness of the existence of the postponed or implicit costs. While our results confirm that Uber drivers in general are significantly underpaid, Uber Pop and Uber Select services generate a loss for the driver when we take into account the implicit costs of the driver's salary at the level of an average salary in the Czech Republic.

The presented article is focused on the traditional managerial accounting tool, budgeting, and its application into field of the Czech firms. The study examines the parameters of the budgets in the enterprises operating on the Czech market and investigates factors which influence the usage of the budgeting in these firms. While the first part of this paper summarizes the level of the knowledge in the particular field, the research process is defined in the following step. The main part of the article consists of questionnaire-survey results and hypotheses testing by P-value test.

The presented article is focused on the traditional managerial accounting tool, budgeting, and its application into field of the Czech firms. The study examines the parameters of the budgets in the enterprises operating on the Czech market and investigates factors which influence the usage of the budgeting in these firms. While the first part of this paper summarizes the level of the knowledge in the particular field, the research process is defined in the following step. The main part of the article consists of questionnaire-survey results and hypotheses testing by P-value test. © 2018 University of Pardubice. All rights reserved.

The presented article is focused on the traditional managerial accounting tool, budgeting, and its application into field of the Czech firms. The study examines the parameters of the budgets in the enterprises operating on the Czech market and investigates factors which influence the usage of the budgeting in these firms. While the first part of this paper summarizes the level of the knowledge in the particular field, the research process is defined in the following step. The main part of the article consists of questionnaire-survey results and hypotheses testing by P-value test. © 2018 University of Pardubice. All rights reserved.

Aim: Access to primary health care is highly connected to the prevention of cancer mortality, since the risk factors threatening health can be early identified. The aim of this paper is, firstly, to explore similarity within and between the regions of the Slovak Republic and cancer mortality patterns, and secondly, to reveal if similar regions are characterised by the similar access to health care or risk factors occurrence. Methods: Data on deaths by sex, type of cancer death and region from 1996 to 2014 is provided by the National Health Information Centre of Slovakia. The relationships between 8 regions and 16 cancer types are described by correspondence analysis for both sexes. Results: The most similar cancer mortality patterns among Slovak regions are between the Nitra and Trnava regions for both sexes, and the Košice region for males. The Prešov region is showed as an outlier from other regions for females, likely due to the highest concentration of Roma marginalised communities. As for access to health care, the Trnava region as well as Nitra region report the lowest densities of physicians, 2.4 and 2.6 per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively. The most serious cancer types mortality is attributed to the digestive organs (C15-C26) in each Slovak region for both sexes with the average proportion of 35.56%. Observed high association between the Nitra region and respiratory cancer (C30-C39) in males may be confirmed by the increased incidence of radon in this region. Similarly, a tight relationship between the Bratislava region and cancer of male genital organs (C60-C63) can relate to the highest proportion of drug users in the Bratislava region. Conclusions: Based on the findings of similar regions in cancer mortality patterns, we recommend to set the same prevention programs in the Trnava and Nitra regions, on the other hand, different preventive interventions should be introduced in the Prešov region. © National Institute of Public Health, Prague 2017.

Research background: Budgeting was developed during the Great Depression as a managerial tool to help enterprises survive a critical period characterized by fluctuations in macroeconomic indicators. Now, after more than eighty years, budgeting is criticized for the same reason why it was created - for lack of adaptability to unexpected changes in the business environment. Based on these facts, the presented study focuses on the specifics of budgeting in the current business environment. Purpose of the article: The aim of the work is to explore selected aspects of budgeting process in Czech firms, and to assess how the budgetary process is influenced by the progression of the business environment. Methods: To achieve presented target, the authors designed the questionnaire survey submitted to employees of companies in the Czech Republic. Findings & Value added: The first part of this paper displays the state of knowledge on budgeting, the following part presents results of the survey. The study identified several trends, especially in the use of budgeting in Czech firms, characteristics of budgets in these subjects and evaluation of the sustainability of a company's environment.

In recent decades, academics and practitioners started a deep discussion about the limitations and perspectives of enterprise budgeting systems. Traditional budgets are frequently criticized due to their inflexibility, weak connection to corporate performance and demand on manager’s time. Recently, we have observed more frequent examples of firms which have undertaken budgeting system transformation and the adoption of modern, flexible and performance-based budgets. In this study, we have studied some trends in the budgeting of Czech firms with a focus on the manager´s behaviour. This paper contributes to the existing knowledge in two fields: Firstly, it summarizes the existing state of the art regarding the budgeting transformation; secondly, it presents the survey results focused on the operational budget utilization and its impact on the manager’s behaviour. Overall, the study presents some findings regarding the impact of an operational budget on the manager’s behaviour. We have tested how frequently situations occur, more specifically those frequently discussed in literature, in a given Czech firm´s budgeting practices. © Foundation of International Studies and CSR, 2017.

In recent decades, the features making up corporate budgeting systems have been profoundly deliberated over by academics and professionals. Indeed, so-called traditional methods of budgeting have borne the brunt of severe criticism due to their inflexibility and the sheer amount of time they demand of employees. Nonetheless, several examples exist of budgeting systems that have somehow been transformed, and of organizations which have adopted advanced, flexible budgeting procedures based on evaluation of performance. In the study presented, the authors look into any relationships that may exist between the primary elements of corporate budgeting systems and their performance in the enterprise. The aim is to contribute towards existing knowledge by: 1) summarizing the latest advances that relate to budgeting and corporate performance; 2) reporting on current budgeting practices applied by companies in the Czech Republic, with analysis of how budgeting systems affect managerial behaviour; 3) evaluating any statistical dependence between selected features of corporate budgeting systems; i.e. utilizing a budget as a managerial tool, how enterprises express the added value of budgeting systems, endeavour on the part of management in implementing an effective budgeting system, the workload pertaining to individual components of a budgeting system, and the significance of a budgeting system in comparison with other tools designed for adapting to change in market conditions. In general, the study describes interconnections between the profit-based performance of firms and the majority of the factors and features of the budgeting systems examined.

The export orientation of small and medium enterprises represents an important attribute of the enterprises' competitive ability. In this context, the area of export financing becomes a very important field of company management. The aim of this study is to define and quantify relevant approaches of entrepreneurs to the export activities and export financing, with regard to the impact of the selected socio-economic factors (gender, level of education and age). The study is based on the research of Slovak business environment carried out in 2016, which was evaluated by the tools of descriptive statistics, including percentages and averages, pivot tables, the methods of comparison and deduction, Pearson's chi-square statistics at 5% significance level. Our results suggest that Slovak entrepreneurs primarily supply their products and services on the domestic market, while their export potential is limited. The assessment of the state support of export activities is rather negative. An alarming finding is that Slovak entrepreneurs in the SME segment do not use even basic tools of financial risk reduction to a higher extent, and that the usage of services of the state export bank Eximbank is negligible.

Cost management is one of the most significant issues in company performance and company financial management which any enterprise has to solve as in the periods of declines of sales revenues, as well as during their growth. In this study we designed and tested several regression models that could be suitable for cost behavior prediction and subsequent decision-making based on these predictions. We used multiple linear regression models with a point estimate and with interval estimate of the model parameters. Comparison of regression models of cost behavior and their reliability was carried out due to the quality of the data collected for the case of basic and adjusted data. The overheads were divided into several groups of relevant costs and their dependences were examined on different factors other than only the production volume using the correlation matrix. From the results of the transformed model we believe that asymmetric cost behavior is affected by asymmetric behavior of the chosen factors. As the final one was intended the model representing the change in costs in time shifting about one-month period. This model can be used for examining costs in time shift by a short period (e.g., months) and thus it is possible to provecost asymmetric behavior called “sticky costs”. We used the model adjusted in accordance with Anderson et al. (2003). and we kept the model clearly transformed and assembled so that there remained only those variables that had a statistically significant effect on the dependent variable. The limitations of these models were also defined. Finally, graphical analyses of deviations were performed to find similarities in cost through cost centres and through the examined periods. © Foundation of International Studies, 2017. and CSR, 2017.

In recent decades, academics and practitioners started a deep discussion about the limitations and perspectives of enterprise budgeting systems. Traditional budgets are frequently criticized due to their inflexibility, weak connection to corporate performance and demand on manager’s time. Recently, we have observed more frequent examples of firms which have undertaken budgeting system transformation and the adoption of modern, flexible and performance-based budgets. In this study, we have studied some trends in the budgeting of Czech firms with a focus on the manager´s behaviour. This paper contributes to the existing knowledge in two fields: Firstly, it summarizes the existing state of the art regarding the budgeting transformation; secondly, it presents the survey results focused on the operational budget utilization and its impact on the manager’s behaviour. Overall, the study presents some findings regarding the impact of an operational budget on the manager’s behaviour. We have tested how frequently situations occur, more specifically those frequently discussed in literature, in a given Czech firm´s budgeting practices. © Foundation of International Studies and CSR, 2017.

Aim: Access to primary health care is highly connected to the prevention of cancer mortality, since the risk factors threatening health can be early identified. The aim of this paper is, firstly, to explore similarity within and between the regions of the Slovak Republic and cancer mortality patterns, and secondly, to reveal if similar regions are characterised by the similar access to health care or risk factors occurrence. Methods: Data on deaths by sex, type of cancer death and region from 1996 to 2014 is provided by the National Health Information Centre of Slovakia. The relationships between 8 regions and 16 cancer types are described by correspondence analysis for both sexes. Results: The most similar cancer mortality patterns among Slovak regions are between the Nitra and Trnava regions for both sexes, and the Košice region for males. The Prešov region is showed as an outlier from other regions for females, likely due to the highest concentration of Roma marginalised communities. As for access to health care, the Trnava region as well as Nitra region report the lowest densities of physicians, 2.4 and 2.6 per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively. The most serious cancer types mortality is attributed to the digestive organs (C15-C26) in each Slovak region for both sexes with the average proportion of 35.56%. Observed high association between the Nitra region and respiratory cancer (C30-C39) in males may be confirmed by the increased incidence of radon in this region. Similarly, a tight relationship between the Bratislava region and cancer of male genital organs (C60-C63) can relate to the highest proportion of drug users in the Bratislava region. Conclusions: Based on the findings of similar regions in cancer mortality patterns, we recommend to set the same prevention programs in the Trnava and Nitra regions, on the other hand, different preventive interventions should be introduced in the Prešov region. © National Institute of Public Health, Prague 2017.

Cost management is one of the most significant issues in company performance and company financial management which any enterprise has to solve as in the periods of declines of sales revenues, as well as during their growth. In this study we designed and tested several regression models that could be suitable for cost behavior prediction and subsequent decision-making based on these predictions. We used multiple linear regression models with a point estimate and with interval estimate of the model parameters. Comparison of regression models of cost behavior and their reliability was carried out due to the quality of the data collected for the case of basic and adjusted data. The overheads were divided into several groups of relevant costs and their dependences were examined on different factors other than only the production volume using the correlation matrix. From the results of the transformed model we believe that asymmetric cost behavior is affected by asymmetric behavior of the chosen factors. As the final one was intended the model representing the change in costs in time shifting about one-month period. This model can be used for examining costs in time shift by a short period (e.g., months) and thus it is possible to provecost asymmetric behavior called “sticky costs”. We used the model adjusted in accordance with Anderson et al. (2003). and we kept the model clearly transformed and assembled so that there remained only those variables that had a statistically significant effect on the dependent variable. The limitations of these models were also defined. Finally, graphical analyses of deviations were performed to find similarities in cost through cost centres and through the examined periods. © Foundation of International Studies, 2017. and CSR, 2017.

In recent decades, the features making up corporate budgeting systems have been profoundly deliberated over by academics and professionals. Indeed, so-called traditional methods of budgeting have borne the brunt of severe criticism due to their inflexibility and the sheer amount of time they demand of employees. Nonetheless, several examples exist of budgeting systems that have somehow been transformed, and of organizations which have adopted advanced, flexible budgeting procedures based on evaluation of performance. In the study presented, the authors look into any relationships that may exist between the primary elements of corporate budgeting systems and their performance in the enterprise. The aim is to contribute towards existing knowledge by: 1) summarizing the latest advances that relate to budgeting and corporate performance; 2) reporting on current budgeting practices applied by companies in the Czech Republic, with analysis of how budgeting systems affect managerial behaviour; 3) evaluating any statistical dependence between selected features of corporate budgeting systems; i.e. utilizing a budget as a managerial tool, how enterprises express the added value of budgeting systems, endeavour on the part of management in implementing an effective budgeting system, the workload pertaining to individual components of a budgeting system, and the significance of a budgeting system in comparison with other tools designed for adapting to change in market conditions. In general, the study describes interconnections between the profit-based performance of firms and the majority of the factors and features of the budgeting systems examined.

The export orientation of small and medium enterprises represents an important attribute of the enterprises' competitive ability. In this context, the area of export financing becomes a very important field of company management. The aim of this study is to define and quantify relevant approaches of entrepreneurs to the export activities and export financing, with regard to the impact of the selected socio-economic factors (gender, level of education and age). The study is based on the research of Slovak business environment carried out in 2016, which was evaluated by the tools of descriptive statistics, including percentages and averages, pivot tables, the methods of comparison and deduction, Pearson's chi-square statistics at 5% significance level. Our results suggest that Slovak entrepreneurs primarily supply their products and services on the domestic market, while their export potential is limited. The assessment of the state support of export activities is rather negative. An alarming finding is that Slovak entrepreneurs in the SME segment do not use even basic tools of financial risk reduction to a higher extent, and that the usage of services of the state export bank Eximbank is negligible.