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Abstract This study investigates the decolonization process among nascent entrepreneurs from formerly colonized nations, operating within underprivileged areas of developed countries. Through a two-year ethnographic inquiry involving entrepreneurs from former French African Colonies and Departments conducting business in the Metropole, the paper recounts their journey from being subject to attempts at recolonization to achieving decolonization. Using colonialist theory and the approach of entrepreneurship as a practice, it explores how entrepreneurs resisted efforts by incubators to impose colonial ideologies, ultimately embracing their own entrepreneurial practices. Three distinct decolonization processes emerge from this analysis. This paper contributes to colonialist theory in three key ways. Firstly, it proposes a methodological framework for identifying signs of colonialism and decolonization through the observation of entrepreneurial practices. Secondly, it extends the applicability of colonialist theory beyond traditional Global South contexts, demonstrating its relevance within immigrant communities from former colonies. Lastly, it clarifies the concept of decolonization, emphasizing the adoption of entrepreneurial practices reflective of individual choice and agency rather than mere rejection of colonialist norms.

A higher education institution is both a social institution and a commercial enterprise in the educational services market. Ensuring the economic security of private higher education institutions involves identifying risks and threats to this security (especially as they cannot rely on state support), which justifies the purpose and objectives of the paper. To ensure economic security, it is necessary to develop a certain concept, management mechanism, model, or set of measures. However, it is essential first to identify, measure, and assess the relevant risks, dangers, and threats. Threats to the economic security of a private higher education institution are considered in the context of its components, with a view to identifying them and assessing their potential, based on the list of tasks outlined for higher education institutions in Article 25 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Higher Education.’ It is proven that risk is the probability of the negative impact of certain events, threat is a set of specific factors that can negatively affect activities, and danger is a specific, identified condition which, if ignored, can lead to significant losses. Therefore, the category of threat was chosen as a set of certain factors that can have a negative impact; factors that are more remote than danger, making them more suitable for identification and forecasting. The list of threats has been expanded according to the following criteria: - by the nature of implementation: overt - obsolescence of equipment, programs, technologies; covert - hacker attacks; - by the mechanism of influence: indirect - lack of motivation among teachers for research, advanced training, or the introduction of innovative teaching methods; direct - an overly large administrative apparatus, irrational management structure and division of responsibilities, or insufficient control; - by the place of origin: internal threats, as threats can also originate within the institution - insufficient qualifications of top management, reluctance of teachers to develop, sabotage of new technologies, corruption or bribery, unethical behavior. The authors identifie threats to each component of the economic security of a private higher education institution and presents possible responses to these threats. Assessing the level of economic security of a higher education institution using statistical methods is challenging, so it is proposed that future assessments focus on the damage caused to the institution’s interests and the effectiveness of preventative measures, based on the indicator method. It is concluded that a security category can exist only in the presence of threats. Thus, the existing classifications of threats to the economic security of a private higher education institution are clarified and supplemented. The components of economic security are compared with the legally established tasks, principles, rights, and obligations of a higher education institution, a list of threats to the economic security of a private higher education institution by its components is developed, and possible responses to these threats are recommended.

Modern realities indicate that improving the efficiency of management processes is impossible without the use of information and software that should be integrated into the management system. Therefore, the article explores the importance of this integration in the context of globalized markets, emphasizing its role in increasing competitiveness, introducing innovations and making operational and strategic decisions. It is noted that the main advantages of integration are: increased management efficiency through automation of routine tasks, increased control over own operations; improved coordination between departments through the use of a single database, simplification of information exchange and promotion of more effective cooperation; informed decision-making through access to real-time data; reduction of costs for personnel, paper and other resources; gaining competitive advantages in such areas as marketing, sales, production and logistics. It is emphasized that the information support of international enterprises has moved to a new level, where information has not only become an information resource, but also performs important functions in management. By using advanced analytics and business intelligence tools, international companies can gain strategic insights for further development, identify market trends, and make informed operational decisions that meet their current and global goals. The existing unified software of the leading ERP-systems vendors that can be used in the management of an enterprise, in particular, an international company, is analyzed. Given that the changing conditions of enterprise functioning require an individual approach and the creation of a custom-made product, a comparative characterization of unified and individual software products is carried out. An example of individual software products that take into account the specifics of certain enterprises is the software developed with the participation of the authors for enterprises in the water transport and insurance industries. With a view to optimizing the process of using information and software in the management of an international enterprise, the authors propose an appropriate mechanism. For its successful implementation, it is necessary to take into account that the integration of information technology is a complex process that requires careful planning and implementation, in particular, the factor of financing and staff training. As modern international businesses continue to evolve and adapt to change, the use of information and software is becoming a critical success factor. High-tech management solutions allow companies to respond effectively to global market challenges and remain competitive in an ever-changing business environment.

The global confectionery industry is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the economy and one of the fastest-growing segments of the consumer market. This growth is driven by shifting demand, influenced by healthy eating trends, as well as the industry’s ability to adapt to consumer preferences through innovation and the development of flexible competitive strategies. This paper is based on the hypothesis that, for effective competition, enterprises in the confectionery industry must continuously monitor the business environment and implement strategic measures in a timely manner. The aim of this research is to substantiate the choice of a competitive strategy by monitoring the competitive advantages of enterprises in the confectionery industry, using Ukraine and Slovakia as case studies. The research materials include statistical data on the development of the confectionery industry in Ukraine and Slovakia from Ukrstat and Eurostat. To compare the competitive advantages of confectionery enterprises in both countries, the authors used methods such as diagnostic analysis, statistical data analysis, and case studies were employed. Expert evaluations from the confectionery industry in Ukraine and Slovakia were used to monitor and assess competitive advantages. The monitoring procedure followed a structured sequence of actions: (1) identifying development trends in the confectionery industry, (2) determining key competitive advantages, and (3) conducting an expert assessment of these advantages. Based on this assessment, priorities were established, and a competitive strategy was defined. The competitive advantages evaluated by experts included the dynamics of confectionery production, revenue growth, digitalization of sales, average product prices, operational efficiency, brand development, product innovation, ingredient safety, and export potential. The potential competitive advantages of confectionery industry enterprises, which experts were asked to evaluate, included the dynamics of confectionery production, revenue dynamics, digitalization of sales, average prices for confectionery products, efficiency, brand development, product innovation, ingredient safety, and export potential. The results of the expert assessment indicate that the confectionery enterprises of Ukraine and Slovakia have significant potential for growth and strengthening their competitive position. Ukrainian enterprises, in particular, benefit from larger production volumes, a more innovative product assortment, and higher product quality. To further enhance their competitive advantages, Ukrainian enterprises should focus on digitalizing sales and expanding into new markets to boost exports. For Slovak enterprises, increasing production volumes, digitizing sales, refining product policy to expand assortments, and diagnosing export potential are recommended strategies for gaining competitive advantages. As a result of this study, a methodological approach was developed to assess the competitive advantages of enterprises in the highly competitive confectionery industry. This approach enables enterprises in this sector to gain additional advantages in the global market. Identifying competitive advantages becomes a fundamental characteristic for providing information support in managing a company’s competitive capabilities in a global context. This article contributes to the study of methodologies for monitoring, evaluating, and managing the competitiveness of confectionery enterprises, with potential applicability to enterprises in other industries. The research also opens avenues for further studies in competitiveness management, the confectionery industry, and marketing management.

Abstract The relationship between women and water has gained increasing recognition in recent years. This is evident in the role of water in domestic activities, the water collection performed by women, and the cultural dimensions where attributes such as fluidity, instability, and sensuality are established, aiming at the colonization of both. Simultaneously, the female view has become more prominent in water management, as they are often the ones addressing the issues arising from inadequate access to water and sanitation. This paper examines the case of Vila Ideal, a favela on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, where residents initially had to walk daily to collect water and have witnessed various territorial transformations. We explore the experiences of Black women who have lived in Vila Ideal since its inception, employing a historical perspective through qualitative research. Using a decolonial framework informed by feminist scholars such as Lélia Gonzalez and Gayatri Spivak, we analyze how water and gender intersect and influence human activities over time, forming what we term hydrosocial relationships of gender.