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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive disruption to business as usual across all industries, including education, and there is a growing consensus that the higher education (HE) sector may never go back to 'business as usual'. While universities are now developing strategies for 2030, several management consultancies are projecting a very challenging HE landscape in the next decade. Suggestions, from the death of the normal university campus to shutdowns, mergers and collaborations are widely predicted including new opportunities for growth. University administrators should develop innovative strategic plans to address the challenges and harness the growth opportunities. Although other industries have faced such disruptions and have coped with responses such as partnerships and mergers, it may be time for universities to reconsider business models for the future. The strategies adopted in the aviation industry have been used to recommend a way forward for universities. [Note: The page range (17-33) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 17-32.]

This study explored the dominant discourses on online distance education (ODE) that emerged in South Korean society before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors conducted a topic modeling analysis of 8,865 news articles published by 24 South Korean media outlets between 2019 and 2021. Using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm and social network analysis software (NetMiner), the top five topics and the top ten words associated with each topic were identified from each period. The authors observed significant changes not only in the number of news articles but also in the depth of the conversations published each year. The results have revealed several key points. First, ODE, previously considered marginal and abnormal, gained in normality across all educational levels in Korean society. Second, ODE discourses have been shaped by the unique cultural, historical, and technological infrastructure in South Korea. Third, a clear division between social-justice-oriented and business-oriented ODE discourses reflect a persistent inequality in Korean society. Finally, ODE discourses matured in 2021, with more critical and realistic perspectives on both the positives and negatives of ODE. The useful implications of such insights for post-pandemic ODE research and practice are further discussed.

This research aims to analyse the key factors of the gem and jewellery business affecting Thailand's export performance, and to examine the relationship between the business model, marketing environment, and the export performance of the gem and jewellery industry in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative research based on 400 opinions from Thailand's gems and jewellery business owners has been applied in this study. 369 questionnaires were returned, accounting for 92.4%. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, structural equation modelling, and path analysis used to test hypotheses. The research results revealed that the business model and marketing environment positively influence a firm's export performance. Only customer segments, channels, value propositions, and creating value for customers had a statistically significant influence on the export performance. To improve its marketing environment, the business should focus on increasing variety and suitable prices, changing promotion to online, trade exhibitions, and creating more variety of products, modern style, and quality product guarantee.

Transnational routes such as direct-entry have become a more attractive option for Chinese students, due to the pandemic-imposed travel restrictions in China. The rise of Chinese direct-entry students can potentially lead to a significant increase in demand for academic and non-academic support not only after their arrival, but also before their departure from China. By applying Schlossberg's transition theory, this paper seeks to develop a good understanding of the academic and social belonging of Chinese direct-entry students in the UK through re-analysing the portraits (written narratives) of a previous research project. The findings indicate that these students were feeling disconnected from the academic and social communities. The factors affecting their sense of belonging are described using the 4S framework, namely self, strategies, situation and support. The paper ends with recommendations to key university stakeholders on how the partner institutions in China and the UK can help enhance a sense of academic and social belongingness of Chinese direct-entry students.

This article sheds light on the emergence of private tutoring in Denmark. Written from the perspective of a tutoring entrepreneur, it discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by a fledgling tutoring company in present-day Danish society. The article is a personal narrative of the author's experience with establishing the first major Danish tutoring company. The enthusiastic response by parents to the services offered by the author's company shows that there has long existed a hitherto unmet need for private tutoring in Denmark. However, the author also argues that the political turmoil surrounding the 2013 Danish school reform made parents increasingly sceptical that mainstream schools could effectively address the needs of their children. It thereby prepared the ground for launching a private tutoring concept. It is only in the last decade that private tutoring has emerged in Denmark. The article provides a unique insider's perspective on this largely unexplored development.

This article describes a novel virtual participatory action research (VPAR) approach to engaging youth who trade sex in Minnesota. The Minnesota Youth Sex Trading (MYST) Project switched to an entirely virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of an intergenerational team, Millennial and Generation Z researchers created a research-brand using technical marketing skills and knowledge of online youth culture to engage youth and other stakeholders in the project. This approach centered trust-building, accountability, transparency, and authenticity to build an online community and increase connection with marginalized young people via Instagram. Responding to COVID-19 and social uprisings, we have adapted our engagement strategies in ways that contain valuable insights into young people's engagement in research. This article illuminates promising VPAR principles to engage youth online as experts in prevention, intervention, and wellness promotion, yielding important new insights about the future of engaged research.

This article uses the question "Can government and businesses mandate the COVID-19 vaccine?" as a starting point for an interdisciplinary lesson appropriate for a variety of business law classes. This lesson includes several important overlapping learning goals: (1) It expands students' ability to analyze how the complexity associated with the legal regulation of business in the United States applies to real-world business dilemmas; (2) improves students' ability to examine business dilemmas from competing ethical perspectives and distinguish between law and ethics; (3) develop students' ability to critically assess how behavioral economics can further a business's goals; and (4) develops students' ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines including law, ethics, and behavioral economics. This lesson is appropriate for a variety of classes, and Debbie Kaminer has used it in courses she teaches on both the Legal and Ethical Environment of Business and Employment Law at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

This paper examines literature from the COVID-19 period (2020-2022) to outline prevalent themes and essential competencies in the post-COVID era. Employing informetrics within a quantitative research approach, the study scrutinizes Scopus database data using COVID-19, e-learning, e-commerce, and media and information literacy terms. Results reveal a surge in scholarly focus on e-commerce, online learning, e-health, and ICTs, including social media. Identified were 355 media and information literacy terms, with digital, information, health, and media literacy at the forefront. Moreover, 244 corresponding competencies and skills were noted. The study emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive media and information literacy programs, diverse competencies, and stakeholder engagement in fostering a digitally literate society. Prioritizing skill development for navigating digital landscapes is vital amid the fourth industrial revolution, laying the groundwork for adept usage of media, information, and digital realms.

This paper calculates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational outcomes for undergraduate business programs in Mexico. We use administrative data from the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education and a difference-in-differences empirical strategy to estimate the impact. We find a negative effect on intake, enrollment, and graduation outcomes. We also examine heterogeneous effects, showing that top business schools increased the number of intakes with respect to non-top schools. Furthermore, public schools were more negatively impacted than private schools in terms of graduation outcomes, while synchronous-learning programs reported a higher decrease on graduation rates than asynchronous-learning programs.

This paper discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic can shift the conversation of paid and unpaid placements from an economic to a pedagogical and goodwill perspective. During the pandemic lockdown many placements were cancelled or postponed. Some continued as agreed but with students working from home, while other placements became unpaid. We build on the pertinent literature that raises legal, ethical, economic and pedagogical implications of paid versus unpaid placement models and what motivates placement organizations to offer placements. Four interdisciplinary trans-Tasman case studies are discussed to better understand the complex situations for placement organizations and universities to sustain WIL placements during this pandemic. Conclusions include recommendations to be vigilant and ensure goodwill is not used to mask the exploitation of students, but rather, positively influence the motivation behind offering placements during these trying times and beyond.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations offering work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities were no longer able to support student placements, resulting in many institutions searching for a range of innovative solutions. Many have redesigned their conventional placement-based WIL activities or programs to enable students to meet graduate profile criteria through alternative means such as virtual or simulated WIL experiences. The literature shows there are many models of WIL beyond conventional work placements. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted of these WIL models, to provide a complied synthesis of existing practice from within the WIL field specifically focused on two books, the "International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning," and three national WIL association conference publications. The trends and qualities that emerge from the meta-analysis of existing practice can inform the redevelopment across the different modes of conventional, remote, virtual, and simulated WIL experiences.

The main thrust of this paper is to explore factors from the business sector, which could inspire school leaders in terms of issue/problem formulation during their decision-making process. This conceptual paper examines diachronically and conceptually the issues of uncertainty, not only in terms of context and decision-making, but also having in mind leaders' and leadership's main characteristics as well. The question remains whether concepts of uncertainty management practices from the business sector might offer insights for school principals in order to make connections between what is happening inside and outside the organization. The paper is organized around five sections dealing with the conceptual basis of the two main terms, crisis and uncertainty and how leaders in the business sector deal with these. Following, we focus on educational leaders and their ways of navigating through crisis and uncertainty and we conclude with some observations about how leaders make the best possible decisions under the circumstances. We end the paper by stressing that, perhaps, many of the leadership qualities and characteristics needed in times of "normality" are more or less similar to those needed in times of uncertainty. However, school leaders need to learn to act faster with clearer and constant communication.

This paper analyzes how multi-level marketing companies (MLMs), via direct selling through electronic commerce (e-commerce) and social media, enact and evade federal language policy to maximize profits. Here we describe the federal language policies that govern this type of e-commerce, and in particular, the language policies of the Federal Trade Commission, which dictate what can and cannot be communicated by MLM companies and their contractors. We then illustrate how these federal language policies are enacted, and at times subverted, for financial gain during the COVID-19 economic and health crisis which rendered many people vulnerable. We draw on the discourse analysis of public documents, MLM insider sources via the first author, and over 100,000 public Instagram posts published by MLM independent contractors collected with the third-party Instagram data extraction tool, Phantombuster. We find that MLM independent contractors, although varying widely with respect to their enactment of federal and corporate policy, frequently reference COVID-19 implicitly or explicitly, a practice prohibited by federal policy. We demonstrate that quantitative and qualitative discourse analysis of language policies and practices of MLM social media provides a productive lens for understanding both the communication challenges of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach reveals the variable ways in which language policies are taken up and discourses recontextualized with new meanings and for new purposes across social media platforms.

COVID-19 has significantly impacted Australia's attractiveness as an international study destination and affected public university budgets, which have increasingly relied on attracting international students through business education. The notion of business schools as an onshore export business has long been a constraint to business schools' claims of public legitimacy. COVID-19 has effectively removed the 'cash cow' status, meaning business schools must turn to other sources of support and legitimacy to secure their future. A Delphi of expert panel members was conducted to determine how this and other key drivers of change will impact business education in Australia over the next 10 years. It is clear from the findings that public business education is now irrevocably changed and that, without dramatic shifts in policy and strategy, it will confront even more significant challenges to its legitimacy into the future.

A firm's expectation about the future business cycle is an important determinant of the decision to train apprentices, especially as German firms typically offer apprenticeships to either fill future skilled worker positions, or as a substitute for other types of labor. The current coronavirus crisis will have a strong and negative impact on the German economy, according to the current business cycle expectations of German firms. To the extent that the training decisions of firms depend on these perceptions, we expect a downward shift in firm demand for apprentices and consequently also a decrease in the equilibrium number of apprenticeship contracts. To assess the impact of changes in business cycle expectations, we analyze German data on the apprenticeship market at the state-level and at the occupation-level within states from 2007 to 2019. We apply first-differences regressions to account for unobserved heterogeneity across states and occupations, allowing us to identify the association between changes in two popular measures of business cycle expectations (the ifo Business Climate Index and the ifo Employment Barometer) and subsequent changes in the demand for apprentices, the number of new apprenticeship contracts, unfilled vacancies and unsuccessful applicants. We find that the German apprenticeship market prior to the current crisis can be characterized by excess demand for apprentices (although there are matching problems in some states, with both a high share of unfilled vacancies and a high share of unsuccessful applicants). Taking into account the most recent data on business cycle expectations up to June 2020, we estimate that the coronavirus-related decrease in firms' expectations about the business cycle can be associated with a predicted 8% decrease in firm demand for apprentices and a 6% decrease in the number of new apprenticeship positions in Germany compared to 2019 (-30,000 apprenticeship contracts; 95% confidence interval: ± 8000).

The economic fallout of the layoffs and business closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc for New England workers--especially those who were already facing a structurally vulnerable workforce and employment system before the pandemic. What can state governments do to stimulate job creation and make New England's economy more resilient in the future? This was among the questions explored at NEBHE's virtual Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting held via Zoom on September 22. LAC members representing all six New England states met with a panel of experts to explore strategies for economic recovery in the region. This article presents the following four takeaways from the discussion: (1) Economic recovery will depend on states' ability to identify and support the region's most vulnerable workers; (2) New England's most vulnerable employees can be best supported through business-led partnerships that focus on job quality; (3) Increased state support for the childcare sector will be critical for the future of New England's economy; and (4) Broader recognition of prior learning could help accelerate the region's economic recovery.

Background: Vaccines have been instrumental in preventing up to three million deaths globally, according to the WHO. Despite this, COVID-19 vaccine uptake has faced challenges due to vaccine issues, production difficulties, and various socio-demographic, economic, structural, and cultural factors. Objective/aim: This study examined the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy among adults aged 18 and older in the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 590 adults from three districts using multistage sampling. Respondents aged 18 years and above were recruited using a structured questionnaire and an interviewer-administered approach. Data analysis was conducted using STATA version 16. The relationship between the dependent and independent variables was assessed through logistic regression analysis, with statistical significance determined at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: A 42.5% rate of vaccine hesitancy was found. Key predictors included being an artisan (aOR = 1.99), a trader (aOR = 3.64), lacking nearby healthcare centres (aOR = 1.52), residing in rural areas (aOR = 0.41), earning less than 500 cedis (aOR = 0.57), and having a larger household size (aOR = 0.37). Not receiving information on vaccine side effects from health personnel (aOR = 5.6) was also a significant factor (p < 0.05). Conclusion: To enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake and advance towards ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (SDG 3), healthcare interventions designed by health professionals should address these major predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deepening of crises and pandemics, the growth of armed conflicts actualize the ability of business to adapt to these changes, as well as the repurposing of industries in accordance with the goals of sustainable development. Industry 4.0 also creates a business environment based on innovation and adaptability to change. The lack of conflict identification in business leads to the creation of the wrong strategy and tools, losses and unprofitability. The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the business models transformation for enterprises from different industries in the context of achieving sustainable development. The aim of the study is to identify factors that change the key elements of the business models under the influence of Covid-19 and Industry 4.0, as well as to adapt to meet the conditions of the sustainable development triangle. In the process of describing business models of enterprises, the authors proposed an approach based on the concept of sustainable development. Characterization of individual transformations of business models is based on the results of generalization of enterprises performance indicators by five sectors of the economy according to GICS. This allows for international comparability of research results. The authors found that business models of enterprises were transformed under the influence of COVID-19 and Industry 4.0. The analysis of CANVAS models allowed to identify the main transformational changes: an open system with multiple inputs and outputs, an interactive-innovative environment, a customer-oriented approach with a focus on millennials, the formation of a full range of End-to-End solutions in three areas (Operations, Solutions Delivery, Innovations). The authors confirmed the hypothesis that the business models of enterprises in the consumer and energy sectors have not adapted to the negative impact of COVID-19 and are difficult to adapt to Industry 4.0. Enterprises in other sectors of the economy have adapted to change and transformed their own business models as a result of the impact of COVID-19 and Industry 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose – The study examines whether affective organizational commitment and its drivers differ between Polish female and male employees. Design/methodology/approach – Our proprietary data are from ongoing surveys conducted by a major Polish HR consulting firm. The nationwide survey of nearly 3,000 Polish workers in 2020 constitutes the data set in this analysis. Regression analysis is applied to analyze the relationship between organizational commitment, gender and other variables. Findings – The study provides support for the job model, that is, women and men have similar levels of commitment once all other factors are controlled. Although the results show that, ceteris paribus, the organizational commitment of women is statistically significantly higher than that of men, the effect size is trivial in practical terms. The study also discloses the fact that the determinants of organizational commitment of men and women are similar, thus refuting a commonly held notion about gendered job attribute preferences. Support for gender as a moderator between organizational commitment and its antecedents is not found. COVID-19-related work adjustments do not seem to have affected the commitment of Polish male and female workers to their employers. Originality/value – The study adds to the scarce empirical literature on organizational commitment in Poland. To date, only a small number of such studies exist for Poland, and all of them use small homogeneous samples and limited questionnaires. The results are of value to researchers as well as HR managers seeking to improve long-term commitment to organizations.

This paper focuses on the multi-scale spillover and time-varying dependence of Chinese stock market and its important trading partners along the Belt and Road around the COVID-19 crisis. We use multiple methods - the DY (12) and BK (18) connectedness approaches that investigate dynamic and frequency connectedness; the wavelet coherence and the time-varying CoVaR to examine the connection between price lead lags and systemic risk spillovers. Our empirical results show spillovers to be asymmetric, and short-term spillovers dominating. Meanwhile, the level of spillover in the system increased sharply after the COVID-19. In the medium and long-term frequency domains, wavelet coherence reveals strong co-movement between the Chinese market and its major trading partners. We see that the highest level of systematic risk spillovers occurs at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Finally, the weighting of the Chinese stock market in the effective portfolio rises after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted numerous facets of life, including education, career paths, and employment opportunities, affecting individuals, communities, and economies worldwide. This study delves into the realm of employability among Malaysian graduates post the COVID-19 crisis. Malaysia, known for its distinct socio-economic landscape, offers a captivating backdrop to explore the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by graduates seeking stable and meaningful employment in the aftermath of the pandemic. Employing SWOT analysis, this research comprehensively investigates the employability experiences of recent Malaysian graduates by drawing insights from a focused selection of literature concerning graduates' employment and its interplay with the Covid-19 situation. The study's outcomes highlight the critical need for adaptive policies and educational initiatives tailored to equip graduates with the essential skills and adaptable mindset required to excel in an evolving post-pandemic job market. Above all, the study underscores the significance of understanding and addressing the unique nuances of the Malaysian context while offering insights that can potentially benefit other regions grappling with similar employability challenges triggered by the pandemic's aftermath

This study aimed to analyze the impact of auditor characteristics on audit quality in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic by assessing how auditor characteristics (such as gender, age, education level, professional certificate, sector, size of the employees, revenue, experience, and region) impact audit quality in crisis conditions. It employed a descriptive-analytical approach and quantitative regression analysis of cross-sectional data. The survey was conducted in 2021 among 203 auditors in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was facilitated through the assistance of the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) to make the sample more structured and representative. The results reveal that auditor characteristics played a significant role in determining audit quality during the pandemic. Gender, education level, audit firm size, and professionalism experience showed a strong correlation (r = 0.619) between professional experience and adaptability to remote auditing conditions. The regression analysis indicates a positive impact on audit performance. The results suggest practical implications for improving auditor selection, training programs, and regulatory frameworks to enhance audit resilience in times of crisis. It offers theoretical contribution by validating existing models under pandemic conditions and providing insights for the future of auditing practices. It also assists in establishing confidence in financial reporting together with control, making investors feel secure, and maintaining stability in the business world.

Purpose – This paper explores flexible working practices (FWPs) and takes a critical view that argues a need to consider not only access to digital technological resources but also the vast array of factors that constrain one’s ability to use technology for its intended benefits, as constituting the digital divide post-COVID-19 lockdown. Design/methodology/approach – Using a critical evaluation of the extant literature, we engage in a conceptual undertaking to develop theoretical propositions that form the basis for future empirical undertakings. To theoretically ground the arguments raised, we deploy the ontological lens of actor-network theory to illuminate the socio-technical dimensions of the digital divide in light of FWPs. Findings – Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to adopt socially distanced work practices has become a reality for many organisations. We find that the adoption of FWPs, enabled by digital technologies, simultaneously signals hidden inequalities. We also develop a conceptual framework which depicts user responses in different technology environments that can either be limiting or enabling for individuals’ work productivity. Originality/value – With regards to the digital divide, attention has often focused on access to digital technologies, as the term “digital divide” portrays. The implication is that the array of factors and resources that individuals are heterogeneously networked to, which also constitute the digital divide, is often taken for granted. We take a different ontological view that brings to the fore other factors at play within an individual’s network of relations. 研究目的 – 本文擬探索彈性工作安排,並以批判性的觀點、去論證當我們探討2019冠狀病毒病封鎖解除後的數字鴻溝究竟是由什麼組成時,我們必須考慮數字技術資源的使用權限,以及關注各個有關的因素,因這些因素限制了我們從應用技術獲得預期效益的能力。 研究設計/方法/理念 – 我們對現存文獻作批判性的評價,藉此參與一項概念性的工作,以便能建立可以成為將來實證性工作基礎的理論命題;為使提出的論點能得到理論上的依據,我們使用行動者網絡理論的本體論鏡頭,去闡明鑒於彈性工作安排的數字鴻溝的各個社會技術維度。 研究結果 – 由於2019冠狀病毒病大爆發的關係,許多機構和組織都因實際情況而需採用保持社交距離的工作安排。我們發現、當我們採用有賴數字技術的發展而成行的彈性工作安排時,我們同時也會使不為人知的不平等狀況浮現出來;我們也注意到、不同的技術環境會限制個人的工作生產力,又或相反地助其建立工作生產力;就此,我們建立了一個可以描繪就這些不同的技術環境、用戶會如何回應的概念框架。 研究的原創性/價值 – 就數字鴻溝而言,人們的關注總放在數字技術使用權限的差異上,就如數字鴻溝這個術語所塑造的形象一樣。這種關注可能帶來的影響是即使有不同的因素和資源、即使個人會以各種形式與不同的因素和資源聯繫起來,而這些因素和資源構成了數字鴻溝,人們卻把這些因素和資源視為理所當然。我們採用不同的本體論觀點,希望藉此使個人關係網絡內起著作用的其它因素能突顯出來、免被忽視。

Global Financial Technology adoption grew from 33% in 2017 to 64% in 2019, and in Nepal, Fintech users surged by 207.41% from 6.48 million in 2020 to 19.92 million in 2023, significantly influenced by the COVID-19 epidemic. Despite numerous studies on Financial Technology adoption globally, research on drivers of adoption intention, particularly incorporating mediation and moderation effects across various sectors of urban areas of Nepal, remains limited. Thus, this study examines the drivers of intention to adopt Financial Technology among urban Nepalese in Kathmandu Valley using the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The study employs a descriptive and explanatory research design to thoroughly examine the factors influencing the intention to adopt Financial Technology services. A non-probability sampling technique, specifically convenient sampling, was used to gather data from 360 users of Fintech services through a structured questionnaire administered via the Kobo Toolbox. Data analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares version 4.1.0.1. The findings indicate that effort expectancy, trust, and perceived usefulness directly influence the intention to adopt Fintech services. In contrast, security and privacy, and social influence affect adoption indirectly through perceived usefulness. Furthermore, effort expectancy partially impacts adoption through perceived usefulness, but perceived trust only directly affects adoption. Moreover, the education level moderates the impact of trust and social influence on adoption. In contrast, the effects of security and privacy, and effort expectancy are not influenced by education. The study offers vital insights to regulators, policymakers, providers of Financial Technology services, and BFIs as they should prioritize initiatives that enhance trust, effort expectancy, and perceived usefulness of Fintech services.

A new era of student-centered learning, fueled by the power of digital tools and advanced teaching methods, means that classrooms are no longer entirely defined by four walls and a teacher at the leadership. At the same time, the educational landscape of African countries is very slowly adapting to these changes: the traditional face-to-face approach to learning dominates, student groups are overcrowded, and there is a significant gap in digital skills between students from urban and rural areas. Today, the development of online education becomes an important prerequisite for addressing the problem of educational disparity, a tool for meeting individual educational needs, increasing students' motivation and responsibility for their learning outcomes. The Self-Determined Learning Approach allows for a personalized learning environment in which students can choose what, how and when they learn, work at their pace, choose or receive learning tasks in an order that makes sense to them, which allows for the individual interests of each student, learning style, cultural identity, life experience and personal challenges. The research is based on the results of in-depth interviews with students aged between 25 and 37 years with work (2‒5 years) and study experience, who fit the profile of self-determined learners, have part-time distance learning experience, are employed in different positions and are currently studying different programs, and are also registered with one of the three Distance Education Institutions. All participants are in their final year of study and have experienced digital transformation in distance education. This qualitative study is based on a constructivist paradigm employing a phenomenological strategy to explain the perceptions of students regarding how self-determined practices are applied at their institutions. The phenomenological approach aimed to capture the lived experiences of these students, focusing on their descriptions and interpretations of encountering self-determination practices in their educational environment. The results of the study confirmed the value of a self-determined approach to learning and its positive impact on enhancing students' workplace adaptability. However, at the same time, the survey revealed that African higher education institutions are not ready for the effective implementation of self-determined learning technologies, the main reasons being the lack of technology and the unpreparedness of teachers.

The study seeks to answer the question of how the counties of Szeklerland, Harghita, Covasna and Mureș in Romania have changed in recent years, primarily between 2017 and 2022, in the middle of which period the pandemic which began in 2020, triggered various difficulties. Data from the Romanian National Statistical Institute were used in the research, providing insights into the changes in tourism in Romania and Szeklerland. The data include yearly changes, such as changes in the number of accommodation establishments, their occupancy rates or the number of guests arriving at the establishments, as well as monthly breakdowns, which are mainly necessary for the analysis of seasonality. The results obtained from the secondary data analysis used in the study reflect the nature of the difficulties faced by the tourism sector during the pandemic period and the trends in the efficiency of tourism supply in the period preceding and following the pandemic. The 2010s have clearly been a year of step-by-step development and minor successes in tourism, culminating in 2019 in terms of the turnover of accommodation in Szeklerland. During this period, a number of new tourist units opened their doors, with 35,889 new beds added in Transylvania between 2012 and 2022 and 2,427 new beds added in Szeklerland between 2012 and 2022. After a good period for the sector, a slight change in trend started in 2020, mainly due to the fact that tourists started to prefer trips that require less personal contact with other tourists, but also due to a significant change in their accommodation needs, with an increase in both the number of accommodation units and the number of beds for higher quality accommodation types, while the opposite is observed for lower quality accommodation types.

In the time of fast technology growth, digitalization is transforming the landscape of many businesses. However, the antecedents of digital adoption within small and medium-sized enterprises in crisis are yet not fully understood. This study’s objective is to pinpoint factors that influence entrepreneurs’ intentions to utilize digital technologies in times of COVID-19 crisis in the Russian Federation. The study is based on the theory of planned behaviour. The analytical procedures performed on the data involved logistic regression modelling. This research draws on the Russian part of the 2021 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Database (GEM) Adult Population Survey which measures the level and nature of entrepreneurial activity in different countries. Perceived behavioural control was revealed to be a key determinant of the intention towards digital technologies’ adoption – entrepreneur’s perception of opportunities and self-efficacy positively affects their intention to adopt digital technologies during a crisis. Notably, previous experience with digital technologies had a negative impact during the crisis. Further, an individual’s age inversely affects their tendency to pursue digital entrepreneurial initiatives. The research extends the theory of planned behaviour to volatile contexts and signals how entrepreneurs can adapt to upheavals during crises through digitalization, thus advancing understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour under extremities.

We investigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on firm performance using the quarterly financial data of firms from 89 countries and show that the pandemic has a detrimental impact on firm performance. The firms that held more long-term debt and account receivables on their balance sheet before the pandemic were relatively more affected amid the pandemic. The cash buffers can make firms more resilient to the COVID-19 crisis. The quality of a country's governance plays a vital role in mitigating the adverse impact of the pandemic on firm performance.

COVID-19 Pandemic period has changed the way business operate and forced workers and companies to adapt new ways of working and new business practices, being faced to new challenges. One of the most important shifts, consisting in working remotely, has also increased the usage of Agile Methodology, esppecially in software development. Agile Methodology consists in a dynamic and flexible way of working, capable of creating a working environment that empowers worker, creativity, autonomy, constant feedback, efficient communication, and iterative work. The paper aims to discuss the positive correlation betwen the increase in usage of Agile Methodology, due to social distancing procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Human Capital - particulary in IT development workforce area.

Purpose – The primary objective of this paper is to explore the robust determinants influencing the infection rate and case mortality rate of COVID-19 in both developing and developed economies. The analysis is conducted using a dataset encompassing 148 countries. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve this goal, empirical testing utilizes the Sala-i-Martin version of extreme bounds analysis, a method grounded in the cumulative density function. This approach allows for a comprehensive exploration of potential determinants. Findings – The analysis results reveal that, to a large extent, distinct factors contribute to the infection and mortality rates in developed and developing countries. Notwithstanding these differences, certain common factors emerge, such as the risk environment, the number of tests conducted per million people and the percentage of the population over 65. Originality/value – Despite acknowledging the potential limitations inherent in official data, this study concludes that the presented results offer valuable insights. The identified determinants, both unique and common, contribute to understanding the dynamics of COVID-19 in diverse economic settings. The information gleaned from this research holds significance for decision-makers involved in combating the ongoing pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought about a shift in the way businesses operate, accelerating the adoption of digital communication tools. The study examines the effectiveness of communication tools in Slovak enterprises, comparing the dynamics before and during the pandemic. The study highlights the need for businesses to address communication-related issues.

The aim of the article is to analyse the impact of foreign direct investments on GDP growth and the link between the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic growth of Central and Eastern European countries. The study has shown us that there is a positive impact between foreign direct investment inflows and GDP growth, and that variables such as exports, labour productivity and unemployment rate also positively influence the development of the countries under analysis. We used a panel regression model with fixed effects, which showed us the correlation between FDI inflows and GDP growth, from which we can see that the decreases in FDI caused by the pandemic, led to a decrease in the GDP growth rate and thus in the economic development of the Central and Eastern European countries.

The research work, through its structure, aims to achieve several objectives: following the evolution of the insurance market in Romania during the period 2015 - 2022, a period in which the pandemic generated by Covid-19 left its mark on several sectors of activity, the analysis the correlation between the indicators that define the insurance market and GDP/capita, and finally, with the help of the statistical program Eviews, we will create a multiple linear regression model.