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  • The Importance of Continuous Organizational Project Risk Management and the Value of Project Management Certificates in the Customers’ Eyes
    51-68
    Views:
    908

    In an increasingly complex and volatile business environment, organizational project risk management plays a critical role in determining the chances of project success. Project management has become a common tool in the hands of large organizations for executing development and improving their production cycles in a more carefully planned way. However, the future is often hard to predict, and unexpected events may occur which could have been avoided with the use of the right tools and mindset. This comprehensive research study aims to showcase the importance of continuous risk management in organizations and highlight how risk management contributes to successful project outcomes. By synthesizing information from 59 high-quality publications from Scopus and Web of Science, the research describes various risk mitigation methodologies used across diverse fields, and explores potential obstacles faced by project managers when executing risk management strategies. The primary research of the study builds upon a survey conducted with 181 experienced project managers across various industries to gain deeper insights into their risk management approaches and the constraints they may encounter. Additionally, the study seeks to analyse the value of obtaining project management certificates in relationship with led projects’ length and budget. Employing SPSS, the research presents descriptive statistics, regression, and correlation calculations to further analyse the data gathered. The aim of the research is to draw attention to the significance of continuous risk management, propose effective methodologies, identify and mitigate potential challenges, and shed light on the potential benefits of having certifications in the field of project management. This study aims to present valuable knowledge for both researchers and organizations striving to better understand the field of project risk management strategies through the systematic literature review and quantitative research results presented.

  • Innovative Strategies and Student Academic Performance: Machine Learning Insights on International Students in Chinese Universities
    37-60
    Views:
    283

    The higher education sector in China has faced unprecedented challenges recently due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The influx of international students, a vital component of the nation's academic landscape, presented distinct challenges, including maintaining academic achievements through various online platforms, which necessitated innovative strategies to ensure that their educational pursuits remained rewarding despite these challenges. This study aims to explore the innovative strategies adopted by Chinese higher education institutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and examine their impact on the academic achievements of international students. This study employs a comprehensive approach that incorporates questionnaire surveys and dominant Machine Learning Algorithms, such as Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Decision Tree Model (DTM), Support Vector Regression Model (SVRM), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN). By employing rigorous data-gathering approaches, our study aimed to address a set of particular questions: How did these innovative strategies improve students' academic performance in the face of environmental emergencies? To what extent did international students benefit from these adaptations? Through investigation of these concerns, our research provides insight into the effectiveness of these strategies and their possible significance for future educational methodologies. Innovative strategies positively correlated with student academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese higher Education. This research highlights how overcoming these challenges can have broader implications for shaping resilient global education systems in future crises. The study accurately predicted academic performance, highlighting the importance of innovative teaching approaches in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study might influence educational policies and practices. Educational institutions can make informed decisions about emergency preparedness and development by assessing results using a creative approach. Our findings bring depth to the global conversation on higher Education under challenging circumstances, showing how Innovation might alleviate the adverse impacts on international students' learning experiences.

  • Role of Lean and Agile Supply Chain Models for Pellet Fuel Technologies
    119-130
    Views:
    313

    Business organisations constantly strive to improve their processes, both internal and external. Within the supply chain of a product, different strategies can be applied. This paper aims to answer the basic questions like what is the core of lean and agile SCM strategies, what are the differences of the two models, and how can they be combined. This paper examines further, which of these SCM models and what elements of them can be applied for wood pellet supply chains, also examining the possibility of their combination. The result of these examinations is, that even though fuel pellets can be considered as simple commodity and not a very innovative product, diversity in input characteristics, optimization of fuel pellet technology process variables and changes in output market qualities and quantities need sometimes agile, flexible answer from pellet fuel SCM. The basically lean character of pellet fuel technologies and SCM can further enhanced by implementing agile SCM model elements, as is the increased integration of suppliers into the supply chain.

  • Analyzing Determinants of Construction Project Resilience and Success in Ethiopia: a Structural Equation Modelling Approach (PLS-SEM)
    68-108
    Views:
    176

    The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that contribute to the success and resilience of construction projects in Ethiopia’s construction industry. A major gap exists in the current literature regarding the empirical validation of the relationships between resilience and success in the Ethiopian construction industry. Data collection was conducted via an online survey between March 8th and May 13th, 2024. PLS-SEM analysis was performed on the survey responses. Results indicate that resilience significantly impacts a project's success. The following are resilience-enabling factors that increase a project's resilience and enhance overall project performance. These are: resilient leadership (taking risks; learning from subordinates; being flexible during decision making); organisational structures (having few direct reports; narrow span of control; job rotation); and project team culture (assign right people for right jobs; recognition or rewarding the team members; team passions for contribution for project success; team trusts); external environment factors (mitigating high inflation effect; managing unstable economy; using appropriate legal enforcement); and risk management practices (communicating frequently; understanding/knowing how to implement risk management practices; integrating risk management practices into routine activities; having enough budget/finance). Success indicators for construction projects include quality, cost, time, safety and customer satisfaction. Therefore, developing resilience-enhancing strategies could greatly increase the effectiveness of construction project performance. The contribution of this study includes empirical evidence from the Ethiopian context, as well as practical recommendations for policymakers and project managers to create customised resilience strategies. The limitations of this study include reliance on self-reported data and convenience sampling in collecting survey responses. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of resilience in overcoming the challenges of the construction industry in Ethiopia.

  • The Influence of Employment Stress On the Academic Performance of Working Students: Perspectives from Pakistan
    17-41
    Views:
    1439

    One must grasp stress's intricacy to develop and implement stress-reduction strategies. Employment-related stress on academic performance is becoming an acute concern for psychological and mental health in Pakistan. The current research focuses on how employment-related stress interferes with graduate students' academic performance in Parachinar, District Kurram Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This investigation applies quantitative methods—the Govt. Postgraduate College Parachinar, District Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, completed a standardized questionnaire to 180 students from various academic disciplines.

    The findings illuminate stress's intricacy. It may be utilized to establish and encourage more efficient and achievable strategies or techniques that improve academics and job satisfaction, inspiration, and effectiveness at the individual and organizational levels.

    The research study concluded that 81.67% of male students suffered from employment stress. Student stressors include workload (31.67%), lack of time management (9.44%), interpersonal conflicts (20.00%), high study load (21.11%), and financial problems (17.78%), and the coping strategies being adopted by these students; Moral support (13.89%), Social support (30.00%), Financial support (45.00%), and Job enrichment (11.11%). The research concludes that addressing the highlighted concerns, counselling, and other successful coping strategies may alleviate academic and employment stress.

  • Staying Employed and Employing Others: Leadership Styles and Management Strategies of Proprietors of Micro Enterprises in Developing Countries
    408-419
    Views:
    374

    This study sought to find out the leadership style and management strategies of the proprietors of micro enterprises that have enabled them to stay in business this long and offering employment to several others in the midst of unfavourable economic conditions in developing countries. Management strategy and leadership style are complementary in pursuing organizational goal. Though, literature on the subject reveals that not much research has been done on the survival of micro business on the African’s continent regarding owners’ management strategies and the leadership style. We used mix methods in data collection and purposive samplings of thirty (30) micro enterprises’ proprietors were interviewed. The result reveals that owners of micro business practice multistrategies in their organizations. The Study found out that the Laissez Faire or Free Rein Leadership and the Bureaucratic Leadership were not practiced by any of the research participants. However, Authoritarian Leadership with strict instructions dominated Democratic Leadership and appeared to have been very effective and yielded result in most micro businesses.

  • Impression Management Strategies Used by Foreign Students
    127-132
    Views:
    241

    In this paper, we examined a general human behaviour, the impression management among university students. People are interested in how others think about them. At the organizational level, they can also benefit from being positively judged by others. Effort to create this positive image is Impression Management, which has several measurement options. In this paper, we conducted research on the impressions strategies used by first year international students of University of Debrecen, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Bachelor in Business Administration and Management programme. In our analysis we used the questionnaire consisting of 22 questions developed by Bolino and Turnley. We analysed what strategies are typical for the examined student group and to what extent? Are there differences in the strategies employed by men and women and depending on their cultural background.

  • Latest Trends and New Tools Being Used in Strategic Management
    73-85
    Views:
    1083

    In today’s rapidly changing world, there is an increased need for excellent strategic planning. A firm’s survival may indeed hinge on the firm’s planning process being exemplary. Various aspects of the strategic planning process are under review today as organizations wrestle to compete more effectively in an ever-changing world. This paper reveals and describes five new trends or tools being utilized today by firms to more effectively engage in strategic planning. Specifically, the new trends and tools to be discussed in this paper are as follows: increased need to follow a strategic planning model; increased need to develop quality vision and mission statements; a new improved method for incorporating SWOT analysis into practice. Utilizing two matrices one internal and one external to provide a less biased way to access the current strategy fit with conditions facing the firm. Explain the use of a decision matrix commonly called the QSPM (Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix) for assessing the relative attractiveness of various strategies being considered for implementation. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize readers with basic new tools and techniques being used by organizations to effectively develop an improved strategic plan for the firm.

  • The Future of AI-Integrated Project Management: A Structured Literature Review Based Risk Identification
    42-67
    Views:
    502

    The evolution of AI is changing the landscape of project management. The integration of AI into project management brings many advantages, yet it is also accompanied by prominent weaknesses and serious challenges. In addition, rapidly evolving technologies continue to transform the field’s dynamics. These evolving dynamics result in ambiguity about the current state of the field, and consequently, create an uncertainty regarding a roadmap for future advancements. The purpose of this paper is to address this challenge by developing a well-grounded conceptual insight that identifies the risks associated with AI adoption in project management, guiding both academia and industry towards a structured approach to its future advancements. This paper conducts a detailed structured literature review, adhering the PRISMA protocol, to evaluate the impact of AI on key facets of project management, its potential benefits and implementation challenges. Then it analyzes the literature and synthesizes the key findings. Finally, it conducts comprehensive analysis to identify both positive and negative risks i.e. opportunities and threats. This in-depth analysis and its findings enable us to understand the nature of the risks, and how those can be harnessed or mitigated to advance the field. Furthermore, it provides both academia and industry the foundation to plan improved risk mitigation strategies and to develop a structured adoption framework. This study is expected to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the field.

  • Strategies and Effects of LEDS (Low Emission Development Strategy) in Fortaleza, Brazil
    110-121
    Views:
    312

    When it comes to climate change, the built environment, together with transport, and waste and water management play a significant role as Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emitting sectors, reflecting the strong need to address such issues by local governments. A notable action that has been taken in this regard is the Urban Low Emission Development Strategies (Urban LEDS), which consists of a project implemented by the UN-Habitat and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) that selected eight model cities and twenty-one satellite cities around the world and aims to support integrated and ambitious climate action, encouraging low-carbon efforts in emerging economies through the collaboration among them. In addition, eight European cities also participated in the project in its first phase, contributing with their expertise and experience with climate change mitigation. Since 2012, the city of Fortaleza in Brazil is a model city of the Urban LEDS project and it has sustainably integrated and developed many projects, making it a more resilient city, stimulating its economic growth and improving its quality of life. This paper aims to present the milestones that Fortaleza has already met within Urban LEDS and its main priorities in the next years, identifying best practices in three European cities (Copenhagen, Zagreb and Hannover) that could also be implemented in its geographical, social and cultural context, as well as indicate lessons that other cities can learn from Fortaleza.

  • Business Strategy in the Model of Linear Activity Analysis of Production
    1-14
    Views:
    289

    It was analyzed how the methodology of linear activity analysis of production model supports the implementation of different business strategies at a company level. Aspects of analysis are focusing on openness for markets, lean management and environmental protection strategies. The study reveals that the linear activity analysis of production – mainly due to its efficient process optimization problem solving ability – is capable supporting lean management decisions and implementing additional objectives in business strategies. Such objectives can be sustaining specific production patterns for further development or following strategies for limiting market competition. It will be shown how to quantify the costs of strategic objectives in linear activity analyzing model.

  • Optimization of Parking Lot Stormwater Management: a Case Study
    75-95
    Views:
    411

    As urbanization accelerates, parking lots lead to stormwater runoff and localized flooding due to impervious layers and inefficient drainage. This case study evaluates stormwater management strategies across four parking lots in Debrecen, Hungary, to propose effective retrofitting solutions. The methodology combines visual site assessments with a comparative analysis of global best practices identified in the literature. Findings suggest integrating Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact Development (LID) principles into parking lot design can enhance infiltration and significantly reduce surface runoff. Key recommendations include utilizing nearby vegetated depressions and replacing conventional concrete slabs with permeable surfaces. Beyond the flood avoidance, these strategies aim to reduce pressure on the local sewer system and minimize puddle formation.

  • Inbound and Outbound Tourism in China: A Perspective Article
    91-107
    Views:
    1056

    The tourism industry in China has undergone significant changes due to globalization, technology, and changing consumer preferences. This perspective article, based on a systematic literature review, examines examines trends, challenges, and opportunities in inbound and outbound tourism in China, focusing on the industry's dynamism. Both inbound and outbound tourism have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted new strategies and environmental adaptations. China has changed its priorities within the country to encourage domestic travel and support local firms. The rise in internationalisation and the growing middle class in China have led to an unprecedented rise in outbound travel. Chinese travellers are affecting travel habits and spending all around the world in the tourism sector. Language barriers, cultural differences, and safety concerns are some of the challenges that come with travelling abroad. To reach its full potential, China needs to adapt to the shifting global environment and take into account the specifications and preferences of both inbound and outgoing tourists. 

  • COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Employees’ Physical Activity
    72-84
    Views:
    982

    Globalization and the recent explosive development of technology have significantly changed people’s lifestyles resulting in an increase in the number of people living a sedentary lifestyle. COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation and created an unprecedented situation in the world. In the present study, we investigate changes in the physical activity and sedentary behavior of adult workers caused by the coronavirus epidemic. In our online cross-sectional research, we used snowball methodology. The target group of the survey was adult workers. 108 people filled in the questionnaire, the majority (73.1%) are women, the average age is 37.18 years and most of them have higher degrees (Diploma: 74%, PhD: 14%). The present study revealed a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary time for the employees in our study. Despite respondents detected a decrease in their physical activity, an increase was reported in the proportion of online training participants. The majority of respondents partially, or totally switched to work from home during the pandemic, which may further increase their sedentary lifestyle. We did not find significant differences among the domain of work and leisure time or occupational physical activity patterns. The workplace is a great opportunity for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary time in the adult working population, therefore it would be important for organizations, decision-makers and health professionals to work on the design of strategies to these goals.

  • Maintenance Strategies and Life Cycle Costs of Renewable Energy Systems
    106-116
    Views:
    260

    Life cycle costs are important factors in decisions on renewable energy investments. Since maintenance costs generally constitute a high portion of the life cycle costs, the maintenance strategy applied in a project can affect the bottom line significantly. The effective maintenance tools used in the production industry (e.g., diagnostics, condition monitoring, data management, integrated information systems, machine learning, and automated decision making) can be involved in planning and maintenance of renewable energy systems to gain the benefits of these approaches. In this paper the effects of maintenance strategies on life cycle costs are investigated and the benefits of up-to-date condition monitoring techniques are presented through case studies.

  • Analysis of Social Media Activities - Through the Examination of Handball Clubs Competing at Different Levels
    39-53
    Views:
    604

    In Hungary, handball enjoys special attention and support, this is true not only for our country, but also for Europe, and the sport is gaining more and more space worldwide. One of the biggest innovations of the last two decades is certainly social media, which has reformed the basic strategies related to information transfer and traditional marketing activities. The processes of content production on these platforms have radically changed, which every sports club should pay attention to, as they can gain significant advantages in terms of economics, marketing and community building if they are able to communicate well. Three sports clubs competing at different levels were compared during a qualitative study in terms of their social media marketing strategy activities, namely PICK Szeged, Balatonfüredi KSE – BFKA Balatonfüred and DEAC handball team. The basic concept of this research model was built on how the online marketing communication activities of club teams fighting for different professional goals at different levels differ from each other, as well as what are the development opportunities and aspects that can be used as effectively as possible on social media platforms. The handball club teams agreed on several research questions, but a significant difference could also be discovered in one area, in which the professionals responsible for social media disagreed or represented a different point of view. Looking at my results, it can be concluded that behind a successful online marketing strategy there is always serious preparation and planning work, as well as the diversification of content production on different platforms, because the consumer communities of the platforms are also different from each other.

  • Enhancing Sustainable Production Through Continuous Improvement: Evidence from Nigeria’s Manufacturing Sector
    1-20
    Views:
    124

    The manufacturing industry in Nigeria has been the so-called cornerstone of economic development since the sector has continuously played a major role in providing jobs and industrial capital. However, there remain issues that impede its progress, including inefficient resource use, unstable regulatory systems, and the need to comply with international market requirements. Specifically, it examined the effect of employee engagement, process efficiency, and resource allocation on Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. A survey research design was adopted, with a total population of 117 employees across five manufacturing firms. A total of 91 participants were administered a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using PLS-SEM. Findings revealed that employee engagement has the strongest effect on sustainable production (β = 0.412, t = 6.250, p < 0.000), followed by resource allocation (β = 0.237, t = 3.610, p < 0.000), and process efficiency (β = 0.174, t = 2.877, p = 0.004). It concluded that continuous improvement is significantly vital for sustainable production in the five sugar manufacturing firms studied in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that management of these selected firms focus on developing unique resource allocation strategies, employee engagement, and process efficiency to ensure sustained workforce improvement, thereby achieving sustainable production outcomes.

  • Process Innovation Tools and Strategies in Production Management
    148-162
    Views:
    460

    The method of process innovation helps to recognize the opportunities in production processes that represent clear competitive advantage. Using it, up to 30% change is available in increasing productivity and in the reducing of costs, stocks, and lead times. There is no need for complicated methods in the process development. The power of logical, simple tools relies on the fact that everyone can learn, understand, apply them and give quick feedback about their operation. Significant changes have been made in today's possibilities of designing and operating production systems. The emergence of cyber physical systems, the opportunities offered by big data, and the "Internet of Things" (Internet of Things) have shown strong research potential for more efficient logistics and manufacturing systems. The potential of network co-operation, information gathered from tracing materials in production and communication between machines provide a wide-range of optimization opportunities for manufacturing processes. The toolkit presented in the research cannot only be used in direct production; almost all parts of the value creation process can be broken down into routine actions, so the causes of the problems can be analyzed and the development of the process’ parts can be easier implemented.

  • Cybersecurity Challenges in Agricultural Digitalization: A Systematic Review with Python-Based Analysis
    33-47
    Views:
    424

    The intersection of agriculture and cybersecurity has become a prominent research focus in recent years, driven by the rapid adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) and precision farming technologies. These technological innovations have revolutionized agricultural processes, enhancing efficiency and sustainability while introducing significant security risks. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) to address key cybersecurity issues in agriculture, with a particular emphasis on IoT vulnerabilities and threats. Using Python-based text analysis techniques, the research automated the analysis of abstracts and full texts, enabling rapid filtering and thematic categorization of relevant studies. From an initial pool of 1,039 publications, 40 relevant studies were identified based on rigorous screening criteria. The thematic analysis revealed that 44.9% of the publications focus on IoT device vulnerabilities, 32.7% on agricultural cybersecurity challenges, and 22.4% on the security issues of Agriculture 4.0 and precision farming. Methodological analysis indicated that machine learning, simulation models, and case studies dominate the research landscape, while surveys and experimental studies appear less frequently. The findings highlight the critical importance of developing robust cybersecurity strategies and technologies in the agricultural sector, particularly to mitigate the risks posed by IoT devices.