Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce (APSTRACT) publishes high quality contributions on topics related to Agribusiness and Commerce and provides managers, researchers and teachers with a forum, where they can publish and acquire research results, case studies and reviews, which are important to the global food chain. The APSTRACT is an Open Access (OA) Journal. Submitted manuscripts should have a relationship to the economics of agriculture, natural resources, environment, or rural development.
Papers should have a practical orientation and demonstrate innovation in analysis, methods, or application. Topic areas include production economics and farm management, agricultural policy, agricultural environmental issues, tourism, regional planning and rural development, methodology, marketing of agricultural and food products, international trade and development, sport management.
Research on a significant economic component, analyses of problems connected to research, extension, and teaching of the International MBA Network in Agribusiness and Commerce are also encouraged.
Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce (APSTRACT): An internationally recognised journal of business and commerce ISSN : 1789-221X, electronic version: ISSN 1789-7874 have been listed on the IDEAS/RePEc.
All of our articles and Issues are available in the following repositories: AgEcon Search and University of Debrecen Electronic Archive. Our Journal DOI name is: 10.19041/APSTRACT
Journal Policies
Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce (APSTRACT) is the official periodical of the International MBA Network in Agribusiness and Commerce published to promote the discussion and dissemination of applied research in applied economics, agribusiness and commerce carried out within the International MBA Network.
These instructions detail policies and procedures for publishing in the APSTRACT Journal. We recommend that authors refer to these instructions, as well as the Instructions to Authors: Style and Form, during submission, peer review, acceptance, proof correction, and final publication phases.
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All new submissions are screened for completeness and adherence to the Guide for Authors. uthors of manuscripts rejected at initial evaluation stage will normally be informed within 1-2 week of receipt. Typically the manuscript will be reviewed within 80 days. Reviewers or Editors may request more than one revision cound of a manuscript, and alternative reviewers may also be invited to review the manuscript at any time. After acceptance, it currently takes 1 week to get a citable, uncorrected draft of the article online, another 4-5 weeks to get the final corrected article online, and a few weeks later this is compiled into an online and offline volume and issue. The print copy follows 2-3 weeks later.
Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025): APSTRACT Current Issue
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Articles
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FACTORS INFLUENCING FEMALE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL LIVELIHOOD GENERATING ACTIVITIES FOR SELF-CARE IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA, NIGERIA
Views:57This study examines female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities for self-care in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. The objectives were to: examine the extent of female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities and the income generated, determine the levels of female youth self-care responsibilities and perceived contribution of participation in agricultural livelihood activities on their wellbeing, determine factors influencing female youth participation in agricultural livelihood activities in the study area. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 133 female youths from 13 registered youth associations. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data while descriptive statistics and Logit regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that 30.1% of the respondents were engaged in crop production and generated an average income of ₦420,093.02 while only 3.0% were engaged in crop produce processing and generated ₦29,250.74. Also, almost half (47.4) of them spent money to take care of themselves of between 3-4 self-care responsibilities and about 41.5 spent an average of 130,078.95 on food per day. It also showed The logit regression results indicated that factors influencing female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities include age, educational status, household size, income, occupation, and distance. While the study indicates that a significant portion of female youths is engaged in crop and poultry production, their overall participation in agricultural activities is limited. The study provides critical insights into the potential of agriculture as a viable solution to youth unemployment and is an instrument of female vulnerability reduction in Nigeria. The study recommends implementing policies to improve land access for female youths, including land reform initiatives that prioritize youth ownership and leasing options. Additionally, it suggests exploring strategies to reduce production costs through input subsidies, partnerships with agricultural suppliers, and community-based resource-sharing initiatives.
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THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN HAJDÚ-BIHAR COUNTY
Views:25In our survey-based research, assessed the opinions of 39 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) leaders in Hajdú-Bihar County on digitalization, how they evaluate their employees' digital skills, what digital best practices they apply, and how familiar they are with current trends in digital best practices. In the literature review, we touch on the concepts and significance of digitalization and digital transformation, the characteristics and types of best practices, benchmarking as a tool for identifying them, and the steps involved in their implementation. We introduced five currently popular digital best practices: optical character recognition, homomorphic encryption, robotic process automation, intelligent process automation, and blockchain technology. The advantages and impact of these practices on corporate efficiency are highlighted. Based on the results, we reached the following conclusions:
The findings show that most Hungarian companies view digitalization as an opportunity, but there are deficiencies in strategic planning and commitment. Although leaders theoretically support technological progress, 93% of companies do not have a developed digital strategy, and leaders also rate employee engagement as low. The resources allocated for digitalization investments are also low, with most companies spending only between 0-10 million HUF. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is still in its early stages, though there are positive examples. Dissatisfaction is evident regarding employees' digital competencies, particularly in problem-solving and data security. The lack of knowledge of modern digital technologies also hinders innovation. Companies' digital maturity is low, with most having only taken initial steps in this area. Often, the perceived digital intensity of the industry does not reflect reality, which can hinder development. -
WHAT DRIVES FEMALE FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN OFF-FARM ACTIVITIES? THE CASE OF RURAL NIGERIA
Views:61Women often lack access to productive resources such as land and capital in most developing countries. This forces them to take part in off-farm activities to augment their little farm income. This study investigated factors that affect the involvement of women farmers in different types of off-farm entrepreneurial livelihood activities in rural Bauchi state, Nigeria. A purposive sampling method was used in selecting three local government areas in the western agricultural zone of the state and a random sampling method was used in selecting ten wards. 5% registered women farmers in each selected ward, making 134 respondents. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to women farmers in 2017. The results revealed that food processing, farm product sales, trading and tailoring are the major off-farm livelihood activities engaged in by rural female farmers. Logit regression results revealed, as expected, that different factors affect their involvement in various types of off-farm activities. Food processing and tailoring required relatively high start-up capital and access to electricity as an investment and the use of machines was needed. Thus, access to credit or remittances and to electricity increases the probability of being involved in these activities. The requirements of trading being lower and access to market increases the probability of being involved. Provision of extension services, rural credit facilitation programmes, rural electrification, road and market structure development are instruments that are appropriate to support women farmers' involvement in off-farm activities.
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CHANGE LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SPORT– BASED ON INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL EXEMPLES
Views:33Accelerated and turbulent changes – partly driven by external operating environment – are determining day-to-day operations and operational decisions of organizations. They need to be able to respond appropriately, in line with their strategy, yet proactively, in order to maintain competitiveness and future prospects. This is also the case in the world of sport. Our focus is on professional sport – on a domestic sport federation and on one of the most successful clubs in Hungary. The study attempts to adapt the change management theory to professional sport to make it strategic and proactive by creating adapted basis for change management rather than change. Primary and secondary sources were processed using qualitative methods. We investigated three areas of change management / leadership: financial strategy, organization of international sport events and facility management. We conclude that change leadership can be identified in practices of the sports organizations studied, and the theoretical framework can be adapted and applied.
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THE ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ON STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION: THE CASE OF MONGOLIA
Views:62Our study aims to examine the correlation between professors’ communication, professors’ knowledge, professors’ skills, teaching method and campus environment and how students’ issues are assessed with their satisfaction. We attempt to evaluate the students’ satisfaction of the Mongolian State University of Educational and Royal International University, Mongolia. Our study was conducted via online channel from 326 respondents, who study at university bachelor degree in Mongolian public and private university. We used SMART PLS-3.0 and SPSS-25.0 software as a qualitative research program, Cronbach's alpha (α coefficient), (T statistic) and (P values) were used to measure the data in our study. There were two hypotheses are supported and three hypotheses are no supported in our study. In conclusion, RQ 1 and RQ 4 are strongly supported by the path analysis results, while RQ 2, RQ 3, and RQ 5 do not find sufficient evidence to assert their influence on student satisfaction based on the analyzed data.
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DIVESTITURE POST MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN INDIA – REASONS AND MODEL TO PREDICT
Views:43Divestitures post-acquisition are a common occurrence yet the jury is still out on whether they represent correction of prior mistakes or are a restructuring tool to improve performance in the hands of managers evaluating overall portfolio of assets. We take a sample of 1,344 deals buy Indian public listed buyers from 2000 to 2020 of which 13% were followed by a divestiture to create models to predict if an acquisition is likely to be followed by a divestiture or not using logistic regression and discriminant analysis. Our model is more than 75% accurate in its prediction even when tested on unselected data (new data for the model). We find support for portfolio theory and reject the correction of prior mistakes theory to explain post-acquisition divestitures. We support the theory that financial constraints leads to post acquisition divestiture. We also support the theory on indigestion that post acquisition divestitures are due to cookie-jar problem where buyers are finding it difficult to integrate. Increased volatility and poor mean stock price returns both contribute to conditions leading to such divestitures. The model constructed is useful for shareholders and other stakeholders to predict whether a divestiture will follow an acquisition or not. Managers can also use the model to predict eventual outcome of their acquisition decisions.
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THE DECLINE OF TRADITIONAL LIVESTOCK FARMING IN SPAIN AND ITS IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS THROUGH FOCUS GROUPS WITH SHEPHERDS
Views:20Traditional extensive livestock farming has emerged as a potential sustainable development strategy in Europe, particularly to address rural depopulation and provide multiple positive externalities. Despite new European policies emphasizing its importance, the sector continues to decline. This study employs focus group methodology to examine the underlying causes of this decline from the perspective of shepherds. Two discussion groups were held with farmers from the regions of Castilla y León and Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, allowing us to contrast the testimonies of the practitioners with the existing literature. Our methodological approach emphasizes the value of focus groups in capturing complex socioeconomic dynamics within traditional livestock communities.
The findings reveal multiple interconnected challenges: low profitability derived from legal requirements and concentration of demand; increasingly complex access to pastures due to local and state regulations; significant barriers to entry, including economic requirements and bureaucracy; difficulties in work-life balance; bureaucratic obstacles to positive externalities; conflictive relations with the tourism sector; weak associationism; and limited technology adoption. This study contributes to the methodological literature by demonstrating how focus groups can effectively reveal hidden dynamics in declining traditional sectors.
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THE IMPACT OF REDUCED LOADING DENSITY ON SLAUGHTER CHICKEN TRANSPORT: A HUNGARIAN CASE STUDY
Views:29The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a new recommendation regarding the regulation of animal transport, which includes providing more space for animals during transportation. Complying with this recommendation has various economic, environmental, and animal welfare implications. A case study was conducted in cooperation with two slaughterhouses in Hungary to assess the animal welfare, economic, and environmental consequences of reducing bird density during broiler transport. For both companies, data from two consecutive transport trips were analysed: one trip followed the current regulation and practice regarding stocking density, while the other used the lower density recommended by EFSA. Although the two companies used different types of crates and loading methods, the mode of transport, weather conditions, personnel involved in loading and unloading, and measurement procedures were the same. Worse animal welfare indicators (e.g., dead-on-arrival birds, confiscations, limb injuries, bruises) were observed in both cases when loading density was reduced in line with EFSA’s recommendation. Therefore, no clear benefits from an animal welfare perspective could be identified. From an economic standpoint, the implementation of this recommendation would require significant investment, result in higher per-unit transportation costs, and ultimately lead to an increase in poultry meat prices. Furthermore, the environmental impact would also be negative: more transport trips would be needed, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and greater water usage for washing vehicles and containers.
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THE CLUSTERS OF TELEMEDICINE (THE SCOPE AND MAIN ECONOMIC ISSUES OF TELEMEDICINE)
Views:19The introduction of telemedicine tools was motivated by the need to reduce the risk of infection. This paper deals with the main areas of telemedicine. It presents a definition of telemedicine and its most typical manifestations. It discusses the role of health in economic growth. It also discusses the legislative background to telemedicine. It analyses the two major clusters of telemedicine, primary health care and VR-based care. Primary care includes online rounds, remote examinations, remote diagnostics, remote intervention, remote monitoring and surveillance. The second cluster, based on virtual reality, already includes elements such as surgical interventions, pain relief, attitude modelling, rehabilitation, anxiety and phobia management, eating disorders management, relaxation, medical care in disaster situations. A separate chapter of the study deals with the economic indicators and revenues of telemedicine. Finally, the author identifies possible areas for further research (Craig J. – Patterson V., 2005).
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THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TRADITIONAL AND REGIONAL FOOD IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAIN REGIONTHE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TRADITIONAL AND REGIONAL FOOD IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAIN REGION
Views:16For a given region, competitiveness and sustainability play a vital role, as they are critical determinants of residents' quality of life and economic situation. The intensive implementation of rural development also offers opportunities for economic growth. Traditional and regional food products obviously give opportunities for the development of rural areas. Also, their production is significant for the local and Hungarian economies and society. Increasing the production of these food products and expanding and increasing their market outlets can contribute to maintaining the population in certain areas of the region and, among other things, protecting and preserving the tangible and intangible heritage of rural areas. Urban areas are also of particular importance for traditional and regional food: local events, such as themed festivals, and catering operators can also help to promote food products through a conscious, well-thought-out sales and marketing strategy.
My research aims to characterize the economic position of traditional and regional food and products among local consumers in the Northern Great Plains region. During the survey, 1.349 people completed the questionnaire, and all of them gave valid responses. I focused on local specificities, gauging the opinions of residents in the region in relation to traditional food consumption in order to assess their willingness to pay more for traditional and regional food.