Experiences, Perceptions, and Expectations of the Business Community in Mexico Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis

The objective of this chapter is to provide a contextualized perspective about the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis for companies with economic activity and fixed installations in Mexico, mainly during the second to third phases of the contingency. For this purpose, data from the INEGI ECOVID-IE 2020 survey is analyzed, which used a sampling frame of 1,873,564 Mexican companies compared by size. Relevant information is provided about the reality of the Mexican business community to report the main sanitary measures implemented, the operational actions used, the sources and types of support received, the best support policies identified, and the income expectations for the following months. Faced with a negative scenario, targeted support strategies from governmental, chambers, and business organizations must be aligned to regain the confidence of the business community to support their continuity.

Work Leadership, Occupational Health, and Safety

Occupational health and safety (OHS) systems are designed to identify and minimize risks at the workplace. A thriving business community should seek to create jobs, wealth, good leadership, safe, and healthy working conditions that are essential for production of goods and provisions of services. Therefore, managers have a legal and moral duty to safeguard the health and safety of those who work for them, and the exercise of these duties needs to be seen as central to the role of leadership. There is a growing interest among researchers and organizational practitioners about occupational safety in recent years. The chapter provides an exhaustive discourse on the relevance of occupational health and safety systems in modern day workplaces as well as the nexus between management leadership and occupational health and safety. It highlights the guiding principles to leadership and key issues in efficient administration of OHS. The chapter concludes by recommending the role leaders should play to improve safety and health in the workplace.

Historical Evolution of Sustainable Community Economic Development in Business and Economics

Objective - Sustainable Community Economic Development (SCED) has gradually changed overtime from production philosophy to the welfare ideology of assuring a better future for a resilient community in business and economics. SCED contributesto poverty alleviation, employment generation, sustainable community design, disaster control and resilience, biodiversity protection, and much more.The objective of this study is to conduct a literature review of this concept fromthe global and Bangladeshi perspective. Methodology - Peer reviewed publications in English language were considered indexed on the Scopus and Web of Science database. The study designed 2timelines of SCED concept evolution based on the information derived from the existing peer-reviewed publications. Findings - Both timelines (global and Bangladeshi) were found interrelated on some points, especially the third phase of the global SCED connected with the first phase of Bangladesh's SCED timeline, immediately after the Liberation War. Novelty - The study concludes that SCED is an ever-changing area of research and future research would reveal more sustainable features that would increase the sustainability and resilience of the business community. Type of Paper - Review Keywords: Economic Development; Community Economic Development; Sustainable Community Economic Development (SCED); Bangladesh; NGOs; MFIs. JEL Classification: F63, O1, O50.

Business crisis against COVID-19 pandemic background

The coronavirus infection COVID-19, which swept the world in early 2020, has caused crisis phenomena in all economic segments. Small and medium-sized businesses appeared the most affected. Based on the study and generalization of analytical materials and approximation of statistical data, the most significant problems of both economic and socio-psychological level affecting the business community were identified, solving them can improve the efficiency of the labor activity. The crisis of entrepreneurship is a reaction of society to the changes that took place in the business environment, it is associated with contradictions arising between the need to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and the eagerness to save small and medium-sized businesses. It has been inferred that the intermediate consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified the already existing negative effects of the crisis in the labor sector, which is most clearly manifested in the regional context. The dynamics of changes in the number of unemployed in the Russian Federation as a whole and in the Rostov region in particular is illustrated. The graph of changes in the number of registered small and medium-sized businesses in Russia is presented. Solving the problem requires a significant adjustment of the actions taken at the government level aimed at overcoming crisis situations both in the field of employment and unemployment, and support for entrepreneurship in general. Measures to solve the problems of the entrepreneurs and their employees have been proposed.

Brand Promotion Strategy in the Internet Services Market

Digital technologies have become an integral part of modern life, the Internet services market is rapidly developing all over the world, which requires business companies to enter cyberspace. Staying on the Internet has long been an obligatory part of the business not only for large multinational companies but also for small regional and local business structures. It is not just the presence of a website or a group in social networks that is important, a brand communication strategy is necessary. The relevance of the studied subject is due to the need to increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian companies in the field of Internet marketing. The purpose of the article is to develop standard recommendations for strategic brand promotion in the Internet services market, to study the most effective promotion tools and communication channels with the audience in cyberspace. The leading methods for studying the problem were sociological and statistical methods. The technologies of system analysis and modeling are applied. The article analyses the best international and industry branding practices in cyberspace, examines the e-commerce market in Ukraine, and structures the main trends in its development. The material of the article formulates the mechanism for developing and introducing a brand positioning strategy in the e-commerce market, the main characteristics of successful branding, structures recommendations for the use of marketing technologies on the Internet. An important component of the research is the analysis of digital marketing tools and communication channels in the Internet services market. The materials of the article are of practical importance for the business community, specialists in the field of public relations, marketing, advertising, sales departments, and other specialists in the field of management. Effective brand management of Internet services allows increasing the commercial results of one's business, provides additional competitive advantages

Gamification and its Applications

In the recent past, gamification is a new buzzing word and is used frequently by researchers in particular in the area of management. Gamification is applying gaming and using gaming components and procedures in a non-gaming environment. The three main components of gamification are game elements – a design prototype which can be integrated into the game; game design – A complete procedure building engaging games, based on business objectives, technical feasibility and management expectations; the last one is the non-game environment – The non-gaming environment is the components involved in real-world business and social impact objectives and goals. If gamification is applied correctly in a business or social environment, the results will be amazing and can inspire the business community decisions. Gamification can be the future of the business and can make the business environment the gaming components fun and those fun and appealing components can be applied in real-life business activities. To make gamification effective the game dynamics, game design, behavioural change, and motivation are the aspects that need to be combined applied in non-gaming environment. This brief note presents the main ideologies that can the gamification design in the business environment more successful. The author also narrates whene the gamification procedures can be useful in the business world.

ASSESSMENT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON INDUSTRIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT WITHIN LAKE NATIONAL PARK AND ITS ENVIRONS

Lake Nakuru National Park is choking of solid and liquid waste pollutants emanating from upstream more so during the windy and rainy seasons. Due to the nature of terrains, most of the flashflood water and the drainage system find its way to the lake. The strong winds from the upper area of the town collect waste which ends up on top of the forest trees around the lake. Further, at times the sewer system bursts and discharges the raw sewer to the park. These unfortunate incidences lead to damage or destruction of the ecosystem that has been protected over the years. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Industrial Waste Management within Nakuru Environs and Lake National Park. The study adopted Stakeholders and Institutional theories for its study. A sample of 55 employees of Lake Nakuru National Park and 15 Community Business Leaders were used for the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedule. It was established that an effective industrial waste management practices on the environment has positive economic effects for businesses prosperity, flora and fauna conservation as well as a sustainable environmental. Environmental conservation awareness trainings for most businesses had been undertaken. Most of the business people held some sense of responsibility on managing waste as they conduct their businesses but the issue mainly lies on the part of the consumer’s disposal of packaging materials. Consumers were also becoming increasingly aware, sensitive and alive to the fact that a clean and safe environment is important. The emerging model shows the need to shift from the traditional 3Rs to 5Rs, owing to changes in national environmental policies, which emphasis on the use of Repackaging of products in terms of quality management, and reduce as additional waste management practices, thus, a shift from the 3Rs to 5Rs. The study recommended that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources should mobilize financial, technical and physical resources for building the capacity of the local community, and the business community towards effective industrial waste management. There should be strict compliance to industrial waste management policies by all stakeholders. Emphasis on the 5R’S from the marketing perspective was also recommended. This way, waste will be minimized and the environment will be conserved. The recommendations will be beneficial to the County Government, the Business Community as well as the Park Management. It can also assist the National government in formulating policies that can assist in addressing issues to do with environmental concerns and management. KEY WORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Industrial Waste Management, Environmental Education Programs, Waste Management Infrastructure, Recycling

Chinese entrepreneurs and workers at the crossroad: the role of social networks in ethnic industrial clusters in Italy

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the evolution of Chinese industrial ethnic clusters in Italy, by focusing on the role of social networks and the processes behind the phenomenon of Chinese worker exploitation and entrepreneur “self-exploitation”.Design/methodology/approachThe case study is a sub-cluster of micro and small enterprises owned by Chinese entrepreneurs within the leather industrial district of Florence, Italy. This research adopts the following mixed methods: a small-scale survey to capture the characteristics of the sub-cluster and a social network analysis to describe cluster evolution, complemented by life-course interviews conducted with key informants and entrepreneurs.FindingsMigrant social capital and social networks play a central role in the evolution of the case study sub-cluster. Social networks play a supportive role in migration, job creation, entrepreneurship formation and the creation of business opportunities. Simultaneously, they enhance the phenomenon of worker exploitation and entrepreneur self-exploitation. Furthermore, the more the business community grows, the more the economic performance of ethnic enterprises depends on agglomeration forces produced by the cluster.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest a series of potential policies to upgrade the ethnic enterprises' capacities, to increase their formality and inclusion in the Italian social and economic systems and sub-cluster.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to examine the evolution of social networks in relation to the phenomenon of Chinese worker exploitation and entrepreneur self-exploitation in an ethnic industrial sub-cluster.

The Royal Bay Bakery

Theoretical basis There are a range of business evaluation methods that can be applied to determine the value of a business. Ultimately, the valuation of a business is what someone will pay for it when the sale transaction is completed. When determining the value of their own business, business owners are often influenced by how hard they have worked to start and build up the business, what the business represents and their projections for the future (Hawkey, 2017). This case provides an opportunity for students to consider exit strategy planning and how to establish a fair market price for a business, how to consider the value of good will and, in particular, the value associated with running an environmentally conscious bakery operation. The trend toward environmental responsibility and green practices in the small business community has started to have an impact on the value of small companies (Inc. 2021). Finally, the case raises the issue of the personal values of the owners and the related implication of finding a buyer with similar values and interests for a bakery business. Research methodology This case was field researched and the company and individuals are not disguised. One of the authors interviewed the two owners of The Royal Bakery. There were three interviews over a six-month period. The interviews were audio recorded. An ethical review for this research was completed at the co-authors’ institution, and a case release was signed. Case overview/synopsis The Royal Bay Bakery presents Dave Grove and Gwen Snyder who, with over 30 years in the bakery business, had started to consider next steps toward retirement. Royal Bay Bakery was profitable and growing. As they prepared to retire and sell the business, they were unsure about how to maximize the value of the business. They also wanted to find a buyer who would recognize and continue their business commitment to environmental and social sustainability. Complexity academic level This case may be taught in a class on exit strategies for small family businesses in the context of a small business course. This case is appropriate for both undergraduate seniors and graduate students. The case may be used to help students understand small business valuation, family ownership and exit strategies and environmental practices in small businesses. Instructors may choose to emphasize specific conceptual tools, including SWOT analysis, and business valuation. The case may also be used to reinforce applications of exit strategy for small, family-owned businesses.

Industry 4.0 competencies: a model for the Vietnamese workforce

Purpose This study aims to develop a competency model for the Vietnamese workforce in the era of Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach A combination of an online survey and a Delphi study was conducted to identify a set of skills, abilities, knowledge and personalities that are critical for effective performance in the future workplace. Findings A set of 26 competencies was identified. Similar to previous findings in the context of developed countries, the set centres around a group of competencies commonly called “21st century competencies”. It also includes characteristics unique to a developing nation. Research limitations/implications The proposed framework of competencies may not cover all human capabilities necessitated by the workplace and may include items with overlapping definitions. The study only represents the view of the business community, and its survey sample was limited in size and location. The impact of COVID-19 on the competency model was not explicitly covered during the study. Practical implications The competency model could serve as a basis for the educator to reform curricula, the policy maker to devise policies and the employer to develop training programmes. It can be used as a reference for other nations at similarly-developmental level. Originality/value The present study is among a few empirical studies regarding a model for Industry 4.0 competencies in the context of low middle-income countries and probably provides one of the first Industry 4.0 competency models for Vietnam. It also provides a novel framework for identifying and analyzing competencies.