RE-EXPLORE THE VIABILITY AND AUTHENTICITY OF GALLUP WORKPLACE AUDIT IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY

Purpose – Employee productivity is directly affected by the employee engagement. Researchers have continuously been focused on whether people working in the organisation are satisfied with the work or not. The Gallup 12 Workplace Audit is an instrument used to measure employee engagement. The purpose of this study is to re-explore the viability of this instrument in an educational context. The secondary objective of this study is to find out if The Gallup Work Audit instrument, which is an international survey, can be used in the educational sector in the context of India for measuring faculties’ engagement. Research methodology – A cross-sectional analysis with grab sampling was used. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency counts, were used to describe the sample. Acceptable internal consistency was reached through exploratory factor analysis. Findings – First results showed that none of the items needed to be eliminated from the scale and that the scale had very high reliability. Acceptable internal consistency was reached through an exploratory factor analysis which resulted in a one-factor model of work engagement. Research limitations – The data collection for the study was limited to one major university, therefore generalisation the results must be done with great care. Implications – This study helps universities to identify their critical drivers of employee engagement, and gives them a clear understanding of their construct. Originality – This study is one of the first attempts to re-explore the viability and authenticity of Gallup Workplace Audit in educational institution (university level).

ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN SCIENTOMETRIC AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS OF RUSSIAN UNIVERSITIES’ PERFORMANCE

Purpose – The study focuses on the relationship between universities’ publication activity and such indicators of their economic performance as revenues from extrabudgetary sources and revenues from research. Research methodology – The study relies on the economic, structural and scientometric data of 49 large Russian universities in a four-year period obtained from the Monitoring of the Efficiency of Higher Education Institutions and the analytical tool SciVal. The research method is a regression analysis with panel data models. Findings – The study has brought to light some interesting relations between scientometric and economic indicators: among other things, it was shown that higher rates of internationally coauthored publications are positively related with the share of universities’ revenues from extrabudgetary sources. The rates of citation of universities’ publications in journals indexed in major international databases are positively associated with revenues from research. Interestingly, there was a negative relationship between the share of nationally co-authored and the revenue from research. Practical implications – The results can be used for the strategic management of universities and for developing national policies in the sphere of higher education and science. Originality/Value – Apart from the most frequently used scientometric indicators such as the number of publications and citations, the following indicators were also included in the analysis: the share of internationally and nationally co-authored (domestic) publications, the share of publications in economics and management, in physics, arts and humanities.

THE IMPACT OF INFLUENCERS ON THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF THE BRAND PRODUCT

Purpose – the aim of this paper is to study the impact of influencers on the decisionmaking process regarding the purchase of the brand product. Research methodology – the method of collecting data through a questionnaire and the contingency analysis to process the data were chosen for this research. Findings – the research revealed quite a degree of distrust of Slovak consumers in influencer marketing. This may be partly explained by the singularity of Slovaks and partly by the limitations of research. Research limitations – the limitation of research may be the fact that it is not possible to draw clear conclusions solely from the perspective of consumers because their actual view may differ from reality. To remove limitations of this kind it is advisable to repeat the questioning on another sample of respondents. Practical implications – the results are anticipated to enhance and deepen the understanding of previous practice of brand managers. The findings should be beneficial for improving the attractiveness of marketing communication and thus higher competitiveness. Originality/Value – the research population has been surveyed not only on flat-rate basis because the segments vary significantly in their perception of influencers’ impact.

TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN LATVIA: ARE E-COMPETENCES INCLUDED?

Purpose – the purpose of this research is to review the contents of Latvian teacher training and education programs in order to identify if the development of students’ e-competences is included into these programs as an important objective and value. The importance of the development of these competences has been stressed in various EU documents and scientific literature. The scientific importance of the paper lies in gathering evidence for the inclusion of e-competences into teacher training and education curricula and demonstrating that e-competences have not yet acquired a value status in teacher training and education programs. Research methodology – the methodology included the keyword in context and concordance analysis of self-assessment reports and program descriptions, which were run in the software AntConc. Findings – out of 190,000 word tokens, the KWIC analysis identified only 75 entries related to e-competences, most of which included basic skills of information and communication technologies. Other more advanced concepts, such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, adaptive spaces, e-competences, e-education and e-learning, were hardly mentioned. Research limitations – one limitation of this research is the focus on Latvian teacher training and education programs without their comparison to similar European programs, which would allow for determining the competitiveness of such Latvian programs in Europe. Practical implications – the obtained results suggest that the development of e-competences has not been perceived as value in teacher training and education programs in Latvia, and in order to bridge this gap, programming and artificial intelligence courses should be introduced into the curricula of such programs. Originality/Value – the research has demonstrated that the EU aim of boosting the competitiveness of the European education through the development of e-competences is yet to be implemented into teacher training and education programs in Latvia.

EVALUATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC COMPONENT OF COUNTRIES’ ECONOMIC SECURITY

Purpose – The article is aimed at evaluation of the patterns of demographic processes development in terms of their impact on shaping the level of countries’ economic security. Research methodology – The study is based on a multidimensional estimation technique, which proposes the development of an integral indicator of the demographic component of countries’ economic security. Stochastic research methods, in particular the t-test method, were used to identify and justify different hazard zones. Findings – On the basis of the formed sample of the countries, the integral indices of the level of the demographic component of countries’ economic security for the period of 2000–2018 were calculated. The thresholds of demographic security indicators were identified and reasoned; the countries’ security risks by demographic indicators were assessed; systematisation of countries according to the level of the demographic component of security was provided. Research limitations – It is proposed to include ten indicators in the structure of the index of the demographic component of economic security; these indicators characterise different aspects of the demographic processes development. However, this is not a complete list of possible valuation indicators. This determines the necessity of further studies in terms of justifying the advisability of including various parameters and assessing the degree of their importance in the structure of the demographic security index. Practical implications – The practical value of the results of the comprehensive analysis of the demographic processes development in the system of ensuring countries’ economic security is the possibility of identifying real or potential threats to the sustainable social and economic development of countries and regions of the world. Originality/Value – The authors’ improved methodology for assessing the level of economic security based on the demographic component consideration, taking into account the system of proposed indices, allows to assess the level of security, to monitor its changes and to identify factors that pose risks not only for one country but also for groups of countries both in regional dimension and in terms of the level of their development.

SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AIRPORT AND AIRLINE COMPANIES

Purpose – For every country’s economy, air transport is strategically and vitally important. For improving the quality of air transport services provision, partnerships between airports and airlines need to be encouraged more. The application of partnerships leads to quality improvements of services provided by companies and raises the efficiency of used practices. A number of the factors, which determine the effective partnership between organisations operating in the aviation sector, is examined on the basis of specialised literature. The study addresses the question of how organisations interact with each other and what factors determine the need for partnership. Having identified common factors in the organisation’s operational interface and the need for it in the aviation sector and having analysed the practical examples of partnerships, the ways to enhance these factors are explored in order to achieve effective partnerships between airports and airlines. Research methodology – consists of comparative analysis, methods of logical analysis and abstraction, multi-criteria evaluation. Findings – The solution to the problem is expressed by identifying the factors of an effective partnership between the airports and the airlines and selecting the criteria for the assessment of the favourable effects of airport cooperation activities, and their hierarchical schemes from the positions of the airlines. Practical implications – Using multi-criteria assessment methods is easy to construct matrices of initial estimates, calculate final estimates and thus decide which airport is the most appropriate partner for an airline or vice versa.Originality/Value – A unique and, at the same time, a universal system of criteria, the application of which provides the preconditions for the development of the partnership, is created. Research limitations – The availability of data is limited to determine the reasonable values of the partnership criteria.

IMPACT OF INCOME INEQUALITY ON EMIGRATION: CASE OF LITHUANIA AND OTHER NEW EU MEMBER STATES

Purpose – The objective of the article is to analyse how income inequality affects population decisions on emigration. Research methodology – Correlation and regression analysis are used to determine the relationship between the analysed social phenomena. Firstly, the correlation between income inequality (its change) and emigration rates is calculated. Secondly, the static and dynamic aspect is evaluated, as well as the influence of data delay (lag) on decision-making. Finally, a regression equation is constructed, showing how one variable affects the other. Findings – The analysis identifies the conditions and severity of population income inequality that may influence their emigration decisions. On the one hand, the impact is more substantial in the crisis and post-crisis period, and, on the other, in the new EU member states. Research limitations – Sensibility of emigration to different conditions like accessibility (i.e. the opportunity to emigrate freely, such as being a member of the Schengen area) and the income gap between countries of origin and destination is a major limitation of the article which should be examined more closely in later works. Practical implications – The analysis of emigration problem and the identification of its possible links with income inequality would allow economists to assess a priori potential of various measures suggested in practice and, consequently, would allow for the more targeted formulation of the State economic policy. Originality/Value – The novelty of the article is defined by insufficient scientific research of relationships between income inequality and emigration as socio-economic phenomena within the new EU member states. A scientific analysis of the problem of emigration and the identification of its possible links with income inequality would contribute to a more detailed study of the scientific aspects of emigration and income inequality.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND CHESS IN A BOTH LEARNING PROCESS: AN APPROACH ACROSS LEARNING PATHS

Purpose – In this work, a reflexive experiential learning process is collected, which relates concepts the strategic management and learning the game of chess in a flipped classroom and blending learning process for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 courses. Research methodology – The method followed has been the initial approach of the learning curves and the time series of the analysis of learning patterns in the game of chess. Also, for the study of the relationship between the game of chess and its analogy with strategic management, we used a questionnaire, and we apply cluster and network analysis. Findings – The main results reveal the existence of different learning patterns (linear, quadratic, random walk), associated with the various skills of the students. Likewise, different learning groups have been identified concerning the times and learning levels by activities. The underlying idea is the motivation that the game of chess exerts on students to foster greater understanding. Research limitations – The limitations are related to the size of the classroom and the different initial levels of chess knowledge, which have been a real challenge to carry out this work. Finally, the combination of activities, between chess and strategic management knowledge is complicated to handle, requiring large doses of planning. These limitations are perhaps challenging to solve, although possible help could be associated with more teachers being involved in the process. Practical implications – The simultaneous learning of chess with the consequent increase of cognitive skills and Strategic Management concepts could intensify the motivation of the student and generate a virtuous circle that drives both areas. Originality/Value – This new experience in Spain contributes to filling a perhaps significant gap in the literature. In parallel, the practice of chess in the classroom has corroborated a level of commitment and motivation of students in the knowledge of the concepts of strategic management. The results achieved could suggest the incorporation of chess practice as a motivating factor in management subjects.

ANALYSIS OF INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS AS PART OF THE COMPONENT OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM AS A BACKGROUND OF IMPROVEMENT OF STRUCTURAL PROPORTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF IMPROVING GOVERNANCE

Purpose – the main purpose of the study is to analyze the institutional factors that are usually considered as components of economic freedom, as well as to assess the level of economic freedom as a prerequisite for improving structural proportions and stimulating the investment process in an economy with excess raw materials sector (such as Ukraine). Research methodology – the methodological basis is a system of complementary mathematical, general scientific and special methods, in particular system-structural comparison of retrospective, diagnostics and mathematical methods of studying possible dependence, general methods of analysis and synthesis, etc. Findings – the main result of the study is that increasing the degree of economic freedom in Ukraine contributes to structural shifts in favour of non-resource exports. Research limitations – our assessment methodology does not take into account the specifics of most European countries and is mainly aimed at countries of Eastern Europe so far. Practical implications – our proposed methodology for assessing the dependence of structural changes in a country’s exports on the economic freedom index IEF can be used in the practice of public administration in countries of such countries as Ukraine and others. Originality/Value – a proposed method for estimating the dependence of structural changes in Ukrainian exports on the IEF Index of Economic Freedom.

THE IMPACT OF PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT AND PROACTIVE PERSONALITY ON AFFECTIVE COMMITMENT: MEDIATING ROLE OF PROSOCIAL MOTIVATION

Purpose – The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of perceived organizational support and proactive personality on prosocial motivation. Furthermore, it looks upon the influence of prosocial motivation on affective commitment. The indirect effect of perceived organizational support and proactive personality on affective commitment through prosocial motivation is also examined. Research methodology – The self-administered survey questionnaires are utilised for collecting the data from the service sector employees. Data were analyzed by using Process Macros on an actual sample of 221. Findings – Results indicate that perceived organizational support and proactive personality are the drivers of prosocial motivation. Likewise, prosocial motivation is positively associated with affective commitment. Besides, the indirect effect of perceived organizational support and proactive personality on affective commitment through prosocial motivation is significant. Research limitations – This study is conducted in the specific culture and the organizational context of Pakistan (Lahore). Data of all study variables are collected from the employees (single source) and at one point in time. Practical implications – The study findings suggested that organizations should always provide support to their employees that encourage them to show more desire to help their colleagues in the working environment and fosters their commitment towards their organization. Originality/Value – It is the first study that examines the indirect impact of POS and proactive personality on affective commitment via prosocial motivation.