The Role of Employer Branding Practices on Management of Employee Attraction and Retention

Introduction. An employer brand includes everything practiced to position an organization as a preferred employer. Nowadays, business companies are having more difficulty procuring qualified employees who are vital for company success under keenly competitive business conditions. To cope with this difficulty, companies carry out different practices to attract and retain talent, and the employer brand concept has become one of the tools that business companies use to attract and retain talent. Aim and tasks. The aim of the study is to investigate, determine and describe how business companies are efficacious in their employer brand management practices to meet the expectations of current and potential employees. It is also aimed to determine which activities are carried out by the business companies for employer branding. In this context, a literature review is carried out within the scope of employer branding to brief the concepts of organizational attractiveness and to ensure organizational commitment. Results. Within the scope of the research, the semi-structured in-depth interviews with the human resources professionals of seven large-scale, domestic, and foreign companies operating in the Izmir, Istanbul, and Manisa provinces were examined. The findings of the interviews are evaluated by the qualitative analysis method according to the research methodology. The result of the research conducted and the references to the definition of the employer brand were compiled under five nodes. These are the work environment, economic benefits, work-life balance, career development opportunities, and social activities. On the other hand, the economic benefits node was compiled under two different sub-nodes, namely wages and fringe benefits. The characteristics and contributions of the employer branding were investigated, and the effects of the employer brand on retention within the scope of talent management were investigated. Conclusions. It has been observed that the organizations' awareness level of the employer brand concept is high, and it has been discovered that they have many practices for both potential candidates and current employees. These practices have revealed that they differentiate themselves from their competitors in terms of business characteristics, working environment, and global opportunities. All these efforts provide many benefits such as increases in the number of applications, increases in attractive employer rankings, increases in employee motivation, and decreases in employee turnover rates

Investigating the Impact of Training and Development Activities on the Involvement of Employees in the Human Resources Management Context

Introduction. Training and development in human resource management (HRM) are important for business companies to survive in a competitive environment. On the other hand, the contribution of training and development activities is also crucial for employees' individual development and career plans. Rapid changes in technologies, methods, tools, and working environments have increased the need for new qualifications, abilities, and knowledge bases that can be provided through training and development activities. Aim and tasks. This study aims to conduct a quantitative research that examines the association between training and development activities and the contribution of employees to business success in the context of HRM. Results. A relational survey model was used to determine the relationships between variables. In this survey, 105 blue-collar workers from a manufacturing company in Izmir were selected using a random sampling method. The questionnaire collected data, and the SPSS software analyzed the results. According to the results of the survey, training and development have a significant influence on employee performance. Specifically, they evaluate training as an essential tool for performing their duties, accessing up-to-date information about their activities, and considering it a supporting study for their career development. Even though employees have positive opinions about training and development activities, they still need to be given detailed information about the training programs they should participate in the future. It was observed that employees’ evaluations of training and development activities were positive, and their learning motivation was relatively high. There was a positive and significant relationship between employees’ views on training activities and their perceptions of performance. The findings stated that training activities positively affect employees' performance by increasing their knowledge and skill levels. Conclusions. It has been determined that the individual benefits provided by training and development activities motivate employee performance. There was no difference between the views of the participants regarding education and development by gender, age, education level, or working time. It was determined that married people consider education and development activities more in terms of career development compared to singles

Development Management of Interbank Competition in the Corporate Lending Market

Introduction. The effective functioning of the banking sector is a prerequisite for the economy development   and one of the main sources of providing monetary resources for economic activity of entrepreneurship, regardless of ownership forms and spheres of management. The urgent problem of business development today is the lack of own financial resources for economic activity and a significant reduction in corporate bank lending. Therefore, it is relevant to study and solve the problems of renewing lending by banks to the corporate sector at the present time, taking into account the prevention of the increase in the level of credit risk. Aim and tasks. The purpose of the study is to manage the development of interbank competition in the corporate lending market based on a study of the bank lending state to corporate clients and further prospects in the absence of an accurate forecast of the economic situation in Ukraine. Results. The analysis of the dynamics of the bank lending total volume to business in 2022-2023 and the structure of the provided corporate loans showed that since mid-2022 there has been a tendency to decrease the volume of loans to entrepreneurship, which is caused by a decrease in demand from borrowers and an increase in the cost of credit from banks. In addition, more than 70% of the loans provided are concentrated in five larger banks in Ukraine, including 4 state-owned ones, preferential lending to businesses with state support prevails. To further assess the development of corporate bank lending, a prediction of lending volumes for 2023 was carried out, which made it possible to establish that lending volumes by banks of non-financial corporations have a forecast downward trend. Conclusions.  Recommendations for improving corporate bank lending processes are proposed, namely: development of credit policy directions that will prevent a new crisis of confidence in banks and the banking system; development of measures that will prevent the curtailment of preferential targeted lending programs; developing measures to reduce the level of non-performing loans and solving the problem of lowering the cost of financing sources

Digitalization of Economic Security Management in Investment Security of Ukraine

Introduction. The study of economic security is relevant due to strengthening competition in the world market and military conflicts, which are becoming critical tasks for the state. Studying economic security makes it possible to identify the problematic aspects of a country's economy, find solutions, and develop strategies to ensure a sustainable investment policy. The specifics of changes in organizational models associated with digitalization also transform investment management systems. The most significant digital changes affect economic security, as the high openness of companies contributes to the emergence of various threats and risks to their activities. Therefore, it is essential to study the problems related to the risks of digital transformation within the framework of economic security management in the investment provision of Ukraine. Aim and tasks.  The purpose of the study is to analyse problems and develop a recommendation for assessing the level of economic security when developing investment projects, taking into account the risks of digital transformation, for better preparation for future projects of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. The results. This study developed a conceptual model for assessing the level of economic security, which includes the systematization of critical indicators of economic security and the organization of ensuring end-to-end transparency of information during the implementation of investment projects for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine based on intelligent technologies. Software for assessing economic security using machine learning methods is proposed, which will allow forecasting the state of the enterprise's economic security for the entire implementation period of the investment project. Conclusions. This research proved that an enterprise's economic security is a complex and integral economic concept that requires studying the influence of several external and internal factors. Therefore, the established approach to assessing the state of economic security should cover all current investment processes and risks that arise in the context of the digitalization of enterprises, influencing the choice of critical indicators. Post-war reconstruction should be based on the modernization of the economy by improving the security of the business environment (reducing corruption, ensuring private property rights and strengthening the security of business activities) and the transition to a digital society

Analysis and Assessment of Infrastructural Potential in Rural Territories

Introduction. Since the mid-twentieth century, research has focused on agriculture as an important and structurally determining economic sector, constructing a significant part of the production infrastructure that serves an important function in generating economic growth in society. The asymmetry in the development of the territories and the general problems in the lagging areas are the subject of regional policy at the national and community level, to which a serious financial resource is directed, seeking a synergistic effect of the various support instruments on the entire territory. Over half of Bulgaria's territory is used for agriculture, and in rural areas it is also the main economic sector and source of livelihood. It is of crucial importance for the overall economic development of rural areas. In-depth research is needed to assess the infrastructure potential and analyze its impact on the generation of gross value added (GVA) and cohesion between regions. Aim and tasks. The aim of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the infrastructural potential of rural territories and its impact on the GVA generated by the agricultural sector. Results. The analysis compares the infrastructural potential of the districts with the production of the agricultural sector, the leading sector of the Bulgarian economy, and seeks ways to optimize it. Within the framework of the present research, the social, transport, tourist, and production infrastructure at the regional level is analyzed, and their relation to the GVA generated by the agricultural sector is examined. The social, transport, tourist, and production infrastructure by regions in Bulgaria and their impact on agribusiness were analyzed, and the results were summarized and mapped. As a result of the research, the territories were systematized depending on the ratio between the GVA from the agricultural sector and their infrastructural potential, and the trends in their development were outlined. Conclusions. The well-developed infrastructure in rural territories is a driving force for diversifying the functional use of the territory and the optimal utilization of available resources, ensuring not only economic progress but also sustainability in the development of rural territories. Improving infrastructure has a positive effect on the GVA of the agricultural sector, encourages diversification and the use of available resources, and helps make rural territories more sustainable

Relation Between Financial Literacy and Carbon Footprint: Review on Implications for Sustainable Development

Introduction. Financial literacy has been recognized worldwide as a significant element of stability and economic and financial growth. With the evolution of financial instruments, the growing importance of financial inclusion, its correlation with financial literacy, and the effects they have on sustainability, the concept of financial literacy is dramatically changing and getting more inclusive, spreading the focus on sustainability, sustainable consumption, and environmental preservation. Aim and tasks. The aim of the study is to examine the connection between the population's financial literacy level and greenhouse gas emissions. The working hypothesis claims that there is a relationship between financial literacy and the carbon footprint. Results. The correlation and regression analyses were the main tools in the study, while the dataset for 2014 covered 137 countries, with the main dependent variables being carbon emissions per capita, per unit of gross domestic product, and per unit of energy. The partial correlation coefficients between financial literacy rating and carbon footprint variables were insignificant when controlled for economic development, represented by per capita gross domestic product. Estimated econometric models with financial literacy in quadratic form were adequate and showed a significant connection between financial literacy and carbon emissions per capita and per gross domestic product at the 5% level. The relationship with carbon emissions per unit of energy was significant at the 10% level. In all three models, the relationships followed an inverse U-shape, with low financial literacy increasing the carbon footprint and higher financial literacy decreasing it. The turning numbers for financial literacy were 35.8% for carbon emissions per capita, 41.4% for emissions per unit of gross domestic product, and 32.4% for emissions per unit of energy. Conclusions. Financial literacy was indeed associated with carbon emissions in a complex, non-linear way. The effect of energy consumption on carbon emissions was stronger than financial literacy and appeared to be the driving force for the increase in carbon emissions. With low financial literacy observed in underdeveloped countries, the situation was not favorable for the environment. As financial literacy increased, welfare, income, and consumption increased too, leading to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, i.e., a bigger CO2 footprint. Once a certain stage of economic development was reached, the relationship was reversed, i.e., in developed countries, financial literacy worked towards reducing the carbon footprint and protecting the environment

Risk Assessment of Water Transport Enterprises by Modeling Direct and Indirect Threats

Introduction. The methods of traffic modeling by water transport and assessing the risks associated with it is needed to identify the issues of the past period, proposing methods for assessing not only direct but also indirect risks to form the preconditions for preventing them in the postwar reconstruction. The coordination of different transport type’s actions of transport requires an assessment of risks impact of the previous stages of mixed transportation on the formation of the following risks’ stages. Existing methods of assessing such impact need to be improved. Aim and tasks. The aim of this study is creation of methodological approach to risk management in water transport based on a mathematical model for assessing the impact of both direct and indirect risks. The tasks are: to prove that the additive approach of taking risks into account leads to the systematic deviation appearance from the result; take into account the impact on the risk of cargo transportation. Results. It has proved that the calculation of risk as an additive function leads to a systematic deviation from the relevant result. It stated that the risk of each of the next stages of transportation depends on the risks of the previous stages. To increase risk analysis relevance in water transport, the use of an oriented graph in a multidimensional parameter space proposed. It stated that in order to calculate the integrated risk, it is essential building not only the risk matrix but also the risk incidence matrix to take into account their relation to business entities. It established the impact of even minor risks could take the form of a catastrophe, which leads to cargo flows reorientation. It established that: for calculation of integral risk, it is crucial consider direct and indirect influences of risks; risk calculation for water transport also requires risk analysis in related modes of transport. Conclusions. It was established that, when calculating integral risk, it is necessary to consider direct and indirect influences on risks and that the risk calculation for water transport also requires risk analysis in related modes of transport. The proposed approach significantly increases the relevance of water transport risk analysis and allows for managing changes in transportation routes in real time

Strategy Selection of Healthcare Sector Development and Risk Management of its Implementation

Introduction. The topic of this study is the necessity to implement all stages of strategic planning for health sphere development, such as analysis of the internal and external environment, selection of a specific strategy for further development, and identification and management of risks associated with the implementation of the chosen strategy. Aim and tasks. The purpose of the study is to justify a comprehensive strategy for health sphere development based on the results of SWOT analysis, the characteristics of its main components, the identification of fundamental and specific risks of its implementation, and the development of their minimization directions. Results. The study offers an application of recovery, restructuring, and reengineering strategies based on a SWOT analysis of the health sector in Ukraine. It offers cost management and risk management strategies as additional strategies. This study analyzes the fundamental and specific risks of health sector strategic development based on expert assessments. It determines that socio-political (weighted score of 7.28 points), personnel (7.94 points), and production and financial risks (7.67 points) pose the greatest threat in 2023.  In addition, social and political risks tend to increase during the next two years to 7.67 points, personnel risks to 8.12 points, and production and financial risks could decrease to 6.39 points. Conclusions. The strategy of functioning of socio-economic system could be chosen under both favorable and unfavorable external and internal conditions; the implementation of the recovery strategy is appropriate for solving the problem of unsatisfactory regulatory and legal support for functioning of industry; restructuring strategy envisages the implementation of organizational, economic, technological and social transformations aimed at improving quality of medical services and managing the assets of medical institutions; the implementation of reengineering strategy creates the necessary prerequisites for a fundamental rethinking of essence, tasks, techniques and methods of marketing activity of medical institutions in general, as well as the development of effective solutions for the formation and implementation of their assortment, communication and service policy in particular

Organizational-Economic Measures and Tools for the Multifunctional Use of Aquaculture Facilities in Ukraine

Introduction. The world is aware of the importance of preserving natural resources and is shifting its focus to a social perspective, reflecting the acceptance of sustainable development principles. Aquaculture management must consider the impacts on the ecosystem and community, ensuring a balance in the use of water resources. Aquaculture can become a sustainable way to generate economic resources, and has recreational and cultural applications. This study examines the possibilities of using aquaculture in educational and cultural activities, public leisure, aesthetic education, and the development of park areas, as well as for other multifunctional purposes that contribute to improving water environment management and creating new ecological jobs. Aim and tasks. The study aims to develop a conceptual vision of multifunctional aquaculture facilities as innovative and recreational centres for new jobs and the development of the local economy, considering socio-ecological and economic motivational mechanisms and effects that have not been previously investigated. Results. The variability of directions for the development of aquaculture activities in the context of implementing marine strategies, Sustainable Development Goals, and reduction of the negative consequences of water pollution due to military actions. Socio-ecological and economic motivational mechanisms have been developed to form aquaculture facilities as centres of a green corridor or a concentration of ecologically safe zones to integrate them into urban and rural spaces. Measures for integrating aquaculture into tourism activities and the scientific concept of the concentration of ecologically safe territories with an aquaculture core in terms of organizational measures and possible effects are proposed. Conclusions. A conceptual vision of multifunctional aquaculture facilities with the functions of reproduction, education and cultural-recreational enlightenment in terms of scientific and educational, decorative and circular facilities was proposed. The scientific concept of the concentration of ecologically safe territories with an aquaculture core in terms of organizational measures and possible effects was proposed

Integration Strategies for Sustainable Positioning of Shipping Companies in the Maritime Trade Market System

Introduction. The maritime transport of individual countries, operating in a single space of the World Ocean, determines the tasks and problems of creating standard requirements for the reliability of cargo flows and system security of operation. This significantly differentiates the conditions for the development of maritime transport as a subsystem of the global maritime transport market between its individual structures, on the one hand, and national maritime transport complexes, on the other. This is what determines the expediency of various integration processes in the system of the maritime trade market. Aim and tasks. The study examined the role of integration technologies in the global maritime trade market and the analysis of the development of the country's maritime transport complex in relation to its real needs for participation in integration processes, as well as possible strategies for integration principles and finding ways to implement such strategies in the activities of the country. Results. The study resulted in the identification of three approaches to the forms of integration in the maritime trade market. The first form includes the processes of creating the gross national product based on the international division of labor, when the global sectoral equilibrium is achieved by combining the technology of producers of one country with the resources and territory of another state. The second form of integration is the M&A strategy for the further development of shipping companies and other enterprises of the maritime complex. The third form is the interaction of individual maritime transport enterprises in intermodal connections. The implementation of all the above forms of integration is in line with globalization trends in the socio-economic development, achievements of technological progress and strategic interests of shipping companies. Conclusions. The development of maritime transport in terms of integration characteristics and technical priorities reflects the principle of sustainability. At the same time, activities are separated in the system of achieving a balance in the state of the main components of the transport services market according to the criteria for optimizing the investment flow. The latter necessitates a constant search for optimization of the fleet's carrying capacity and cargo terminal throughput. The main thing is to study the optimization of development from the perspective of both macroeconomic and business structures