Economics and Education

METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS FOR THE FORMATION OF A SYSTEM OF INDICATORS FOR ASSESSING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

Kateryna Tymchenko — 2025-12-26

The study explores methodological approaches to the establishment of a system of indicators for evaluating industrial safety at the regional level. The theoretical foundations, principles and criteria for constructing an indicator system are determined, with consideration given to the regional specifics of the socio-economic development. The purpose of the paper is twofold: firstly, to provide a robust theoretical foundation for the development of a system of indicators for evaluating industrial safety at the regional level; and secondly, to empirically assess the efficacy of the proposed methodology by applying it to the Black Sea region of Ukraine. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is modern approaches to assessing industrial safety, which are based on systemic, indicator and integral approaches. To achieve the goal, a set of complementary methods was applied: logical-theoretical method (to clarify the essence of the “industrial safety” concept and determine its place in the structure of economic security); analytical method (to generalise scientific approaches to building indicator systems); indicator method (to form a system of indicators for assessing industrial safety, taking into account their stimulating or discouraging impact); statistical method (to collect, process and analyze empirical data for the Black Sea regions); indicator normalisation method (to ensure their comparability); integral assessment method (to determine the generalized level of industrial safety of the regions); comparison method (to identify interregional differences and trends); tabular method (to systematise the results of the analysis and present the data in a form convenient for interpretation). Results. The proposed methodological model for the formation of a system of indicators for assessing industrial safety includes nine key indicators. These indicators reflect the state of the industrial and agricultural sectors, the level of energy efficiency, innovative activity, the technical condition of fixed assets, economic efficiency and food stability. The criteria for the rationing indicators (by types of stimulants and The determination of disincentives is accompanied by the construction of a scale for the assessment of safety levels. The testing of the methodology by the example of Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions has demonstrated its practical applicability for a comprehensive assessment of industrial safety in regions. The findings indicated substantial variations in safety levels across different regions, with a low level recorded in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, and a critical level identified in Kherson. Practical importance. The developed methodology can be used to monitor and diagnose the state of industrial safety in regions, and to develop programmes for economic recovery and the strengthening of industrial potential. The proposed system of indicators provides a foundation for the further improvement of state regulatory mechanisms, the formation of regional security strategies, and the making of management decisions in the field of economic stability.

TRAINING, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND MOTIVATION IN A TRADE COMPANY: EMPLOYEE SURVEY

Remigijus Kinderis — 2025-12-26

Rapid market and technological change make employee development a central challenge in the trade sector, where service quality and staff turnover directly affect organisational performance. Organisations benefit when training, performance evaluation, motivation and feedback reinforce each other rather than operate as isolated practices. Accordingly, the present study analyses the interaction of the aforementioned human resource management processes in one trade company from the perspective of its employees. The present study combined a literature analysis with a quantitative employee survey, and collected responses from 73 employees using a structured questionnaire and a five-point Likert scale. The mean scores were computed, and four thematic indices were constructed (training, performance evaluation, motivation and feedback). Relationships were tested using Spearman correlations. Employees' ratings of performance evaluation are moderately positive (M=3.51–3.78), yet they evaluate fairness less favourably (M=3.06), indicating the need for clearer criteria and greater transparency. The training programme has received highly favourable ratings for its practical applicability (M=4.11) and managerial support in development planning (M=4.07). Conversely, team discussion of training outcomes (M=2.82) and opportunities for personal development (M=2.63) have received lower ratings. The concept of motivation is predominantly influenced by intrinsic motivators, such as creativity (M=3.41) and the sense of purpose in one's work (M=3.37). In contrast, extrinsic motivators, including financial incentives and tangible rewards, along with the clarity of the motivation system, exhibit a comparatively weaker influence (M=2.42–2.73; motivation index M=2.91). Feedback is identified as the strongest domain (item means 4.30–4.48; feedback index M=4.39). Spearman correlations confirm strong positive relationships among the processes (r≈0.85–0.92; p<0.001), supporting the view that they form a mutually reinforcing system. Consequently, the company can enhance its engagement by elucidating appraisal criteria, expanding development opportunities beyond job-specific training, and implementing a more transparent and consistent incentive system. Furthermore, it can leverage its robust feedback culture to improve overall integration and employee engagement.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT FOR MANAGING GLOBAL AI COMPANIES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Liudmyla Piddubna — 2025-12-26

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the key tools and practices employed by transformational leaders in managing international Artificial Intelligence companies. In the contemporary era, characterised by accelerated technological progress and the integration of global markets, the capacity for effective leadership is paramount for AI enterprises to innovate, adapt, and achieve global expansion. The study under discussion here highlights how transformational leadership extends beyond traditional charismatic influence to encompass strategic technological integration, ethical governance, and sophisticated talent management tailored for the AI sector. Methodology. In the context of this study, which encompasses publications from 2018 to October 2025, a meticulous search strategy was employed across multiple scientific databases. This approach facilitated the consideration of the latest achievements and discussions related to the development of artificial intelligence and leadership. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Business Source Complete. Key search terms and phrases used included: "Transformational leadership" AND "AI" OR "Artificial intelligence"; "Leadership toolkit" OR "Leadership tools" OR "Leadership practices" AND "AI companies" OR "Global corporations" OR "Transnational enterprises"; "AI strategy" AND "international competitiveness" OR "global market" AND "leadership"; "Ethical leadership in AI" OR "Responsible AI governance" AND "corporate strategy"; "Human-AI collaboration" OR "AI team" AND "leadership" AND "global". Results. A thorough review of contemporary scientific literature discloses a particular set of methodologies and approaches employed by transformational leaders in leading international AI corporations. This toolkit is comprised of a comprehensive set of practices and instruments that have been designed to empower leaders to operate effectively within the complex and dynamic AI industry. In addition to this, the toolkit also fosters innovation and human potential development, as well as adherence to ethical principles in international operations. Practical implications. This study's practical value lies in its provision of a comprehensive framework that enables leaders, policymakers and scholars to understand and implement effective leadership strategies in the ever-changing global AI landscape. Value/Originality. This study provides a fresh perspective by systematically synthesising fragmented literature to create a comprehensive and unified toolkit of transformational leadership practices specifically designed for the unique demands and global operations of AI companies.

DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS AS A TOOL FOR OPTIMISING CORPORATE WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Nataliia Babiak — 2025-12-26

The article examines how digital payment systems affect the efficiency of working capital management in corporations in an era of global digital economic transformation. The research focuses on the mechanisms through which digital payment platforms influence the components of the cash conversion cycle, transaction costs and the operational efficiency of international settlements. The study methodology is based on a comparative analysis of five global payment platforms (PayPal Business, Stripe, Wise Business, SWIFT gpi and Revolut Business) using a multi-criteria evaluation and ranking methodology to assess the digital maturity of ten Ukrainian corporations and calculate the economic impact of implementing digital payment solutions. The research objective is twofold: first, to substantiate the role of digital payment systems in optimising working capital management; and second, to develop methodological approaches for evaluating the effectiveness of their implementation within the corporate finance system. The study reveals that switching from traditional banking channels to digital platforms reduces Days Sales Outstanding by two to three days, cuts transaction costs by seventy-six to ninety-two per cent, and frees up ten to fifteen million dollars of working capital for every one billion dollars of annual revenue. An empirical analysis of Ukrainian corporations shows that there is a significant difference in the level of digital maturity in international settlements. Fintech and e-commerce companies have DSO indicators that are five to eight times lower than companies that use traditional channels exclusively. The research proposes a four-level system of KPI indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of digital payment systems, a methodology for calculating the total economic effect considering direct financial benefits and the effect of capital release, and a multi-criteria matrix for selecting optimal payment platforms for different types of corporations. The practical significance of this integration lies in the development of tools for integrating digital payment systems into financial controlling systems, and in substantiating their impact on credit ratings and cost of capital. The study's findings offer a valuable resource for corporate treasuries, financial services, and regulators, providing insights that can inform the optimisation of payment infrastructure and the acceleration of digital transformation in the corporate finance sector.

MINNESOTA RENTAL MARKET: DISTORTED DEMAND AND A SHORTAGE OF MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSING

Mykyta Kravchenko — 2025-12-26

The article aimed to study structural imbalances in Minnesota's rental housing market, with a focus on the shortage of affordable housing for middle-income populations. Methods employed included comparative analysis and the examination of statistical reports and housing affordability indicators. The results demonstrate a systemic distortion of demand: higher-income households are displacing lower-income households from the affordable housing market, and the pace of construction of middle-class housing significantly lags behind that of upscale projects. Particular attention is paid to the Twin Cities agglomeration, where the supply crisis has been exacerbated by a decrease in the number of building permits. The problem of the Minnesota housing market was found to lie in an acute shortage of housing for those with incomes below 30% of the state average, which is associated with a decrease in construction volumes. Despite the growth of real median incomes in the state, middle-income households are provided with housing. By contrast, very low-income households are being priced out of the rental market because it is so affordable for the middle classes. Rising rents are exacerbating the problem of rental affordability for the state’s poorest residents. Overall, Minnesota’s rental market is experiencing a systemic shortage of affordable housing, with households at all income levels spending a growing proportion of their income on rent as real incomes fall. Further research should examine the effectiveness of local housing support policies and the impact of institutional investors on the rental market structure.

BEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF INVESTMENT DECISIONS IN THE FINANCIAL CONTROLLING SYSTEM OF REAL SECTOR ENTERPRISES

Oleksiy Tumanov — 2025-12-26

The research subject is the impact of cognitive biases on the efficiency of investment decisions within the real economy and how these biases can be integrated into financial control systems. The research methodology takes a comprehensive approach, combining regression analysis to identify statistical patterns with the Mamdani fuzzy inference system to model non-linear interactions between behavioural determinants. The empirical basis comprises 67 investment projects of Ukrainian enterprises for the period 2022–2024 and data collected via a structured questionnaire containing 45 questions designed to diagnose cognitive biases. The research objective is twofold: first, to identify the dominant behavioural determinants of investment decisions based on empirical analysis; and second, to develop tools for considering these determinants in the financial control systems of enterprises in the real sector. The research results demonstrate that cognitive biases systematically reduce the efficiency of investment projects. The Regression Model illustrates the detrimental effects of the sunk cost fallacy, overconfidence bias, the anchoring effect and herding behaviour on the discrepancy between the actual and planned NPV, accounting for 54.7% of the variation in the dependent variable. The most influential factors are the sunk cost fallacy (β = -1.40, p < 0.001) and the overconfidence bias (β = -1.05, p = 0.002). The developed Mamdani Model, which incorporates nine expert rules, enables the formalisation of nonlinear synergistic effects between biases and the identification of critical risk zones when combining high values of determinants. The correlation between the Mamdani Model and the regression results is 0.89 (p < 0.001), which confirms the validity of the fuzzy approach. The practical significance lies in creating operational tools for behavioural control with linguistic rules for diagnosing cognitive distortions when making investment decisions. These results can be used by the financial services departments of enterprises to improve control systems and reduce the impact of psychological factors on the quality of investment decisions.

SOCIAL POLICY IN UKRAINE: APPROACHES AND CHALLENGES FOR REFORMING UNDER THE EU INTEGRATION OBLIGATIONS

Larysa Bogush — 2025-12-26

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the challenges, problems and prospects of reforming Ukrainian social legislation and social policy within the framework of a balanced strategy for safely implementing European integration aspirations and obligations. Methodology. The evolution, modern approaches and problematic issues of the national legislative authorities' views on the systematisation of the foundations of population social protection and security, and their codification, are outlined in the context of growing challenges relating to the shortage of relevant budget and other targeted expenditure. There is also a need to improve the implementation of constitutional guarantees (especially those provided by the state) and to strengthen social assistance targeting, primarily according to the criterion of difficult life circumstances. An analysis is conducted of the approaches and practices for systematising the social protection norms for the population that are promoted in Ukraine, compared with the basic legislation that operates and develops in the EU. Results. The increasingly threatening problems of natural population reproduction in Ukraine, the deterioration of the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the labour provision of the national economy, and the strengthening of migration sentiments and processes in society emphasise the significant role of social legislation and social policy in consistently mitigating and preventing these negative trends. The European Code of Social Security identifies numerous indicators and benchmarks for providing certain types of social assistance to the population or its targeted categories. The utilisation of indicators and benchmarks facilitates the augmentation of expenditures during periods of economic recovery. Furthermore, these tools enable the formulation of strategies and the identification of methodologies for the utilisation of social levers of economic progress. Additionally, they assist in the maintenance of the validity of socially significant protection norms and standards during periods of recession and stagnation. Practical implications. The conditions, features, and criteria for reforming the national social protection system within the framework of long-term strategic guidelines for Ukraine's European integration have been determined, taking into account the urgency of socio-economic security of this process (especially according to the goals of preserving and optimising the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the population's natural and labour potential reproduction, maintaining the competitiveness of the workforce, the economy and its territorial subsystems, and Ukrainian business entities in the globalised world of competing national actors). Value / Оriginality. The present study examines the problems and prospects of reforming Ukrainian social legislation and social policy according to the strategic priorities of European integration, as well as the relevant basic EU law norms.

ORGANISATION OF THE CYCLIC PRODUCTION IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY OF UKRAINE

Petro Yukhymenko — 2025-12-26

The purpose of this article is to identify and summarise the key issues and promising approaches to transitioning to a circular production model in Ukraine's agricultural sector in the context of the new economic environment. Theoretical research methods were employed to determine the main challenges associated with transitioning to a circular economy in agriculture and to outline ways of overcoming them. Methodology. The employment of quantitative methodologies enabled the demonstration of the characteristic features and anticipated socio-economic consequences of the operation of a circular economy, as well as the significance of the implementation of the paradigm of circular production, which is predicated on the concept of establishing self-sufficient cycles in which waste generated in one operation becomes a valuable resource for another. Empirical analysis has demonstrated that long-term values created within a closed production cycle in the agricultural sector form four types of added value: economic, environmental, consumer and informational. Findings. The analysis provides a foundation for the potential organisation of circular production in the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on biogas production, the utilisation of precision agriculture technologies, the establishment of composting stations, and the utilisation of waste as an alternative fuel. Practical implications. The introduction of circular production has been demonstrated to contribute to both ecosystem restoration and the economic growth of agricultural enterprises. The post-war state agro-ecological development strategy is substantiated, the full achievement of which is only possible in the presence of strong formal institutions for conducting business and the modernisation of the agribusiness on the principles of a circular economy. Value/Originality. The article under scrutiny here sets out to demonstrate the considerable efficiency potential of the transition to a circular economy in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. This transition is posited as an innovative model that would enable the creation of closed production cycles and effective waste management. Furthermore, it is argued that this would contribute to ecosystem restoration.

CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE USA IN THE CONTEXT OF HIGH ADVERTISING COSTS

Vladyslav Tsaruk — 2025-12-26

The main purpose of the article is to study the challenges and tools for minimizing their negative impact on the development of small businesses in the United States in the context of the rapid growth of the cost of digital advertising. This study includes an analysis of the impact of advertising inflation, market concentration in the hands of large technology platforms, as well as changes in consumer patterns on the marketing activity of small businesses. The paper uses a mixed methodology that combines quantitative analysis of statistical data with a qualitative study of promotion practices. In particular, the author investigated ways to determine the most effective channels for business promotion, cases of using artificial intelligence in content creation, as well as the adaptation of small businesses to the conditions of a highly competitive advertising environment. The focus of the article is on the limited financial and time resources of small businesses, the opacity of advertising platform algorithms, the decline in organic reach in social networks, and the inaccessibility of high-quality analytics. Aspects such as the growth of customer acquisition costs, competition with large brands, the effectiveness of alternative promotion channels, the role of micro-influencers, as well as the strategic importance of local and hyperlocal marketing are considered. Attention is paid to the author's methodology for reducing the cost of creating video content, which demonstrates the potential for scaling with minimal costs through automation and creativity. The results obtained confirm the relevance of adaptive marketing strategies focused on saving resources and using innovative digital tools. The proposed approaches can be used as a basis for further practical solutions in the field of small business promotion in the context of advertising inflation. Finally, the author concludes this study with the conclusion that the sustainability and competitiveness of small businesses in the digital age increasingly depend not on the volume of advertising budgets, but on the ability to flexibly adapt to a changing environment, strategically use available tools and develop digital literacy of entrepreneurs.