Economics and Education

INTEGRATION OF THE TEACHER’S DIGITAL AVATAR INTO HIGHER EDUCATION AS A FACTOR OF PERSONALIZED ADAPTIVE EDUCATION

Natalia Bobro — 2025-09-30

The aim of the article is to analyze the integration of the teacher’s digital avatar into higher education as a mechanism that enhances personalized and adaptive educational processes. The research focuses on conceptualizing the functions of the digital avatar as an intermediary between data, teaching methods, and learners, capable of supporting individualized educational trajectories and improving the quality of academic interaction. Methodology. The work is based on a theoretical analysis of contemporary publications on the issues of digital transformation of higher education, adaptive learning models, and artificial intelligence tools in the educational process. A systematic approach was used to synthesize pedagogical patterns, principles, and organizational conditions for the integration of the teacher’s digital avatar. Results. It has been established that a digital avatar performs integrative functions: it ensures the coordination of content, forms, and methods of learning, supports formative assessment, promotes independence and self-regulation among learners, moderates synchronous and asynchronous communications, and visualizes complex learning material. A characterization of pedagogical patterns and a system of principles of personalized adaptive learning in the context of digital avatar integration is proposed. Practical implications. The use of digital avatars makes it possible to increase the effectiveness and inclusiveness of learning, reduce the workload on teachers, create conditions for the formation of individual trajectories, and strengthen the culture of academic interaction. Universities gain the ability to scale personalization without losing the quality of pedagogical support. Value/originality. The presented approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential of digital avatars as a component of the university’s educational ecosystem and outlines the conditions of their effective integration, taking into account pedagogical, organizational, and security requirements.

ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION OF UKRAINE

Kateryna Tymchenko — 2025-09-30

The paper presents theoretical and applied aspects of ensuring industrial safety in the Black Sea region of Ukraine against the background of the socio-economic turbulence and military aggression. The purpose of the paper is to provide theoretical justification and practical assessment of the industrial safety level in the Black Sea region of Ukraine under conditions of martial law using an indicator approach, as well as to identify the main threats and areas for its strengthening at the regional level. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is modern scientific approaches to assess the industrial safety, with special emphasis on the regional level of analysis under the conditions of martial law. To achieve the set goal, a number of general scientific and special research methods were applied. The logical-theoretical method was used to clarify the essence of the “industrial safety” concept, determine its place in the system of economic security of the state and the region, as well as to reveal the features of the industrial sphere functioning in conditions of crisis phenomena. The analytical method was applied to systematize existing approaches to assessing industrial safety, critically analyze scientific sources and the regulatory framework. For practical measurement of the industrial safety level, an indicator approach was used, which is based on the assessment of key indicators that reflect the industrial sphere state and its ability to function stably in unstable conditions. The statistical method was applied to collect, process and analyze data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, as well as regional statistics departments of Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, which allowed for an empirical assessment of the industrial safety level in the Black Sea region. The comparison method was used to identify differences in safety levels among individual regions, as well as for comparison with regulatory values. In order to visualize the study results, the identified trends and structural changes, a graphical method was applied, which contributes to a better understanding and interpretation of the results obtained. The comprehensive application of these methods provided both theoretical and applied value of the study, allowing to provide a substantiated assessment of the industrial safety of the region, taking into account modern challenges and threats. Study results. Based on a comprehensive analysis of industrial safety in the Black Sea region, which includes an assessment of key economic indicators, in particular, the depreciation degree of the fixed assets in industry, the share of high-tech products in the total volume of industrial products sold, the profitability of operating activities, labor intensity, as well as structural, infrastructural and personnel aspects, both positive trends and significant problems affecting the stability and efficiency of the functioning of industrial enterprises in the region were identified. A comprehensive assessment of the state of industrial safety in the Black Sea region of Ukraine has demonstrated that its level is the result of the action of interrelated economic, technical, organizational and social factors, and also deeply depends on external destabilizing influences, in particular military actions, infrastructure destruction, loss of sales markets and decrease in investment activity. Structural imbalances and threats that reduce the stability of the region's production system have been identified. Practical importance. An adapted indicator approach to assessing industrial safety at the regional level is proposed and a SWOT analysis is conducted, which makes it possible to outline the strategic directions for restoring and strengthening production potential. The need for infrastructure modernization, supporting innovations, and developing public-private partnership to ensure the stability and safety of the production environment of the Black Sea region is substantiated.

THE ROLE OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN SHAPING COMPETITIVE POLICY AND STRENGTHENING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE

Alla Cherep — 2025-09-30

Purpose. The article is devoted to defining and revealing the role of human capital in shaping competitive policy and strengthening Ukraine's socio-economic security. The subject of the study is the scientific and methodological foundations for the development and assessment of human capital as a key factor in the competitiveness of the state and its socio-economic security. The object of the study is the processes of formation, use, and reproduction of human capital in the context of globalization transformations, military challenges, and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. To achieve the set goal, the following theoretical methods were used: analysis of source base, comparison, systematization, generalization, and a structural-functional approach. The category of human capital and its place in shaping competitive policy and ensuring the socio-economic security of the state have been defined. The main components of human capital (educational potential, health and demographic characteristics, innovative activity, social mobility, and flexibility) that determine the level of competitiveness of a nation have been identified. The key mechanisms of human capital's impact on competitive policy (innovation, entrepreneurship development, regional development, investment attraction, social stability) are presented. The economic, social, and security aspects of the impact of human capital on the socio-economic security of Ukraine are considered. It is shown that a highly skilled workforce reduces dependence on technology imports, ensures social cohesion, and contributes to the formation of effective institutions. It is established that the scientific and methodological foundations for assessing human capital in the context of security and competitiveness include a set of theoretical and practical tools that allow identifying, assessing, and predicting risks associated with its development. In the course of the study, the basic principles of human capital analysis were identified and systematized: systematicity and comprehensiveness, risk monitoring and forecasting, integration into the state's competitive policy, and the use of quantitative and qualitative indicators. The importance of a systematic approach to the development of human capital as a strategic resource for Ukraine's socio-economic security is substantiated. It is determined that the methodological principles include the development of a system of indicators for assessing its development, regular monitoring, risk analysis, and the formation of effective management tools. Key components of methodological support for human capital development are proposed: monitoring, assessment, and risk management in the areas of education, employment, innovation, and social protection. The conclusions of the study are that human capital development is a key factor in the competitiveness and socio-economic security of a country. Human capital is not only an economic resource, but also a strategic basis for building an innovative economy, increasing social stability, and strengthening national security. The socio-economic security of a state is a dynamic state of stable functioning and development of society and the economy in the face of external and internal challenges, which includes protecting the country's economic interests, ensuring financial stability, managing risks, forming competitive policies, and effectively utilizing labor resources. An understanding of the relevant scientific and methodological foundations can be based on the main approaches to the study of human capital, its key components, and mechanisms of influence on competitive policy and socio-economic security. The article also defines the basic principles of human capital assessment and development – systematicity, comprehensiveness, risk monitoring and forecasting, integration into public policy, and the use of quantitative and qualitative indicators, which makes it possible to develop effective strategies for its reproduction and use.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF ENTERPRISES IN WAR CONDITIONS. RESISTANCE ASSESSMENT AND OPTIMIZATION MECHANISM

Tetiana Ivashchenko — 2025-09-30

The ongoing war in Ukraine has created unprecedented external challenges for businesses, fundamentally disrupting the organizational structures that support enterprise resilience and continuity. In this context, the relevance of the study lies in the urgent need to develop flexible, adaptive, and decentralized management systems capable of withstanding multidimensional threats. The purpose of this paper is to assess the resistance of enterprises’ organizational structures during wartime and to develop a practical mechanism for their optimization. The object of the study is the organizational configuration of enterprises operating under conditions of armed conflict. A key outcome of the research is the development and application of the four-dimensional ARCA screening model, designed to evaluate the resilience of organizational structures based on four criteria: Adaptability, Reserves, Crisis susceptibility, and Autonomy. This model uses a 0–10 scoring system for each dimension, allowing for quantitative diagnostics and visual representation through radar charts. Empirical testing was conducted by students across enterprises of various sizes and locations. The results indicated that small enterprises scored highest in adaptability (8) but were weakest in reserves (4), while medium-sized firms with foreign capital demonstrated stronger overall resilience with higher scores in reserves (6–7) and autonomy (8). Thus, The ARCA model enabled the identification of structural weaknesses and informed the design of targeted responses to wartime vulnerabilities. Another important result of the study was the development of a five-stage mechanism for optimizing organizational structures, which includes identifying problem areas, assessing their criticality, designing targeted measures (organizational, technological, HR-based), modeling proposed changes, and implementing them with feedback control. This approach provides a structured action algorithm for increasing structural flexibility, decentralization, and operational continuity.

BRIDGING METHODOLOGIES: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF RESEARCH APPROACHES IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Karina Kapliar — 2025-09-30

This study critically analyzes the research methodologies applied in International Human Resource Management (IHRM), primarily focusing on the comparative effectiveness of quantitative and qualitative methods. By examining their applications, advantages, and limitations, the research aims to guide scholars and practitioners in selecting appropriate methodologies for analyzing global HR practices systematically. A literature review, coupled with an analysis of a selected research paper—"Meta-analysis of the impact of cross-cultural training on adjustment, cultural intelligence, and job performance" by Li Chenyang (2022)—serves as the framework for this investigation. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative techniques such as surveys and meta-analysis with qualitative methods, including interviews and case studies. Quantitative methods are shown to provide robust statistical data enabling objective analysis and generalizability of findings. For instance, the study highlights how meta-analysis allows for consolidating data from multiple studies, yielding significant insights about the effectiveness of cross-cultural training programs on expatriates' adjustment, cultural intelligence, and job performance. On the other hand, qualitative methods contribute in-depth understanding and richer context, which quantitative metrics alone may fail to capture. The purpose of this critical analysis is to elucidate the complex dynamics of HRM practices in a global context and to propose a balanced approach to research that embraces both objective measures and subjective narratives. Preliminary findings indicate that while quantitative methods enable researchers to identify trends across populations, qualitative insights enhance the interpretation of these trends, shedding light on the why and how behind the phenomena being studied. The conclusion underscores the necessity of methodological pluralism, advocating that a hybrid approach can lead to holistic insights that significantly inform HR practices in international settings. By fostering an informed discussion on methodological choices, this study contributes to the broader IHRM discourse, emphasizing that effective research design can lead to improved organizational performance in managing human resources across cultural boundaries. Ultimately, this critical analysis serves as a call to action for researchers in the IHRM field to adopt a pragmatic stance that embraces both quantitative and qualitative research methods for comprehensive exploration of complex HR issues.

UNIFIED ALGORITHM FOR BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Tetiana Miroshnichenko — 2025-09-30

Purpose. This article is supposed to present a theoretical substantiation and practical development of a universal step-by-step algorithm for implementing the process approach, which is based on the integration of modern theoretical concepts, empirical studies and practical recommendations. With this objective in view, the article explores the essence of the concept and theoretical foundations of the process approach, analyzes existing methodologies, identifies the main stages of implementing the process approach and proposes a unified algorithm for introducing a BPM (Business Process Management) approach. Methodology. The study employs a literature review, content analysis, comparative method, the structural and functional approach, as well as the generalization of international and national experience in implementing BPM methodologies. Results of the survey. The analysis of theoretical developments and practical cases was conducted; evolutionary concepts of the process approach were studied; and modern Business Process Management techniques were described, including Lean, Six Sigma, BPR, TQM, PDCI, Process Mining and others. Research results. The findings of the study indicate a considerable number of developments related to the implementation of the process approach, which demonstrate their effectiveness, but also create difficulties in practical application due to their specific features and the absence of a clearly structured algorithm for implementing BPM approach. Practical implications. A unified algorithm for implementing the process management is proposed based on the results of the study. This algorithm enables the implementation of the process approach regardless of the level of process maturity of the managed entity. The proposed algorithm can serve as an effective tool for achieving qualitative changes through the implementation of efficient process management. Value / originality. The originality of this research lies in the integration of modern process management concepts into a single, structured and unified algorithm for implementing the process management, as well as in the development of an applied approach adapted to the needs of management entities of various industry orientations.

FACTOR STRATIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS AS PARTICIPANTS IN THE DOMESTIC GOVERNMENT BORROWING MARKET

Andriy Zhukov — 2025-09-30

In the context of open aggression against Ukraine, and taking into account the war of attrition, which leads to increased defence spending and budget deficits, the state should promote the development of the domestic government borrowing market (hereinafter referred to as DGBM) by attracting temporarily available funds from individual investors to purchase government bonds. In order to align the interests of the state and individual investors in the DGBM, it is necessary to conduct factor stratification to determine the priority of factors influencing their investment behaviour. The subject of the study is the investment behaviour of individual investors in the domestic government borrowing market. The purpose of the study is to identify factors influencing the investment behaviour of individual investors as key participants in the DGBM and to stratify them in order to increase investment in government securities to support Ukraine's economy during martial law and ensure financing for post-war reconstruction. The scientific and theoretical basis for the study of factor stratification of individual investors as participants in the domestic government borrowing market consists of methods such as dialectical, generalisation, economic-statistical, analytical, and induction. The factor stratification of individual investors in Ukraine's domestic government borrowing market has enabled us to draw several important conclusions. Firstly, it has been established that factor stratification is a dynamic process of dividing factors that influence the behaviour of individual investors on the DGBM according to a hierarchical principle, which allows for their differentiation and prioritisation. Secondly, the main groups of factors influencing the behaviour of individual investors on the DGBM in the current conditions have been determined and divided according to priority into economic, personal, demographic, fiscal and legal factors. Thirdly, it is argued that the factor stratification of individual investors should form the basis for the development of state investment policy and the strategy for the development of the domestic government borrowing market (DGBM) in order to attract free funds from individual investors to purchase domestic government bonds (DGB), in particular military bonds. Fourthly, there is a proven need for the authorities and regulators of the DGBM not only to ensure growth in the volume of domestic government bond purchases, but also to verify that individual investors have obtained the funds for their purchase legally.

ETHICAL ISSUES IN TOURIST GUIDING AND THEIR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Daiva Statkuvienė — 2025-09-30

Research problem. Tourist guides play an essential part in the tourism sector as mediators of a country’s culture, history, and image. Despite their key role in representing national culture and ensuring the quality of tourism services, the ethical challenges they face in professional practice remain insufficiently examined in the scientific literature. There is still a lack of clarity regarding the most prevalent ethical issues encountered by guides and the effective measures for addressing them. Research object: ethical problems in the work of tourist guides. Research aim: to analyze ethical problems in the work of tourist guides and their possible solutions. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature and documents, qualitative research through interviews, quantitative research via written surveys, and data systematization. Conclusions. Ethical problems in guiding often include tours led by unqualified persons, dissemination of incorrect information, competition among guides, plagiarism, and remuneration agreements with travel agencies. Both guides and tourism representatives point out key issues such as plagiarism, tax abuse, confidentiality breaches, competition, and conflicts of interest. Ethical behavior is not related to age – both younger and older guides may act unethically. The resolution of ethical dilemmas relies on codes of ethics, international guidelines, and continuous professional development, yet personal responsibility, values, awareness, respect, communication and conflict management skills, as well as the promotion of cultural tolerance remain crucial. To prevent such problems, greater emphasis on ethics in guide training programs and the continuous improvement of professional qualifications is recommended. Ethical standards should serve not only as theoretical statements but also as practical tools to support responsible decision-making.

THE POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

Iryna Kalenyuk — 2025-09-30

The article characterizes the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence technologies in society, which lead to a large-scale digital transformation. The author reveals the wide possibilities of applying artificial intelligence in all spheres and processes of human activity. The latest artificial intelligence tools that allow generating new content, creating new products, speeding up business transactions, and solving complex management issues are systematized. The possibilities of individual artificial intelligence tools for activating and updating the content of educational activities are revealed. The importance of realizing the possible challenges and threats associated with the spread of artificial intelligence technologies is emphasized.