Baltic Journal of Economic Studies

AI-DRIVEN STRUCTURING AND SEMANTIC MATCHING OF CONSTRUCTION COST DATA FOR EFFICIENCY AND CO₂ IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Oskars Bagants — 2026-08-07

The buildings and construction sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. It accounts for around 34% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, which come from both the energy used to operate buildings and the emissions produced when construction materials such as cement, steel and concrete are made. Despite the increasing use of embodied-carbon assessment methodologies in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector, carbon accounting tools are still not integrated into the cost estimation and procurement processes that directly affect material selection and initial design choices. This study presents the novel, AI-driven 'EEBOQ' framework, which was developed in the context of the Latvian construction market while taking into account broader European and international carbon accounting practices. The proposed framework integrates a hybrid semantic processing pipeline that combines Large Language Models (LLMs), ontology-based classification mechanisms and vector-based similarity retrieval techniques in order to autonomously interpret heterogeneous, spreadsheet-based procurement documentation. The system aligns the free-text estimate positions with standardised embodied-carbon reference datasets, such as the ICE Database, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and EN 15978-compliant life cycle assessment structures. To improve the reliability of practical CO₂ estimation, the framework introduces a Bayesian Feedback Correction Engine (BFCE). This is designed to reduce discrepancies iteratively between generalised look-up table emission factors and observed, project-specific embodied carbon data. The feedback mechanism continuously recalibrates environmental coefficients using primary data provided by suppliers, transport information related to logistics, records of material substitution, and validated environmental product declarations. Experimental validation on a corpus of real-world construction projects demonstrated that the semantic-matching module achieved top-1 matching accuracy of 89.3% and top-3 accuracy of 97.1%. Furthermore, the proposed Bayesian correction mechanism reduced the median absolute percentage error in embodied carbon estimation from 28.5% using a conventional static look-up table to 8.3% after three iterative feedback cycles. The results obtained indicate that the proposed architecture establishes a scalable, reproducible pathway towards real-time, evidence-based embodied carbon accounting that is directly integrated with operational construction cost management and procurement processes.

EVALUATING HOSPITALITY ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS IN A REGIONAL TOURISM DESTINATION: EFFECTS ON TOURIST SATISFACTION AND RECOMMENDATION INTENTIONS

Remigijus Kinderis — 2026-08-07

Tourism destinations are becoming more and more like interconnected hospitality ecosystems, where visitor experiences are created through the interaction of information services, infrastructure, hospitality services and leisure opportunities. Understanding how these components influence tourist satisfaction and intention to recommend a destination is important for enhancing its competitiveness. This study therefore aims to evaluate the influence of these components on tourist satisfaction and recommendation intentions in a regional tourism destination in western Lithuania. A quantitative research design was employed, involving a structured questionnaire survey. The final sample consisted of 455 visitors. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, a reliability analysis, a Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and an ordinal logistic regression. The findings revealed generally positive evaluations of the dimensions of the hospitality ecosystem. Information quality received the highest evaluation (M = 3.79), while infrastructure quality received the lowest score (M = 2.88). Reliability analysis revealed excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.934 to 0.967. Regression analysis revealed that infrastructure quality (β = 0.235, p = 0.036) and leisure service quality (β = 0.164, p = 0.020) had a significant impact on tourist satisfaction. In contrast, information quality, food service quality and accommodation quality were not found to have a significant effect. The model explained 28.1% of the variance in tourist satisfaction. Satisfied tourists were significantly more likely to recommend the destination (β = 1.817, p < 0.001). These results emphasise the importance of infrastructure and leisure services in enhancing visitor experiences and boosting a destination's competitiveness.

THE IMPACT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-ISRAEL AND IRAN MILITARY CONFLICT ON GLOBAL TRADE FLOWS AND SUPPLY CHAINS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa — 2026-08-07

This systematic literature review investigated the impact of a potential military conflict between the United States of America (USA), Israel and Iran on global trade flows and supply chain systems. The study adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach, drawing on a large number of studies identified through a literature search of several popular academic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect and JSTOR. Consequently, a total of 52 articles that have undergone the peer-review process and were published between 2020 and 2026 were selected on the basis of their relevance. The present study has identified the following five major transmission channels of the effects of geopolitical conflict on international trade flows and supply chains: energy market disruptions; maritime transit vulnerabilities; trade fragmentation through economic sanctions; supply chain resilience and adaptive strategies; and macroeconomic and sectoral spillovers. Based on the reviewed literature, the following major implications of the current conflict on international trade flows can be identified: instability in energy markets and threats to strategic maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, are likely to impose cost pressures on international trade flows and require the restructuring of global trade. The findings emphasise the importance of strategic diversification and the development of resilient supply chains, as well as prospective policy actions to address the potential for disruption. This study makes theoretical and policy contributions based on the latest scholarly discourse. It emphasises the need for adaptive, technology-facilitated and diversified approaches to ensure the smooth running of international trade in a tense geopolitical environment.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF LAWMAKING IN THE CONTEXT OF UKRAINE'S INTEGRATION INTO THE EU

Stepan Kovbasiuk — 2026-08-07

This study examines the theoretical, legal and practical aspects of international economic co-operation in the context of Ukraine's accession to the EU. This is important given Ukraine's status as a candidate for EU accession and the ongoing process of European integration, as well as the need for thorough reform of the national legal system in line with European standards. International economic co-operation is expanding beyond traditional trade and economic relations to increasingly encompass legal regulation. This is because successful economic integration hinges on proper legislative harmonisation and effective mechanisms for regulating social relations. International economic co-operation is an important means of aligning Ukrainian legislation with that of the European Union. The process of legal integration has been found to entail not only aligning national legislation with EU law, but also amending the lawmaking process and improving procedures for drafting and assessing the impact of regulations, as well as implementing advanced tools for monitoring legislation's effectiveness. The study concludes that the Association Agreement is a vital legal mechanism that paves the way for legislative harmonisation and establishes the regulatory preconditions for Ukraine's continued integration into the European legal framework. The study found that the Ukrainian lawmaking system is gradually aligning with European standards. This is evident through the introduction of new institutional instruments and the development of a regulatory framework. However, several issues were also identified, such as fragmented individual lawmaking procedures, ineffective impact assessment mechanisms, limited use of legal oversight tools and insufficient institutional capacity within government bodies. Particular attention was paid to the impact of martial law on lawmaking and the importance of adhering to relevant governance rules and making effective regulatory decisions. The subject of this study is international economic co-operation in lawmaking, as it relates to Ukraine’s integration into the European Union. Methodology. The formal-legal method was applied to analyse the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, the Law of Ukraine “On Lawmaking Activity”, the Treaty on European Union and other legal acts governing the process of legislative harmonisation and legislative activity. The comparative legal method made it possible to identify similarities and differences between the Ukrainian and European approaches to lawmaking, regulatory policy, impact assessment, public consultation and legal monitoring. The systemic method was employed to analyse lawmaking activity within the context of a broader legal and institutional framework of European integration. Meanwhile, the functional method was employed to evaluate the practical effectiveness of legal mechanisms designed to implement European standards within the Ukrainian legal system. The aim of this article is to examine the role of international economic co-operation in the development of lawmaking activities in Ukraine in the context of European integration. Results. The research demonstrates that international economic co-operation has become one of the main factors influencing the transformation of Ukraine’s lawmaking system during its integration into the European Union. It has been established that bringing Ukrainian legislation into line with the European Union's acquis involves changes not only to the content of legal norms, but also to the way rules are made. The present study demonstrates that the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Lawmaking Activity" signifies a significant step towards the institutional modernisation of the national lawmaking framework and the implementation of European regulatory standards. Concurrently, the research identifies several challenges, including the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of public authorities responsible for European integration. Conclusion. International economic co-operation in the field of lawmaking constitutes an essential element of Ukraine's European integration process and serves as an important mechanism for the modernisation of the national legal system. The approximation of Ukrainian legislation to European Union law necessitates not only the harmonisation of legal norms but also the transformation of lawmaking procedures and institutional practices in accordance with European standards of good governance.

THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: FROM CRIMINALISATION OF AN ACT TO REPARATION IN THE CONTEXT OF ECTHR PRACTICE

Dmytro Baranenko — 2026-08-07

The subject of the present study is the legal and institutional framework for responding to the economic dimension of domestic violence. The focus of the study is on the transition from criminalisation of the act to reparation for the victim in the context of the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. The paper focuses on the interaction between criminal liability, positive obligations of the state, economic autonomy of the victim, compensation mechanisms, social support, and human rights standards in ensuring effective protection against domestic violence. Methodology. This research draws on a combination of comparative legal, systemic, human rights-based, criminal law and institutional economic methods. The analysis integrates the European Convention on Human Rights, an examination of the European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) case law on domestic violence, an assessment of the economic consequences of abuse, and an evaluation of legal mechanisms for compensation, protection and restoration. This methodological approach has enabled the interdependency between criminalisation, institutional responsibility, economic deprivation, victim protection and the enforceability of human rights in cases of domestic violence to be identified. This work aims to define the legal and economic framework of the state's response to domestic violence, evaluate the limitations of criminalisation as a protective measure and develop a conceptual approach to reparation that encompasses compensation, restoration of autonomy, social support and the prevention of further violations. The article demonstrates that domestic violence is a human rights violation with direct material, social and institutional consequences. The results of the study demonstrate that domestic violence is a complex legal, social and economic phenomenon. The first necessary level of legal recognition is criminalisation, because it confirms the public nature of the violation and creates the basis for intervention, investigation, prosecution and protective measures. However, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) demonstrates that formal criminal provisions are insufficient where public authorities fail to assess risks, respond to complaints, protect victims, or address repeated patterns of abuse. Cases such as Opuz v. Turkey, Volodina v. Russia, Kurt v. Austria, Tunikova and Others v. Russia, Talpis v. Italy and Tkhelidze v. Georgia demonstrate that state responsibility can include effective prevention, protection and investigation measures, as well as just satisfaction and structural reforms. The study emphasises that the economic aspect of domestic violence is an integral part of the harm caused. Victims may be deprived of income, housing, employment opportunities, access to documents, family resources, childcare, mobility and the practical capacity to leave the abusive relationship. These losses are often hidden, cumulative and difficult to prove, yet they are crucial in determining whether the victim can establish an independent life. Therefore, the legal response should include compensation for material and non-material damage, as well as access to safe housing, legal aid, psychological and medical support, employment assistance, protection from financial abuse and stable public financing of infrastructure supporting victims. Conclusion. The legal regulation of domestic violence is the responsibility of the state in terms of criminal law, economics, and human rights. The shift from criminalisation to reparation reflects the need to change the state's response from punishing the perpetrator to restoring the victim’s autonomy and preventing repeated harm. In the context of the European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) practice, effective protection requires a model in which criminal liability, positive obligations, compensation, social support, institutional accountability, and financial responsibility operate within a single framework. The future development of this model hinges on national legal systems recognising the economic impact of domestic violence and redistributing the associated costs away from victims through compensation, public support and structural prevention measures.

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY: DOES PUNISHMENT FUNCTION AS A MECHANISM FOR REGULATING MARKET BEHAVIOUR?

Andrii Borovyk — 2026-08-07

This article presents a comprehensive, interdisciplinary study of the relationship between economic incentives and criminal liability as instruments for regulating market behaviour. The topic's relevance stems from the need to identify an optimal model of state intervention in economic relations, given the increasing prevalence of economic crime, the high latency of economic criminal offences and the limited effectiveness of traditional punitive mechanisms. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of criminal punishment as a means of regulating the behaviour of economic agents, determine its regulatory capacity limits, and substantiate the optimal balance between punitive and incentive-based public policy instruments. The methodological framework combines economic analysis of law with systemic, comparative, formal, logical-analytical and statistical legal methods. The research is theoretically founded on Gary Becker's economic model of the rational offender, the ultima ratio doctrine, the principle of the economy of criminal law enforcement, and contemporary approaches within the field of law and economics. The findings demonstrate that compensatory increases in the severity of criminal sanctions do not ensure a proportional enhancement of the deterrent effect of economic criminal offences under conditions of a high level of latency, and may conflict with the principles of proportionality, justice, and economy of criminal law repression. Based on an analysis of deposit and lending activity dynamics in Ukraine, the study concludes that lawful financial behaviour is influenced to a much greater extent by economic and institutional incentives, particularly the deposit guarantee system, preferential lending programmes and predictable monetary policy, than by intensified criminal law enforcement. The study also argues that excessive or disproportionate reliance on criminal law mechanisms to regulate economic activity may increase legal uncertainty, raise businesses' transaction costs, and negatively impact investment activity. The research's scientific novelty lies in the development of the concept of complementary market behaviour regulation, whereby economic incentives and criminal liability perform mutually reinforcing functions. Economic instruments shape incentives for lawful behaviour ex ante, whereas criminal law serves a protective function ex post, responding to the most socially dangerous manifestations of opportunistic behaviour. The practical significance of the findings lies in their support for the transition to an integrated criminal policy model that prioritises the use of economic incentives alongside the proportional, predictable and ultima ratio-based application of criminal law mechanisms.

LEGAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE IN JOURNALISM: TOWARDS RESPONSIBLE MEDIA GOVERNANCE

Liudmyla Borovyk — 2026-08-07

This article presents a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of the legal and economic challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence in journalism. It does this within the framework of developing a model of responsible media governance. The relevance of the study is driven by several factors. Firstly, there has been rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence technologies in editorial practice. Secondly, there has been transformation of media business models. Thirdly, there has been emergence of new challenges relating to copyright protection, professional journalistic ethics, and information security. Finally, there is a need to harmonise Ukrainian legislation with the European regulatory framework governing artificial intelligence. The study aims to examine the legal and economic implications of artificial intelligence in journalism, evaluate current approaches to its regulation and demonstrate that responsible media governance is a viable model for balancing technological innovation, economic efficiency and public interest protection. The findings demonstrate that, although artificial intelligence can substantially enhance the efficiency of editorial workflows by automating routine tasks, it can also generate new legal, economic and ethical challenges. These challenges are associated with using journalistic content to train generative AI models, allocating liability for AI-generated content, developing the market for licensing journalistic data, spreading disinformation and the growing use of digital avatars and synthetic media. The study concludes that the risk-based regulatory approach set out in the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) offers a modern conceptual basis for managing the use of artificial intelligence in the media sector. However, effective implementation requires economic mechanisms to complement content licensing, transparent allocation of responsibilities among digital ecosystem participants, and further development of editorial self-regulation. The research's scientific novelty lies in substantiating the interdisciplinary concept of responsible media governance, integrating legal, economic and organisational self-regulatory mechanisms for the use of artificial intelligence in journalism. The practical significance of the findings is their potential to improve Ukrainian legislation on media and artificial intelligence, develop editorial AI governance policies, establish licensing mechanisms for journalistic content and align the national regulatory framework with European Union legislation.

ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND COMPETITIVENESS OF AGRI-FOOD CHAINS IN WARTIME: THE CASE OF UKRAINIAN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Natalia Vasylieva — 2026-08-07

The economic resilience and global competitiveness of agri-food chains are critical components of national economic security, particularly in times of geopolitical instability. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine had a highly disruptive effect on the macroeconomy as a whole, including livestock agri-food chains driven by agricultural enterprises and households. This study evaluates how these chains can preserve their viability under extreme risk conditions through structural adaptations and market reorientations. The study hypothesis was that Ukrainian livestock agri-food chains had developed distinct institutional and structural patterns of economic resilience, enabling them to maintain international competitiveness despite wartime pressures. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the structural changes, market adaptability and trade competitiveness of Ukrainian animal husbandry between 2021 and 2024, as the sector establishes stronger links with the EU. The research methodology used available official statistics and encompassed quantitative econometric tests (Student's T-test), regional cluster optimisation modelling and trade balance analysis. The findings revealed a significant structural divergence. Agri-food chains anchored by agricultural enterprises demonstrated high economic stability in capital-intensive sectors such as egg production, pork production and poultry production. The agri-food chains led by smallholder households only retained dominant market shares in the highly fragmented milk and honey niches. Optimisation modelling identified three distinctive economic clusters in regional agribusiness, mirroring pre-war configurations but with an increased focus on exports. Despite massive asset destruction, the paper proves that strategic resource reallocation and a pivot to exporting to the EU market allowed Ukrainian agri-food chains to remain competitive in international trade. This lays the groundwork for their integration into the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

STABILITY OF ECONOMIC TURNOVER AS A FACTOR OF MARKET PREDICTABILITY

Oleh Vaskovskyi — 2026-08-07

The subject of the present study is market predictability as an autonomous economic and legal category, and its functional relationship with the stability of economic turnover. Market predictability is defined as an aggregated characteristic of the institutional environment that reflects the extent to which market participants are able, in advance and with a reasonable degree of certainty, to relate their economic conduct to its probable legal and economic consequences. This enables them to form expectations that remain stable over time regarding the operation of rules, the enforceability of obligations, and the protection of rights. The relevance of the topic is heightened by contemporary armed conflicts, particularly the full-scale war against Ukraine. The consequences of this war are disrupting supply chains, contractual ties and investment horizons, thereby eroding predictability in both the global and national economies. The purpose of the article is threefold: to substantiate market predictability as a distinct phenomenon and functional result of stable economic turnover; to define its content, features and nature; and to develop a system of criteria for assessing market predictability that captures the influence of stable economic turnover on market participants' behaviour. Methodology. The study combines economic and legal approaches. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis are employed to break down the category into its components and functions. The systemic-structural and functional methods form the basis of the two-channel model of influence, while the formal-legal and comparative-legal methods are used to organise legal instruments and align national approaches with the EU acquis. This argument is supported by recent European empirical research indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Results. Firstly, market predictability is distinguished from neighbouring categories. Legal certainty is characterised by the clarity, coherence and consistency of norms and their application. Stability of economic turnover reflects the continuity, protection and recoverability of economic ties. Market predictability, on the other hand, is characterised by participants' ability to form well-founded expectations. Therefore, predictability is not identical to the stability of turnover, but is one of its functional results. Secondly, the formation of predictability through a two-channel mechanism is revealed: turnover stability shapes participants' expectations by reducing transaction costs at the stages of concluding, performing and enforcing contracts, and by strengthening institutional trust among counterparties, creditors and investors. Empirical studies confirm the link between judicial efficiency and the development of trade credit, the level of doubtful receivables and economic growth rates. This supports the idea that the consistency and effectiveness of legal regulation's application is more important than its formal immutability. Thirdly, a system of criteria for assessing market predictability has been developed. Each criterion is linked to an observable indicator and the corresponding channel through which turnover stability affects market conduct. This design ensures the system's empirical verifiability and distinguishes it from generalised assessments of institutional quality. This gives the approach a diagnostic character, making it possible to identify the sources of a predictability deficit and determine appropriate legal responses. Fourthly, the significance of predictable insolvency procedures in forming a system is substantiated. Uncertainty regarding the duration, cost and outcome of such proceedings complicates credit risk assessment and may increase financing costs, whereas timely and foreseeable restructuring and liquidation procedures boost the confidence of creditors and investors. Conclusions. The insolvency regime should not be regarded as a peripheral matter, but as a key element in ensuring the stability and predictability of economic turnover. The practical value of the results lies in the applicability of the proposed system of criteria for evaluating the impact of reforms to economic legislation, the judiciary, enforcement proceedings and insolvency procedures on the behavioural expectations of market participants. During wartime and the subsequent period of transformation, the criteria for the restoration of economic ties, the effectiveness of rights protection and the trust of creditors acquire particular importance. In this context, securing market predictability – notably by aligning national insolvency legislation with EU law – should be considered an independent area of economic and legal policy, and a precondition for sustainable recovery.

THE IMPACT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ON ENSURING NATIONAL ECONOMIC SECURITY WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF STATE FINANCIAL CONTROL (THE SSU AND SBI CASE STUDY)

Marianna Koshchynets — 2026-08-07

This article uses the examples of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) to examine the role and significance of law enforcement agencies in the exercise of state financial control for ensuring the economic security of the state. This research employs an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates economic and legal analysis to ensure the reliability of its findings. The evolving role of law enforcement in maintaining national economic security through financial control was examined using the dialectical method. The systemic-structural method enabled the conceptualisation of state financial control as a vital component of the country’s economic architecture. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the functional economic impact of the SSU and SBI within the oversight system. The dogmatic method was employed to evaluate the regulatory framework in terms of financial stability and fiscal discipline. Statistical analysis played a key role in quantifying the economic outcomes of financial crime investigations in 2025, with a particular focus on asset recovery and mitigating budgetary losses. Finally, the analytical method synthesised the findings into strategic recommendations for improving the economic efficiency of state control mechanisms. Results. Theoretical and legal approaches to defining financial control were summarised and a definition of state financial control was provided. The tasks and entities involved in the latter were also identified. The system of bodies exercising state financial control in Ukraine was visualised. The role of law enforcement agencies in its implementation was also established. Practical implications. The role of the Security Service of Ukraine as a key institution in ensuring state security, including economic security, was analysed. Although the State Bureau of Investigation does not directly belong to the system of state financial control bodies, it was demonstrated that it nevertheless acts as a key entity in jurisdictional activities in this sphere. Value / Originality. The results of this study deepen the understanding of the institutional role of law enforcement agencies in the State financial control system, which enhances Ukraine's economic efficiency. The study also paves the way for improvements to the regulatory framework in this area.

ASSESSING ENERGY SECURITY AND SYSTEM RESILIENCE: EVIDENCE FROM THE GEORGIAN ENERGY SECTOR

Eka Chokheli — 2026-08-21

In modern energy systems, energy security has become one of the key priorities, as it directly affects the stability of energy supply, economic sustainability and national security. This study aims to evaluate the level of energy security within the Georgian energy system, considering technological transformation and emerging systemic risks. This research takes a mixed-methods approach, combining systems analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), resilience-based assessment and scenario analysis. A composite Energy Security Evaluation (ESEC) index has been developed to assess the performance of the national energy system. This index incorporates three key aspects: technological and operational resilience, energy dependency and supply diversification, and systemic resilience. The indicators were normalised on a 0–100 scale and aggregated using a weighted composite model. The empirical results show that Georgia's overall energy security level reaches ESEC ≈ 67, indicating a moderately high level of energy security. However, the analysis reveals several structural vulnerabilities, particularly with regard to external energy dependency and supply diversification. A scenario-based assessment shows that digitalising the energy sector and implementing smart energy management technologies could significantly strengthen system resilience. The findings suggest that improving energy security in Georgia requires a focus on energy diversification, smart grid development and modernising digital infrastructure. The proposed analytical framework can also be used to evaluate the energy security of other emerging energy systems.

THE CHANGING DRIVERS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN ICELAND: EVIDENCE FROM THE KNOWLEDGE-CAPITAL FRAMEWORK, 1998–2024

Guðmundur Kristján Óskarsson — 2026-08-21

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an important source of capital and economic development for small open economies, yet relatively little is known about whether the determinants of FDI remain stable during periods of major macroeconomic disruption. This study examines whether the drivers of inward FDI into Iceland changed across three distinct macroeconomic regimes: a pre-crisis expansion period (1998–2009), a post-crisis recovery period (2010–2019), and a pandemic and post-pandemic period (2020–2024). Using annual bilateral FDI stock data from fifteen source countries over the period 1998–2024, the analysis applies an extended Knowledge-Capital framework incorporating interaction effects between key explanatory variables and macroeconomic regimes. To accommodate the presence of zero and negative FDI observations and reduce the influence of extreme values, the primary specification employs a random-effects panel model using an inverse hyperbolic sine transformation of FDI stocks. Fixed-effects and alternative random-effects specifications are estimated as robustness checks. The results indicate significant temporal variation in the determinants of inward FDI. Joint Market Size and geographic distance exhibit statistically significant changes across macroeconomic regimes, whereas skill differences and institutional quality remain comparatively stable. Market-size effects are positive during the pre-crisis period, become negative during the post-crisis recovery period, and return to a positive association during the post-pandemic period. Geographic distance remains a significant deterrent to investment throughout the study period and becomes more influential during periods of heightened economic uncertainty. The findings suggest that the determinants of FDI in small open economies are not temporally fixed but vary according to broader macroeconomic conditions. The study contributes to the Knowledge-Capital literature by demonstrating the importance of accounting for regime-dependent effects when analysing long-run FDI patterns.

INSTITUTIONAL REGULATION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SMALL EU COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION AND DIGITALIZATION

Jurijs Baltgailis — 2026-08-21

The institutional-sociological approach views the economy as a system in which the relationships between economic entities are shaped by economic and non-economic factors. Technical and economic factors play an exceptional role in this system. The concept of 'institution' is interpreted very broadly and includes the state, corporations, trade unions, competition, monopolies, taxes, sustainable ways of thinking and legal norms. Those who subscribe to the institutional approach are united by a characteristic methodological principle: an expansive interpretation of the subject of economic theory, otherwise known as the interdisciplinary approach. Unlike the classical school, this school of economic thought focuses not on the processes of production and circulation, but on the system of economic organisation and management, as well as social and historical aspects. According to its proponents, the economy is a playing field. The final outcome of this 'game' is determined by the 'institutions', or parameters, that exist within it. By adjusting these parameters, it is possible to influence the behaviour of the 'players' (who make economic decisions independently). Using the example of the Baltic states and other small European economies, the authors use neo-institutional theory to substantiate the problems associated with the macroeconomic development of small countries. This is because the conditions for economic growth have changed, with intangible costs becoming the most important and determining factor in the development of many EU countries.

THE DIGITALISATION OF STATE REGULATION AND OVERSIGHT OF FEA: UKRAINE VS THE EU

Nelia Yehorova — 2026-08-21

The subject of this study is the digitalisation of state regulation and control of foreign economic activity in Ukraine within the European Union. This study aims to identify the characteristics of digitalisation processes in this area of state regulation and control, and to compare them with the European Union’s experience. To this end, methods such as hermeneutic, legal-technical, comparative and systems analysis were employed. It has been established that foreign economic activity is a key component of state economic policy. This is because it enables the state to generate budget revenue through export and import trade, and to provide the population with necessary goods, works, and services. The key factors underpinning the need to introduce digital technologies into the regulation of international economic activity have been identified. These include optimising state regulation, enhancing oversight of trade procedures, increasing budget revenues, creating platforms for close co-operation between participants in foreign economic relations and improving the state's image on the international stage. The study has shown that the lack of harmonisation between Ukrainian and European Union regulations in international trade restricts businesses from carrying out export and import operations effectively on a large scale. Consequently, aligning this system of relations with a single digital standard would have a positive impact on the development of such economic relations. The article emphasises that the proper use of digital technologies in foreign economic activity must be underpinned by legislation. However, it concludes that the digitalisation of this sector cannot be fully encompassed, particularly given the rapid progress in the application of innovative digital technologies. The practical impact of digitalisation on the regulation of foreign economic activity, and the resulting outcomes, have been examined using the example of the customs regulation of goods, works and services exported, imported or transited between Ukraine and the European Union. Significant progress has been made in this area, particularly through the development and use of the ‘Single Window for International Trade’ single state information web portal, and participation in the European digital transit system (the New Computerised Transit System, or NCTS).

FUNDING AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF IMPLEMENTING THE CONCEPT OF MODERN FINANCE

Nina Petrukha — 2026-08-21

The relevance of this study stems from the need to establish a sustainable system for the financing and logistical support of national resistance in the context of prolonged armed aggression, rising defence expenditure and limited budgetary resources. Contemporary security challenges require the development of new approaches to the mobilisation and management of resources capable of ensuring an adequate level of the state’s defence resilience. The aim of this study is to develop theoretical and methodological foundations and practical recommendations for improving the financing and logistical support of national resistance in Ukraine in the context of implementing the concept of modern finance. The subject of the study is the processes of financial and resource support for the components of national resistance. The study employs systemic, institutional, comparative and economic-statistical approaches, as well as methods of analysis and synthesis, econometric modelling, index analysis and expert assessment. To assess the relationship between a country’s economic potential and defence expenditure, a regression model was constructed, which demonstrated the existence of a strong statistical correlation between GDP per capita and expenditure on security and defence (R² = 0,9213). In addition, a comprehensive indicator of the effectiveness of funding for the security and defence sector has been developed, which takes into account the level of defence expenditure, its share of GDP, the structure of public expenditure, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine’s share in the funding of the security and defence sector, and the rate of growth in the relevant expenditure. The study’s findings showed that Ukraine’s expenditure on security and defence rose from 191.7 billion UAH in 2018 to 3,830 billion UAH in 2025, whilst its share of public expenditure reached 70 per cent. The value of the integrated indicator rose from 0.0091 in 2021 to 0.9043 in 2025, indicating a significant increase in the priority and scale of defence funding. A model for multi-channel funding of national resistance has been proposed, combining resources from the state and local budgets, international aid, military bonds, public-private partnerships and the voluntary sector. The practical value of this work lies in the potential to use the proposed approaches to improve public policy in the areas of national resistance, medium-term budget planning and the digital management of defence resources.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR GREEN ECONOMIC GROWTH: INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL DIMENSIONS

Vira Halunko — 2026-08-21

This article examines the legal framework for green economic growth from international, European and national perspectives, paying particular attention to the economic effectiveness of legal mechanisms that support the transition to sustainable development. The study's relevance is determined by the growing need to balance environmental protection with economic development priorities in the context of climate change, resource depletion and the implementation of the European Green Deal. The research focuses on the legal and economic mechanisms that regulate the development of a green economy, ensuring the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient growth model. The study aims to analyse the legal basis for green economic growth and evaluate the economic impact and effectiveness of regulatory instruments implemented at international, EU and national levels. The methodological framework combines both general scientific and specialised research methods. The dialectical method was employed to analyse the development of the concept of the green economy within the context of sustainable development theory. A comparative legal analysis was conducted to evaluate international, EU and Ukrainian legal instruments that govern environmental and climate policy. A systems approach was adopted to identify the interactions between legal, economic and environmental institutions. Statistical and economic analysis methods were employed to evaluate the impact of green investments, environmental taxation, emissions trading systems and renewable energy policies on sustainable economic development. The study shows that the modern legal framework for green economic growth combines international environmental law principles, climate governance mechanisms and economic incentives to stimulate environmentally responsible investment and production. Particular attention is given to the European Green Deal, the European Climate Law, the Fit for 55 package, the REPowerEU plan and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The research reveals that legal mechanisms are most effective when combined with economic instruments, such as carbon pricing, environmental taxation, emissions trading schemes, green finance and public investment programmes. Analysis of the EU's experience suggests that legal regulation has led to a significant increase in green investment, accelerated the deployment of renewable energy technologies and substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions, all while maintaining economic growth. The findings confirm that the effectiveness of green transition policies hinges on integrating regulatory requirements with financial and institutional support mechanisms. It can be concluded that a green economy should be regarded as a comprehensive legal and economic transformation model aimed at achieving climate neutrality, environmental sustainability and long-term economic resilience. For Ukraine, the essential prerequisites for successfully implementing the green economy model are further harmonisation with EU environmental legislation, the development of green finance instruments, and the strengthening of institutional capacity.

THE ECONOMIC FUNCTIONS OF PARLIAMENT AND THE POLITICO-ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF BICAMERALISM IN POST-WAR UKRAINE

Denys Yakovlev — 2026-08-21

The economic dimension has become one of the key factors during the Russo-Ukrainian war. In the context of the country’s future post-war transformation, the issue of Ukraine’s economic resilience and financial security in the current phase of the war must be considered. The war has exposed the strengths and weaknesses of Ukraine's post-Soviet economic and political model, characterised by a clash of authoritarian and democratic political trends (with electoral democracy and autocracy prevailing in public policy) and the oligarchisation of the economy. To achieve economic stability, the institutional interaction between Ukraine's executive and legislative branches must be significantly strengthened. Most importantly, parliament's role in economic growth and post-war reconstruction, as well as its institutional interaction with the government and president, need to be reconsidered. The search for effective parliamentary models is associated with the need to strengthen the representation of territorial communities, districts and territories, improve the quality of the legislative process, and establish a balanced system of checks and balances. One possible approach to modernising Ukraine's parliamentary system is to introduce a bicameral model of parliament (bicameralism). This article aims to determine the economic functions of parliament and the political and economic dimensions of bicameralism in Ukraine during and after war, based on an analysis of expert assessments of the institutional purpose and functions of the upper house of parliament. The study focuses on the political and economic aspects of the bicameral parliament's activities. The study focuses on the economic functions of parliament and the political and economic dimension of bicameralism in (post-)war Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is a combination of theoretical analysis of scientific approaches to bicameralism and the empirical method of expert polling. The research was conducted in January-February 2026 and comprised over fifty experts, including representatives of political science, constitutional law, local council deputies, public activists, volunteers and veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The research was conducted in the format of an individual questionnaire and included both closed and open questions with the aim of clarifying the experts' attitude to the prospects for introducing a bicameral parliament and the possible functions of the upper house. The results of the research indicate that the expert community has a moderately positive, yet cautious, attitude towards the idea of bicameralism. At the same time, experts emphasise the importance of parliament’s economic functions and its role in representing the interests of local communities, in order to safeguard their economic interests. While more than half of the respondents support the introduction of a bicameral parliamentary system, a significant proportion of experts consider this feasible only under certain political and institutional conditions. The most important function of the upper house is to represent territories and territorial communities, and to rationalise the legislative process by examining draft laws more thoroughly and preventing populist decisions. Experts pay special attention to the potential role of the upper house in post-war reintegration processes, the economic recovery of territories, and the control of budgetary resource efficiency. The practical significance of the results obtained lies in the possibility of using expert assessments to further conceptualise the bicameral parliamentary system in Ukraine, determine the upper house's functional purpose, and develop strategic approaches to modernising Ukrainian parliamentarism in the context of post-war state development.

THE COMPETITIVENESS AND ECONOMIC SECURITY OF CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES DURING WAR: THE IMPACT OF MIGRATION AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Yana Loktionova — 2026-09-11

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to identify the factors affecting the functioning of construction enterprises during wartime, which is characterised by increased economic risks, a reduction in labor potential, and disruptions to production and logistics processes. Large-scale migration processes, particularly internal displacement and the outflow of skilled labour, are transforming the competitive environment of the construction industry and directly affecting the level of economic security of enterprises. Concurrently, the significance of corporate social responsibility is rising as a mechanism for workforce stabilisation and enhancing business resilience. The objective of this study is to ascertain the impact of labour migration and corporate social responsibility on the competitiveness and economic security of construction enterprises during wartime. The study focuses on the activities of construction enterprises operating in conditions of military and economic instability. It examines the economic and socio-managerial factors that influence their competitive position and operational security. To achieve the stated objective, the relationships between economic security and competitiveness were analysed using both a systems approach and a structural-functional approach. Methods of analysis and synthesis were employed to generalise theoretical provisions. A survey of construction industry professionals was conducted to identify the factors influencing the performance, competitiveness and economic security of construction enterprises. A comparative analysis was then applied to examine management approaches to ensuring economic security in both stable and crisis conditions. The study identified three key areas that influence the competitiveness of construction enterprises: market conditions, adaptability and internal potential. The impact of migration processes on construction enterprises was determined across three dimensions: workforce stability, production capacity and competitive adaptability. Additionally, key corporate social responsibility measures in the context of migration processes were identified. Implementing these measures contributes to reducing socio-economic risks and enhancing the level of economic security. The practical significance of the results lies in their applicability in the development of anti-crisis strategies, personnel management programmes, and systems for ensuring the economic security of enterprises under wartime conditions.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS OF NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION IN THE CONTEXT OF UKRAINE’S POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION

Nataliia Khoma — 2026-09-11

Russia’s full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine has brought the complex and multidimensional issue of post-war reconstruction to the forefront, as it directly affects the level of national consolidation. There is an increasing demand for rigorous academic research into the factors that will influence social cohesion during periods of significant change. This study aims to identify the socio-economic factors influencing national consolidation in Ukraine during the post-war reconstruction phase and analyse their impact. The study focuses on the processes of national consolidation within the context of Ukraine’s post-war socioeconomic transformation. An interdisciplinary approach is adopted, combining elements of political science, sociology and economic analysis. Methods of theoretical generalisation, structural and logical analysis, and comparative and prospective analysis are employed to enable the systematisation of key socio-economic factors and the identification of the mechanisms through which they affect social cohesion. The findings reveal the main socio-economic factors of post-war reconstruction, including potential regional development disparities, socio-economic inequality, labour market transformation, the housing challenge, access to public services, demographic changes, the management of international assistance, and associated institutional risks. It has been established that these factors have an ambivalent nature of impact: they may either strengthen national consolidation by ensuring inclusiveness and social justice or weaken it by deepening social and regional disparities. The study thus demonstrates the necessity of proactive state policy-making in the field of reconstruction, with a view to minimising the risks of social fragmentation and strengthening social cohesion. The practical value of the findings lies in their potential use for developing post-war reconstruction strategies aimed at reinforcing national consolidation and enhancing the resilience of Ukrainian society to post-war challenges.

INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INTO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION PROCESSES

Inna Tomashuk — 2026-09-11

Purpose. The study aims to provide theoretical justifications and practical recommendations for integrating digital technologies into agricultural production processes. This will improve the resource efficiency, productivity, competitiveness and sustainable development of agricultural enterprises in an era of economic and technological transformation. Methodology. The study is based on a comprehensive methodological approach that combines theoretical, analytical, empirical and economic-mathematical methods. Theoretical analysis was used to examine the conceptual foundations of the digitalisation of agriculture and international experience. The systematic approach involved treating agricultural enterprises as integrated organisational and economic systems. SWOT analysis, economic-statistical and financial-economic methods were applied to assess the effectiveness of digital technologies, whilst empirical methods and expert surveys were used to evaluate the level of digital maturity of enterprises. Economic and mathematical modelling and forecasting were used to analyse the relationship between digitalisation and enterprise performance, and to identify potential future developments. Results. The findings confirm that digital technologies significantly improve production efficiency, reduce costs, increase labour productivity and enhance managerial decision-making. These technologies include precision farming, ERP systems, GPS monitoring, cloud computing and big data analytics. The greatest economic benefits are achieved by integrating digital technologies across the entire production cycle, from planning and resource management to logistics and quality control. However, digital transformation is still being held back by limited investment resources, insufficient digital expertise, high implementation costs, inadequate digital infrastructure, and a lack of comprehensive digital strategies. Further progress hinges on infrastructure development, increased state support, public-private partnerships, and enhanced digital education. Practical implications. The proposed recommendations could help policymakers and managers develop digital transformation strategies, improve resource utilisation, strengthen planning and control systems, implement precision farming technologies and digital management platforms, and enhance the competitiveness and financial sustainability of agricultural enterprises. Value/Originality. This study presents a thorough conceptual framework for analysing the integration of digital technology in agriculture, combining principles from the digital economy, innovation management, and agricultural systems development. The framework clarifies the relationship between digitalisation levels and enterprise performance, proposes a systemic approach to assessing digital maturity and provides practical guidance on optimising digital transformation. This approach has the potential to increase the efficiency, innovation capacity, resilience and sustainable development of Ukraine's agricultural sector.

SCIENTIFIC AND METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF FORMING VECTORS FOR ENSURING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES

Alla Cherep — 2026-09-11

The purpose of the paper is threefold: to improve the scientific and methodological principles of forming vectors to ensure the socio-economic security and sustainable development of enterprises; to determine strategic vectors to ensure the socio-economic security of enterprises against the backdrop of war and the post-war period, and changes in tax and competition policy; and to forecast the socio-economic security of enterprises and determine ways to promote its growth in a digitalised environment. The article presents the findings of research by scientists into determining sustainable development trends and ensuring the socioeconomic security of enterprises. The scientific and methodological principles for ensuring socioeconomic security and the sustainable progression of enterprises have been improved. Strategic vectors for the sustainable development of enterprises, which are a prerequisite for advancing and strengthening their competitive positions, have been identified, as has the importance of adhering to the principles of social and corporate responsibility. The energy efficiency of enterprises has also been determined, and a list of vectors for ensuring their socioeconomic security, which is a prerequisite for stable functioning, has been formed. A forecast of the state of socioeconomic security has been made, and trends for its improvement have been identified. Methodology. To achieve the established purpose and tasks, a set of general scientific research methods was applied. The comprehensive use of these methods made it possible to carry out substantial research. Specifically, the following methods were used: analysis and synthesis; comparative analysis; grouping; economic-static methods; and the graphical method. Using analysis and synthesis and comparative analysis allowed the generalisation of scientists' findings on determining trends in sustainable development and ensuring the socio-economic security of enterprises. The comparative analysis method and grouping made it possible to determine a list of vectors for ensuring the socio-economic security of enterprises, as well as a set of vectors for their sustainable development. The use of economic-static methods made it possible to carry out diagnostics according to social and economic security indicators at the industry level in Ukraine. Using the graphical method allowed the data to be systematised and the results of the study to be presented visually. Results. Forecasting the social and economic security of enterprises is important in order to determine the probability of changes in indicators, identify threats and risks, and develop an effective system of arrangements to maintain a stable level of security and guarantee successful long-term development. According to the results of the socio-economic security forecast calculations, there is a need to develop long-term strategic trends for its provision. The scientific and methodological principles for forming vectors to ensure socio-economic security and the sustainable development of enterprises have been improved. This is achieved by adhering to a combination of approaches and stages, while taking into account trends in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. A set of strategic vectors has been formed to help enterprises adapt to an unstable market environment, minimise the impact of threats and increase competitiveness in the context of digital transformation, fluctuating taxes and changing competition policies. Alongside this, vectors for the sustainable development of enterprises are provided to promote corporate and social responsibility and ensure compliance with energy efficiency principles. Practical implications. The introduction of scientific and methodological principles for ensuring the socio-economic security and sustainable development of enterprises made it possible to identify a set of strategic vectors. The implementation of strategic vectors for sustainable development and ensuring socio-economic security at enterprises will contribute to reducing environmental risks, adhering to the principles of energy efficiency, preserving human capital, innovative development, financial and economic sustainability, and developing corporate responsibility, i.e., it will guarantee the development and implementation of arrangements for steady functioning. Alternatively, forecasting social and economic security is essential for identifying threats and adapting to them. Value / Originality. The article improves the scientific and methodological principles for forming vectors to ensure the socio-economic security and balanced development of enterprises. This guarantees stable economic progression and steady functioning by taking threats and risks into consideration, forming a sustainable level of security and creating a safe environment. It proposes strategic vectors for steadfast development and defines vectors for ensuring the socio-economic security of enterprises. A socio-economic security forecast was carried out, confirming the importance of implementing strategic vectors. The comprehensive use of these vectors aims to extend growth in enterprise performance far into the future, restore security, and ensure their continued activity.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF MANAGERS AND CONFLICT BEHAVIOUR STYLES IN MULTICULTURAL BUSINESS INTERACTION

Olga Kudrina — 2026-09-11

This article examines the relationship between managers' self-assessed intercultural communication skills and their conflict behaviour styles in multicultural business interactions. It focuses on four components of intercultural communicative competence: intercultural sensitivity; tolerance of uncertainty; active listening; and message adaptation. The empirical basis consists of two comparable cross-sectional survey datasets, each comprising 100 manager responses, collected in 2023 and 2025. The research employed a shortened self-report questionnaire that was based on the conceptual logic of the following models: intercultural sensitivity; tolerance of uncertainty; active listening; message adaptation; and conflict behaviour. The results showed that managers in both samples rated their intercultural communication skills as above average. The 2025 sample had higher mean values for most components than the 2023 sample, particularly for tolerance of uncertainty and message adaptation. Collaboration and compromise were the most common conflict behaviour styles in both samples, while avoidance, competition and accommodation were less common in 2025. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between the components of intercultural communicative competence and constructive conflict behaviour styles, particularly collaboration and compromise. Active listening and message adaptation were found to be most closely associated with constructive responses. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution as all indicators were self-reported and measured using shortened scales within a correlational design. While the results do not prove causal effects, they do indicate consistent patterns between managers’ communication self-assessments and conflict behaviour styles. The study's practical value lies in its implications for the foreign language training of future managers. This should encompass professional vocabulary and standard business dialogues, as well as intercultural negotiation scenarios, conflict resolution exercises, active listening tasks, and adapting messages. It should also involve working with uncertainty.

ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL UNITS: LEGAL STATUS

Oleg Gurynenko — 2026-09-11

Territorial communities (hromadas) are increasingly acting as economic agents, responsible for allocating resources, developing the area and providing public goods. Their capacity largely depends on effective economic co-operation. This study aims to analyse administrative-territorial units as economic actors and examine the legal mechanisms governing their economic co-operation. A combination of dialectical, system-structural, comparative-legal and formal-legal methods is employed in the research. The results demonstrate that the current legal framework in Ukraine does not fully align with the economic functions of territorial communities. The absence of a clear concept of economic legal personality, inconsistencies in the distribution of budgetary powers and fragmented regulation of intermunicipal co-operation limit the efficient use of resources and hinder local economic development. The study identifies the key legal gaps that affect economic co-operation. These include conflicts in the delimitation of competences between levels of government, and insufficient implementation of the principle of subsidiarity in the economic sphere. The paper pays special attention to institutional forms of economic co-operation, such as joint municipal enterprises, inter-municipal partnerships and public-private partnerships. These are assessed in terms of their capacity to reduce transaction costs and enhance economic efficiency. The paper also examines how European standards of financial autonomy and multilevel governance impact the development of local economic systems. The findings highlight the necessity of modernising the legal framework to better align it with the economic functions of administrative-territorial units. The proposed approach strengthens economic autonomy, improves interterritorial co-operation and ensures sustainable local development, particularly in the context of post-crisis recovery and integration into the European economic space.

ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF THE FIFTH GENERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: A LEGAL-CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Viktoriia Prodan — 2026-09-11

Global crises, market volatility and the increasing interdependence of national economies highlight the need for a new conceptual model balancing individual rights with economic efficiency, sustainable growth and macroeconomic stability. This study aims to analyse the fifth generation of human rights primarily through an economic lens, identifying the key economic factors that have shaped their emergence in the context of globalisation and technological transformation. The methodology incorporates comparative, historical, systems-structural and forecasting approaches, alongside methods of analysis and synthesis. This study examines the fifth generation of human rights in light of structural changes in the global economy, such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the platform economy. Particular focus is placed on rights with an economic basis, such as access to digital resources, data participation, economic security, and protection from technological displacement. The evolution of human rights is reconsidered in terms of economic efficiency, institutional design and distribution mechanisms. The findings show that the fifth generation of human rights is closely linked to global economic security, new forms of inequality and the transformation of production and consumption systems. Legal and constitutional mechanisms are considered secondary tools that support the institutionalisation of rights driven by the economy. The conclusions highlight the need to conceptualise the fifth generation of human rights as an economic category that reflects the transformation of global economic systems. Further research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of economic mechanisms in implementing these rights.

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENSURING THE RIGHT TO HEALTHCARE IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: PUBLIC POLICY AND THE SECURITY DIMENSION

Larysa Didenko — 2026-09-11

This article examines public policies aimed at ensuring economic security and the realisation of healthcare rights in the context of digital societal transformation. It also considers the impact of digitalisation processes on healthcare systems and contemporary legal and economic mechanisms for ensuring the effective realisation of the right to medical care. The purpose of the study is to develop a comprehensive approach to defining the content of public policy on the economic security of the healthcare sector, as well as the specific features of its implementation in a digitally transformed healthcare system. The subject of the research is the social relations that arise when public policy is formulated and implemented in the field of economic healthcare security, particularly with regard to financing medical guarantees, digitalising medical services, protecting medical data, cybersecurity and adapting national legislation to European standards. Metodology. The research employed general and specific methods of scientific enquiry, including dialectical, formal legal, comparative legal and systemic-structural methods. This enabled the interrelationship between digitalisation, the economic security of the healthcare system and legal mechanisms for ensuring the right to healthcare to be examined. Results. It has been established that digitalisation of the healthcare system creates a new model for realising the right to healthcare. Within this model, information technologies serve as instruments for improving the efficiency of medical services, as well as mechanisms for optimising public expenditure and strengthening the financial sustainability of the healthcare system. The financial sustainability of the healthcare system, stability of public funding, protection of personal medical data and cybersecurity of digital infrastructure have been demonstrated to be the fundamental components of contemporary public policy in the healthcare sector. Particular attention is given to digital healthcare infrastructure as a critical element of the public system. Its functioning directly affects economic stability, the continuity of healthcare services, the implementation of social guarantees and the realisation of the right to healthcare. The article proposes the following: a) recognising the economic security of the healthcare system as an independent component of public policy aimed at ensuring the right to healthcare; b) improving national legislation in the field of digital healthcare by developing specialised cybersecurity standards and medical data protection requirements; c) strengthening the mechanisms that ensure the financial sustainability of the healthcare system, while also harmonising Ukrainian legislation with European standards of digital governance in the healthcare sector.

ADMINISTRATIVE FOUNDATIONS OF THE HUMAN-CENTRIC PRINCIPLE IN JUDICIAL, HEALTHCARE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES: UKRAINE’S POST-WAR ECONOMIC RECOVERY EXPERIENCE FOR EU COUNTRIES

Viacheslav Politanskyі — 2026-09-11

In the context of Ukraine's post-war economic recovery, it is particularly relevant to rethink the administrative and legal principles underpinning the functioning of the public services system in the context of ensuring human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests. The contemporary challenges that have been associated with the consequences of the war, the restoration of infrastructure, the growth of the population's needs for judicial, medical and social services, as well as the need for further integration of Ukraine into the European legal space, necessitate the establishment of a human-centric approach as one of the defining guidelines for the development of public administration. This article aims to examine the economic, financial, administrative and legal foundations of implementing a human-centric approach to providing judicial, medical and social services during Ukraine's post-war economic recovery, and to determine the potential for relevant states in the European Union to use this experience. The study focuses on the social relations that emerge when public administration entities organise and provide public services. The study is based on the following methodological approaches: dialectical, systemic-structural, formal-legal, functional, and comparative-legal. These methods were used to comprehensively investigate the theoretical and practical aspects of implementing a human-centric approach in modern administrative law. The study revealed the administrative and legal nature of the human-centric principle, and the author formulated a definition of the specified category. The features of its implementation in judicial, medical and social services were characterised, and common administrative-legal mechanisms for its implementation were determined. It was thus established that the digitalisation of services, simplification of administrative procedures, accessibility of services, interagency interaction, economic feasibility, financial instruments and orientation of state activities towards real human needs play a key role in ensuring the human-centric model of public administration. Particular attention is paid to Ukraine's experience of ensuring the continuity of public services in the face of military challenges, as well as in the context of future post-war recovery. The practical value of the results obtained lies in their potential use in improving the administrative and legal regulation of public services in Ukraine, and in forming crisis-resistant, human-centric models of public administration in the socio-economic sphere in European Union countries.

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC COMPONENT OF THE INFORMATION AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICE DELIVERY IN UKRAINE

Khrystyna Solntseva — 2026-09-11

The article examines the financial and economic component of information and the legal framework for healthcare service delivery in Ukraine in the context of the digital transformation of healthcare and the modernisation of the public administration system. The relevance of the topic is due to the rapid growth of the role of the latest information and communication technologies in the process of ensuring the appropriate level of accessibility, quality and continuity of medical services. This is coupled with the emergence of the need to form effective mechanisms for financial and economic support for the modern digital infrastructure of the healthcare sector. The purpose of the study is twofold: firstly, to comprehensively determine the essence, content and significance of the financial and economic framework for healthcare service delivery; and secondly, to substantiate the directions of its further improvement in Ukraine. The object of the study is the social relations that arise during the digitalisation of healthcare service delivery. The methodological basis of the study comprises general scientific and special legal methods of cognition. These include dialectical, system-structural, formal-legal, comparative-legal, logical-semantic and functional methods. This paper analyses modern scientific approaches to understanding the information and legal support for providing medical services. It reveals the role of information as a managerial and economic resource and determines the role of financial and economic instruments in ensuring the functioning of digital medical infrastructure. The study provides a distinctive definition of the financial and economic aspects of the legal and informational framework for healthcare service delivery. The results of the study showed that the financial and economic component is one of the system-defining elements of the information and legal framework for the provision of healthcare services, as it is precisely through mechanisms such as budgetary funding, state financial guarantees, local co-funding, international technical assistance and public-private partnerships that the functioning of the electronic healthcare system, electronic prescriptions, electronic referrals, telemedicine services and other digital tools is ensured. The practical significance of the research results lies in the development of scientific approaches to enhancing the financial support for the digital transformation of healthcare. These approaches include the introduction of medium-term budget planning, an economic audit of digital medical services, cost monitoring systems and the use of big data analytics to manage medical service resources.

COUNTERING CORRUPTION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF UKRAINE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF THE STATE

Oleksandr Starenkyi — 2026-09-11

The subject of the study is the legal basis for combatting corruption within the activities of Ukraine's law enforcement agencies, and how this protects the state's economic interests. Corruption is examined not only as a breach of official discipline or anti-corruption legislation, but also as a factor that can directly impact public finances, state property, asset recovery, business activity and confidence in law enforcement institutions. This approach reveals the property-related, budgetary and institutional dimensions of corruption. The study's methodology is based on formal legal, systemic, structural-functional, comparative-analytical and economic-legal methods. These methods were applied to combine the analysis of legal rules with an assessment of the actual economic consequences of corruption risks in law enforcement. Particular attention is paid to powers relating to access to information, responses to economic criminal offences, the obtaining of evidence, the seizure of property, the recovery of assets, interactions with businesses, financial control and internal official discipline. A structural-logical approach is employed to demonstrate the relationship between official powers, opportunities for corruption, and economic consequences for the state. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate that combatting corruption within law enforcement activities should be considered a distinct approach to safeguarding the state's economic interests. To this end, the article discloses the content of corruption risks, defines their connection with budgetary, property-related and economic losses, characterises personnel and organisational factors, and proposes directions for improving anti-corruption mechanisms with regard to the economic outcome. The study concludes that the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures cannot be assessed based solely on the number of offences detected, internal investigations conducted, or liability measures taken. Rather, the decisive criterion should be the system's capacity to prevent budgetary losses, the unlawful disposal of state property, the concealment of assets, pressure on businesses, and the weakening of investment confidence. The necessity of risk-oriented internal control, the proper protection of whistleblowers, transparent personnel selection and economic indicators for assessing anti-corruption activity is substantiated. Therefore, anti-corruption mechanisms in the law enforcement sphere must perform a preventive economic function, as well as a punitive or disciplinary one, in order to preserve public resources and support state resilience.

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN THE FIELD OF TAX SECURITY

Viktoriia Holubieva — 2026-09-11

This article examines the international and national economic and legal aspects of institutional discipline within law enforcement agencies in relation to tax security. It substantiates the importance of tax security as a component of a state's economic security, as it directly affects budget revenue stability, business activity transparency, business confidence in state institutions, and a country's investment attractiveness. It has been established that the institutional discipline of law enforcement authorities encompasses not only compliance with service discipline by individual employees, but also legality, integrity, professionalism, responsibility, proper interagency co-operation and the prevention of corruption. At the national level, it has been determined that proper institutional discipline contributes to the effective counteraction of tax evasion, unlawful tax refunds, fictitious entrepreneurship and other tax offences. Its significance at the international level is manifested in its ability to counter transnational tax risks, illegal capital outflows, manipulation of foreign economic activity and investment abuses. Research methods. The study's methodological basis consists of formal legal, comparative legal, systemic, functional and economic-legal methods. The formal legal method was employed to clarify the content of legal norms that regulate the activities of law enforcement authorities in ensuring tax security. The comparative legal method enabled an examination of international and national approaches to countering tax offences and evasion, and ensuring an appropriate level of institutional discipline. The systemic method was applied to consider tax security as part of the state's economic security and to determine the role of law enforcement authorities in ensuring it. The functional method enabled the analysis of the role of the institutional discipline of law enforcement authorities in preventing tax risks, manifestations of corruption, and abuses in the field of taxation. The economic-legal method was employed to determine the correlation between the effectiveness of law enforcement activities, budget revenue stability, investment attractiveness and the level of tax security. The method of analysing scientific sources and international studies was also employed. The purpose of this article is to identify the international and national economic and legal aspects of the institutional discipline of law enforcement authorities in relation to tax security. Conclusions. This study summarises the international and national economic and legal aspects of the institutional discipline of law enforcement and regulatory authorities in relation to tax security. It establishes that tax security is a vital part of a state's economic security, as it directly impacts budget revenue stability, the effective operation of the tax system, business confidence in state institutions, investment appeal, and the state's capacity to counter economic and financial threats. It has been proven that the institutional discipline of law enforcement and regulatory authorities cannot be reduced to individual officials' compliance with service regulations alone. The concept encompasses legality, integrity, professionalism, responsibility, impartiality, transparent procedures, anti-corruption resilience, effective interagency co-operation and the capacity of state bodies to respond promptly to tax risks. Therefore, institutional discipline has significant internal organisational, economic, and legal implications. The article substantiates that the effectiveness of ensuring tax security is contingent on the coordinated activity of law enforcement and regulatory authorities, including the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, the State Tax Service of Ukraine, the State Customs Service of Ukraine, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, and the prosecutor's offices. Each of these bodies performs its own function in the system of countering tax offences; however, the effectiveness of their activity is possible only under conditions of clear delimitation of powers, proper coordination, and personal responsibility of officials. A review of the literature on the subject reveals that, at the national level, the main problems of institutional discipline in the field of tax security include duplication of powers, insufficient coordination between bodies, corruption risks, selectivity of law enforcement, excessive pressure on business, lack of transparency of certain procedures, weak information and analytical capacity, and a formal approach to evaluating performance results. Such problems have a detrimental effect on the state of tax security, as they contribute to budget deficits, reduced trust in the state, distortion of the competitive environment, and weakening of economic stability. It has been established that international threats to tax security manifest themselves through a number of means, including tax evasion in foreign economic activity, illegal capital outflows, the use of offshore jurisdictions, understatement of the customs value of goods, transfer pricing, fictitious import or export, VAT fraud, money laundering, and concealment of beneficial owners. In order to counter such threats, effective national control is required, as well as continuous international information exchange and co-operation with Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and OLAF. It is also necessary to use European standards when investigating economic offences. Of particular importance is the shift from formally assessing the activities of law enforcement and regulatory authorities to assessing their genuine economic outcomes. This encompasses not only the number of criminal proceedings initiated or inspections conducted, but also the actual compensation for damages obtained, the prevention of budget losses, the identification of systemic tax risks, the termination of tax evasion schemes, the reduction of the shadow economy, and the creation of equal conditions for bona fide taxpayers. It has been determined that the institutional discipline of law enforcement authorities in the field of tax security has a complex economic and legal nature. This is because it affects the effectiveness with which tax offences are detected and terminated, as well as budget revenue stability, business confidence in the state, international investment attractiveness and the state’s ability to counter transnational tax risks.

PUBLIC CONTROL OVER PUBLIC AUTHORITIES THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AS A TOOL FOR REDUCING ECONOMIC LOSSES FROM CORRUPTION: EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE AND PROPOSALS FOR UKRAINE

Victoria Savitska — 2026-09-28

The article examines public control over public authorities exercised by means of digital technologies as an economic and legal mechanism for reducing corruption losses of the national economy. The relevance of the study is twofold. Firstly, the scale of such losses is considerable; for the European Union, it is estimated at between 179–990 billion EUR of GDP annually. Secondly, it is vital to consider the needs of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, in which the credibility of accountability mechanisms directly determines the volume and cost of available international financing. The purpose of the article is threefold: firstly, to reveal the dual administrative-legal and economic nature of digital public control; secondly, to assess, on the basis of European experience and verified empirical data, its impact on reducing corruption-related losses; and thirdly, to formulate proposals for improving Ukraine's legislation. The research methods employed encompass the dialectical method, analytical and synthetic approaches, statistical analysis, economic and legal modelling based on agency and transaction cost categories, and a comparative legal approach to EU law, Member States' legislation and Ukrainian legislation. The main results show that digital public control has the characteristics of a public good and economies of scale. One-off public investments in open data reduce the marginal cost of each subsequent act of civic monitoring to almost zero. Meanwhile, e-procurement transparency in Ukraine measurably lowered final contract prices. An effective European model is based on four principles: the openness of data by default; the protection of whistleblowers; the institutionalisation of control outcomes; and the secure design of control platforms. The conclusions substantiate a system of legislative measures for Ukraine, including a framework law on public control, harmonisation with Directives (EU) 2019/1024 and 2019/1937, classification of participation platforms as critical information infrastructure, and legal regulation of algorithmic risk indicators, framed as public investments with high expected returns during post-war recovery.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND BUSINESS RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN EU LAW: KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR UKRAINE

Anastasiia Tokunova — 2026-09-28

The introduction of corporate sustainability reporting has an increasing impact on the contemporary business environment and economic relations. At the same time, sustainability reporting is closely linked to the concept of business and human rights at an international level. Various public and private stakeholders, particularly within the European Union, prioritise the adoption of legally binding rules in this area. Currently, the European Union is one of the world's leaders in this area. Such legislative developments are highly relevant for states whose economies are focused on co-operating with European businesses. This paper focuses on defining sustainability in the context of corporate reporting under European Union law, and on assessing the current strategic framework and prospective Ukrainian legislation in relation to European Union legal acts on sustainability reporting. The purpose of the study is to justify the introduction of the European Union's approach to sustainability reporting regulation and to provide recommendations, taking into account the dimension of ensuring business respect for human rights. In this study, the author uses formal-legal, terminological and comparative legal methods, as well as legal analysis and synthesis. The research findings suggest that the European Union's approach to defining sustainability encompasses environmental, social and human rights matters, as well as governance factors, in the context of corporate reporting. The European Union's regulatory framework for sustainability reporting acknowledges business respect for human rights as an integral component of the overarching model. The analysis of the Ukrainian strategic framework on the introduction of sustainability reporting demonstrates a strong commitment to the comprehensive application of the European Union's approach within the domestic legal system. Concurrently, the research discloses that the Ukrainian prospective legislation is not fully aligned with European Union law due to the narrowing of the definition of sustainability matters and the lack of consideration for business respect for human rights. The document sets out recommendations to address the identified bottlenecks and inconsistencies in the development of Ukrainian legislation on sustainability reporting. The research findings and generated suggestions can be used by the relevant state bodies and other stakeholders to inform their activities and introduce sustainability reporting into legal and economic relations in Ukraine.

THE IMPACT OF SENSORY MARKETING ON CONSUMERS' PURCHASING BEHAVIOUR (THE CASE OF GEORGIA)

Nugzar Todua — 2026-09-28

This paper demonstrates that intense competition is a defining feature of the modern retail sector, encouraging companies to develop innovative marketing strategies aimed at enhancing consumer engagement. In this context, sensory marketing is considered an important strategic approach as it significantly influences consumers' perceptions, preferences and purchasing decisions. Despite the abundance of existing literature on sensory marketing, the influence of sensory stimuli on consumer behaviour in emerging markets, including Georgia, remains insufficiently explored. The present study examines the impact of sensory stimuli on consumer purchasing behaviour in the retail sector, based on the S-O-R (Stimulus-Organism-Response) model. The study is based on empirical data collected from 723 respondents and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that sensory stimuli significantly enhance consumer engagement, which exerts a substantial influence on purchase intention and ultimately shapes purchasing behaviour. The results further indicate that olfactory (β=0.568) and visual (β=0.554) stimuli have the strongest effect on consumer engagement. Additionally, consumer engagement has a significant impact on purchase intention (β=0.770), which in turn exerts a strong influence on purchasing behaviour (β=0.765). This study addresses important gaps in the existing literature related to emerging markets and offers practical recommendations for effectively implementing sensory strategies in the retail sector.

FRAUD IN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE UNDER THE DIGITALISATION OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS: CRIMINAL LAW CHALLENGES AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS FOR DIGITAL MARKETS

Andrii Babenko — 2026-09-28

The rapid digitalisation of economic relations and the growth of e-commerce have fundamentally changed business models, financial transactions and consumer behaviour. However, alongside these positive developments, digital markets have also become increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated fraud exploiting information technologies, online payment systems, virtual assets and cross-border electronic communications. Consequently, fraud in electronic commerce has evolved from being merely a criminal law issue to becoming a significant factor affecting the economic security, investment attractiveness and sustainable development of digital markets. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to identify the main issues surrounding the criminal law qualification of fraud in electronic commerce in the context of digital transformation; and second, to evaluate the economic implications of these issues for the development of the digital market. The study takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining doctrinal legal analysis with the principles of law and economics. A comparative analysis of legal, formal-legal, institutional and case law is employed to examine Ukrainian criminal legislation, judicial practice and contemporary scientific approaches to cyber fraud. The research also considers the economic consequences of legal uncertainty for electronic commerce, such as increased transaction costs, reduced consumer confidence, higher compliance expenditure and obstacles to the development of the digital market. The findings show that the lack of a comprehensive legal definition of cyber fraud, inconsistent judicial interpretations and outdated legislative terminology make it much more difficult to qualify fraudulent conduct in electronic commerce as a criminal offence. Particular difficulties arise in distinguishing between fraud and civil law disputes, unauthorised electronic transactions, theft involving payment instruments and offences relating to virtual assets. The research also shows that legal uncertainty has a negative impact on the functioning of digital markets, increasing business risks, discouraging investment and undermining public trust in online commercial transactions. The study concludes that improving criminal legislation should be regarded not only as a means of strengthening the criminal justice system, but also as an important tool for promoting economic security and fostering the growth of a sustainable digital market. Legislative modernisation, harmonisation of judicial practice, clearer qualification criteria, and improved international co-operation in digital evidence collection would contribute to reducing transaction costs, strengthening legal certainty, and increasing the competitiveness of the digital economy.

ECONOMIC CYBER-ESPIONAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE: RISKS TO ECONOMIC SECURITY, CYBER THREATS AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES

Oleksandr Makhlai — 2026-09-28

This article examines economic cyber-espionage as a systemic threat to economic security, considering it in the context of global digital transformation and the growing reliance of modern economies on information technology. It explores how cyber-espionage has evolved from an intelligence-related activity to become an instrument of economic competition, technological rivalry and geopolitical influence. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms involved in obtaining confidential commercial information, intellectual property, technological developments and strategic economic data by exploiting vulnerabilities in digital infrastructures. The research identifies the key features of economic cyber-espionage, such as its transnational nature, the anonymity of the perpetrators, the long-term persistence of cyber operations and the involvement of state-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) groups. The article analyses the economic consequences of cyber-espionage, including losses associated with intellectual property theft, disruption to innovation processes, reduced competitive advantage and increased cybersecurity costs. The article pays special attention to the role of cyber-espionage in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, where cyber operations have become an integral part of hybrid warfare. The article shows that cyber-attacks on Ukrainian government institutions, critical infrastructure, defence enterprises and economic entities pose security threats and are attempts to undermine economic resilience and acquire valuable strategic information. The study emphasises the challenges of international legal regulation and institutional responses to economic cyber-espionage. The lack of universally recognised rules governing state-sponsored cyber operations, the difficulty of attributing cyber attacks, and the limitations of international co-operation mechanisms all significantly reduce the effectiveness of countermeasures. The article concludes that economic cyber-espionage has become a significant factor in global economic security. In order to protect digital economies and ensure sustainable development, it is essential to strengthen international co-operation, develop unified regulatory approaches, improve cybersecurity governance and integrate cyber resilience into national economic strategies.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND TIME MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY AMONG GEORGIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Natalia Kharadze — 2026-09-28

Artificial intelligence tools are essential for effective time management. Given that many students work alongside their studies, saving and managing time effectively can significantly increase their efficiency. A total of 791 students from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University took part in the study. Quantitative research methodology was chosen, enabling the authors to generalise the obtained results. The data were processed using the SPSS software package. This study aims to determine the impact of integrating artificial intelligence into the learning process on students' time management efficiency. The results of the study showed that artificial intelligence tools are important for effective time management. Respondents claimed that implementing artificial intelligence in the educational process contributes to effective task planning and prioritisation, reducing the time spent on education and increasing leisure time for other activities. However, integrating artificial intelligence into the educational process comes with challenges, despite the many benefits. Students often use various tools in violation of ethical norms. It is also worth noting that they are not taught how to use artificial intelligence tools wisely so as not to jeopardise academic integrity. Universities should educate both lecturers and students in the ethical use of such tools. Furthermore, universities must develop clear standards for the use of AI. The following hypotheses were formulated and tested in the paper using various statistical procedures. H1: Students who actively use artificial intelligence manage their time more effectively; H2: Using AI significantly reduces the time spent on completing tasks; H3: The effectiveness of time management through AI is significantly affected by its use in the learning process to facilitate time allocation, task planning and prioritisation, and increase leisure time; H4: Bachelor's, master's and doctoral students evaluate the overall impact of AI on their time management differently; H5: Using artificial intelligence in the learning process increases students' leisure time. Finally, relevant recommendations were developed. The study was limited in that only students from one university participated in the survey. To enable comparative analysis, the study should be expanded to include students from various universities.

AIRLINE REPUTATION MANAGEMENT BASED ON TRAVELLER INSIGHTS: THE IMPACT OF SERVICE FACTORS ON PASSENGERS’ WILLINGNESS TO RECOMMEND

Iqbal Tabassum — 2026-09-28

This study aims to determine how factors relating to airline services influence damage to airline reputation, as measured by passengers’ willingness to recommend the airline. The study focuses on the relationship between passenger evaluations of airline service attributes and reputation outcomes in the airline sector. The study focuses on six service factors: seat comfort, cabin staff service, ground service, food and beverages, in-flight entertainment and value for money. This research uses a quantitative analysis based on passenger evaluations of the quality of airline services. A binary logistic regression model is used to examine the effect of selected service attributes on the probability of a passenger recommending the airline. This method enables the relative importance of each service factor to be compared and assesses whether damage to an airline's reputation depends equally on all aspects of the passenger experience, or whether some factors have a stronger managerial impact. The results show that different factors of airline service contribute differently to passengers’ willingness to recommend an airline. The findings confirm that airlines should not rely solely on a general reputation management strategy, because different service dimensions create different levels of reputational risk and value. This study's practical value lies in helping airline managers to identify priority areas for service improvement, allocate resources more effectively and design reputation management strategies based on traveller insights rather than broad assumptions about service quality.

LIQUID FUEL PRICES AND THEIR IMPACT ON FOOD INFLATION IN BULGARIA

Lachezar Borisov — 2026-09-28

In recent years, food inflation has become one of the major economic challenges, affecting households and economic policy across Europe. Developments in energy markets are among the factors contributing to rising food prices and have attracted increasing attention. Liquid fuels are a vital part of transport, agriculture and distribution, so changes in their prices are a key factor in food costs. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns about the security of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes, have added to this uncertainty. These events have increased volatility in the global oil market and influenced the price of liquid fuels in Bulgaria. This study examines the relationship between the consumer price indices for liquid fuels and food in Bulgaria. Using monthly data, the analysis employs dynamic, correlation, and regression methods to evaluate whether a causal relationship exists between the two indicators. The empirical results reveal a statistically significant linear relationship, providing evidence that changes in liquid fuel prices are followed by corresponding movements in food prices. The strongest relationship is observed at an eight-month lag. These results confirm the significance of fuel price developments in influencing food inflation, suggesting that fuel price indicators could be a valuable tool for anticipating future inflationary pressures in the food sector.

AI-DRIVEN OPTIMISATION OF DIGITAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS: A PERFORMANCE-BASED APPROACH

Iskren Tairov — 2026-09-28

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the digital marketing landscape, particularly with regard to optimising online advertising campaigns. This study explores how AI-driven techniques can enhance the performance and efficiency of digital advertising. It aims to evaluate the impact of machine learning algorithms and automated bidding systems on key performance indicators, such as click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate and return on investment (ROI). The study takes a quantitative research approach, using comparative analysis to compare AI-optimised advertising campaigns with traditionally managed ones across major platforms such as Google Ads and Meta Ads. Data from multiple campaigns is collected over a defined period and analysed using statistical methods, including regression analysis and hypothesis testing. The findings suggest that AI-driven optimisation can greatly enhance campaign performance by facilitating real-time decision-making, precise audience targeting and dynamic budget allocation. Furthermore, the results show that automated systems are more efficient and scalable than manual campaign management. This research makes a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature on AI in digital marketing, providing empirical evidence of the effectiveness of intelligent optimisation techniques. The study also offers marketers practical insights on how to enhance advertising outcomes by integrating AI technologies. Proposed areas for future research include exploring ethical considerations and the long-term sustainability of AI-driven marketing strategies.

THE ROLE OF FORENSIC EXPERT ACTIVITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SANCTIONS POLICY IN UKRAINE

Olena Agapova — 2026-09-28

This article examines the role of forensic experts in implementing the state’s sanctions policy amid the Russian Federation's full-scale armed aggression. It analyses contemporary scholarly approaches to understanding the nature and place of sanctions within the system of public administration. It is evident that sanctions are a vital tool for ensuring national security, the effectiveness of which hinges significantly on adequate information, analysis, and evidence. Particular attention is devoted to researching the role of forensic examination in identifying foreign components used in Russian weapons systems. It has been demonstrated that a significant proportion of these components are dual-use goods. Identifying these goods and determining their manufacturers, countries of origin, production dates and other vital data forms the basis of the evidence required to apply, expand and reinforce sanctions restrictions. The study analyses the activities of international institutions and initiatives in the field of sanctions policy. These include the List of Common High Priority Items (CHPL), the Tallinn Paper on Assessing the Effect of Sanctions and the activities of Conflict Armament Research (CAR). It also examines the European Union's sanctions response practice, including the interim package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which was introduced on June 15. The emphasis of this study is directed towards the activities of the institutional actors responsible for the implementation of the state's sanctions policy. The proposed classification of these actors encompasses the following: entities initiating the application, amendment, or revocation of sanctions; entities responsible for decision-making regarding the application of sanctions; entities implementing and enforcing sanctions decisions; and entities providing informational, analytical, and evidentiary support for sanctions policy. The authors propose a novel definition of the concept of 'expert support in the field of the implementation of the state's sanctions policy'. This is defined as a complex of scientific, methodological, organisational, and procedural measures carried out by actors of forensic expert activity. The aim of these measures is to identify, document, examine, and evidentially confirm facts that can serve as a basis for the application, expansion, reinforcement, or revision of sanctions restrictions.