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Growth hacking capability : antecedents and performance implications in the context of SMEs
Get PDFGrowth hacking capability (GHC), detailed as a methodological approach that has as its goal the promotion of the use of experimentation across the entire business value chain, is essential for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to boost their growth. Most of the scholarly discourse surrounding GHC remains theoretical in nature. Thus, scholarly literature lacks empirical evidence on the capabilities that enable SMEs’ GHC. This research explores the antecedents of GHC and, at the same time, whether GHC impacts the financial and organisational performance of SMEs. We tested three main antecedents of GHC: big data analytics capability, innovation capability and digital transformation. Our findings suggest that big data analytics capability and innovation capability positively contribute to SMEs’ GHC. On the other hand, digital transformation has a non-significant relationship with GHC. The findings suggest a positive and significant relationship between GHC and the organisational and financial performance of SMEs.peer-reviewe
European Social Policy Analysis Network
Get PDFThe pensionable age in Malta is 64, having risen by one year in 2014 and again in 2019. It will reach 65 in 2027, after which no further raises are currently contemplated. People may work after pensionable age without deductions to their pension. Partial retirement is not possible; however, there has been mounting pressure from the social partners for combining part-time work with a reduced pension in the years between pension entitlement and pensionable age. This proposal has generated some concern in terms of its potential to reduce rather than increase total labour hours, and over its fiscal impact. At present flexible retirement takes the form of a pension corridor; irrespective of prior occupation, all people are entitled to claim a pension at age 61 (irrespective of their pensionable age) if they have paid the total number of required contributions over a specific number of years according to their year of birth. This is known as the early opt-out and incurs no pension penalties. However, early opt-out means not being able to work until pensionable age. There are financial incentives for people to defer their pension from the point of entitlement, or from a pensionable age under 65, to age 65. Furthermore if people without full contributory records work beyond the point of entitlement, their social security contributions paid during this period may raise their pension rate when revised at age 65. People who continue to work past age 61 are entitled to social benefits until reaching their pensionable age, and to a supplementary allowance and in-work benefit if otherwise eligible. Reforms during 2014-2023 were designed to increase employment amongst older people and – other than pension-deferral incentives from 2016 – most pertained to taxation. During 2022-2026 pension income is becoming progressively exempt from tax (subject to a cap) and since 2017 a further rebate has been applied. Similarly, self-employed part-time pensioners have benefited since 2014 from a preferential income tax rate. More general measures, such as reducing personal tax rates and incentives for employers to recruit people aged 45-65 are also pertinent. Such reforms are widely advertised on various portals and broadcast, print and social media. Data on the take-up of early opt-out pensions and deferral incentives are not publicly available. There has been a slight increase in the number of those aged 65 or over who work, most commonly on a part-time basis, and the rise has been steeper among women than men in this cohort. The increase was far higher among the 60-64 cohort; it is not possible to establish with certainty the relative effects of two pension age rises and the introduction of deferral incentives, although a positive impact is probable. The employment rates of older people rise in line with educational attainment. The gap between the pensionable age and the effective retirement age has narrowed since 2014 among men, and remains smaller for women. In terms of social impact, the in-work poverty rate for employed pensioners was, at 3.3% in 2022, just over a tenth of the income poverty rate among those aged 65 or over, which stood at 30%. In terms of fiscal impact, rising retirement ages and deferral incentives are expected to contribute to improved pension deficit projections for 2070 but the respective contributions are unclear. Data from a 2019 postgraduate thesis suggested that only around a quarter of people would be willing to work beyond the point of becoming entitled to a pension in the absence of financial incentives, although willingness rises with education and age. The willingness of those born in or after 1962, whose pensionable age is 65, to continue to work is unclear, given the current age 65 cap on incentives. In addition, whether the lobby to introduce partial retirement will be acceded to remains to be seen; whether it would be taken up is also unclear, and its labour market and fiscal impacts need to be studied. That said, cost of living pressures, rising poverty among pensioners, and a growing appreciation of the social and health benefits of remaining engaged might make this a welcome measure for many.peer-reviewe
On the edge
Get PDFThough we often think of rocks as static and immutable, every single geological record along the
Maltese coast tells a story of dynamic transformation. Rocks are far from inert; they are the visible
manifestation of millions of years of natural forces: marine sedimentation, tectonic upheavals,
impactful waves, relentless winds, and the slow imperceptible work of weathering. The rocky
coasts of the Maltese Islands are a testament to this continuous evolution, capturing the eternal
struggle between rock resistance, erosion and deposition. To walk along the Maltese limestone
shores is to witness geology as a living record, where each cliff face, boulder, pebble or sand
grain reflects the intricate geological and geomorphological processes that sculpted the Islands’
distinctive coastline.peer-reviewe
Personal safety in the management of contemporary organisations
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of this article is to show the impact of personal safety on the management
of contemporary organisations. It is essential to understand what modern strategies and
good practice could help to improve staff safety in organisations, and how to cope with new
threats connected with work in a changing working environment.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The personal safety of employees is a key element in
managing organisations, and managing it effectively requires the use of innovative
technologies, psychological support and the promotion of a positive organisational culture.
The research problem was formulated as follows: Which innovative strategies and practices
in the field of protecting personal safety are effective in the management of organisations,
particularly in the face of the new threats such as cyberthreats, professional stress,
professional burnout and changes in forms of employment? A research hypothesis was
formulated in relation to the research problem, which assumes that modern technologies,
psychological support programmes and an organisational culture based on inclusivity and
trust significantly improve the personal safety of employees in organisations, particularly in
the face of new challenges connected with remote working and changing forms of
employment. The article applies theoretical methods such as an analysis of the literature on
the topic, and a review of reports and research concerning personal safety. It also focuses on
areas such as management, workplace psychology and modern technologies which support
safety.FINDINGS: The studies involved the authors defining the main problems connected with
demonstrating the impact of personal safety on the management of a contemporary
organisation. Firstly, the integration of technology as an element ensuring personal safety in
organisations is of vital importance. This enables monitoring, the detection of threats and
immediate steps aimed at protecting the health and lives of employees. Next, the increasing relevance of mental health is important, particularly countering professional burnout and
alleviating stress. It is also important to promote an organisational culture based on
inclusivity, trust and open dialogue. Employees who feel respected and supported are more
engaged with and loyal to the organisation. The final factor is adaptation to remote working,
since changes connected with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity for
organisations to adapt to new forms of work, such as WFH and flexible forms of employment.
Organisations must provide the appropriate tools and support to meet these challenges.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The aspects of personal safety mentioned in the article and their
impact on the management of a contemporary organisation may be useful in identifying
threats, creating innovative strategies and indicating good practices in the field of employee
protection. The first part shows the importance of personal safety in an organisational
context, indicating that it is vital not only for employees’ health, but also for the efficiency
and success of the organisation. The second part concentrates on contemporary threats such
as cyberthreats, professional stress and burnout, as well as challenges involved in remote
working and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of personal safety. The
final part of the article presents innovative safety protection strategies, such as implementing
modern technologies, psychological support programmes and the development of an
organisational culture based on trust and inclusivity.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The authors present questions connected with the personal safety of
employees in the management of organisations. This safety covers physical and mental as
well as social protection, forming a basis to build stable and effective teams. The complexity
of problems such as cyberthreats, professional stress, remote work and diversity of teams
requires management strategies to be adapted to dynamic changes. Studies on these aspects
may provide crucial information for creating more complex and effective strategies for
personal safety management in organisations in future.peer-reviewe
An efficient model to estimate and optimise the cloud migration costs from on-premises web apps
Get PDFOrganisations can now easily scale their operations up or down based on demand,
reducing the need for significant upfront investments in infrastructure. This flexibility
enables businesses to respond quickly to changing market conditions and remain
competitive in today’s fast-paced environment. Despite the undeniable benefits
offered by Cloud computing, migrating existing on-premises web applications poses
intricate challenges, particularly in terms of cost considerations. This paper presents
a novel hybrid algorithm using the genetic algorithm and simulated annealing
approaches. The primary objective of this algorithm is to minimise the costs
associated with migrating on-premise web applications to cloud environments. We
have tested the proposed algorithm’s performance on seventeen different standard
test benchmark functions, including seven unimodal and ten multimodal functions.
The overall experiments have been conducted in the MATLAB R2023a environment.
We compared the overall results with three well-known algorithms: the generalised
ant colony optimiser, genetic algorithm, and artificial bee colony. Results have been
computed in terms of average and standard deviation metrics. The proposed hybrid
genetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithms perform better in an unknown
search space and optimise the migration costs and energy consumption. The
algorithm demonstrates superior performance through rigorous testing on several
benchmark functions, offering actionable insights and practical solutions to cost
estimation and optimisation challenges.peer-reviewe
Fraud : a Hydra emergent in new forms in the Maltese Islands
No full textThis paper presents a criminological exploration of the shifting fraud landscape, with a particular focus on the Maltese context. Grounded in legal, statistical, and sociological analysis, the study interrogates the evolution of fraud from 2008 to 2024 in terms of main and sub-categories. Drawing upon the Criminal Code of Malta (Articles 293–310C), the framework integrates elements of fraud with a broader societal perspective, employing the PREFET and DIKA models to examine the structural and functional dimensions of fraud. Trends in victimisation from 2008 to 2024 reveal a sharp increase in reported fraud cases, particularly post-2020, indicating both rising prevalence and improved reporting mechanisms. The study reviews victimisation in terms of gender, age, nationality, time and location of reporting. The study concludes with a call for proactive, predictive, and preventive strategies across institutional spheres.peer-reviewe
IATEFL 2024 Brighton conference: Conference selections
No full textDaniel Xerri opens this chapter with the findings of a small-scale study into burnout in school leaders in Malta, and the practical measures adopted to address this problem. Jonathan Yates discusses the negative impact of organisation silos, and describes a marketing project designed to combat these by encouraging collaboration across departments to achieve common objectives. For Elna Coetzer and Robyn Stewart, teacher wellbeing needs active support from management. In this report of their workshop, they introduce activities for the teacher’s room to explore what we can do to promote our own and our colleagues’ wellbeing. With a focus on English language teacher associations, Beatrix Price discusses the need for effective management to unlock the potential of volunteers in order to develop their personal, professional and leadership skills. The chapter ends with a success story from Bostan Hyat, who describes the challenges and triumphs of developing a 21st-century educational team in Kazakhstan, Central Asia.peer-reviewe
Exploring the quality of life of Filipino migrant workers in Hungary : barriers to healthcare access and impacts of migration on well-being
No full textThe exponential growth of Filipino migrant workers or overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hungary (2,971% increase, 2018-2022) seeking financial stability, necessitates a comprehensive study on the quality of life (QOL), access to healthcare, and the impacts of migration on this expanding population. This surge marks a significant departure from Hungary’s historically restrictive immigration policies, as the nation welcomes foreign workers at an unprecedented scale due to shortage in skilled workers. This study targeted OFWs in rural Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was gathered through the World Health Organization Quality of Life – Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and was computed and analysed as prescribed in the World Health Organisation (WHO) manual, while the qualitative data explored healthcare barriers and migration impacts and was scrutinised using thematic analysis. Results showed that the overall perceived QOL score (74.01 ± 20.59) and health status (67.11 ± 20.90) were at a good level, with positive scores across all domains (social, environment, psychological, and physical). Moreover, correlation tests indicate that all domains have a positive relationship with each other, signifying the need for a holistic approach in improving QOL, as the gain in one is a gain in others. In addition, differences in various demographic and socioeconomic factors such as age, education, income, job category and duration, and illness were found to be statistically significant when associated with QOL domains. Moreover, OFWs face healthcare access challenges due to communication, work, finances, psychology, and transportation. Migration impacts economics, social/cultural aspects, health, personal development, and overall life conditions. Recommendations are provided to improve well-being and successful integration.peer-reviewe
Technocracy in planning policymaking : authority and decision-making in urban development
No full textThe study examines the role of technocracy in fostering good governance by promoting transparent, accountable institutions that uphold the rule of law and sustainable, people-centered development alongside representative democracy. Using a qualitative approach, it analyses Malta’s Planning Authority as a case study,
focusing on its technocratic role in policymaking, policy formulation, and execution within the planning and development sector. The Authority regulates
land use, ensures sustainable development, protects cultural and environmental
resources, and promotes orderly land use planning. The study traces the Planning Authority’s transformation from an independent technocratic institution to
one increasingly influenced by political interests. Politicians, Planning Authority
officials, and technocrats were consulted to explore how technocrats influence
policymaking. Drawing on the philosophies of Habermas and John Dewey, the
paper evaluates the effectiveness of a triangular model involving scientific experts, politicians, and knowledge-based interest groups. This model supports the
development of credible policies focused on the common good, free from electoral or lobbying pressures. The findings affirm the value of technocratic expertise in all policymaking stages. The triangular model is deemed essential for crafting sustainable policies with a long-term vision that addresses economic, social,
health, and environmental needs.peer-reviewe
Next generation marketing channels : typology, strategic implications, and the 6V framework
No full textPURPOSE: This article proposes and applies the 6V Framework to conceptualize and evaluate
next-generation marketing channels in the digital economy. It aims to understand how
emerging formats—such as voice commerce, immersive AR/VR environments, retail media
networks, and Web3-based platforms—are reshaping customer engagement, brand
experience, and value creation.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Building on an extensive literature review and theoretical
synthesis, the paper introduces the 6V Framework, consisting of six analytical dimensions:
Value, Velocity, Visibility, Verifiability, Virtuality, and Vulnerability. The framework is
applied to an in-depth case study of Nike .Swoosh, supported by a comparative evaluation of
other leading platforms (e.g., Adidas, Gucci, Starbucks) to illustrate strategic patterns and
innovation trajectories.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article provides marketers, strategists, and digital transformation
leaders with a practical framework for analyzing, designing, and governing complex
marketing environments. It supports decision-making regarding channel investments, user
experience design, and ethical risk management in data-rich, technology-driven contexts.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: In contrast to legacy models focused on linear transactions and control,
the 6V Framework captures the dynamic, participatory, and decentralized nature of modern
marketing channels. It offers a novel conceptual lens for assessing strategic and operational
implications of digital channel innovation.peer-reviewe