Economics. Ecology. Socium (E-Journal) / Економіка. Екологія.Соціум
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Assessment of Soft Skills and Development of Human Resource Management in The Labour Market Competitiveness
Full text linkIntroduction. Soft skills are critical and directly affect job performance, adaptability, and the ability to innovate. Soft skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and interpersonal interaction increase adaptability to innovation. Readiness for continuous learning and retraining through soft skills is crucial for professional success and competitiveness in the labour market.
Aim and tasks. This study comprehensively examines the impact of soft skills on professional competitiveness in the labour market. It develops a multi-level system for assessing these skills, with recommendations for their development in human resource management.
Results. The study highlighted the most in-demand skills based on feedback from academics and employers: responsibility (18.2%), creativity (18.9%), communication skills (17.3%), self-organisation (17.2%), emotional intelligence (15.9%), and leadership (12.5%). The content analysis confirms a certain degree of research into job seekers’ demand for soft skills in the labour market. This emphasises its relevance in higher or professional education settings. The employee competitiveness index (ECI) is a composite indicator that integrates the key characteristics of soft skills and amounts to 0.75%. The structural model of the study allowed us to estimate the impact of soft skills on labour productivity both directly and through employment and market demand. In the model, soft skills accounted for 18% of the variance in employment and 30% in market demand, with both indicators exerting significant effects on productivity (β = 0.32 and β = 0.29, respectively).
Conclusions. The soft skills of modern specialists indicate their competitiveness in the labour market. The criteria and indicators of soft skills (communication, emotional intelligence, creativity and analytical thinking, flexibility and adaptability, self-organisation and productivity, leadership and management skills) are highlighted, emphasising the vectors for developing these skills. The presence of soft skills increases a specialist’s competitiveness and serves as an indicator of this competitiveness. The development of soft skills increases the competitiveness of employees and contributes to efficiency growth. However, a limitation was identified: some organisations were reluctant to disclose training results, which requires further study
Financial Market Regulation and Monetary Policy on Financial Stress Management in the National Economy
Full text linkIntroduction. Neutralising the dynamic threats of war and economic crises and reducing the stress index for the country's financial system requires prompt action from the regulator. This allows financial market participants to reduce the stress index of the country's financial system. However, dynamic changes and the lag in time for the introduction of regulatory actions create challenging conditions for the activities of financial market participants, which determines the relevance of studying the functioning of Ukrainian financial markets.
Aim and tasks. This study aims to identify the key indicators of financial market conditions and the level of effectiveness of regulatory influence on these indicators.
Results. It is indicated that changes in the conditions for the functioning of the Ukrainian financial market in 2022-2023, with a reduction in the profitability of financial market participants by 152%, an increase in the share of non-performing loans by 19%, and a reduction in funds in banks’ correspondent accounts only for the first quarter of 2022 by 30%, led to an urgent need for regulatory action. These actions increased the liquidity coverage ratio by 3.27 times and reduced the Financial Stress Index by 59.79%. Simultaneously, the long-term liquidity ratio increased by only 7%, indicating uneven liquidity dynamics. A cumulative negative effect is noted, even when using the regulator's monetary policy instruments for 2022-2023. The money supply increased by 21.03%, the monetary base increased by 25.77%, and the volume of cash outside banks increased by 8.24%. This necessitates strict control over capital movements, taking into account the impact of this factor on the reduction in the activity of market participants.
Conclusions. The directions of the monetary policy of the regulator of Ukraine are indicated, in particular, increasing the level of lending to financial market participants, solving the problem of liquidity surplus in banks, and regulating relative prices, which contributes to reducing the level of financial stress. This indicates that the activities of financial intermediaries in martial law conditions acquire new significance as a damper of fluctuations in financial market risks, particularly the risks of financial transactions. This indicates that the financial market has not acquired a proper level of stability, and the stress index fluctuated up to 65% of the average value for the study period
Strategic Development of Social Entrepreneurship Mechanisms and Regulation in Biomass Waste Management
Full text linkIntroduction. The environment, which is polluted by biomass waste, high unemployment, primarily in agriculture, and the need for alternative energy sources, requires the search for new organisational forms in the circular economy. Therefore, the issue of social entrepreneurship in biowaste processing is relevant. Research on social entrepreneurship has unique potential for effective biomass waste management, serving as a key catalyst for simultaneously achieving a circular economy and energy transition.
Aim and tasks. The study aims to investigate the strategic development of social entrepreneurship in biowaste management, considering the relationships between financial policy and social and environmental effects, and to develop a model for integrating social enterprises in the biomass management chain.
Results. European social enterprises have developed various innovative business models for biowaste utilisation. Simultaneously, Ukraine is not ready to introduce social enterprises into the waste processing industry. However, correlation analysis confirmed significant multidimensional relationships between the policy of financing biowaste processing and social and environmental effects. The correlation coefficient between biomass fuel consumption and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is 0.985; between the installed capacity of bioenergy equipment and the number of additional jobs is 0.942; and between the volume of recovered biowaste and the level of employment in the industry is 0.978. The low level of social entrepreneurship development in biomass management in Ukraine has led to the development of a model that allows a social enterprise to position itself in the chain of collection, sorting, and logistics of biowaste.
Conclusions. Increased logistics costs and current costs for the collection and disposal of biowaste led to a 15.6-fold reduction in investments in biowaste processing compared with 2015. As a result of a 3.8-fold reduction in the employment growth rate in this sector and a 4.6% reduction in the proportion of biowaste disposal, the importance of social initiatives for the strategic development of entrepreneurship in biowaste management is increasing. The involvement of local communities contributes to the growth of the social effect, and social entrepreneurs can adapt the use of European financial and technical support instruments for the strategic development of social entrepreneurship in biowaste management
Acquired Helplessness Syndrome in Monofunctional Systems Experiencing Multicrisis: Mechanisms Overcoming Challenges in Resilient Circular Economy
Full text linkIntroduction. This study examines the issue of acquired helplessness syndrome (AHS) in monofunctional socio-ecological-economic systems, which are formed due to external armed aggression. The lack of integrated solutions covering demographic, social, economic, ecological, psychological, and institutional aspects limits the effectiveness of regeneration processes, reduces territorial competitiveness, and hinders development.
Aim and tasks. This study aims to develop an integrated conceptual and methodological model for overcoming AHS by combining circular economy tools, the resilience paradigm, and cognitive rehabilitation approaches.
Results. The analysis revealed interrelated demographic, economic, environmental, social, institutional, and psychological determinants of AHS that form sustainable barriers and risks to the restoration and modernisation of monofunctional systems (MFS). Using expert assessment and a matrix of relationships, the weighting coefficients of the influence of key determinant groups on socio-ecological-economic regeneration and rehabilitation were quantitatively assessed. Critical barriers, threats, and risks underlying the manifestations of SPB in MFS were identified. This approach made it possible to develop practical mechanisms for stabilisation and recovery, integrated into a holistic conceptual model, to form adaptive strategies for spatial development in a multi-crisis situation. A universal algorithm for restoring the stability of the MFS is proposed, ensuring competitiveness, adaptability, and inclusive territorial development, consistent with international post-crisis recovery practices.
Conclusions. The study confirmed that overcoming the AHS in monofunctional socio-ecological-economic systems requires integrating demographic, socio-ecological-economic, psychological, and institutional components into a single management system. The developed model and algorithm can serve as a universal methodological tool for the adaptation of various types of territorial entities in the future. The proposals contribute to restoring the cognitive and social activities of local communities and increasing their resilience to multidimensional threats. Prospects for further research are related to testing model solutions in various regional contexts, assessing their effectiveness, and developing digital tools to support management decisions in the regenerative development and rehabilitation of MFS
Agritourism Management in Sustainable Rural Development and Cultural Heritage Preservation
Full text linkIntroduction. Sustainable rural tourism drives economic growth while respecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. Tourism has become a key driver of national, social, and economic development in Albania. It has emerged as a significant contributor to income generation for the government, businesses, and households, with statistics indicating that tourism plays a central role in a country’s economic growth each year.
Aim and tasks. This study examines how agritourism succeeded in Albania by examining its economic, social, and environmental impacts using real-world data. It investigates the relationship between agritourism growth and broader sustainable development in rural areas, testing the hypothesis that enhancing agritourism contributes to sustainability at the territorial level.
Results. This study analyses case studies of 110 agritourism sites in Albania that promote tourism without endangering the environment or local lifestyles. The data collection involved direct observation of agritourism websites and online and phone communications with agritourism operators. The research spans the years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed with analysis, comparisons, and generalisations based on evaluations across the country. The target population consists of participants from Albania's tourism sector, focusing on agritourism organisations in rural areas. A diverse sample of agritouristic subjects from various administrative districts was selected. The findings demonstrate that agritourism boosts economic gains and supports social cohesion and environmental preservation, making it a vital element of sustainable rural development in Albania.
Conclusions. The study concludes with suggestions for improving Albanian agritourism, highlighting the importance of social and cultural values, environmental conservation, and economic progress for a sustainable model. It is also to highlight that incorporating traditional building materials and cultural elements enhances the distinctiveness of agritourism and aids in preserving local cultures. Rural tourism is vital and receives strong backing from local and national governments.Introduction. Sustainable rural tourism drives economic growth while respecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. Tourism has become a key driver of national, social, and economic development in Albania. It has emerged as a significant contributor to income generation for the government, businesses, and households, with statistics indicating that tourism plays a central role in a country’s economic growth each year.
Aim and tasks. This study examines how agritourism succeeded in Albania by examining its economic, social, and environmental impacts using real-world data. It investigates the relationship between agritourism growth and broader sustainable development in rural areas, testing the hypothesis that enhancing agritourism contributes to sustainability at the territorial level.
Results. This study analyses case studies of 110 agritourism sites in Albania that promote tourism without endangering the environment or local lifestyles. The data collection involved direct observation of agritourism websites and online and phone communications with agritourism operators. The research spans the years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed with analysis, comparisons, and generalisations based on evaluations across the country. The target population consists of participants from Albania's tourism sector, focusing on agritourism organisations in rural areas. A diverse sample of agritouristic subjects from various administrative districts was selected. The findings demonstrate that agritourism boosts economic gains and supports social cohesion and environmental preservation, making it a vital element of sustainable rural development in Albania.
Conclusions. The study concludes with suggestions for improving Albanian agritourism, highlighting the importance of social and cultural values, environmental conservation, and economic progress for a sustainable model. It is also to highlight that incorporating traditional building materials and cultural elements enhances the distinctiveness of agritourism and aids in preserving local cultures. Rural tourism is vital and receives strong backing from local and national governments
Leveraging Business Controlling for Sustainability Crisis Management in Digital Transformation
Full text linkIntroduction. The deepening of economic instability and accelerated digitalisation of the business environment have provoked a review of traditional management models. The impact of crises and risks complicates the comprehensive implementation of ESG principles and, accordingly, hinders the achievement of sustainable development goals, thereby reducing sustainability. This highlights the need to implement management systems that can provide flexible responses, ensure information transparency, facilitate proactive threat diagnostics, and support long-term development.
Aim and tasks. This study aims to substantiate the conceptual and practical aspects of integrating control into the anti-crisis management of enterprises in the context of digital transformation and sustainable development.
Results. Intervals for different categories of enterprises (large 2.72–3.02, medium-sized 3.54–4.12, small 2.57–3.01) were determined, allowing assessment of the change in the share of social costs in production costs during the crisis. The ratio of the average deviation of the share of social costs of enterprises to its average value in the period 2010-2023 was compared. For large enterprises, this indicator has a value of 0.22; for small enterprises, it is 0.33; and for medium-sized enterprises, the maximum value is 0.36. This confirms the vulnerability of medium-sized enterprises to crisis conditions. A mathematical model was employed to evaluate the performance of Ukrnafta-Postach LLC and forecast its results for the years 2025-2026. The growth of social costs in total production costs is projected to be 9.3% by 2024, while the share of environmental costs is expected to be 5.2%, and the share of total income from net income is anticipated to be 12.5%.
Conclusions. This study reveals the evolution of controlling and outlines its strategic, preventive, and financial functions in the context of ensuring business sustainability. The impact of the crisis varied across different enterprise categories. A method for identifying changes in indicators of such magnitude that require operational anti-crisis management activities is proposed. A mathematical model was developed to ensure adherence to ESG principles, thereby enhancing the resilience of enterprises in crisis conditions and identifying priority tasks for crisis management. A scheme for integrating control into anti-crisis management is proposed, ensuring the construction of a holistic response system and the consistency of management actions with strategic guidelines for sustainable development
Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management of Business Development in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Full text linkIntroduction. Corporate social responsibility has recently evolved from a concept into a comprehensive, meaningful, and in-depth policy, with the help of business organisations becoming a responsible element of society. Although it enjoys increased interest at the global and European levels, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is still not a widespread practice in the policies of Bulgarian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Aim and tasks. The aim is to identify the main specific features of the implementation of CSR in Bulgarian conditions, as well as the attitudes of management towards a stronger advocacy of various CSR initiatives, both internal and external to the company.
Results. This study is based on data from a survey conducted among representatives of Bulgarian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises operating in different sectors of the economy. The analysis of the data from a survey of 205 companies shows that CSR is perceived mainly as a tool for improving the image and meeting the expectations of customers and partners. Taking care of employees is the most common practice (45%), while initiatives aimed at the community and environment remains more limited and often episodic. Most companies do not have a formal CSR policy (41.5%), with top management leading the way in introducing CSR initiatives. It was found that attitudes towards CSR were positive. However, a lack of institutional incentives and limited resources hinders the more systematic integration of socially responsible practices. Top management (51%) initiates CSR in Bulgarian companies, making it more fragmented than strategically integrated. Most respondents (72%) see CSR as a way to improve image, but 55% consider such investments difficult to justify. The main barrier to development is the lack of government support. This pattern, where 51% of initiatives come from managers, shows that CSR is an image rather than a strategic initiative. Although companies value reputational benefits (72% for image and 67% for expected customers), only 16% have specialised CSR departments. The main obstacle remains the lack of adequate government policy, with more than 50% of respondents agreeing.
Conclusions. CSR in Bulgaria is perceived mainly as a means of building a reputation, but its practical implementation remains limited by resource and institutional factors. A trend towards strengthening internal practices and readiness for broader integration of external initiatives under the pressure of the international market and regulation. In this sense, CSR in Bulgarian enterprises can be defined as a practice in the process of institutionalisation, the development of which requires both more active management commitment and the creation of a stimulating environment at the national level
Lacustrine Ecosystems of the Steppe Dnipro Region: Typology, Ecological Status Assessment and Conservation Value
Full text linkIntroduction. Lacustrine ecosystems are crucial and irreplaceable in biodiversity conservation and provide specific ecosystem services. Although systematic long-term studies on the inventory and typology of lakes worldwide have been conducted, the issue remains poorly understood in the Steppe Dnipro region of Ukraine. Although lacustrine systems are vulnerable and characterised by significant diversity, this requires early environmental assessment and implementation of management plans to ensure their conservation.
Aim and tasks. This study aimed to develop a typological scheme for open-type lake ecosystems in the Steppe Dnipro region with a set of typological criteria that can be combined to perform various applied environmental tasks, including the assessment of the ecological state of water bodies, inventory, environmental monitoring, and study of the dynamics of lake systems in the context of climate change.
Results. The regional typological scheme was developed based on international and regional experience in the field of ecosystem classification (New Broad Typology for European Rivers and Lakes). The criteria are based on the generalisation of long-term studies of lake ecosystems in the region as components of the regional ecological network. In total, 53 criteria were identified, and a separate typological scheme with fewer criteria was developed for man-made reservoirs. The typology was adapted for use in GIS projects, where each criterion has a range of values. Tabular examples of the application of the typological scheme to identify typologically similar water bodies and for the rapid assessment of their ecological status are presented.
Conclusions. The regional typological scheme allows for the distinction of water body types by various combinations of criteria. In practice, it is convenient to quickly create samples of lakes that are similar in certain respects for specific environmental or economic tasks. Further work with the scheme involves filling in the dataset, refining the parameters, and creating lake clusters using cluster analysis algorithms. After verification, the typological scheme can be transformed into a public web portal with the functions of an open database of data on lake-type reservoirs (with the possibility of updating and supplementing) and used to assess the ecological status and track current changes in the ecosystems of lakes and man-made reservoirs in the region
Management of Plastic Waste Processing and Recycling in Water Pollution Reduction
Full text linkIntroduction. Plastic decomposition is an exceptionally protracted process, requiring urgent measures to reduce environmental pollution, including that of water resources. Current solutions include increasing measures to sort and recycle plastic waste and developing biodegradable and environmentally friendly substitutes. Although plastic is recyclable, not all types are easily recycled. Therefore, most significant efforts are needed to find sustainable solutions. This highlights the importance of analysing the current situation regarding plastic waste and developing specific measures to reduce pollution.
Aim and tasks. This study aims to analyse the concern of increasing plastic waste in Bulgaria and to develop strategies for its reduction. In particular, measures to reduce the consumption of plastic products, introduce separate waste collection, and recycle and reuse valuable raw materials are considered, emphasising the contribution of these actions to reducing water resource pollution.
Results. This study analysed two main pollution control areas: limiting plastic use and introducing rapidly degradable materials. These approaches do not exclude but complement each other. This study confirms that using biodegradable polymers such as PLA, PHA, and PBS has significant environmental benefits despite their cost and the disadvantages of production technologies. Effective solutions to pollution problems have been shown to require legislative measures and innovations, raising public awareness, and developing a culture of separate waste collection. The research and analysis revealed ways to reduce the pollution of water bodies with plastic and polyethene waste. The effects of this waste on the development of humanity have been examined, and options for solving these problems on a global scale have been proposed.
Conclusions. Plastic products and packaging have a significant negative impact on the environment, including reducing pollution of water and marine ecosystems. It is necessary to improve the efficiency of plastic waste management and recycling. Analysis of these data on the pollution of water bodies and adjacent territories showed the need to develop a system for monitoring and collecting information on pollution, including in hard-to-reach areas. To reduce this impact, it is important to combine limiting plastic consumption and using rapidly degradable bioplastics with the active implementation of recycling and reuse programs
Digital Technology Management and Resource Efficiency in Agricultural Production
Full text linkIntroduction. The active adoption of digital tools is crucial for improving agricultural efficiency, which is fundamental to ensuring food security. The digitalisation of agricultural production is a key component of the measures for transitioning to a digital economy.
Aim and tasks. This study aims to assess the relationship between the net profit of agricultural enterprises and the number of digital products used. It also seeks to identify the factors influencing the efficiency of agricultural production.
Results. This study examines at several key factors of agricultural production. First, it considers at the share of the labour force involved in agricultural production, which has declined by 17.2% globally, 7% in the EU, and 5.2% in Ukraine. Secondly, it analyses changes in the number of workers required to produce 1% of value added from 1991 to 2023, showing a decline of 3% globally, 1.5% in the EU and an increase of 0.5% in Ukraine. Thirdly, the study assesses the level of digital skills among workers in the agricultural sector. In the EU, this level did not exceed 0.5% from 2016 to 2024, while Ukraine data is unavailable. Finally, the study includes case studies of two Ukrainian companies engaged in developing and implementing digital tools for agricultural production. The findings regarding the dependence of net profit and the number of digital instruments used revealed relatively high correlation coefficients: 0.776 for a group of 41 AGRIChain clients and 0.902 for a group of 34 Kernel Digital clients. The resulting models of net profit dependence on the number of digital instruments used (with slope coefficients of 365.9 for AGRIChain and 13.13 for Kernel Digital) indicate the potential for further refinement.
Conclusions. The establishment of a digital support system for agricultural production involves significant changes in employee competencies, a decrease in the total number of employees, and a reduction in the share of employees involved in agricultural production. Ukraine is characterised by an increase in the number of workers employed in agricultural production per 1% of added value, which is explained by structural changes in the industry. This study proposes adding metrics to statistical reporting to capture the number of digital technologies used in the production process and the number of employees skilled in using these technologies