This article examines how financial technology determines bank performance in different EU countries. The answer to that question would allow banks to choose their development policy. The paper focuses  on the main and most popular bank services that are linked to financial technology. A SWOT analysis of FinTech is also presented to show the benefits and drawbacks of FinTech. FinTech-based services are very diverse and are provided by financial  firms and banks alike. This paper looks at the financial technology provided by banks: internet usage (internet banking), number of ATMs, credit transfers in a country, percentage of the population in a country holding a debit or credit card and whether that population has received or made a digital payment. Using the multi-criteria assessment methods of CRITIC and EDAS, the authors analysed and compared the countries of the European Union and the financial technology used in them. As a result of the application of these methods, the EU countries under consideration were ranked in terms of the use of financial technology. Subsequently, three banks from different countries with different levels of the use of financial technology were selected for the study. For these banks, financial ratios of profitability were calculated to characterise their performance. Correlation and pairwise regression analyses between the banks’ profitability ratios and financial technology were used to assess the relationship and influence between these ratios. The main conclusion of the study focuses on the extent to which financial technology influences the performance of banks in the selected countries. It is likely that further research will try to take into account the size of the country’s population when analysing all financial technologies. Researchers also needed to find out what influence financial technologies have on the such financial indicators as operational efficiency (costs), financial stability, and capital adequacy.

The covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the sustainability of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), with a particularly pronounced impact in Central Java. Entrepreneurs who struggle to adapt to reduced consumer purchasing power and the increasing reliance on digital technology are at heightened risk of business closure. Despite these challenges, inclusivity remains a crucial element for MSEs in fostering local economic development. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine the role of inclusivity in the sustainability of MSEs that are based on digital technology. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Respondents were digital-based MSEs entrepreneurs from five selected regions, with Central Java having the largest number of digital media users. Key informants included experts from Diponegoro University, the International Council of Small Business (ICSB), the Department of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises at the provincial and district levels, and non-governmental organizations. The collected data was analyzed using the Rapid Appraisal for Micro and Small Enterprises (Rap-MSE’s) method. To assess the sustainability status, the study utilized several dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, institutional, technological, and inclusivity factors. Both multidimensional and individual analyses indicated that the sustainability status was relatively robust. MSEs that integrated digital technology into their operations were able to withstand the challenges posed by covid-19 and adapt to the new normal. In conclusion, the inclusivity dimension in the adoption of digital technology has gained increased importance in driving local economic development.

This study explores the interactions between inflation and stock market. We carried out a bibliometric analysis with R package to highlight the worldwide research trends in the field, covering the period of three crises (financial, health crisis and war of Ukraine). Next, using monthly data for the period from 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2023 and based on a vector autoregressive model, impulse response and variance decomposition are performed to explore the dynamic relationships between inflation and Greek stock market. The results reveal the existence of high volatility in Athens’ stock market during COVID-19 pandemic, owning to a shock of the inflation. Regarding the period of Ukrainian war, the study verified the Fama’s hypothesis that there is a negative relationship between inflation and stock returns. The findings have significant implications for investors and policy makers.

Research that discusses the impact of implementing Green Human Resource Management and environmentally friendly behavior, especially in sustainable tourism, is limited. It becomes crucial to understand how implementing good green human resource management practices in tourism sector organizations. To achieve the objectives of this research, a qualitative approach was used where the data and information collected were obtained through direct observation and interviews with tourism informants. The findings show the importance of environmentally friendly behavior as the implementation of green human resource management is able to improve tourism management. The uniqueness of this research is developing a model of human resource readiness in implementing environmentally friendly behavior towards sustainable tourism. This resource readiness will be reflected in the GHRM model in supporting sustainable tourism. The results of this research offer a model of sustainable Green Tourism which includes antecedents, implementation and results achieved. These antecedents come from internal and external (environmental ethics and management commitment) managers which will result in good GHRM implementation. This model will be the basis for implementing sustainable tourism in human resource management practices based on literature reviews and also tourism management practices.

Addressing society’s current ethical dilemmas necessitates urgent reinforcement of moral standards. Transforming student behavior necessitates integrating legal and social measures through proactive youth cultivation within educational institutions. This study focuses on a participatory, strategic approach to managing ethics in private vocational colleges in Thailand. The researchers gathered data through structured, in-depth interviews and opinion surveys from a sample group of 400 individuals, which included directors and department heads of these colleges. The research identified two main dimensions and eleven factors essential for moral education management in private vocational colleges. The first dimension encompasses six critical factors: resource management, structural policies, educational services, personnel, financial management, and materials and equipment management. The second dimension includes five key factors: school strategies, administrative policies, teacher roles, student engagement, and community stakeholder involvement. Statistical analysis supports the causal relationship model, revealing a Chi-Square value of 33.492 and a P-value of 0.055. This comprehensive approach aims to foster sustainable moral development and cultivate desirable societal behaviors among students. It contributes to national stability and aligns with educational and vocational development plans, effectively addressing broader socio-economic challenges. The findings underscore the importance of strategic, ethical management in private vocational education institutions as a cornerstone for nurturing a morally responsible student body and supporting national development goals.

From the perspective of the corporate life cycle, this study investigates the transmission mechanism of ‘technological innovation-financing constraints-carbon emission reduction’ in energy companies using panel data and mediating models, focusing on listed energy companies from 2014 to 2020. It explores the stage characteristics of this mechanism during different life cycle phases and conducts heterogeneity tests across industries and regions. The results reveal that technological innovation positively influences carbon emission reduction in energy enterprises, demonstrating significant life cycle stage characteristics, specifically more pronounced in mature companies than in growing or declining companies. Financing constraints play a mediating role between technological innovation and carbon reduction, but this is only effective during the growth and maturity stages. Further research shows that the impact of technological innovation on carbon emission reduction and the mediating role of financing constraints exhibit heterogeneity across different stages of the life cycle, industries, and regions. The conclusions of this paper provide references for energy companies in planning rational emission reduction strategies and for government departments in policy-making.