The study examines the economic and social impacts of a Southeast Asian multinational company operating in the northwestern region of Hungary, with a particular focus on the local labor market and community responses. The research aims to explore the company’s location choice motivations, its integration process into the local economy, and its cooperation with the local government and communities. The research provides a comprehensive picture of the company’s impacts by employing qualitative and quantitative methodologies—including management interviews and household surveys. The findings indicate that the company has significantly increased employment, enhanced infrastructure, and promoted cultural diversity. However, challenges related to cultural integration persist. The study offers valuable guidance for policymakers and businesses on leveraging the economic benefits of foreign investments and fostering cultural cooperation. Future research could delve deeper into the long-term socio-economic impacts.
The existence of residential well-being of the locals in the sense of equilibrium-state is a competitive advantage for tourism in a given destination. The rise of overtourism could jeopardize this equilibrium and ultimately the effectiveness of tourism in a vulnerable destination. The research question of the study aimed to answer: what are the spiral dynamics of the multifactorial characteristics of the sense of place that can be mapped under the influence of overtourism. Answering the question draws attention to the sense of place—which can be interpreted as a synonym for local character—of the issues of overtourism and residential well-being. Mapping the mechanism of action of the multifactorial characteristic of locality can help to identify non-supportive functions, to pinpoint the balance point for moving towards a supportive quality, and to answer the “how yes” questions at individual, local and collective levels. The answer to the research question is the result of concluding three district-specific sub-questions. The assessment of the results was based on the content analysis of 251 posts (2017–2021) in the local public Facebook group (supplemented by a questionnaire survey of local residents (2022), 30 in-depth interviews with experts and residents (2022) conducted as part of the cross-sectional research, and 10 additional in-depth interviews with residents (2024) conducted for the last sub-question. The flowchart showing the current state of the district along a negative spiral dynamic, the possibility to turn it in a positive direction, and the mind-map-like summary of local, individual and collective mitigation and solution alternatives supporting the change of direction can be considered as a novel scientific result.
The research aims to map environmental protection strategies and the related control tools and to identify the links among companies with the largest number of employees and sites in Hungary. The research questions were answered using a questionnaire survey method. The authors used cluster analysis to classify the 205 company strategies into the identified strategy clusters: Leaders, Awakeners, and Laggards. Then, the examined 21 environmental management control tools in the sample were divided into four groups: strategic, administrative, methodological and economic. Economic and strategic methods were the most common in the sample. The authors used cross-tabulation analysis to examine whether there is a statistically proven relationship between belonging to environmental strategy clusters and specific control tools. The analysis showed significant but weak to moderate relationships. According to Cramer's V and the contingency coefficient, the closest relationship between the tested environmental management control tools and membership in environmental strategy clusters is shown by evaluating investments, assessing the economic viability of environmental strategies, and running an environmental training program for employees. In case of the robust lambda indicator, a significant relationship was found by examining the economics of environmental strategies and identifying environmental success factors and eco-balances. It can be concluded that the companies under examination follow a set of environmental goals, which they have incorporated into their strategic objectives. They use the available environmental management control toolbox to develop their strategies and to monitor their implementation to varying degrees.
Nowadays, finding a suitable solution to the problem of generational change in case of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) is becoming increasingly challenging. The aim of this research to investigate whether entering into the stock exchange could be a realistic alternative for Hungarian companies to eliminate this issue. This study reviews the process of Initial Public Offering (IPO) and summarises the advantages and the difficulties of going public. The paper focuses on the opportunities for value creation and saving offered to SMEs by listing on the stock exchange. As primary research on practical experiences, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the managers of 10 involved companies, and some financial indicators were examined. The research does not cover all relevant companies; however, it is still suitable for drawing a conclusion. The presence on the stock market proved to be useful for the companies and played a significant role in the preservation of the company’s value as well as in financing opportunities. The path demonstrated in this article is suitable for other businesses to follow the pioneers.
This study aims to examine the evolution of the system of support sources in Hungary, focusing on the specific goals supporting higher education in the development programs Széchenyi 2020 (2014–2020) and Széchenyi Plan Plus (2021–2027). The study provides insights into development program evolution and changes, aiming to inform EU funding opportunities for Hungarian higher education institutions over a nearly 10-year period. By focusing on the operational programs that are the basis for the upcoming tenders, the study will display the target system of EU funds that can be utilized to bolster higher education institutions in Hungary. The study is based on document analysis, examining the Hungarian policy tools of the development programs and the operational program strategies of the ten-year time period from 2014 to 2024. By analyzing the support landscape for higher education institutions in Hungary, this study contributes to a better understanding of how the key objectives and criteria of strategic programs have evolved. It also examines the aspects and elements defined in two different development programs over the last ten years. The result of the study can contribute to anticipate the types of funding opportunities that may be available in the future and inform future decision-making processes.
Efficient access to tourist spots is necessary for enhancing the overall travel experience, especially in urban environments. This study investigates the accessibility of key tourist spots in Budapest through different transportation modes (e.g., walking, cycling, and public transport) across various time intervals. Using spatial-temporal travel time maps and detailed statistical analysis, the research highlighted significant differences in how these modes connect tourists to their attractions. Cycling stands out as the most efficient transportation option, providing rapid access to a wide range of tourist spots, while public transport ranks second. However, the study also reveals disparities in accessibility, with central areas being well-served, while outer ones, especially in the northwest, remain less accessible. These findings highlight the need for targeted transportation improvements to ensure that all areas of the city are equally reachable. The results offer valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers aiming to enhance tourism infrastructure and improve the visitor experience in Budapest.
