The application of optimization algorithms is crucial for analyzing oil and gas company portfolio and supporting decision-making. The paper investigates the process of optimizing a portfolio of oil and gas projects under economic uncertainty. The literature review explores the advantages of applying various optimizers to models that consider the mean and semi-standard deviations of stochastic multi-year cash flows and revenues. The methods and results of three different optimization algorithms are discussed: ranking and cutting algorithms, linear (Simplex) and evolutionary (genetic) algorithms. Functions of several key performance indicators were used to test these algorithms. The results confirmed that multi-objective optimization algorithms that examine various key performance indicators are used for efficient optimization in oil and gas companies. This paper proposes a multi-criteria optimization model for investment portfolios of oil and gas projects. The model considers the specific features of these projects and is based on the Markowitz portfolio theory and methodological recommendations for project assessment. An example of its practical application to oil and gas projects is also provided.

This article presents a comparative analysis and characteristics of the pension insurance systems of foreign countries, namely Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Poland, France with the aim of implementing their effective and noteworthy experience in Ukraine. The key indicators of the characteristics of the pension systems of these countries and Ukraine (amount of insurance contributions to the public pension fund; retirement age; insurance period; the ratio of the average pension to the average wage) have been studied and analyzed. Having examined these indicators, the authors came to the conclusion that the general trend in most countries of the world is that they guarantee only a minimum pension, which is caused by the increase in the share of pensioners in society. To solve the demographic problems affecting pension provision, the most countries increase the retirement age and provide financial incentives to stimulate citizens to work after the retirement age. To increase the pension, there are pension accumulation tools at the expense of the employer or at the expense of one’s own funds. Following the example of foreign countries, the directions for improving the pension insurance system of Ukraine were allocated.

This study aims to investigate the difficulties local governments face as a result of the province directly managing county system reform. It reveals the various challenges faced by local governments under the provincial directly managed county reform through a thorough analysis of the history, rationale, and implementation of the reform along with pertinent literature reviews and case studies. It is discovered that the county reform, which is directly governed by the province, has not only significantly altered the functions and organizational structure of local governments, but it has also made their resource allocation, financial strain, and brain drain problems worse. To help local governments deal with the difficulties in the province-directly governed county reform, related remedies, and solutions are finally proposed to handle these issues.

Sketching on stimulus-organism-response theory, this study aims to investigate the mediating effect of environmental passion on the relationship of the environmentally specific servant leadership with employees’ green behavior. Using purposive sampling approach, the authors adopted one month time-lagged approach to collected data from 232 academic employees in higher education institutions of China. Response rate in this study is 46.40%. The partial least-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was conducted in the smartpls 4.0 software to test the proposed hypotheses. The current empirical findings confirm that environmentally specific servant leadership significantly positively influence employee’s environmental passion and environmental passion significantly positively affects the employee’s workplace green behaviors. This current finding offered support in favor of mediating impact of environmental passion on the “environmentally specific servant leadership-employees workplace green behaviors” relationship. To the best of authors, this study is among pioneers’ studies to investigate the integrated relationship of environmentally specific servant leadership, environmental passion and green behavior in higher education institutions context of China. Limitations and implication have been elaborated at the end.

This study explores the early travelers to Petra, Jordan, during the 20th century. To gain insights into the evolution of early travel experiences to Petra during this specific period, the researchers utilized narrative analysis and conducted in-depth interviews with 14 elderly inhabitants of Wadi Musa who resided in the area at that time. These interviews provided valuable information and served as a basis for visually representing the primary routes that emerged from the participants’ narratives. This study delves into the accessibility of early travelers to Petra in the 20th century by creating a comprehensive map that outlines the trails, byways, and roads used by these travelers to reach Petra. The study’s findings also revolve around the identified stages derived from the data gathered through these interviews.

Spiritual Intelligence (SI) has become a key contributor towards enhancing employee well-being and job satisfaction (JS) in the modern competitive business world. This study examines the impact of SI on JS among Sri Lankan IT professionals, considering gender’s role in this relationship. Analyzing data from 383 respondents using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study reveals a strong positive correlation between SI and JS, with no moderating effect on gender. The study highlights the importance of embedding SI into HR and organizational policies to enhance workforce resilience and retention while contributing to broader industry development and global competitiveness in the IT sector.