Using a qualitative research methodology and exploratory approach to collect data, this study assessed the effects of dependency syndrome within Africa’s international relations and its repercussions for achieving sustainable development. The collected data were analysed using document and content analysis techniques. The study revealed that dependency syndrome within Africa’s international relations has led to aid dependency, political violence, and poverty. It has promoted laziness and an inferiority complex that affects the working conditions of Africans. Further, it has promoted corruption and affected the rule of law for good governance; yet, sustainable development cannot occur without it. Moreover, dependency syndrome has inhibited innovation and led to the destruction of the local industries that are key to achieving sustainable development. The results of the study found that dependency syndrome has prevented the development of a robust transport network system that could promote African trade relations, which would lead to sustainable development. The results also posited that chronic poverty and underdevelopment in Africa are perpetuated by the dependency syndrome within Africa’s international relations. The study recommended that Africa needs to overcome dependency syndrome and reform her international relations with external world. This would require establishing a continental sovereignty that enables the continent to have one common foreign policy within its planning diplomacy endeavours.

The research is focused on the evolution of the enterprises, in the field of specialized professional services, medium-period, enterprises that implemented projects financed within Regional Operational Program (ROP) during the 2007–2013 financial programming period. The analysis of the economic performance of the micro-enterprises corresponds to general objectives, but there can be outlined connections between these performances and other economic indicators that were not considered or followed through the financing program. The study case is focused on the development of micro-enterprises in the services area, in the Central Region, Romania (one of the eight development regions in Romania). The scientific approach for this article was based on a regressive statistical analysis. The analysis included the economic parameters for the enterprises selected, comparing the economic efficiency of these enterprises, during implementation with the economic efficiency after the implementation of the projects, during medium periods, including the sustainability period. The purpose of the research was to analyse the economic efficiency of the selected micro-enterprises, after finalizing the projects’ implementation. The authors intend to point out the need for a managerial instrument based on the economic efficiency of companies that are benefiting from non-reimbursable funds. This instrument should be taken into consideration in planning regional development at the national level, regarding the conditions and results expected. Although the authors used regressive statistical analysis the purpose was to prove that there is a need for additional managerial instruments when the financial allocations are being designed at the regional level. This study follows the interest of the authors in proving that the efficiency of non-reimbursable funds should be analysed distinctively on the activity sectors.

Business ethics plays a crucial role in developing modern business and the entire society. Thus, to develop the conceptual framework of business ethics, it is extremely interesting to study the concepts connected with it. The article identifies the main terms and concepts associated with business ethics. On this basis, the authors’ conceptual framework of business ethics was created. Within this conceptual framework, it is shown that each business unit builds and maintains relationships with stakeholders within two “circles of business ethics”: the inner circle of business ethics and the outer circle of business ethics. The article proves the hypothesis that business ethics should be considered in the context of relationships with all stakeholders, i.e., it is the ethics of business relationships with partners and competitors in the external environment, as well as within the internal environment (primarily with employees). The article will be of interest to specialists in the field of management, and corporate governance, as well as for anyone interested in the problems of corporate social management.

The target date for achieving the 2030 UN Agenda [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] is fast approaching. The construction sector is critical to achieving many SDGs, including Goal 5. Studies regarding achieving Goal 5 (Gender Equality) in the construction industry, especially women’s consultancy participation in developing countries, are scarce and complexly interrelated. Societal problems and divergence may have contributed to this. Therefore, this study explores issues hindering gender equality and suggests measures to promote more women construction consultants through policy to improve achieving Goal 5 in Nigeria. The research employed face-to-face data collection via a qualitative mechanism to achieve this. The study covered Abuja and Lagos. It accomplished saturation at the 20th participant. The research utilised a thematic method to analyse the collected data from knowledgeable participants. The perceived hindrances facing Nigerian construction consultants’ gender equality were clustered into culture/religion-related, profession-related, and government-related encumbrances. Achieving Goal 5 will be a mirage if these issues are not addressed. Thus, the study recommended measures to motivate women to study construction-related programmes and employment opportunities, including consultancy services slots through programmes and policy mechanisms to achieve Goal 5. As part of the implications, the study suggests that Nigerian construction consultants and other stakeholders need to make feasible improvements to achieve gender equality (Goal 5).

This study aims to elucidate the impact of marketing investment dimensions (MTS, MTOE, ROMI) on profitability indicators (ROA, ROE, GPM, OPM) and sustainable growth indicators (SGR, ARG) for service companies. The study population consisted of 135 service companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. A purposive sample of 55 companies was selected from this population. Financial reports and statements from 2018–2022 for these companies were analyzed to achieve the study objectives, employing appropriate statistical methods like multiple regression to test hypotheses. Previous literature shows conflicting results regarding the relationship between marketing investment dimensions and profitability/sustainable growth. Some studies found positive impacts, while others did not. This study contributes to this debate by providing statistical evidence. The results show that higher MTS, MTOE, and ROMI have a positive impact on SGR, OPM and ROA but a negative impact on GPM, ARG, and ROE. This underscores that marketing investments should be viewed in conjunction with overall operating expenses. Companies that control other expenses and increase the marketing investment proportion of total operating expenses may achieve better financial performance. Marketing investment metrics can serve as useful diagnostics and measures of effectiveness for improving marketing profitability, financial performance, and growth. In summary, this study statistically demonstrates the nuanced impacts of marketing investments on service company profitability and sustainable growth indicators. The results emphasize analyzing marketing spends in context of broader expenses and overall company financial health.