The success of diplomatic relations is closely linked to the understanding of cultural differences and the proper application of diplomatic protocol. In the countries of the Central and Eastern European region, the diverse historical experiences, collective memories, and socio-cultural characteristics significantly shape both formal and informal diplomatic behavior. This paper examines how cultural differences influence the application of diplomatic protocols in the region, with a particular focus on the role of cultural sensitivity in diplomatic interactions. Adopting a qualitative, multiple case study approach, the research analyzes contemporary diplomatic incidents in which culturally embedded symbols, gestures, dress codes, and gift-giving practices led to protocol unconventionalities or failures. The findings demonstrate that a lack of cultural sensitivity may result in misunderstandings, public embarrassment or diplomatic tension, while culturally informed protocol practices can contribute to strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations. By integrating cultural sensitivity theory with the analysis of diplomatic protocol and providing empirical evidence from Central and Eastern Europe, the paper contributes to the literature by offering a region-specific and practice-oriented perspective on diplomacy. The paper highlights how seemingly minor protocol deviations can carry significant symbolic and political meanings in culturally sensitive contexts, thereby influencing the elusiveness of international relations.

The paper analyzes the behavior of business entities based in the Emirate of Dubai in the context of crisis communication responses by government institutions during the Dubai 2024 floods. The research aims to identify if there are key differentiating factors that influence the understanding of government crisis communications by businesses. Numerous literature sources indicate the importance of employee wellbeing policies for reducing crisis risks and hazards. A document analysis of public announcements of Dubai Government institutions, as well as responses, announcements, and policies of 69 companies operating in Dubai, has been performed to understand what and how the government communicated during the crisis, how companies behaved during the crisis, and what policies and procedures are in place in the companies. The crisis communication of the Dubai government and official authorities was proactive and in line with principles defined by the Situational Crisis Communication Theory. This resulted in the successful mitigation of the crisis risks and the timely restoration of the basic functioning of the city's critical infrastructure. At the same time, the crisis response of business entities was not univocal: some businesses decided to work remotely or temporarily cease their operations, while others decided to carry on with the “business as usual” approach, returning the employees to their workplaces quickly and putting them at risk. Findings of the research indicate that companies with a clear focus on employee wellbeing and developed health, safety, and environment policies were less involved in putting their employees at risk than companies that did not highlight employee wellbeing as one of their priorities. Further, the findings highlight the importance of employee wellbeing policies in crisis risk mitigation and contribute to the body of knowledge in terms of crisis communication, employee wellbeing, and emergency management.

Because schoolteachers’ high occupational motivation is an essential prerequisite for their good performance, it is important to understand the personality characteristics that determine it. The present study involved 188 primary and secondary schoolteachers from three regions of Ukraine. Data collection relied on Zamfir’s Motivation for Professional Activities technique, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Personal Orientation Inventory, the communicative inclinations sub-test of the method identifying communicative and organisational inclinations, the Professional Self-Fulfilment Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey. The data obtained showed that nine out of 10 personality characteristics used in our study significantly influenced schoolteachers’ occupational motivation. Of these, seven variables had a positive effect, contributing to schoolteachers’ intrinsic motivation, but two indicators of occupational burnout (personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion) had a negative effect, reducing motivation. The most significant personality characteristics were communicative inclinations (explaining 16.6% of the variation in intrinsic motivation), personal accomplishment (9.3%) and self-efficacy (6.0%). Six additional indicators – three indicators of professional self-fulfilment and individual indicators of time competence, emotional exhaustion and inner-directed support – explained schoolteachers’ intrinsic motivation within 2.7–4.3% limits. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the set of 10 personality characteristics used in our study was highly informative (R = .503; R2 = .253), explaining 25.3% of schoolteachers’ intrinsic motivation. The results open up new perspectives to increase and stabilise schoolteachers’ occupational motivation.

This article analyses the perceptions of fourteen African households having fifteen African children attending Finnish system of basic education in the same grade and from the same municipality using ethnographic method. The article is based on a three-year analysis about the pupils’ academic journey from Grade one to three between 2019-2022 and evaluates the parental understanding and perception about 1) the Finnish education system 2) the pupils’ performance and 3) the attitude of teachers towards the pupils. This article uses biographical method from parents. The article uses the theory of race and ethnicity to highlight issues in basic education system, especially through the eyes of the twins. The article uses the concept of social injustice to illuminate the separate and unequal treatment experiences of African pupils in the Finnish basic education and how it may affect their education and career trajectory in the future.

Time “catches up” with any type of society, more or less advanced; it supports its progress, but it can also alter its results, so that (in extremis) it even suppresses its chance for evolution. We are, therefore, talking about a deeply contrasting and at the same time fragile landmark, which we cannot completely control, although we manage to influence it: economic time. From this perspective, we want temporality – creating a new and asymmetrical amplitude for macro- or mondo-economic entities – to open the way for them to succeed. Otherwise, inevitably, we talk about inequalities, non-compliant policies and socioeconomic stratification. In conclusion, reality can be reconfigured through change; and yet, unable to change historical time, we search for ways to turn it to our advantage.

Many EU countries have disparities in fiscal taxes and social security contributions, which result in uneven ways for the governments to deploy their financial help.With this assistance, the member states will be able to overcome the pandemic's blockade, which has severely affected every nation.As the unemployment rate hit an all-time high, the states had to modify their policies to prevent poverty from spreading.While the legal aspect is getting better every day, not much research has been done from an economic perspective up until this point.Thus, this paper aims to compare the current legal framework with the economic initiatives that have been implemented thus far, while also analyzing the tangential point of immigration, which is a crucial consideration.Experts in every profession ultimately aim for fiscal harmonization, thus the parallels between the legal and economic measures are at core of this paper.The statistical correlation between the immigration rate and the unemployment rate demonstrates how closely related those two variables are to one another and how changing one will affect the other.As previously indicated, certain EU nations are not in a regular relationship because of their high rates of immigration and unemployment.In certain analyses, Romania serves as our starting point since, by examining Romania's relations with a specified group of EU nations, we may determine which of our population has opted to immigrate or make social contributions in.To sum up, this paper offers significant recommendations in the areas of economics and fiscal policy so that we can modify relevant policies to assist the underprivileged and shed light on legislative provisions so that the upcoming recession doesn't impact anyone.

This study provides up-to-date empirical evidence of the Harris-Todaro model of migration.Through this model it is stated that people migrate from rural areas to urban zones because expected wages are higher in urban areas and, also, they migrate where the probability of finding a job is higher and there are low levels of unemployment rate.In this regard, we took one country under consideration for testing this hypothesis and this country is Romania.The data used in the study consisted in a balanced panel database for all rural and urban areas from Romania, for the interval of time 2002-2021.By applying period seemingly unrelated regression equation is reached the conclusion that the basic model of Harris-Todaro holds in the case of Romania.People migrate because of push factors (low income and high unemployment rate in the origin) and pull factors (high income and low levels of unemployment rate in the destination).Also, the extension of the Harris-Todaro model is confirmed.Some policy implications based on our results are provided.

This research focuses on the application of the Process Value Added (PVA) method in the environment of custom piece production at STS Prachatice a.s. The main objective was to identify the most profitable and most loss-making processes, to evaluate the value added of individual production operations, to assess the potential for outsourcing certain processes, and to analyse the profitability of specific orders. The study uses a selection of 30 atypical orders from 2022, obtaining data on selling prices, production hours and costs associated with production and overhead. The analysis shows that manufacturing processes add the most value, while inspection processes are less profitable. Processes suitable for outsourcing were identified, especially when in-house capacity is not used. It was also found that the most profitable orders are those that combine high product uniqueness with efficient use of materials and production hours. The PVA methodology allowed to quantify the added value in the context of time and cost parameters and revealed that contracts with high time pool and unit costs have the most significant added value. PVA indices were established to better reflect the results achieved. The research findings have practical implications for the organization and efficiency of the production process at STS Prachatice, contribute to the development of business policy and procurement activities, and serve as innovative material for academic purposes. The study demonstrates that the PVA method is an effective tool for analysing and optimising business processes, enabling companies to better understand and manage process value-added in order to increase profitability and competitiveness. The implementation of this method in practice has shown concrete economic benefits and provided valuable information for further business policy and procurement solutions.

Abstract During the last decades, there has been an increasing interest in the analysis of a potentially dangerous phenomenon for the public health: pseudoscience. It can be defined as the set of false knowledge that attempts to resemble science even though it is not. Nowadays there are many who opt for these therapies not scientifically endorsed to solve their health problems. This situation is increased for risk patients or chronic diseases, who come to this type of therapies as a last resort. In these cases, the choice between science and pseudoscience can become a matter of life or death. Through qualitative and quantitative research techniques, we analyze the reasons why patients choose pseudoscience instead of conventional and scientific medicine. The data obtained from this research reveal that in extreme situations patients value most the human contact with the therapist that the validity of the therapy itself. This factor, coupled with the precariousness of the health system, generates a dynamic in which pseudosciences gain ground over scientific medicine. According to the experts interviewed, this phenomenon is increasing and may represent a danger to public health. This research reveals the possible causes and consequences of this phenomenon from the point of view of more than 60 professionals of the Spanish scientific community and 30 patients who have used both disciplines. The results obtained indicate that this situation is intensified due to the inaction of the competent institutions and the lack of regulation.

As a consequence of the accelerated technological developments (artificial intelligence, robots, automation, quantum computing etc.) that humankind has developed over the latest decades, inquiries about the impact of these powerful technologies and digitalization over professional work have emerged in the business and academic spheres. Since digital transformation involves, among others, giving rise to new ways of sharing practical expertise and leading organizations, it has strong implications on leadership practice, in terms of new styles, skills, competences and other capabilities needed to implement this change and to successfully navigate organizations through the new wave of technological disruption. Against this backdrop, the aim of this paper is to identify patterns and trends across professions in general and how they were transformed by technology. In addition, the paper explores how executives prepare for the new world of work and which leadership styles are on the brink of fundamental change and are particularly relevant for the digital world.