he present study analyses the relationship between the SECI model and an element that has the potential to bring clarity to the processes of this model, namely emotional intelligence (EI). In this regard, a comparative analysis was conducted between the SECI model and the EI model, suggested by their similar geometric form, but as the investigation progressed, a series of content connections were identified that brought consistency to the research. The study focused on the process of externalisation in SECI, based on Nonaka’s assertion that this process has not been sufficiently investigated. In the discussion part, an emotional „awakening” pathway was proposed, which led to the suggestion of the concept of EI as a potential mediating element in the transition from the third wave (Toffler) to the fourth wave (Maynard & Mehrtens). The business world is a force that has the power to influence (initiate, maintain) the direction of a civilisation and, moreover, it also has the authority to support this transition. From this perspective, the present study reiterates the vision of the fourth wave, which recommends that organisations take responsibility for raising global awareness (EI is not a skill that is taught in school, but could be learned in the workplace), a process that can be achieved by developing consciousness (an element of EI) with benefits for both the individual (personal, professional) and society.

Over the last two decades, authentic leadership has emerged as a prominent framework for understanding leadership in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. Distinct from leadership models grounded in charisma or formal authority, authentic leadership emphasises coherence between personal values, actions, transparency, and trust-based relationships. This paper explores both the theoretical foundations and practical implications of authentic leadership, with a specific focus on its role as a stabilising mechanism within complex adaptive systems (CAS). Drawing on the works of Walumbwa, George, Goffee, and Jones, alongside recent critical perspectives, the study examines the tension between maintaining authenticity and enabling adaptability under sustained uncertainty. Key leadership practices such as situational awareness, calibrated vulnerability, and balanced communication are identified as central to systemic coherence. The empirical analysis is grounded in a qualitative case study of post-2001 Afghanistan, conceptualised as an extreme, high-stress governance environment marked by political instability and organisational fragmentation. The findings support two hypotheses: (H1) leadership style significantly shapes crisis planning, coordination, and control, and (H2) leader authenticity plays a critical role in mitigating crisis effects and fostering organisational resilience. By integrating a CAS perspective, the study reframes authentic leadership not merely as an ethical ideal, but as a systemic process that enables coherence, trust, and adaptive performance. The results offer relevant insights for public management and governance under uncertainty, highlighting authenticity as a strategic resource for organisational resilience.

This article investigates the influence of policy uncertainty on investment decisions in Romania’s renewable energy sector during the post-COVID-19 period. The analysis uses real data from 2018–2024 to explore the interplay between investment flows, regulatory instability, electricity market volatility, and alignment with EU-level green objectives. Econometric modelling of quarterly data reveals that unpredictable policy shifts—such as abrupt changes in support schemes or emergency price regulations—significantly dampened renewable energy investments in the short run. The results indicate that delayed support mechanisms and frequent legislative changes contributed to investor hesitation, capital relocation, and project delays in Romania’s renewable energy industry. Meanwhile, EU initiatives like the Green Deal and the Recovery and Resilience Facility appear to have moderated some negative impacts by underpinning investor confidence in the long-term decarbonisation trajectory. Based on these empirical findings, the article proposes policy recommendations to foster regulatory coherence and restore investment momentum in line with Romania’s 2030 decarbonisation objectives.

This article investigates the role of innovation as a catalyst for trade participation in Africa, addressing existing gaps in the understanding of how innovation benefits trade on the continent. The study applies the pooled mean group (PMG) and the mean group (MG) estimators. The analysis is based on data from 25 African countries. The findings reveal a bidirectional causal relationship between industrial design applications, patents, trademarks, and international trade participation. The study shows that exports encourage investments in design, patents, and branding, while innovation improves exports. Additionally, trademark applications are found to significantly boost exports, and research and development, along with logistical efficiency, contribute to short-term export growth. On the import side, the study finds that factors such as intellectual property protection, innovation, logistics, population size, and economic performance play crucial roles. The study recommends that African governments should prioritise the establishment of innovation ecosystems and promote regional economic integration.

Vol. 10, Issue 3, 2025 Summary Social Media and Entrepreneurial Thinking: The Mediating Role of Motivation among University Students Page: 521 Authors: Lotfi MEKHZOUMI, Akram BAKADI, Imad BELLOUL Abstract: This study examines how social media relates to entrepreneurial thinking among university students and clarifies the role of motivation using established psychological frameworks. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory and […]

The issue of trade performance evaluation is very challenging, primarily when it is based on multi-criteria analysis. The goal of this study is to determine as realistically as possible the dynamics of trade performance in Serbia using multicriteria analysis, that is, Fuzzy SIWEC (Simple Weight Calculation) and Rough MABAC (Multi-attributive Border Approximation area Comparison) methods. According to the results of this study, the overall performance of the Serbian trade has been continuously improving. The best was in 2023. This was influenced by the effective management of human capital, assets, capital, sales, and profit. As well as effective control of all relevant macro and micro factors. Let’s mention only some of them. Foreign direct investments (i.e., foreign retail chains with new business models) had a positive effect on the continuous improvement of trade performance in Serbia. The digitisation of the entire business is a function of improving Serbia’s trade performance. Adequate adaptation to changes in the complex business environment had a positive effect on improving the performance of trade in Serbia.

FDI is a key element of a country’s economy, a high level of FDI (foreign direct investment) being seen both as an extremely important determinant of economic growth and as a sign of successfully implemented economic policies. Therefore, the determinants of foreign direct investment itself are of great importance to any country that wishes to attract investors and boost its economy. The aim of this paper is to research and analyse many different determinants of foreign direct investment and then compare the findings to the determinants that currently influence the investors’ decisions in Romania. The different determinants were used in order to create an overall picture of the global situation regarding investors’ expectations. We then further analysed the current situation in Romania and checked for differences in the context of the world’s rising geopolitical tensions, fast pace of the technological transformation, and the movement towards sustainability.

This research endeavours to unveil the nuanced impact of organisational and operational models in higher education by conducting a comparative study of two institutions: the pseudonymous Old Orchard College and Seafarer University. The purpose is to discern the implications of adopting proven business strategies on institutional performance, growth, and student outcomes. The study employs a comprehensive methodology, integrating four years’ worth of personal observations, interviews with current and former employees, and rigorous data mining and analysis of government public domain databases. The comparative analysis delves into the organisational structures, academic focuses, and operational approaches of Old Orchard College and Seafarer University. The design embraces a multi-faceted approach to distill the complexities of organisational dynamics in higher education. The findings illuminate a stark dichotomy between the two institutions. Old Orchard College, undergoing an academic renaissance, is grappling with a shift in executive leadership and restructuring of academic responsibilities. In contrast, Seafarer University emerges as a model of efficiency, marked by its status as the fastest-growing state-supported university. The dialogue between tradition and innovation, and the transformative power of efficient organisational models, become focal points of discovery. This research contributes to the existing body of literature by providing an in-depth exploration of the impact of organisational paradigms on higher education institutions. The originality lies in the comparative nature of the study, which dissects the interplay between traditional and modern approaches. The inclusion of personal observations and data analysis adds a layer to the exploration, offering a holistic perspective on organisational dynamics in higher education.

In order to achieve macroeconomic stability, monetary authorities in the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) adopted an inflation targeting framework. The policy was facilitated by various monetary stability and control measures. The outcome of the policy effort was not significantly felt by the economies because the concentration was majorly on improving aggregate output with little or no attention to its important components such as household consumption. Thus, this study examines the effect of interest rate channel on household consumption in the WAMZ from 1986 to 2021. Based on the unit root results, the study employed the panel autoregressive distributed lags approach for regression analysis. And found that interest rate channel has no significant effect on household consumption expenditure in the short-run. But in the long-run, the interest rate channel significantly affected household consumption expenditure in the West African Monetary Zone. Therefore, the study concluded that in the long-run, the interest rate channel through nominal lending and deposit rates significantly affected household consumption in the Zone. In view of our findings, some policy implications were made to guide both the government and the monetary authorities in the Zone.