This study examines the impact of talent management practices on employee performance in the Mongolian banking sector, addressing the growing need for evidence-based human resource strategies in emerging economies. The study focuses on four core components of talent management: Talent attraction, talent retention, training and development, and career planning. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 343 employees of the State Bank of Mongolia and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Measurement model assessment confirmed adequate reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the constructs. The structural model results indicate that all four talent management components have a positive and statistically significant effect on employee performance (p < 0.01). Among these, talent attraction, retention, training and development, and career planning each contribute meaningfully to improving employee performance outcomes. The findings suggest that effective implementation of comprehensive talent management practices enhances employee performance within the banking context. This study contributes to the talent management literature by providing empirical evidence from a developing country context and extending the application of established theoretical frameworks, including the Resource-Based View, AMO model, and Social Exchange Theory, to the Mongolian banking sector.

Plant-based proteins have a long history in U.S. food markets and innovations in recent years have led to a new class of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) becoming commercially available in both retail and food service settings. Early market indicators for PBMA products, including company stock valuations, as well as qualitative excitement over novel offerings and widespread proliferation in food service outlets, pointed to high growth potential and strong consumer interest. However, the market has slowed and adjusted to the availability of PBMA, it has become less clear how PBMA affect overall protein markets, specifically animal proteins. The article addresses the relative value (as measured in willingness to pay estimates) consumers have for various animal and plant-based proteins in both the retail and food service cases. It then simulates market shares to examine prevalence of PBMA in consumer spending and subsequently estimates the consumer welfare impacts of PBMA availability in both types of markets. To further investigate the distribution of PBMA value and impacts across consumer types, these analyses are also broken down by self-reported consumer dietary patterns (Regular meat consumption, flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan).

Maternal anemia is a widespread condition whose downstream effects are a spillover impact on fetal development and iron reserves. Understanding its impact on neonatal outcomes and cord-blood ferritin in Indonesian settings is critical for improving perinatal care. To evaluate how maternal anemia affects neonatal anthropometry, outcomes, and cord-blood ferritin. We conducted a cross-sectional study (June–October 2023) at Ulin General Hospital. Sixty mother–newborn pairs were enrolled via convenience sampling. Mothers were stratified by third-trimester hemoglobin (<11 g/dL vs. ≥11 g/dL). Data normality was assessed with Shapiro–Wilk; continuous variables compared by independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U; categorical by χ² or Fisher’s exact; correlations by Spearman’s rank (p < 0.05). Among 60 mother–newborn pairs, demographic and clinical features were comparable except for maternal education: primary schooling was more frequent in anemic mothers (73.3% vs. 46.7%, χ²=4.44; p=0.035). Newborns of anemic mothers had significantly lower median birth weight (2655 g [IQR 2459–2958] vs. 3103 g [IQR 2500–3300]; p=0.028) and length (47 cm [IQR 45.8–48] vs. 48 cm [IQR 46.4–49]; p=0.027). Cord-blood ferritin was markedly reduced in the anemia group (187 ng/mL [IQR 150–220] vs. 250 ng/mL [IQR 200–300]; p<0.001). Rates of preterm birth, survival to discharge, and median hospital stay did not differ between groups. Maternal hemoglobin correlated positively with neonatal ferritin (rₛ=0.253; p=0.050). Maternal anemia exerts spillover effects on neonatal growth and iron stores at birth, manifesting as lower birth weight, length, and cord-blood ferritin.

This study examines the determinants of new product development (NPD) performance and retailer engagement among South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It investigates how strategic orientation, NPD research, team collaboration, and retailer–supplier relationship quality shape innovation outcomes in a resource-constrained retail environment. A positivist quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 74 SME owner–managers using a structured online questionnaire. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted in SPSS (v28.0). Findings show that NPD research is the only statistically significant predictor of retailer engagement (β = 0.61, p < 0.05). Structured customer validation, market testing, and evidence-based learning therefore play a decisive role in improving SMEs’ credibility with retail buyers. Although strategic alignment and cross-functional collaboration show positive associations with NPD outcomes, neither exerts a significant effect on retailer accessibility. The results highlight a persistent “intent–execution gap” in SMEs: while strategic awareness and innovation culture are strong, weak institutionalisation of research and collaboration limits NPD effectiveness. Retailer–supplier relationships remain characterised by information asymmetry, limited feedback, and procedural opacity, reflecting structural power imbalances in South Africa’s concentrated grocery sector. Strengthening research-driven NPD routines, shared market intelligence, and transparent supplier-development mechanisms can improve SME access to dominant retail channels. The study contributes to the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT) by demonstrating how research intensity and learning routines enhance SMEs’ market legitimacy within asymmetric value chains.

Purpose: This study explored the wardrobe planning practices of students at RLAK Government College of Home Economics, focusing on their approaches to wardrobe organization, clothing selection, budgeting, and factors influencing their choices. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research design was employed. A total of 160 female students, 40 from each academic section (First year to BSc final year), were randomly selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, entered into the EPI program, and exported to SPSS for analysis. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to examine students’ wardrobe planning behaviors and decision-making processes. Findings: Most students applied their academic knowledge in wardrobe planning. They considered family budget, personal preferences, and principles from home economics education when making clothing decisions. Students preferred quality fabrics and selected items that suited them best. Overall, they demonstrated awareness of practical and economic factors, efficiently organizing their wardrobes. Conclusion: Home economics education positively influenced students’ wardrobe planning habits, promoting informed and practical clothing decisions. Research limitations/implications: The study was limited to female students from a single institution, which may affect generalizability. Future research could include male students and multiple institutions for broader insights. Practical implications: Findings can guide educators in integrating wardrobe management skills into home economics curricula and support students in making informed clothing choices. Contribution to literature: The study provides empirical evidence on how education, budgeting, and personal values shape wardrobe planning behaviors among young adults.

Purpose: The article reveals the importance of the development of modern schools in the Republic of Uzbekistan based on digital technologies that allow teachers to use online learning platforms, which allows students to learn at their own pace and access information from anywhere in the world. Design/methodology/approach: One of the innovative developments in modern schools is the application of a student-centered approach to learning. It allows them to take responsibility for their own learning and become active participants in the educational process. Findings: The digitalization of education allows the effective use of digital technologies to solve the problems of education at the current stage of society's development. Innovative processes help to find a way out of stagnation, serve as an effective means of resolving contradictions, transition from the statement of existing problems to the search for their rational solution. Conclusion: However, modern primary schools in our region are quite heterogeneous and are in a transitional stage of their formation. In general, they represent a variety of organizational and pedagogical, scientific and methodological approaches, not adapted to specific curricula teaching methods, where pedagogical conditions play a significant role in the implementation of the main substantive principles and directions of pedagogical innovation.

Purpose: This study examines the factors determining inflation and how it affects Egypt’s public debt using annual data from 1976 to 2022 under the ARDL approach. Design/ Methodology/Approach: This study applies the bounds testing approach and the ADF test along with diagnostic tests for heteroscedasticity and serial correlation. CUSUM, CUSUM squared and Ramsey tests assess the impact of inflation on Egypt’s public debt. Findings: Results reveal that both in the long and short term, public debt adversely influences inflation. Conversely, public debt is unaffected by inflation over the long run. In the short term, this relation becomes negative. Conclusion: The study offers several critical advantages. It highlights the complexity of analyzing inflation and public debt, emphasizing their importance for economic stability, policy success, intergenerational justice, and investor confidence, recommending focusing on factors most influencing inflation and public debt. Research Limitations/implications: During the study period, the Egyptian economy experienced political shifts, external shocks and global events, complicating the assessment of inflation’s impact on public debt. However, the study provides insights for stable economic growth strategies. Practical implications: The findings help policy makers balance debt and inflation for long term stability, guiding central banks to control inflation without increasing public debt. Contribution to Literature: The research enriches economic literature by considering a wide range of factors, providing a deeper understanding of debt-inflation dynamics for better policy making. Household consumption drives demand-pull inflation and PCE is used instead of CPI to provide a more comprehensive view of inflation’s impact on public debt.

Purpose: This research explores how Vietnamese university students develop self-learning skills within traditional educational practices, focusing on fostering autonomy and lifelong learning in a student-centered environment. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employs a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was collected through surveys, and qualitative data was gathered from interviews conducted with 508 student participants from six leading universities across Vietnam, representing a variety of academic disciplines. A 39-item questionnaire was used to measure opinions, experiences, and perceptions related to self-learning, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Findings: The research shows that while Vietnamese students acknowledge the importance of self-learning, they face significant challenges due to the traditional teacher-centered educational model emphasizing rote learning. Key factors influencing self-learning include cognitive abilities, learning conditions, and the credit-based education system. Major pedagogical reforms are needed to foster an environment conducive to autonomous learning. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for Vietnamese universities to adopt a more student-centered approach, enhance learning resources, and foster an inquiry-driven, autonomous learning culture. The development of comprehensive policies and institutional support is essential to create a conducive atmosphere for self-learning. Practical Implications: The study suggests that universities should focus on developing strategies and resources to promote student autonomy and independent learning. This includes the creation of policies and a supportive infrastructure to guide the transition toward more flexible and student-driven learning methods. Contribution to the Literature: This study highlights challenges in implementing self-learning in Vietnamese higher education and offers recommendations for reforms to align with global trends in autonomous learning.

Purpose: Extant studies have investigated the determinants of firm performance; however, limited studies have focused on CEOs' political connections, especially in Nigeria, despite the postulation that the invisible hand of politics controls the economic sector. Our study fills the gap in the literature by examining the effect of the CEO's political connection on the financial performance of the Nigerian Deposit Money Banks. Design/ Approach/Methodology: The scope of this study is limited to the listed Nigerian Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) within the period 2011-2023. We employed a longitudinal research design by collecting 156 firm-year observations resulting from 12 listed DMBs and estimated using the ordinary least square method. Findings: Our study shows that CEO political connection is positive and significantly related to firm performance, supporting the assertion that CEO political connection improves the firm's financial performance, which aligns with the resource dependence theory. Conclusion: the study concluded banks CEO with political connection have a higher performance. Research Limitations/Implications: The study is limited to the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs); hence, we recommend that future studies focus on other sectors of the Nigerian economy. Our study contributed to limited empirical evidence on political connection and firm performance and shows that the CEO's political connection revolves around resource dependence and networking theories.

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between the choice attributes of the passengers of a Korean airline and relationship quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used a quantitative approach and conducted an online survey using Google Forms through the convenience sampling method on users with experience in domestic and international airlines within the past month. It received 300 valid responses. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21. Findings: This study hypothesized that a significant relationship exists between airline selection attributes and the quality of relationships. The results demonstrate that satisfaction significantly influences trust. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that choice attributes as perceived by passengers exert a significant influence on determining the quality of relationships between airlines and customers. Research Limitations and Implications: The data were collected using an online questionnaire due to the COVID-19 situation. This aspect is a limitation of the study because it is highly dependent on the honesty and willingness of the respondents. Practical Implications: This study found that airlines can improve the quality of relationships with customers by overcoming crises if they can increase satisfaction by grasping the selection attributes pursued by customers. This study suggests appropriate marketing strategies for airline managers in Korea.