Abstract The Baltic region has earned global recognition as a pivotal center for digital innovation. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have gained reputation for their strides in digital governance, each implementing various initiatives to digitize government services, improve efficiency, and foster citizen engagement. The Digital Platform Economy index, a composite indicator that measures the global status of the digital ecosystem, evaluates both the digital and entrepreneurship ecosystems across 116 countries. This paper explores platform-based entrepreneurship in the Baltic states. It provides an overview of the digital entrepreneurship ecosystems in these countries and a comparative analysis of the Digital Platform Economy sub-indices. Additionally, an analysis of the different pillars of the Digital Platform Economy index was performed to identify specific bottleneck factors that are holding back these countries from further development. A set of tailor-made policy recommendations addressing these bottlenecks to improve their Digital Platform Economy overall score was proposed.

Abstract This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on e-commerce in Hungary, focusing on three product segments: animals and pet supplies, baby and toddler, and electronics. Using anonymised sales data provided by Barion Payment Inc., a Hungarian startup, the study analyses the relationship between the number of new COVID-19 cases and online sales volumes in these segments from March 2020 to February 2023. The study explores the similarities and differences between the segments, the possible mechanisms through which the increase in cases affected them (such as fear of infection, in-store restrictions, and convenience), and whether the changes were permanent enough for e-retailers to rely on them for business development. The findings suggest that while all three segments experienced increased sales during the pandemic, only the animals and pet supplies segment showed sustained growth due to deeper socio-economic trends, such as increased pet ownership. The paper concludes with recommendations for policymakers and retailers to better prepare for similar situations in the future, including creating crisis scenarios, supporting socially deprived customers, and improving the digital readiness of retailers.

Abstract This study examines the significance of information technological development in China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) to the EU, focusing on differences between Western and Central-Eastern Europe. Using static and dynamic panel data analyses from 2007 to 2022, it investigates regional disparities and the role of human capital. Key findings indicate that China's OFDI in the EU is significantly influenced by digital economy factors such as network coverage, digital talent, and digital product exports, with regional variations: Western Europe attracts investment for its digital talent, while Central-Eastern Europe attracts it for digital products and services. The study highlights that information technological development in EU countries significantly influences Chinese OFDI, suggesting that Chinese digital firms should closely monitor EU digital policies and choose investment locations based on each country's digital development. Both China and the EU have policies to boost the digital economy and should enhance cooperation. This study contributes quantitative evidence to previous qualitative research, introducing information technological development as a variable and linking it with traditional investment motives. It also explores the mediating role of human capital in the impact of information technological development on China's EU investment.

Abstract This study contributes towards understanding tax compliance by identifying taxpayers' characteristics affecting it. The purpose of this study was to identify significant characteristics of Slovenian taxpayers that affect corporate tax compliance. Data were acquired through the desk audit process conducted by the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS), focusing on the investment allowance of Slovenian corporate taxpayers. Econometric testing determined that a binary logit model was the most appropriate fit. Consequently, logistic regression analysis was performed on a large sample of Slovenian corporate taxpayers for the period between 2018 and 2021. A wide range of characteristics were considered, including the type of enterprise, age, size, industry, location and financial indicators. Eight characteristics were found to significantly impact tax compliance in Slovenia, including the size of the enterprise, organizational type, residing tax office branch, business sector, and the year the observed audit was conducted. Besides finding eight significant characteristics of taxpayers determining tax compliance, results also indicate the presence of local bias, with one of the tax office branches significantly impacting the number of irregularities found during audits.

Abstract This study delves into the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Central Europe's cultural sector. Early responses to the pandemic predicted significant job losses and suggested that national governments would disproportionately neglect the pandemic's financial impact on the cultural sector and fail to prioritize cultural recovery. This research aims to examine policy implementation and its real-world effects on cultural employment trends in the crisis aftermath. We focus on the impact of public spending on cultural services in Central Europe, particularly the funding allocated to mitigate the pandemic's effects in 2020 and 2021. By analysing financial measures and comparing Eurostat's cultural indicators, this study seeks to deepen our understanding of cultural policies in the region. It highlights the diverse nature of these financial measures and assesses their effectiveness in sustaining cultural employment post-pandemic. With a few exceptions, the adopted measures helped to maintain pre-pandemic employment rates across Central European countries. Key findings reveal the vulnerabilities and adaptations of the sector, shedding light on the broader implications of COVID-19 on cultural policies in Central Europe.

Abstract This paper explores the key factors influencing the successful management of Science and Technology parks (STPs) through a review of the literature. By synthesising academic research, it examines how STPs ensure sustainable operations and identifies internal and external factors shaping their planning and management. The analysis is based on publications indexed in Scopus from 1994 to 2024, identifying the most active researchers, journals, research topics, methodologies, and institutional contributions. The methodology applied was a semi-systematic literature review. The twenty most cited and relevant studies were further examined to assess the perceived impact of STPs, key stakeholder groups, applied management models, and revenue sources. Findings indicate that the impact of STPs on industrial actors is the most frequently studied aspect, followed by their interaction with higher education institutions. The evaluation of STPs remains complex, with reported impacts ranging from neutral to strongly positive depending on context. Management models vary, with state ownership being the most common, often through dedicated entities. Revenue sources include state subsidies alongside income from infrastructure and service provisions. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of STP management and highlights key considerations for future research and policy development.

Abstract This study examines governance practices in cooperatives from Germany and Italy through a comparative narrative case study approach. Drawing on institutional theory and a paradox perspective on cooperative governance, it explores founding motivations, institutional influences, and the operationalization of democracy. Using document analysis and four semi-structured interviews, the study investigates how cooperatives in distinct institutional contexts manage organizational paradoxes, align governance systems, and construct organizational democracy. Insights into four key paradoxes – member cohesion (homogeneity vs. heterogeneity), member participation (efficiency vs. collectivity), performance measurement (economic vs. social goals), and identity and integrity (mainstream vs. alternative) – highlight how these organizations adapt their governance structures and assign meaning to democracy. The findings underscore how institutional environments influence cooperative governance and how cooperatives, in turn, influence their surroundings through social innovation and democratic engagement. These insights offer practical examples of sustaining cooperative values across diverse contexts and provide a foundation for future research on the evolving role of cooperatives in modern economies.