Financial Strategies Research Articles

Optimizing Career Woman's Financial Management Through Monthly Budget and Fintech

General Background: The financial management landscape for career women has evolved significantly in the digital era, particularly with the rise of financial technology (fintech). Specific Background: The integration of fintech facilitates budgeting and expense tracking, allowing career women to manage their finances more effectively. However, while fintech offers convenience, it may also contribute to impulsive spending behavior due to easy access to funds. Knowledge Gap: Existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how career women utilize fintech for financial management and the implications of this technology on their budgeting practices. Aims: This study aims to explore the financial management strategies employed by career women in the digital era, focusing on budgeting, the application of accounting in household finances, and the impacts of fintech on their financial behaviors. Results: Career women effectively manage their finances through monthly budgets, reducing stress and achieving financial goals, but the convenience of fintech can increase wasteful expenditure. Novelty: This research contributes new insights into the intersection of career women's financial management, accounting practices, and fintech, addressing a critical gap in the literature. Implications: The study emphasizes the need for financial education for career women, emphasizing balanced practices to maximize fintech benefits and reduce impulsive spending, promoting financial stability and empowerment. Highlights: Budgeting aids career women in spending control and goal achievement. Fintech simplifies transactions, improving financial management efficiency. Ease of use may lead to impulsive spending behavior. Keywords: financial management, career women, fintech, budgeting, digital era

The political logic of just transition policies

ABSTRACT A ‘just transition’ calls for compensations to fossil fuel workers whose jobs will be lost because of the clean energy transition. The ethical case for a just transition acknowledges the hardship of vulnerable workers. In contrast, I examine the political case for a just transition. The logic of such a case remains hazy and under-theorized. I draw on the insights of ultimatum games to understand the strategic dimension of the relation between governments and fossil fuel workers. In a successful just transition, the government compensates workers in exchange for their exit from the fossil fuel industry. This ensures a faster clean energy transition. Yet the prospects of such an agreement depend on several parameters: the quality of outside options available to workers, their cost of mobilization, and the climatic benefits that the government obtain from a fossil fuel phaseout. I show that a government's credibility is also critical. This theoretical exercise helps make sense of several otherwise puzzling patterns in just transition policies and offers guidance on critical policy issues. Key policy insights Just transition policies can break the carbon deadlock by incentivizing the exit of fossil fuel workers. The ability of the government to induce the exit of labour depends on climatic benefits, fossil fuel wages, outside option wages, and anti-government mobilization costs. Lack of government credibility, which can be caused by political risks, capacity constraints, or low trust, reduce the prospects of phaseouts and increase their cost. Unions play an ambiguous role: they increase wages and reduce mobilization costs, but can improve outside options, solve coordination failures, and reduce transaction costs. Fossil fuel firms can and do use financial and non-financial strategies to reduce the mobility of their workers.

Strengthening Donor Trust via Enhanced Performance and Transparency in Zakat Management

General Background: Lazismu, an extension of Lembaga Amil Zakat, Infaq Sadaqoh Muhammadiyah, plays a crucial role in facilitating charitable donations and maintaining donor trust in the humanitarian sector. Specific Background: Despite its importance, Lazismu faces challenges regarding the management of zakat funds and transparency in financial reporting, which has led to diminished donor trust. Previous studies have inadequately explored the relationship between performance recognition and donor trust in zakat institutions. Knowledge Gap: This research aims to fill this gap by quantitatively examining how various independent variables—human resource performance enhancement, financial report transparency, and interpersonal communication within the fundraising division—impact donor trust at Lazismu in Mojokerto. Aims: The study specifically investigates the influence of these independent variables on donor trust in Lazismu, with a focus on enhancing organizational performance to regain donor confidence. Results: The findings reveal that enhanced human resource performance, transparent financial reporting, and improved interpersonal communication significantly contribute to increasing donor trust. Novelty: This research introduces a structured approach to evaluating zakat management performance through quantitative measures, offering insights into the dynamics of donor engagement and trust. Implications: The results underscore the necessity for zakat institutions to prioritize financial transparency and effective communication strategies to foster stronger relationships with donors, ultimately leading to increased zakat contributions and enhanced community support. Highlights: Trust Boost: Performance and transparency enhance donor confidence significantly. Engagement: Strong communication improves donor relationships and trust. Methodology: Quantitative research analyzes zakat institution performance effects. Keywords: Lazismu, donor trust, zakat management, financial transparency, interpersonal communication

From investment to impact: The role of green finance and technological innovation on German energy transition

Germany is a global leader in environmental protection and has embraced a fast-track transition towards renewable energy adaptation. To support the continuous energy transition, an approximate sum of EUR 3000 billion needs to be mobilized by 2050, making it an exemplary case for examining the influence of green finance on renewable energy consumption and technological innovation. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of green finance and technological innovation on renewable energy consumption across 16 federal German states, utilizing panel data from 2008 to 2021. Two novel financial proxies, green investment and environmental protection-related sales, are introduced to capture the financial mechanisms underpinning the energy transition. MMQ (method of moments quantile) regression is employed to explore the short and long-run relationship among variables. The results reveal that while environmental protection-related sales consistently increase renewable energy consumption, the positive effects of green investment manifest only in the long term. Furthermore, the results indicate that solely increasing R&D funds does not necessarily boost renewable energy consumption. However, the positive interplay between R&D and patent applications significantly increases electricity generation from renewable sources. Indicating that integrated financial and technological strategies are essential for advancing Germany's renewable energy goals.

Labor Unions, Debt, and Financial Advantage in Young Adulthood in the United States

Unionized workers experience significant labor market advantages. Do these advantages transfer to financial markets, including credit and consumer markets? We argue that union coverage facilitates financial advantages in young adulthood by enhancing access to wealth-building credit and avoidance of costly financial coping strategies. We extend a conceptual model of financial advantage based on young adults’ debt holdings to the case of early career union coverage using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1997 Cohort. Findings support the importance of labor market institutions in fostering financial advantages and underscore the role of credit and debt for life course inequality processes.

Raymond Limited: Deleveraging and Demerger

The case explores the possible implications of the decision to demerge Raymond Limited by Gautam Singhania, the chairman and managing director (CMD) of Raymond Limited (Raymond). In April 2023, Raymond Limited announced its plan to demerge its lifestyle businesses into Raymond Consumer Care Limited, paving the way for Raymond Limited to become a real estate company. The restructuring was carried out to have two debt-free listed entities in the lifestyle and real estate businesses. This demerger was planned after the company witnessed a turbulent time with a drastic revenue fall and resultant losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The case provides students with an opportunity to analyse the financial statements of a listed company affected by a negative macroeconomic event and the financial strategies employed by the company under such circumstances. It also allows the students to analyse the implications of the demerger strategy.

A critical review of domestic and foreign methodological aspects of financial strategies formation using a matrix method in modern realities

Subject. The article discusses financial strategies in the corporate finance management system based on a matrix approach. Objectives. The purpose is, after the analysis of existing financial models in economics that are based on the matrix approach, to identify positive and negative sides of each toolkit, while offering criteria for their comparison, formulated on regional, sectoral, and behavioral aspects. Methods. The study employs theoretical (analysis, synthesis, modeling, systematization) and empirical (comparison, classification by characteristics, mathematization) methods of scientific research. Results. I analyzed economic scientific literature concerning domestic and foreign methods of corporate finance management, defined the terms "financial model" and "financial matrix", compared domestic and foreign instruments, developed criteria for evaluating the existing techniques. The criteria enabled to reveal advantages and disadvantages of the matrix strategies mentioned above. Conclusions. A specific feature of domestic matrix methods is diversification. Moreover, almost all existing financial models are marked by universality: industry differences are ignored. However, each methodological toolkit has its "pros" and "cons", various indicators and financial strategies. At present, there is a need to form a new methodological technique based on the matrix approach. This toolkit can be presented in the form of a financial model characterized by precision and optimality, and would also consider such parameters as industry and regional specifics.

Framework for developing entrepreneurial business models: Theory and practical application

A framework for developing entrepreneurial business models is crucial for guiding entrepreneurs from conceptualization to practical application in a dynamic market environment. This review outlines a comprehensive framework that integrates theoretical concepts with practical approaches to help entrepreneurs create robust and adaptable business models. The framework is grounded in a synthesis of contemporary entrepreneurship theories and practical insights drawn from case studies of successful ventures. It begins with a theoretical exploration of foundational business model components, including value proposition, customer segments, revenue streams, and cost structures. By leveraging established models such as the Business Model Canvas and the Lean Startup methodology, the framework provides a structured approach for entrepreneurs to design and validate their business models. A key component of the framework is its emphasis on iterative development and validation. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to employ lean principles, such as rapid prototyping and customer feedback loops, to refine their business models. This iterative process helps in adapting to market changes and customer needs, reducing risk, and improving the likelihood of success. The framework also incorporates strategic analysis tools to evaluate market opportunities, competitive landscape, and potential challenges. Practical application is emphasized through detailed guidelines and tools for each stage of business model development. This includes methodologies for conducting market research, identifying key resources and partnerships, and establishing operational processes. Additionally, the framework addresses the importance of financial planning and risk management, offering practical advice on funding strategies and contingency planning. The paper also highlights the significance of contextual factors, such as industry trends, regulatory environment, and technological advancements, in shaping business models. By incorporating these elements, the framework provides a holistic approach to entrepreneurial business model development. In conclusion, the proposed framework serves as a valuable guide for entrepreneurs seeking to develop and implement effective business models. It combines theoretical insights with practical tools and strategies, enabling entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of the business landscape and achieve sustainable success. This approach not only enhances the strategic planning process but also fosters innovation and adaptability in an ever-evolving market environment.

Development Strategy School Financial Resilience in Yogyakarta Private High School

The success of educational institutions in providing quality services is influenced by various factors, including planning, facilities, human resources, and financial support. This research focuses on school financial management, emphasizing the importance of financial resilience to support operational resilience and sustainability, especially in private schools with limited funds. Financial resilience is the capacity of an institution to survive and adapt to financial challenges, which includes effective and efficient management of income and expenditure. This research uses qualitative methods with a descriptive approach to explore strategies for developing financial resilience at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta. Data was collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and document study, and analyzed using triangulation techniques to ensure the validity of the information. The main focus of research is on absorptive, adaptive and transformative strategies in school financial management. Absorptive strategies emphasize the importance of effective budget planning and evaluation. Adaptive strategies include the use of financial information systems and the involvement of external parties. Transformative strategies involve student service innovation, awards, and seeking additional funding Research findings show that SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta has succeeded in overcoming financial challenges through good management and implementing innovative strategies. This research recommends regular evaluation of financial management systems, staff training, and collaboration with other educational institutions to improve financial management strategies. It is hoped that further research can contribute to the development of policies and best practices in educational financial management.

Evaluation of financial monitoring systems effectiveness in its relationship to the country's security indicators

Motivation: The motivation for this research work is its potential to identify critical issues with far-reaching implications for economic security, governance and development, and to contribute to more informed decision-making in the area of countering the financing of terrorism. Aim: The purpose of this research paper is to analyse the impact of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) standards on crime and anti-corruption efforts and the effective implementation of the legal framework in countries. Results: The article examines the relationship between crime, corruption, terrorism and FATF standards in 54 countries. Based on the regression analysis, the influence of crime, terrorism and perception of corruption on the effectiveness and compliance with FATF standards is investigated. The specific coefficients show that the perception of terrorism and corruption have a statistically significant negative and positive impact on the dependent variable, respectively, while the impact of the crime index is not statistically significant. By examining the impact of crime rates and anti-corruption efforts on FATF standards and the effective implementation of legal frameworks in countries, the study aims to provide information that can inform decision-making. Understanding how these factors interact can help to improve anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing strategies at both the national and international levels, including the improvement of financial monitoring systems. Understanding the relationship between crime, corruption and terrorism can have practical implications for various stakeholders, including law enforcement, government officials and international organisations. The findings are important for the implementation of effective measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, improve governance, security and overall socio-economic stability.

Synergy of Sustainable Financial Strategies and Sustainability Performance: A Case Study of PT Mitra Tani 27 (Top Leader of Agro-Industrial Companies in East Java)

This study aims to explore the sustainability strategies and how they impact the sustainability performance of PT Mitra Tani 27. This research is a type of qualitative research with a case study approach—the data collection for this research using in-depth interviews, documentation, and observations. In-depth interviews were established at different times by having personal interviews with the informant. The validity test of the data used the credibility testing approach and the transferability test. The study results show that the sustainable finance strategy includes six main principles: Trust, Competent, Harmonious, Loyal, Adaptive, and Collaborative. The company's economic performance illustrated increased sales intensity and volume, especially edamame production. The sales of edamame products have expanded to various countries, with a volume of 7,578 tons for the export market and 1,817 tons for the domestic market every year. The company's commitment to applying the 4R-based principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace) describes the primary environmental performance. The company's social performance reflects its commitment to providing consumers with high-quality products and services.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SIP AND LUMP-SUM INVESTMENT: A STUDY OF SMALL CAP MUTUAL FUNDS

In this paper, the Performance of 13 open-ended equity small cap schemes related to thirteen private sector mutual funds are evaluated i.e. ABSL Mutual fund, Axis Mutual Fund, DSP Mutual fund, Franklin templeton mutual fund, HDFC Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, HSBC Mutual Fund, Nippon India Mutual Fund, Quant Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, Sundaram Mutual Fund and Union Mutual Fund. The study period covers the period from 1stApril 2016 to 31st March 2023. For evaluating the performance of the selected mutual fund schemes, month-wise returns are compared with Benchmark- S&P BSE Small Cap Index return. The rate which has no risk i.e. Risk Free Rate has been taken as average fixed deposit rate of SBI (State bank of India). Further, various different types of statistical tools like average, standard deviation, IRR, beta and the risk adjusted performance measures suggested by Sharpe (1966), Jenson (1968), and Treynor (1965) are employed to evaluate the performance for the above selected period. In this paper SIP and lump-sum investment returns are also compared of the above selected small cap schemes.

Trends in corporate financial strategies: Analyzing investment efficiency among listed Indonesian companies

The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of conservatism, debt maturity, and debt covenants on investment efficiency in Indonesian firms, with a focus on the food and staples retail and food and beverage sub-sectors. This study aims to address information asymmetry between agents and principals, using agency theory as the theoretical framework. A quantitative approach is used using secondary data sourced from financial reports available on the IDX website and company websites. This study took a sample of 329 companies using non-probability sampling technique. Data processing using linear regression method. The results show that conservatism significantly improves investment efficiency, while debt maturity and debt covenants do not show a significant effect. This study underscores the importance of conservative financial reporting practices in improving investment efficiency in the Indonesian corporate sector.

The Role of Financial Leverage and Cost Management on Operational Efficiency and Earnings Stability in Hospitality Industry in Indonesia

This study explores the impact of cost management and financial leverage on operational efficiency and earnings stability in the hospitality industry in Indonesia. Utilizing a quantitative approach, data was collected from 280 hospitality businesses and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The results reveal that both cost management and financial leverage significantly contribute to earnings stability, with financial leverage also playing a strong role in improving operational efficiency. Operational efficiency serves as a critical mediator, linking financial strategies to stable earnings. The findings highlight the importance of carefully balancing debt financing and cost control to optimize both financial performance and operational processes in the hospitality sector. These insights offer valuable guidance for hospitality managers seeking to enhance long-term profitability and resilience in a highly competitive industry.

Post-project financial auditing as a continuous improvement tool for SMEs

Post-project financial auditing is a critical tool for ensuring transparency, accountability, and financial accuracy within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As SMEs navigate project-based operations, it is essential to assess the financial outcomes of completed projects to inform future decision-making and resource allocation. This review explores the role of post-project financial auditing as a continuous improvement tool in SMEs, highlighting its ability to enhance financial discipline, improve cost control, and promote long-term financial sustainability. By examining key aspects of project revenues, expenditures, and profitability, post-project financial audits provide insights into financial performance that are essential for strategic planning. These audits help identify budget deviations, resource misallocations, and cost inefficiencies, enabling SMEs to adjust future financial planning and project management practices. In doing so, audits contribute to refining budgeting processes, promoting data-driven decision-making, and reducing financial risks in subsequent projects. The review also emphasizes the benefits of post-project auditing in fostering a culture of financial responsibility within SMEs. Through the audit process, SMEs can strengthen internal controls, monitor compliance with financial regulations, and ensure that project outcomes align with organizational financial goals. Additionally, the integration of audit findings into future financial strategies enables SMEs to continuously improve their profitability, mitigate risks, and enhance overall financial stability. Despite the clear advantages, challenges such as resource constraints, data management issues, and limited audit expertise can hinder the adoption of post-project audits in SMEs. The review offers practical recommendations to address these challenges, advocating for the use of scalable audit frameworks, digital tools, and ongoing staff training to support effective auditing practices. Ultimately, post-project financial auditing represents a vital mechanism for driving continuous improvement and ensuring the financial resilience of SMEs in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Review of the monograph Strategizing of the Tourism and Trade Show Industries in the Russian Far East

The collective monograph Strategizing of the Tourism and Trade Show Industries in the Russian Far East was prepared by a team of young scientists from the Economic and Financial Strategy Department dealing with designing and developing the theoretical foundations and practice of strategizing at the level of enterprises, industries, regions, and countries of the world. The presented scientific publication develops an up-to-date comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the tourism industry as an "aggregated" branch of the economy, covering more than 110 related industries and having a significant multiplier effect. The object of the analysis is the Russian Far East, a huge geographical space characterized by significant imbalances in socio–economic development, which determine the starting conditions for involvement of the rich natural and recreational potential of the Far Eastern territories in the tourist turnover. The uniqueness and practical significance of the monograph is that it formulates theoretical and methodological foundations for strategizing the tourism industry and exhibition and fair activities, based on the universal theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by V.L. Kvint, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, taking into account the industry specifics of the object of strategizing. Furthermore, the work presents a comprehensive analysis of resource support for tourism development in the said territory.

Nexus between women’s financial empowerment, and digital financial literacy: The case of green microfinance in Tunisia

This study examines the relationship between financial literacy (FL) Green Microfinance (GM) and Women’s Empowerment (WE). Alongside its economic and social implications, microfinance has adapted to address expanding demands by integrating environmental factors, resulting in the emergence of GM and WE. The connection between the empowerment of women and green microfinance is partly influenced by their level of FL. The findings highlight the significance of prioritizing financial strategies in Tunisia to promote policies that support women's empowerment, to fight poverty and environmental sustainability.

Impact of Leverage, Market Share, and Dividend Policy on Firm Value in the Technology Sector

This study investigates the effects of financial leverage, market share, and dividend policy on firm value within the global technology sector. Using data from 120 publicly listed technology companies over the period from 2010 to 2022, a multiple regression analysis is employed to examine how these independent variables influence firm value, as measured by market capitalization. The findings show that financial leverage negatively impacts firm value, as higher debt levels increase financial risk and reduce investor confidence. Market share demonstrates a strong positive effect, with companies holding larger market shares benefiting from economies of scale and competitive advantages, leading to higher valuations. Moreover, dividend policy is found to play a significant role in influencing firm value. Firms with stable and attractive dividend payouts are generally viewed more favorably by investors, which boosts market capitalization. The results suggest that while expanding market share contributes positively to firm value, excessive debt can undermine this advantage. Additionally, maintaining a consistent and attractive dividend policy can further enhance firm value by signaling financial health and stability to investors. This study provides critical insights for technology sector managers and investors, emphasizing the importance of balancing financial strategies, market positioning, and dividend distribution to maximize firm value.

Evaluating Effect of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices Adoption on Productivity of Drought-Tolerant Pulses: Insights from Dryland Areas of Makueni County, Kenya

Increased productivity of drought-tolerant pulses could potentially reduce household food insecurity, particularly in developing countries. This paper examines the effect of socioeconomic and institutional factors and the adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices on productivity of green gram, pigeon pea and cowpea in Makueni County, Kenya. We consider six common CSA practices namely: benches, soil conservation practices, minimum tillage, agroforestry, irrigation practices, and crop diversification. Using data from 384 randomly selected farmers, we use Sseemingly Unrelated Regression (SUREG) model to estimate factors influencing productivity of drought-tolerant pulses. The results showed that soil conservation practices were the most adopted (72%), while irrigation practices were the least adopted (9.6%). Among the CSA practices, crop diversification and benches were key to significantly affect the productivity of the three pulses, while agroforestry did not affect productivity of any of the selected pulses. Farming experience, number of extension contacts, and years of schooling were key socioeconomic and institutional factors that significantly affected the productivity of drought-tolerant pulses considered. Results showed that the impact of CSA practices on productivity differed among the pulses, since the soil conservation practices affected the productivity of both green gram and pigeon pea, while other practices including minimum tillage soil and irrigation practices affected the productivity of cowpea and green gram, respectively. Consequently, policies should consider promoting the adoption CSA practices among smallholder famers in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve farm level crop productivity and ensure household food security. Furthermore, Sub-Saharan Africa governments and agricultural sector policy makers should promote sustainable financial incentives such as establishment of farmer-friendly credit financing schemes to enhance CSA adoption and in-turn boost smallholder farmers farm net returns.

The Impact of ESG Risks on the Economic Growth in the Western Balkan Countries

The economy is significantly impacted by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. The growth of the economy can be sped up by the effective management of ESG risks through sustainable business practices. To promote sustainable development and to secure the long-term welfare of employees, customers, and all other stakeholders in the economy, companies must adapt and reposition their business strategies and organizational cultures. The goal of this paper is to determine how a set of common ESG elements, chosen from the viewpoints of sustainability and well-being, influence economic growth in the Western Balkan countries. For each ESG component, we used different variables. The information pertains to the five Western Balkan countries of North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Because of a lack of data, Kosovo is excluded from the study. Then, we compared results from the analysis of the Western Balkan countries with a set of countries in Southeast Europe, which are members of the European Union and essentially coincide with the Western Europe countries. We performed multiple regression analysis with applied fixed effects to the data model. According to the study’s findings, each of the independent variables had no significant impact on the GDP’s annual growth of the Western Balkan countries, but two of the variables, life expectancy at birth and labor force participation, have certain impact on the GDP growth of Southeast Europe countries, which are members of the European Union. The green transition has gained significant importance in the Western Balkan countries as a crucial pathway toward sustainable economic growth, though it introduces a range of new social and economic challenges. Economically, these nations are confronted with considerable funding requirements for development. To build sustainable societies, it would be beneficial for these countries to explore more creative financing strategies. It is advised to establish financing frameworks that not only increase the transparency in policymaking but also ensure greater accountability in their execution.