International Certification Research Articles

International models of accreditation and certification for hospitals with a focus on nursing: a scoping review.

Quality assurance in hospitals is essential for ensuring patient safety, quality of care and efficiency. The nursing profession is a key contributor to healthcare quality, yet, a comprehensive overview and comparison of the role and scope of nursing as part of accreditation and certification schemes has been lacking. The aim was to identify if and to what extent international accreditation or certification schemes focus on nursing, and to compare their conceptual models and outcome indicators. A scoping review was conducted. A search strategy was developed together with a librarian and carried out in January 2024 in Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Reviews and Google Scholar. Additionally, authoritative websites of accreditation/certification holders were searched. Inclusion criteria were studies on international accreditation or certification schemes for hospital settings with relevance to nursing published in English or German. Screening and data analysis adhered to the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology, with reporting following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guideline (PRISMA-ScR). The search identified 17.315 records. After removing duplicates and screening of titles/abstracts, 336 full-texts remained. A total of 124 studies were included, identifying seven international accreditation/certification schemes: European Foundation for Quality Management, Evaluation and Quality Improvement Program, International Organization for Standardization 9001, Joint Commission International®, Magnet Recognition Program®, Pathway to Excellence® Program, Qmentum®. The different schemes ranged from nursing-specific to having no specific focus on, but relevance for, nursing and varied in their topics, focus on structure, process and outcome quality and structure and content of requirements. Additionally, outcome indicators varied, with differences in the extent to which indicators were nurse-sensitive, compulsoriness of data collection, and use of external benchmarking. The seven international schemes show large conceptual variations as to their focus on nursing and differences in the degree of nurse-specific outcome indicators. Hospital and nursing managers, policymakers, patients and the public need to understand the content and outcome dimensions of the schemes when making decisions or assessing hospital quality data.

InfoQ: Certifying credible providers of digital health information

Abstract Background Access to accurate health information is crucial. Despite the abundance of information online, sorting through it can be overwhelming, especially with the spread of misinformation. This poses a threat to public health and challenges health literacy. Efforts to combat misinformation are struggling due to the rapid growth of available information. We need complementary strategies, such as promoting trustworthy information sources. An initiative by Bertelsmann Stiftung, aims to counter misinformation by promoting health information from credible sources. Methods In 2021, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine outlined principles for identifying credible health information sources, endorsed globally by the WHO and embraced by the social media industry. However, these principles lack operationalization, leaving indicators for credibility undefined. To address this gap, Bertelsmann Stiftung, in collaboration with German experts, conducted workshops in 2023 to draft evaluation criteria. Their ongoing work, alongside initiatives by the Careum Foundation and Gesundheit Österreich GmbH will be presented. Results The criteria focus on structure (e.g., the expertise of providers) and process (e.g., methods for identifying relevant evidence) rather than outcome (i.e., the quality of each piece of information), and are based on the domains science-basis, transparency and legitimacy. Mandatory and complementary criteria allow a two-step approach to identify health information providers of good quality (meeting all mandatory criteria) and excellent quality (meeting all criteria). Conclusions These criteria build the basis of the establishment of an international certification system and represent a crucial measure to combat misinformation and promote population health literacy. Various international partners and social platforms have already reached a strong consensus on the relevance of the project goals and expressed their willingness to deepen their efforts in this regard.

Structure Analysis and Forecast of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Exports to Australia Under the Perspective of Product Segmentation

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a precious treasure of China has played an indispensable role in combating the COVID-19 epidemic, and receiving widespread attention and high regard. The Chinese pharmaceutical industry is gradually on the Road of Revival. However, there are still many bottlenecks restricting internationalization of TCM. How to specifically expand the international market, optimize product structure, and enhance the competitiveness of TCM exports are key and difficult issues. In light of this, this article selects "Australia" as a typical region with a solid foundation for the development of TCM, and innovatively classifies TCM products into four major categories based on its market access policies. By applying STATA to construct an ARIMA model, this study analyzes and forecasts the total export volume of TCM to Australia, the export structure of each category, and the export value for the Q3 2024-Q2 2026 based on data from 2016 to Q2 2024. The results reveal that there is significant potential in the Australian market for the export of TCM. However, the export structure is heavily skewed towards primary products, with the growth rate of high-value-added products being relatively slow. Consequently, it is recommended to increase investment in the research and development of TCM, enhance consumer education to address cultural differences, promote the export of high-value-added products, strengthen the docking of international standards and export certification of products, reinforce brand building and bolster government guidance and talent cultivation to enhance the international competitiveness of the TCM.

HACCP operation in two Latin American meat packers: Case study

The hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system is a protocol aimed to guarantee food safety, especially in companies dedicated to meat processing. Companies in food international trade are subjected to intense inspection and verification processes, and international standard certifications have become a key factor in global trade. The purpose of this study was a comparative analysis of HACCP certification in the Mexican and Chilean meat packers that send meat to international markets by a field inspection of each to identify opportunities for improvement. International trade standards along with packers’ expectations and needs to be fulfilled to attain a place in world markets were bases for this study. Guidelines for field inspection came from the HACCP protocol. Field data were derived from 15 indicators — five intrinsic to the HACCP plan and ten external. The Chilean packer was superior to the Mexican packer in terms of many indicators. Thus, the first one had a chance for a better position in international markets than the latter. It was concluded that the HACCP audit is an excellent tool to measure the suitability of meat packers in achieving a place as a supplier and remaining in the international food trade.

A-045 Analytical and Clinical Evaluation of A1c Test by HPLC - Lifotronic™ H100Plus Analyzer - in a Brazilian Clinical Laboratory

Abstract Background Over the years, the measurement of Glycated Hemoglobin (A1c) has solidified as an important risk marker for pre-diabetic patients and for the diagnosis and control of diabetic patients. The High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (CLAE) method has been adopted in prospective studies such as the DDCT, and international certification by the NGSP is available. In this study, analytical performance metrics including imprecision, correlation, linearity, carryover, and detection of hemoglobin variants were evaluated for the Lifotronic® H100 Plus analyzer from China. Methods The results were evaluated following CLSI guidelines on samples within stability, collected according to standardized procedures. For the comparative method, 40 patient samples ranging from 4 to 15.4% were analyzed, and two concentrations of internal quality control material were used for intra-assay (5 repetitions per day) and inter-assay (over five days) imprecision testing. Linearity was assessed using samples at two concentrations, one low (4.5%) and another high (17.2%). For carryover evaluation, low (4.98%), intermediate (9.97%), and high (14.96%) concentrations were assayed in an interleaved manner. Hemoglobin variants found in the studied population were determined using the same method employed in correlation tests (HbS, HbF, HbC, HbE, and HbD). Results The method comparison study revealed a Total Error for decision levels of 5.6%: 2.23% and 6.5%: 1.70%, which were lower than the maximum allowable Total Error of 3.3% (EFLM - EuBIVAS). The difference plot showed that 95% of the results fell within acceptable limits. Positive bias was observed in 7 out of 40 tested samples, predominantly in samples with concentrations above 6,5%, although the medical team assessed it as having no clinical impact. For intra-assay imprecision, the obtained result was 0.86%, and for inter-assay imprecision, it was 0.87%, both deemed acceptable according to the 3.0 % specification proposed by the supplier for the two tested levels.Linearity tests were approved for concentrations proposed by the manufacturer between 3 and 18%, and no carryover was found between samples. All hemoglobin variants previously detected in the comparative method were also identified in the test method without exception, although the specific type of Hb variant was not identified. Conclusions The Lifotronic™ H100Plus analyzer demonstrated approved analytical performance with some notable observations: positive bias was observed in samples with concentrations above 6,5%, though it was not considered clinically relevant, the throughput of 58 tests per hour could be a limitation for laboratories with high testing volumes and the analyzer detected the presence of Hb variants, although it did not identify their specific types.

The value of international standards certification: Evidence on export and firm performance from a security enforcement on borders

Globally, economic growth is promoted through regional economic integration, and governments actively try to improve the security and efficiency of international trade and border management by optimizing the conditions for international trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) introduced the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification system to improve the efficiency of customs clearance and to ensure the security of the global supply chain. Using a sample of Taiwanese-listed firms that attained AEO certification from 2009 to 2018, this study investigates the influence of AEO certification on their export sales and corporate performance. The empirical results show that AEO-certified firms increase their ratio of export sales and the scope of export destination regions. However, AEO-certified firms can not improve their operating and market performance significantly, except for low-performance firms in the accreditation year. This study also uses the two-stage least square regressions (2SLS) method and the propensity score matching method to conduct the regression analysis. The regression results are consistent with the main findings. The findings can be used for reference by firms seeking to expand international trade and by governments to promote the country’s international trading.

The Intersection of Gender, Operational Barriers, and Diversification Strategies: Evidence from Chinese Female Business Owners

This study examines the strategic responses of Chinese female business owners to perceived operational barriers, integrating insights from the Resource-Based View, Signaling Theory, Institutional Theory, and Social Role Theory. Data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (conducted in China in 2012; the sample comprises 2,700 firms from diverse China’s industries) was analyzed with advanced path modeling techniques. All statistical analyses were conducted using R (version 4.0.2) and SPSS 29. The R packages lavaan and semTools were utilized for implementing Structural Equation Model (SEM) techniques. How female ownership influences diversification strategies was investigated with the mediation effect of business environment barriers and the moderation effect of international certifications. It is revealed that female entrepreneurs are more likely to pursue international diversification due to heightened perceptions of business environment barriers. Perceived regulatory barriers are positively related to product

The Determinants of International Certification among Manufacturing Firms in Pakistan

This study investigates the factors that influence international certification among Pakistani manufacturing firms. About a third of such firms in Pakistan hold one or more certificates related to management or technical processes. The existing literature suggests that this demand is influenced by factors such as sector of activity, market competition, human capital and information environment, ownership type, and available resources. By analyzing a large, random sample of Pakistani manufacturing firms, we find strong correlations between these factors and international certification. We also discover that owner attitude, an aspect overlooked in previous studies, plays a role in the certification decision. While our statistical model does not fully explain the determinants of certification for small firms, we do find that certification is associated with increased profitability among small enterprises. This implies that small enterprise development agencies can improve the effectiveness of their programs by considering certification status as an additional criterion for allocating support funds. The results of our study have policy implications related to exporting, staff training, diffusion of firm ownership, and enhanced information access facilitated by modern technology tools.

University Students’ Levels of Motivation and Engagement, Perceived Benefits, and Challenges in MOOCS

The study identified university students’ levels of motivation and engagement, perceived benefits, and challenges in Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). It used the mixed-method research design and involved third- and fourth-year English language students (n = 61) who completed the Content-based Instruction (CBI) – MOOC offered by the Regional English Language Office, Manila, Philippines. The validated MOOC Learner Engagement and Motivation Scale (MEM Scale) was adopted to determine the learners' levels of motivation and engagement in MOOCs. A focus group discussion was also done to determine the students’ perceived benefits of and challenges in MOOCs. Results of the MEM Scale show that the students had upper-medium level of motivation (x̄ = 3.54) and a high level of engagement (x̄ = 4.22) in the CBI – MOOC. Also, the data revealed five perceived benefits of MOOCs: 1) appreciation of the self-paced learning; 2) complementation to formal learning; 3) international certification; 4) provision of professional development opportunities; and 5) attainment of intercultural competencies. Generally, the students experienced five challenges while enrolled in the course: 1) language barriers; 2) lack of social interaction; 3) digital divide; 4) time-related constraints; and 5) challenging course content. Given the benefits of MOOCs, higher education institutions (HEIs) are encouraged to incorporate open online courses in the learning experiences of their students. Further, it is recommended that HEIs extend available resources to participants to lessen the perceived challenges of MOOCs which could promote higher levels of motivation and engagement of the students in the courses.

JAMINAN INDUSTRI HALAL DI NEGARA SINGAPURA DAN TAIWAN

Purpose: This study examines and compares the halal assurance processes in Indonesia, Taiwan, and Singapore. In addition, this study aims to assess the consequences of each system on the growth of the halal sector on a global and regional scale. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research utilises a comparative case study methodology with a qualitative approach. Through the investigation of official documents, data was collected. Regulations, certification requirements, and industry reports from each country were analyzed in the documents. Manufacturers, customers, and representatives from halal certification authorities were interviewed. To gain a first-hand understanding of the certification process and the application of regulations, field observations were also conducted. Findings: The findings show that Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia have different strategies for implementing halal assurance. Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) in Singapore operates a rigorous and globally renowned certification program. Taiwan concentrates on food and cosmetic products through the Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association (THIDA). With the support of the world's largest Muslim community, Indonesia, the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH), has established a comprehensive and integrated system. These different strategies affect the efficacy of halal products and consumer confidence in each country. Research Implications: The results of this study show how harmonization of international halal certification and standards can improve consumer confidence and increase international trade in halal goods. In addition, by incorporating best practices from other countries, policymakers and industry players can improve their halal assurance systems with the help of this study. This harmonization can guarantee more reliable halal products to Muslim consumers around the world and improve the global halal market position.

The global approaches to the regulation of quantum communication

In the rapidly evolving field of quantum communication, the regulatory framework plays a crucial role in ensuring security, standardization, and international cooperation. This article examines various approaches employed by countries to regulate quantum communication. The purpose of this research is to comprehensively analyze and compare different international approaches to the regulation of quantum communication to identify key features characteristic of the current stage of development and regulation of quantum communication, as well as to develop recommendations for optimizing and improving regulatory governance in this area. The methodological basis of the study consisted of general scientific and special methods. A detailed study of various legal documents, strategies, and standards related to quantum communication was conducted using the following general scientific methods: analysis, synthesis, induction, and system analysis. Among the special legal methods used was the comparative legal method, which made it possible to identify general trends, differences, and unique approaches in the regulation of quantum communication, as well as the formal-legal method for studying legal categories and legislative techniques used in various acts in the studied area. The study systematically examines legislative measures, government policies, and industry standards to determine the relationship between technological innovation and regulatory governance in the field of quantum communication. The research revealed that the regulation of quantum communication is primarily carried out at the level of strategic documents, such as national roadmaps, which contain recommendations and guidelines for regulating quantum communication. It was found that technical standards play a vital role in the development of quantum communication, with this development occurring at both national and international levels. Special groups and centers have been established for the effective implementation, development, and regulation of quantum communication, which allows for the identification of social, legal, political, and ethical issues. The main conclusions include the need to monitor administrative barriers, identify priority sectors for the implementation of quantum communication, and recognize quantum communication as a dual-use technology. It is recommended that an international certification and tracking system be created for quantum communication devices for export and import control purposes.

Does the size of the firm matter in determining the adoption of green economy practices in India?

PurposeThis article aims at analysing the factors influencing the adoption of green economy practices across different sizes of firms in India.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2022, covering 9,376 firms in India. The Poisson Count Regression Model has been used to analyse the factors affecting the adoption of green economy practices.FindingsAbout 83 % of firms reported adopting at least one green practice in their business related to energy conservation, water management, pollution control and waste management and recycling. Research results reveal a significant association between the size of the firm and adoption of green economy practices. The impact of enterprise characteristics varies by firm size. For instance, female ownership positively affects adoption in large firms but negatively in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, lean operations, research and development (R&D) spending and international quality certification positively influence green practices adoption for both SMEs and large firms. Perceived business obstacles show similar implications on green practices adoption by size of firms except access to finance, business licencing, tax rate and law and order affect SMEs while labour regulations, tax administration and political instability affect large firms.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests implications for strengthening the adoption of green economy practices across firm sizes and provides opportunities for future research.Originality/valueThis study is based on a unique dataset derived from the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2022, which has included green economy indicators for the first time.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2023-0918.

Evaluating the influence of digital strategy on the interplay between quality certification and sales performance using data science and machine learning algorithms

In the context of international trade with information asymmetries, business certifications can serve as signals of product quality and reliability for customers and stakeholders. Recognizing this, the current study unbraces “signalling theory” to explore the impact of digital transformation strategy (DTS) on firm’s international quality certification status and sales performance in the global economy. To this end, treating quality certification endogenously, the study relies on bivariate copula regression modeling of 121429 firms’ responses data extracted from the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys. Consistent with the hypothesized theoretical predictions, the findings revealed that DTS, in the form of website ownership, has a significantly positive impact on sales performance due to increasing firm’s reach, visibility, engagement, conversion, and retention of customers across different channels and touchpoints. As theoretically conjectured, quality certification is also found to positively impact sales performance by enhancing the firm’s reputation, trustworthiness, and attractiveness in the global marketplace. Most importantly, the study found empirical evidence that DTS significantly moderates the relationship between quality certification and sales performance, such that quality certification has a stronger effect on sales performance for firms with a well-defined DTS (web=1) than those without (web=0); leading therefore to the conclusion that DTS can amplify the signal of quality certification by making it more visible, transparent, and consistent across different digital channels and touchpoints. Hence, the study provides valuable empirical and theoretical insights that inform current business practices, future research, and potential policy measures to support business growth, and enhanced competitiveness in the global market place.

Relevance of international legal and national standards of safety of navigation and the role of classification societies in the context of modern challenges and innovations in shipbuilding

The relevance of international legal and national safety standards for shipping is growing due to modern challenges, such as innovations in shipbuilding, climate change and growing requirements for environmental safety, which underlines the important role of classification societies in this process. The purpose of the study was to analyse the impact of international and national safety standards on modern shipbuilding and to assess the role of classification societies in ensuring the safe operation of ships. The study applied the methods of system analysis, comparative law and empirical modelling. The main results of the study are the identification of the need for further harmonization of international legal standards with national requirements, improvement of the role of classification societies in monitoring innovations in shipbuilding, and formulation of proposals for improving the environmental safety of shipping. In addition, the paper identifies the prospects for using the latest technologies to improve safety standards in maritime transport. In particular, the article focuses on the role of classification societies in ensuring that ships comply with these standards, as well as their contribution to the introduction of innovations in shipbuilding. The study contains an analysis of current regulations and standards governing shipping safety, as well as cases of their implementation in practice. The key changes in ship safety requirements in view of current risks, including environmental challenges and increased quality requirements, are identified. The practical value of the work lies in the possibility of using the results obtained by both regulatory authorities and shipbuilding companies to improve internal safety standards and support international certification

Global overview of national regulations for antibiotic use in aquaculture production

The intensification of aquaculture industries around the globe has led to increased susceptibility and exposure to diseases. To ensure the well-being of animals and the profitability of the industry, many aquaculture farms resort to antibiotic treatments. However, with the increasing presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), it has become important to regulate and limit the use of antibiotics, especially in animal production and regarding the antibiotics that are deemed as critically important for human health by the World Health Organization (WHO). This review describes how AMR mitigation strategies have developed over time in international settings and how they relate to aquaculture. Furthermore, we analyzed how different countries and regions abide by these statutes, as well as the antibiotic standards from a selection of certification schemes. Our results show that the role of aquaculture has been inexplicitly addressed in international guidance documents and that there is a need to further increase the activities of aquaculture operations in combating AMR, with an emphasis on alternatives to antibiotic use. We also found that most countries and regions allow the highest priority-, or critically important antibiotics in aquaculture, which could have detrimental effects on animal, environmental, and public health. As a result, most countries fail to comply with the recommendations and standards set by international organizations and certification schemes.

Dealing with adversity: innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises in developing economies

PurposeSmall and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries, particularly in the Sub-Saharan African region, find it hard to innovate due to severe resource constraints and high institutional voids. Given this, the paper examines three international strategic responses that small and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa adopt to implement innovations in the face of weak institutional environments.Design/methodology/approachUsing comprehensive data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey, the study applies the Instrumental Variable Probit approach to analyse a sample of 8,466 SMEs from eleven countries in the Sub-Saharan African region.FindingsThe empirical results show that foreign ownership negatively affects product and process innovation. Additionally, the results reveal that small and medium-sized enterprises that leverage exporting and international quality certifications are likely to implement innovations.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature by suggesting that small and medium-sized enterprises must exploit strategic alternatives to improve their innovation efforts when operating in a weak institutional environment. Thus, by exploring international strategic responses to institutional difficulties when implementing innovations, this paper goes beyond the prevailing research approach in developing countries that mainly emphasises the barriers to innovations.

AkzoNobel’s Como site received the international automotive task force certification

AkzoNobel’s Como site received the international automotive task force certification

CERTIFICATION OF EUROPEAN HOTEL BUSINESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: CRITERIA, PROGRAMS, ADVANTAGES AND PROBLEMS

Objective. The objective of the article is to determine the criteria, programs, advantages and problems in the field of certification of sustainable development of the European hotel business. Methods. In the research process, the following general scientific methods and methods of cognition are used: methods of scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis (for the study of theoretical aspects of the certification of sustainable development of hotels, consideration of international certification criteria, certification programs for the hotel industry at the international and national levels, European certification programs, determination of the main limitations and problems in the field of certification of the European hotel business), systematic generalization (to determine the features and advantages of the certification of the European hotel business, the practice of implementing sustainable development approaches in European hotels, directions for solving the problems of the certification of sustainable development of European hotels). Results. According to the results of the research, the criteria for evaluating the implementation of sustainable development approaches by hotels are determined, which include the demonstration of effective sustainable management, the maximization of social and economic benefits for the local community and the minimization of negative consequences, the maximum increase of benefits for cultural heritage and the minimization of negative impact, the maximization of benefits for the environment and minimization of negative impacts. International and European level certification programs for the hotel industry are considered. The advantages of certification of the implementation of sustainable hotel development approaches have been identified, including recognition of hotel business actions, customer attraction, efficient use of resources, reputation improvement, and compliance with standards. Problems in the field of certification of sustainable development of European hotels are singled out, in particular insufficient financing of certification programs to limit excessive dependence on the contributions of certified institutions, prioritization of the environmental dimension with an emphasis on cost savings, lack of connection between certifications and tour operators that contribute to the development of sustainable tourism, ignorance of users regarding the certification of sustainable development, the implementation of certification in hotels solely for the purpose of advertising, which does not involve sustainable management, the existence of a large number of tourism certifications with limited transparency in their processes, which makes it difficult for users to understand their real value from the point of view of sustainable development, difficulties in attracting new and especially in maintaining the certification of already certified institutions. The directions for solving the problems of certification of the sustainable development of European hotels (improvement of financing, expansion of awareness and educational programs, improvement of cooperation and coordination, implementation of innovative technologies and approaches for the sustainable development of the hotel industry) have been determined, which will contribute to the improvement of environmental, social and economic indicators of the hotel business, and therefore and achieving the global goals of sustainable development.

TRENDS IN ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE UNDER CONDITIONS OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Objective. The article aims at analyzing the current trends in the development of ecological tourism in Ukraine under conditions of the russian-Ukrainian war. Methods. The results of the study are obtained applying the following methods: theoretical generalisation and system-structural method (to study the theoretical foundations of ecotourism), analysis (to analyse the main trends in the development of ecotourism in Ukraine), statistical method (to process statistical information), classification method (to divide the regions by ecotourism potential), abstract-theoretical method (to formulate theoretical conclusions). Results. The current trends in the development of ecological tourism in Ukraine are analysed according to two main directions: ecological tourism within and outside protected areas. The main organisational forms of ecological tourism are identified, including ecological tourist routes and trails, cultural and educational ecological excursions, recreation in eco-hotels of various types, active mountain and water eco-recreation. The author analyses the security features of ecotourism under the conditions of the russian-Ukrainian war, the activities of the international certification programmes "GreenKey" and "BlueFlag", and the most popular ecotourism sites in Ukraine. As a result of the analysis, it is proposed to conditionally divide the regions of Ukraine, according to the existing ecotourism potential, into 4 categories: regions with high ecotourism development potential, regions with medium ecotourism development potential, regions with low ecotourism development potential and regions where ecotourism is impossible to organise.

Exporting Beekeeping Products: Importance of Detailed Market Analysis and Brand Positioning

To strengthen the export potential of Georgian bees and intervene in international markets, it is necessary to make a comprehensive and profound analysis. The article discusses the influences of market segmentation, consumers’ preferences, international trading agreements, legal regulations, product certification, technological innovations and competition on the development of marketing and branding strategies, supporting the efficient positioning of the high-quality Georgian bee products on the international markets and increase in export. Competition evaluation is critical for determining market possibilities and positioning Georgian beekeeping on global markets. The physiological and qualitative functions of the Georgian mountain grey bee must be emphasized: its gentleness, excessive productivity, and resistance to ailments. The article additionally mentions the importance of a strategic method to boost export capability in integrating technological improvements and contemporary advertising strategies, which include digital technology and database analytics, which will have an instantaneous effect on increasing the charm of beekeeping products. Determining purchaser preferences, cooperation with international organizations and obtaining first-rate certificates are crucial for the global reputation of Georgian beekeeping manufacturers and gaining agreement with customers. Market analysis, contemporary branding, and dynamic marketing are considered the basis for the hit export of Georgian beekeeping products and their established order in international markets.