Market Saturation Research Articles

How Does the Nexus Between Digitalization and Banking Performance Drive Digital Transformation in Central and Eastern European Countries?

The aim of this paper is to create a digitalization index for banking sectors using a set of indicators based on World Bank data for the period of 2010–2021, which will allow us to rank the sectors of Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). The digitalization index is built based on how ready banks are for digitalization, the potential customers available for digital banking, and the level of digital infrastructure, with each of these aspects representing one pillar. Based on the calculation of the digitalization index, we emphasize that Romania is the leader, followed by Latvia and Lithuania, while Hungary and Estonia are at the opposite pole. Furthermore, we applied the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) method to measure the impact of digitalization on banking performance. This study reveals that Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania lead in digital banking transformation due to significant investments in infrastructure and customer engagement, while Hungary and Poland lag in terms of digital readiness. The results indicate that digitalization has a significant positive effect on banking performance (ROE), although countries experiencing market saturation had the potential to see a decline post-2018, necessitating further innovation to sustain growth. In the digitalization context, the results are relevant for policymakers, showing that investing more in digitalization is important and that there is a need to help people have greater access to banking services due to a lack of willingness and financial education, factors which prevent them from embracing digital changes. The results show that improving banking digitalization positively influences banking performances. This study provides an innovative and complex index for assessing banking digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe, with valuable implications for policymakers. We highlight the need to align digitalization policies with the specific level of digital development of each country in order to optimize the integration of digital technologies and enhance economic competitiveness.

Sensory dimensions of typicality and association with affective-related responses: a study on local multifloral honey

Local foods offer benefits for the sustainability of the food supply chain, yet they face challenges due to variability in production and market saturation. This highlights the importance of strategies to enhance their value. Among local foods, multifloral honey is one of the products most closely tied to the territory. A comprehension of how multifloral honey is structured from a sensory standpoint can prove advantageous in enhancing its recognition and valorization among consumers. The present study aimed to promote multifloral honey in the case of a local area, identifying typical examples of multifloral honey and their sensory determinants, and identifying the association among sensory attributes and affective-related responses of consumers. Thirty samples of multifloral honey were collected from a target local area (Trento province - Italy). Experts in honey sensory evaluation (n=47) performed a rapid descriptive task (check-all-that-apply questions) and a categorization task (typicality evaluation). Six samples representative of the category sensory space were selected for consumer evaluation. Consumers recruited from the local area (n=131) rated liking and elicited post-consumption emotional product associations. The results unveiled the sensory representation of the multifloral honey category, with samples arrangement in accordance with category typicality. The study defined the sensory characteristics associated with typicality of the multifloral honey from the target local area and identified local consumers' affective-related responses to the features that define the typicality. Beyond the honey realm, this approach can represent a model of a methodological approach for studying the enhancement of local foods that exhibit relevant sensory variability.

Development Strategies for Service-based Human Resources Business in Digital Age: The Case of Leadership Factory

Abstract: This research mainly takes the leadership factory as an example and, through analysis, points out the future development path for service human resources business. During the COVID-19 period, the development of the human resources industry was hindered, as reflected in the development of products, markets, and human resources itself. Service human resources companies have seized the most important product demand during COVID-19 and completed product changes. However, with the end of the epidemic era, market saturation also means that products need to be updated and iterated accordingly. Market diversity, uncertainty, and the development of the times have brought difficulties and risks to enterprises. Therefore, companies need to gain a foothold in the new era market. This study found that companies can specify their future development plans through five aspects: digital technology, diversification, professional capabilities, market penetration, and sustainable development capabilities. This research conference provides ideas for the future development of most service-type human resources business.

The Impact of the Digital Transformation of Chinese Cultural Products on Marketing and Communication Strategies

In an era defined by globalization and rapid technological advancement, Chinas cultural industry is undergoing a significant transformation. This study investigates the profound effects of digital transformation on Chinas cultural industry, focusing on digital cultural innovation products such as digital art, virtual reality experiences, and online cultural creations. As globalization and technological advancements reshape cultural production, dissemination, and consumption, Chinas digital cultural sector has emerged as a significant global player. This research systematically reviews literature, industry reports, and case studies to analyze how Chinese digital cultural products are influencing marketing and communication strategies. The findings reveal that advancements in virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence are leading to the creation of immersive and diverse cultural experiences, significantly enhancing consumer engagement and market reach. The study also highlights the transformative role of digital tools in marketing, including dynamic content creation and interactive experiences, while addressing challenges such as market saturation and the need for balanced engagement strategies. Future research should incorporate quantitative and qualitative data to further explore these dynamics.

Creating Competitive Advantage through Digital Innovation: Insights from Startupreneurs in E-Commerce

Digital innovation has become a crucial factor in creating competitive advantage for startups in the e-commerce industry. In the fast-paced digital economy, startupreneurs must leverage technological advancements to differentiate themselves and ensure sustainable growth. This research aims to explore how digital innovation is utilized by startupreneurs in e-commerce to gain a competitive edge, focusing on the strategies that enhance market presence and customer loyalty. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining surveys and in-depth interviews with e-commerce startupreneurs, along with a comprehensive literature review to provide a theoretical foundation. The findings indicate that startups implementing digital innovations such as automation, data analytics, and personalized customer experiences see significant improvements in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. These innovations play a pivotal role in helping e-commerce startups maintain competitiveness in a saturated market. In conclusion, this study highlights the practical importance of adopting digital innovation for e-commerce startups and contributes to the theoretical understanding of how digital tools can drive entrepreneurial success in modern markets

Influence of brand image and word of mouth on purchase decisions at the 3 Second Fashion Store in Palangka Raya City

This research investigates the impact of brand image and word of mouth on consumer purchasing decisions at Toko Fashion 3Second in Palangka Raya. With the rapid growth of the fashion industry and the influx of various distribution outlets (distros) in Indonesia, this study highlights the competitive dynamics and consumer behaviour in the local context. Brand image and word of mouth have been identified as significant factors influencing consumer choices and loyalty. These are crucial for distros like Toko Fashion 3Second to thrive in a saturated market. This thesis utilizes quantitative analysis methods, with data gathered from consumer surveys and sales records, to explore the relationship between these variables and purchasing decisions. The findings indicate that both brand image and word of mouth significantly affect consumer decisions, guiding distros in refining their marketing strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. The implications of this study extend to the strategic management of brand reputation in the highly competitive fashion industry

Kazakhstani village: the need for radical transformation

Purpose - the tendencies of development of rural areas of Kazakhstan are shown. Methods - economic analysis, statistical methods were used in analyzing the data on the number of rural population in dynamics, graphical - for structuring the information and its visual presentation. Results - the article outlines the current trends and prospects of rural settlements (RS) of the republic, considers demographic processes, economic factors, migration flows. Special attention is paid to the state support initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of rural residents. The authors highlight the stages of building up the resources of rural areas of the country in the context of the implementation of state programs, each of which has specific goals and objectives aimed at improving the lives of rural residents, reducing their outflow from rural to urban areas caused by limited employment opportunities, low standard of living, insufficient access to quality services: education, health care. It is noted that in 20 regions of Kazakhstan adapted and implemented the program "One Village - One Product" (OVOP), focused on the production of the most promising products with high market potential, the creation of sustainable value chains of agricultural products for agricultural enterprises and farmers, promoting saturation of the domestic market with high-quality competitive food products. Conclusions - solving the problems of strengthening rural areas is in direct dependence on the effective policy of the state in the sphere of agro-industrial complex. Currently, emphasis is placed on the future of the Kazakhstani village, its modern infrastructure. Organizational, managerial and economic approaches, digitalization in agriculture allows to accelerate the pace of integrated socio-economic development of RS, increase the income of the rural population, stabilize the demographic situation and increase the investment attractiveness of territories.

Investment attractiveness of agricultural enterprises as a factor in ensuring their competitiveness

Purpose - the study of theoretical and practical aspects of investment attractiveness of agricultural enterprises in Kazakhstan based on the analysis of the volume of attracted investments in the agro-industrial complex. Methods - research, descriptive and analytical types of strategies are used in combination with methods of formalization, abstraction, statistical processing and visualization of data. Results - in the authors' opinion, despite the fact that the agrarian sector is economically and socially significant for the rural areas of the republic, it remains unattractive for investors. Investment in the agrarian sector and the growth of investment projects in the agro-industrial complex are constrained by the acute shortage of financial resources, underdeveloped material, technical and technological base, and low effective demand of the population. Investments form the production potential and determine the competitive position of regions. The article considers the problems that hinder the increase in investment activity. The role of the state in the management of investment processes is revealed. The factors hindering the inflow of investment and measures to increase the volume of financial injections into agriculture are shown. Conclusions - creation of favorable investment climate in agro-industrial production and activation of investment activity of economic entities is one of the most urgent tasks of agro-industrial complex development. Based on the realities of the economic situation in the agricultural sector, it is necessary to mobilize its internal reserves, the formation of an effective market infrastructure, the growth of solvency of agricultural producers, the strengthening of state support. Only in this case the conditions for investment attractiveness will be formed and the degree of saturation of the food market of the country with the products of own production will increase, the possibility of renewal of fixed assets of the industry will appear.

Economic validation and comparison of microbial tryptophan, erythritol and collagen production in an integrated sugarcane biorefinery

Low sugar prices present a significant challenge to the global sugarcane industry, prompting the exploration of diversification strategies for expanding product portfolios. Techno-economic analyses and environmental sustainability assessments were carried out to evaluate the microbial production of tryptophan, erythritol, and collagen from A-molasses in a biorefinery annexed to an existing sugarcane mill. Tryptophan production exhibited the highest profitability, with a minimum selling price (MSP) at 59.7 % of its current market price, although the achievable production volumes of tryptophan from one sugar mill would oversupply the global market. Due to the larger market size of for collagen the achievable production capacity in the collagen scenario would avoid market saturation, reducing the risk of oversupply and rendering it more economically viable. In contrast, erythritol production was marginally not profitable, with an MSP exceeding the current market price by 1 %, primarily attributed to high operational costs. All scenarios demonstrated relatively low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (ranging from 9.1 to 16.5 kg CO2eq/kg product), with tryptophan production emerging as the most environmentally favourable option due to minimal chemical and freshwater usage. When compared with literature-reported data on ethanol and short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), only collagen and ethanol production were deemed viable, based on their favourable profitability and contribution to the market.

The Impact of Strategic Marketing Performance on Educational Service Quality and Student Satisfaction: A Case Study of Imam Al-Kadhim College

Strategic marketing performance holds paramount importance in revealing the structural capital of all institutions, particularly educational institutions, amidst the heightened competition witnessed across various sectors. This competition ranges from market saturation of universities and colleges, whether governmental, private, local, or international, to Arab, regional, and global universities. This research aims to elucidate the impact of strategic marketing performance in its dimensions (marketing message, marketing environment, marketing objectives, marketing and strategic planning strategies, human and material resources) on the quality of educational service represented by the following factors (employees, recruitment, faculty members, institutional image (reputation), college infrastructure, educational material, student activities, admissions and registration, library), and student satisfaction represented by dimensions (satisfaction with teaching, administrative, and technical staff, satisfaction with educational material, satisfaction with institutional image (reputation), satisfaction with college infrastructure) for the study sample (Imam Al-Kadhim College) by preparing a questionnaire encompassing three above-mentioned variables and their key inquiries. The results were extracted, confirming the study hypothesis of the significant effect of marketing strategies on the quality of banking service and student satisfaction at Imam Al-Kadhim College.

The economophysical model of the propagation of innovation: the Ising model

The process of technical and economic justification of investment, analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of innovation requires a tool for describing and modeling the process of distribution of technology in the industry. The work presents a model of propagation of innovation involving physical approaches, describing the market saturation point, i.e. the point at which the exponential growth of the innovation propagation speed is replaced by the logarithmic growth. The object of the study is the propagation of innovation, and the subject is the development of the market saturation point functional. The authors justified the implementation and described the approach to modeling of the process of saturation of the market with innovation by the physical Ising model. The value of the Ising model’s toolkit is presented by the Curie point in ferromagnets which characterizes the second order phase transition. The article presents the mathematical model of the compliance of physical parameters with economic ones: the amount of inter-company influence, barriers to implementation and breakthrough of innovation. The authors adduce the discussion of the limitations and applicability of this model as well as further potential directions of study of economophysical models. The tools developed by the authors can be used in all sectors of economics to improve their innovation activity level.

A Company Analysis of Apple Inc. Based on its Internal and External Environment

The company analysis of Apple Inc. underscores its dominant position within the technology industry. The research found that the company has a strong brand reputation, innovative products, and customer loyalty. Despite encountering challenges such as market saturation and increased regulatory scrutiny, Apple's strategic initiatives, notably its emphasis on product differentiation and seamless ecosystem integration, coupled with its formidable financial standing, are poised to sustain its upward trajectory and profitability. The findings of this paper portend a bright future for the company, with promising prospects in emerging technologies and untapped market segments. In addition, Apple's unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability not only enhances its operational resilience but also mitigates potential business risks in the long run. Armed with its existing capabilities and resources, Apple is well-positioned to cater to evolving consumer preferences and market dynamics, fortifying its leadership position amidst fierce industry competition and driving continued success. Apple can harness its strengths to solidify its market leadership and navigate the ever-changing landscape of the technology sector with confidence.

Success in tandem? The impact of the introduction of e-bike sharing on bike sharing usage

In recent years, shared electric bikes (e-bikes), as a novel shared micro-mobility mode, have experienced a significant increase in popularity. Yet, there is still limited evidence on whether the two forms of micro-mobility act as complements or substitutes. By exploring the effects of the entry of shared e-bikes on bike-sharing and overall shared cycling usage, this paper aims to explore the role of e-bikes in sustainable transportation solutions. The paper combines nearest-neighbour matching and a difference-in-differences event study with bi-monthly panel data of conventional bike-sharing and e-bike-sharing trips from 2020 to 2021. Results suggest that the effect of e-bike-share on bike-sharing at the grid level shifted from an initial complementary effect to a later substitution effect, ultimately resulting in a 22.6% reduction in bike-sharing usage and a 65.9% increase in overall shared cycling usage. The introduction of shared e-bikes simultaneously attracted new user groups and reduced existing barriers to using conventional bikes. With growing market saturation, any further expansion is found to have come to the detriment of the incumbent technology, i.e. the conventional pedal bike. Although shared e-bikes ultimately replaced part of shared bikes, they have increased the overall use of micro-mobility tools, contributing to the popularization of sustainable transportation.

The Marketing Strategy of Cha Yan Yue Se

In contemporary society, marketing plays a vital role in promoting products. As a new style tea drink brand, Cha Yan Yue Se attracts more and more consumers' attention. The purpose of this study is to analyze Cha Yan Yue Se's marketing strategy in the current environment. The results of the study show that Cha Yan Yue Se's marketing strategy is effective in increasing product awareness. Through unique product design and promotional activities, Cha Yan Yue Se succeeded in establishing an emotional connection with consumers and stimulating their desire to buy. However, Cha Yan Yue Se's marketing strategy also faces challenges such as fierce competition and a gradually saturated market environment. In response to these problems, this paper offers some valuable suggestions. First, the brand needs to improve the quality and attractiveness of its products. Secondly, it is necessary to grasp the advantages of the brand's price strategy. Finally, in terms of publicity and promotion, brands can adopt various forms of activities to attract more attention and participation from potential consumers. In addition, the brand should also strengthen its interaction and communication with consumers and continuously improve and optimize its marketing strategy.

Economics of Electrowinning Iron from Ore for Green Steel Production

The transition to green steel production is pivotal for reducing global carbon emissions. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of various green steel production methods, including hydrogen reduction and three different electrolysis techniques: aqueous hydroxide electrolysis (AHE), molten salt electrolysis, and molten oxide electrolysis (MOE). By comparing process flow diagrams, capital and operational expenditures, specific energy consumption, and production footprint, this work provides a high-level assessment of the economic viability of these processes as they mature. The analysis reveals that MOE, despite its ongoing development, offers a promising route for iron production given its ability to process a wide range of ore qualities and the potential to sell electrolyte as a cement product. However, the best balance between deployment ready technology and economic benefit is AHE. Operational challenges are also discussed, such as electrolyte loss and slag handling. We suggest that the sale of by-products like oxygen may not significantly impact the economics due to market saturation. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and development in process optimization to realize the full potential of green steel technologies. All the calculations have been released as supplementary electronic material (MS Excel workbook). The format has been inspired by the techno-economic assessment template (TECHTEST) distributed by the US Dept. of Energy.Graphical

მეწარმეობის განვითარების თანამედროვე მიდგომები და პერსპექტიული გამოწვევები

Entrepreneurship is one of the essential and priority directions in today's world, especially in market economy conditions. The agricultural industry is the most essential element in the development of the economy; it also has a special mission and role of providing food for society. The agricultural sector, especially small and medium enterprises, has a special role and importance in the country's economy. It creates new opportunities, resources, and wealth, increases jobs, improves the economy, develops the capital market, and makes a special contribution to the economic well-being of society and the sustainable development of the economy. Therefore, entrepreneurship development can be considered a stimulating lever of the economy. Modern approaches to entrepreneurship and practical challenges are classified in many directions. However, I would single out technological, automated, and artificial intelligence, which in modern conditions can be compared to a new revolution, which has already had its economic and business effect on the development of the entrepreneurship sector. With its potential, entrepreneurship greatly contributes to the development of the country's inclusive economy, which can be considered the cornerstone of any country's success. The development of the entrepreneurship sector particularly contributes to the volume of production growth, export, creation of international industry culture, innovation, integration with globalization and plays an important role in the growth of the social and economic level of the country. Business entities operating in the conditions of modern development and beginning small- and medium-level entrepreneurs talk about the issues of maintaining a business that has never been as difficult as they are today. Disruptions caused by technology, a saturated market, and companies of multinational origin always trying to swallow any expected sign of new competition, giving new entrepreneurs no opportunity to start and develop. There are many modern challenges of entrepreneurship, but I will highlight the most important ones. These are insufficient capital, attracting financial resources for development, effective time management, market research, ineffective marketing, lack of qualified staff, team, customer loyalty, defensive mechanisms, lack of financial management, and impact of globalization. Today, the agrarian sector is relevant, and many economists, scientists, and publicists investigate the modern practical challenges of this issue. Therefore, we think it will be very interesting to have a theoretical-methodological and synthetic discussion in the face of the modern challenges of entrepreneurship. Statistics from many countries show an alarming rate of SME enterprise failure. For example, about two-thirds of new businesses in the United States do not survive five to ten years. In Australia, 96.8 percent of small businesses either go out of business or grow very little within the first five years of starting. Entrepreneurship development is increasingly becoming a major concern globally. The paper will discuss the essence and importance of entrepreneurship, its forms and types, modern approaches to its development, challenges, and overcoming perspectives. We will also discuss the current state of the Georgian entrepreneurship sector and offer recommendations that can be adapted to the best-developed countries in the world, which will help the entrepreneurship sector define conceptual aspects.

Mechanism to effectively manage the interaction of a two-sided platform with buyers and sellers

Aim. To formalize and investigate a mechanism for effectively managing the interaction of a two-sided platform with buyers and sellers.Objectives. Determination of the purpose and tasks of interaction management; allocation of the core of tools for managing the interaction, formation of criteria of the mechanism functioning efficiency.Methods. The authors used logical, structural, comparative analysis, as well as applied meta-analysis of previous studies to form the theoretical basis of the mechanism of management of the interaction of bilateral platform with buyers and sellers. Consistent with the subject area, the study is based on the standard model of bilateral platforms and extends it with the basic methodological approaches of entrepreneurship theory.Results. The article contains the formalization of the mechanism of effective management of interaction of bilateral platform with buyers and sellers. Aim and objectives of interaction management are defined, the core of tools for managing the interaction is identified, and criteria for the effectiveness of the mechanism are proposed and substantiated. The study identifies key factors affecting the effectiveness of bilateral platforms, including the importance of market saturation and the need to provide flexible conditions for different groups of users. The correlation between the improvement of working conditions on the platform and the growth of its financial performance was proved.Conclusions. The formalized mechanism allows to effectively manage the interaction with parties on a two-sided platform, ensuring the growth and sustainable development of the marketplace. Further adaptation of management tools is recommended, taking into account the specifics of markets and user behavior.

Analyzing the Impact of Volatile Electricity Prices on Solar Energy Capture Rates in Central Europe: A Comparative Study

Electricity prices have been exceptionally volatile in recent years. In 2022, we witnessed a sharp increase in electricity prices in many countries. Several factors contributed to this, including reduced electricity production by hydropower plants due to climatic conditions and geopolitical situations around the world, amongst other factors. The research presented in this paper aims to analyze electricity price data and determine the parameters CPS (Capacity Payment Scheme) and CRS (Capacity Remuneration Scheme). These parameters are calculated from hourly data on a monthly basis from 2018 to the present. Determining these parameters provides a clearer understanding of the efficiency of utilizing photovoltaic power plants. However, the results indicate that identical CRS values can signify different situations in the electricity market. Given the current support for projects utilizing photovoltaic energy, the research findings may offer insights into the future direction of photovoltaic energy utilization. If CRS and CPS show positive trends (e.g., increasing values), this may suggest that current political measures (subsidies, supports, etc.) are effective. Policymakers could then strengthen or expand these measures. The research outcomes could shape the geopolitical situation in individual states. The research results show how differences in electricity prices in 2022 compared to pre-2022 affected CSP and CRS parameters. The findings also indicate that electricity prices vary across different countries, which naturally impacts the calculation of CPS and CRS. In 2024, a significant decline in CRS was observed across all analyzed countries, which may indicate issues with integrating solar energy into the market, market saturation, or changes in market dynamics.

Bottleneck to Success: Case Study on Scaling Up Issues of Indian Start-ups

The dynamic growth of start-up companies in India has significantly disrupted the business landscape. However, many start-ups encounter substantial setbacks during the scaling-up stage. This qualitative study explores the challenges faced by Indian start-ups as they scale their businesses. The findings reveal that the primary obstacles include the non-availability of financial resources, difficulties in acquiring the right talent, and challenges in achieving product acceptance. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India is home to over 50,000 start-ups as of 2023, with a yearly growth rate of approximately 12-15%. Despite this robust growth, data shows that about 90% of Indian start-ups fail within the first five years, primarily due to scaling issues. This study highlights that limited access to financial resources remains a critical barrier, with start-ups often struggling to secure funding beyond the initial stages. Talent acquisition is another major hurdle, as start-ups compete with established companies for skilled professionals. Furthermore, gaining market acceptance for new products poses significant challenges due to high competition and market saturation. By developing a comprehensive model, the study demonstrates that government intervention can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Initiatives like the Startup India program, which offers tax benefits, easier compliance, and funding support, are steps in the right direction. Additionally, the results underscore the importance of clearly defining problem statements, exercising patience, and possessing a risk-taking ability as essential factors for the success of start-up companies.

Sand or grease effect? The impact of Islamic banking on the social mission of microfinance institutions

PurposeIslamic banking and microfinance institutions (MFIs) share the core objective of serving the underprivileged. This study aims to investigate whether Islamic banking development facilitates (greases) or hinders (sands) the social mission of MFIs.Design/methodology/approachData for 19 countries covering the period 2010–2018 were collected from the World Bank, Bank Focus and International Monetary Funds and analyzed using conventional econometric methods. Endogeneity-corrected techniques and alternative proxies were employed to ensure robust results.FindingsThe study revealed that Islamic banking development (proxied by the size of the Islamic banking assets) weakens the depth of outreach of MFIs (measured by average loan size). In countries with growing Islamic banking, MFIs appear to shift their focus toward wealthier clients, potentially due to market saturation among the poor. This is evidenced by MFIs offering larger loans, suggesting a mission drift toward profit maximization. Therefore, it can be inferred that competition from Islamic banks, to some extent, erodes the social mission of MFIs.Originality/valueThis study is among the few to examine the recent and comprehensive relationship between Islamic banking development and the social mission of MFIs.