Business, Management and Economics Engineering

The role of networking competencies in social enterprise performance

Aija Sannikova, Jelena Titko, Janis Kudins — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Purpose – The goal of this research was to identify the need for networking competencies in social enterprises rated by the managerial personnel of social enterprises and academic staff of universities in Latvia.

Research methodology – A survey among representatives of Latvian social enterprises and academic staff of Latvian higher education institutions (HEIs) was conducted. The data was processed by means of average ranking, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and one-way-ANOVA test.

Findings – The analysis of the results of Latvian survey revealed that: 1) social enterprise per- sonnel and university academic staff rated the role of networking competencies in social enterprise performance differently; 2) social enterprises rated cooperation with local governments higher and with industry associations as less important than the group of university academic staff.

Research limitations – The research is limited to the analysis of only networking competencies.

Practical implications – The research results contribute to the institutional framework for the social entrepreneurship ecosystem through recommendations to universities in creating training programmes of social entrepreneurship competencies.

Originality/Value – The conducted empirical study is the first study of its kind in the Latvian social enterprise ecosystem, and it offers unique data that can be used for planning the development of networking competencies.

The need for financial education in the face of the social media and cryptocurrency phenomenon

Sonia Martin Gomez, Angel Bartolome Muñoz de Luna — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Purpose – is to provide evidence of how social networks act as an indispensable channel in the cryptocurrency phenomenon and its public perception, analysing the context in which it occurs, as well as the patterns followed and the most commonly used channels.

Research methodology – this article explores and provides evidence on the relationship between cryptocurrencies and social networks through the use of digital social listening tools, exploring data retrieved from the most prominent social networks, as well as websites, forums and blogs.

Findings – the urgent need to provide an adequate level of financial education in the digital
economy.

Research limitations – the study should be carried out by age segments to assess whether it is only a problem of the younger population, which are the habitual users of social networks.

Practical implications – the cryptocurrency user or investor is aware of the existing risks associated with cryptocurrencies, especially among the young population, without underestimating the influence that social networks have had and continue to have on the perception and acceptance of digital currencies, and even on their popularity.

Originality/Value – investing in cryptocurrencies requires social responsibility on the part of institutions, demanding adequate legislation and financial training for potential investors.