Article

 

DID COVID-19 FORCE GREEK CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES TOWARD GREEN PRACTICES? (p.13-33)

by

Antonia DELISTAVROU, INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC UNIVERSITY

Irene TILIKIDOU, INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC UNIVERSITY

Keywords : Green Practices, COVID-19, Chemical Industry

JEL classification : M31, Q01

Abstract

The quantitative part of this study revealed that there is a considerable portion of companies that neglect to replace fossil fuels, green certificates, or other measures towards reducing emissions. On the other hand, the industries increase their recycling efforts. Marketing and managerial factors, such as image and morale of employees, are more substantial incentives towards green practices than actual pro-environmental factors, such as reduction of either water and energy consumption or carbon dioxide emissions. The importance of corporate image and reputation as well as compliance with regulations tends to increase while the significance of hygiene and safety conditions was dramatically raised due to COVID-19. Qualitative techniques offered unforeseen aspects. The experts’ positive attitudes towards sustainability were highlighted. However, the interviews revealed considerable delay in adopting green practices by the Greek cosmetics and detergents industries. The alleged impact of the pandemic on green production practices is not yet apparent in the experts’ testimonies. It is the national and European regulations and funding that seem to drive any pro-environmental changes in chemical industries. In addition, the executives underlined the role of marketing as the most crucial factor in any firm’s response to society’s constantly growing environmental concerns.

 

 

THE IMPACT OF COVID ON GHANA’S BUSINESS SECTORS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS  (p.35-51)

by

Ronald Mellado MILLER , UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Joshua SEBU, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Emmanuelle A. DANKWA, OXFORD UNIVERSITY

Maureen Snow ANDRADE, UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Gerritt C. BRADLEY, UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Keywords : Emerging economies, Ghana, COVID-19

JEL classification : C63, F00

Abstract

Based on data collected by the Statistical Service of Ghana, in contrast to previous research showing that government funding strategies have been ineffective for recovering income on individual levels, the current study found that government support, the adoption of mobile money, and internet access had a positive effect on sales during the current COVID pandemic. This shows that, with lockdowns in place, firms able to pivot to or expand their internet and mobile sales or those with these features already in place were more likely to perform well. This has broader implications for West Africa as well as for countries seeking a path to best practices now and in future crises.

 

 

A SHORT NOTE ON ALGORITHMIC APPROACHES TO IMPLIED VOLATILITY OF AN OPTION (p.53-59)

by

REZA HABIBI, IRAN BANKING INSTITUTE

Keywords : Arbitrage opportunity, Implied volatility, NR approximation, Optimal control, SA method

JEL classification : G12

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the implied volatilities of financial derivatives, specially options. While analyzing the option including its price, or implied volatility, some algorithms are needed which a unified version of algorithm is proposed. First, some recursive implied volatilities are derived using the Monte Carlo-based Newton-Raphson (NR) and the stochastic approximation (SA) method. Then, to extend the work of Liao (2003) in call option derivatives to almost all financial derivatives, a Bayes filter is fitted to implied volatility. Then, the existence of arbitrage opportunity in an option market is surveyed using optimal. Finally, a conclusion section is also given.

 

 

MANPOWER AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS POLICIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF GREEK PUBLIC EDUCATION (p.61-77)

by

Theodore KOUTROUKIS , DEMOCRITUS UNIVERSITY OF THRACE

Eleftheria SPYROPOULOU, ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI

Keywords : School Management, Pandemic, COVID-19, Principals, Employee Relations, Leadership

JEL classification : I18, I20, I30, J59, J88

Abstract

This paper aims to assess how Coronavirus has affected Labour-Management Relations and ordinary work in Greek primary and secondary education. The relevant literature has been studied and evidence was collected by primary and secondary school principals. Τhe results have revealed that the higher proportion of the principals believe that the Pandemic has affected to a large degree: (i) their relationship with the teachers and (ii) teachers’ everyday work. Moreover, the conclusions report several indications on the emerging role of school principals during the health crisis and propose certain perspectives for future research.

 

 

MOTIVATIONS AND PROFILES OF VIDEO GAME USERS: A LITERATURE REVIEW (p.79-98)

by

Nikitas-Spiros KOUTSOUKIS , UNIVERSITY OF THE PELOPONNESE

Adonios KARGAS , UNIVERSITY OF WEST ATTICA

Panagiotis ZAFIRAKIS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PELOPONNESE

Aikaterini KOUZINOU, UNIVERSITY OF THE PELOPONNESE

Sofia SARELA, UNIVERSITY OF THE PELOPONNESE

Efstathios T. FAKIOLAS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PELOPONNESE

Keywords : Video games, Motivations, Profiles

JEL classification : L8, L82, L63

Abstract

The paper reviews the mainstream literature on what urges the engagement with videogames based on the motivations and profiles of videogame users. The review starts with an overview of theories on motivations and delves into the major categories of individual motivations. It comes to full circle by examining the demographic characteristics of players on grounds of which basic categories of their profiles are analyzed. In conclusion, each player is a unique individual that is influenced and mobilized in different ways, while the profile of each player often changes in congruence with its needs and the circumstances of the real world.