Észak-magyarországi Stratégiai Füzetek

Navigating the Nexus

2026-07-20T10:37:18+02:00

The effect of ICO Capital Allocation on Project Valuation in Web3 Cryptocurrency Projects

2026-07-20T08:31:40+02:00

This study investigates the allocation of pre-sale capital by blockchain technology-based startup ventures, with a specific focus on the Play-to-Earn (P2E) segment within the Web3 ecosystem, and its impact on token price performance. Our aim is to determine the proportion of initial capital that P2E startups, according to their business plan (whitepaper), allocated to key areas such as team and advisor expenses, marketing activities, and product development. Subsequently, this research centers on the question of how the focal areas of pre-sale capital utilization (team, marketing, development) correlate with the subsequent price performance of the tokens issued by these startups. The timeliness and relevance of this topic are underscored by the dynamic evolution of blockchain technology and the P2E model, as well as the critical role of startups' capital allocation decisions. Understanding how the utilization of initial funding influences long-term value is also of paramount importance for investors. Based on the results, while excessive marketing expenditures may offer a project short-term benefits, this strategy can potentially have negative long-term consequences. A project's financial viability is contingent upon competent human resources and the insights of external experts; nevertheless, these elements alone are not definitively sufficient. The significance of product development was only evident when the effect was measured in Bitcoin terms; no correlation was found when measured in Dollars.

Strategic issue of outsourcing logistics processes involving dangerous materials: a decision support model for selecting the right logistics provider

2026-07-20T08:51:34+02:00

This study examines the outsourcing of dangerous goods logistics. Its objective is to investigate the set of criteria that can be established in a decision-making situation where a company intends to outsource logistics processes related to dangerous goods. Based on the criteria framework, a potential decision-making process can be visualized, illustrating the possible decision paths through which optimal alternative can be selected. Through a structured review of the relevant literature, the risk factors associated with activities involving dangerous goods can be identified, providing the basis for the development of the decision criteria framework. This framework subsequently serves as the foundation for the service provider selection criteria system, through which a decision-making process can also be visualized.

HR as a Bridge Between Work and Life: An Empirical Study on Employee Well-Being and Flexibility

2026-07-20T08:56:52+02:00

This study examines the challenges of work–life balance from a human resource management (HRM) perspective, with particular attention to changing labour market expectations and organisational culture transformation. The central assumption is that the integration of professional and personal life, together with the promotion of mental well-being, is becoming increasingly important for both manual and knowledge workers, with a significant impact on employee performance and commitment. The study used a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative phase was based on an online questionnaire completed by 131 active employees, of whom 69% worked full-time, 17% part-time, and 14% on a project basis. The analysis revealed that part-time and project-based employees reported lower stress levels and more favourable work–life balance perceptions compared to full-time workers. The qualitative phase drew on a semi-structured interview with an experienced HR professional, which provided deeper insights into internal HR practices and talent retention. The findings show that although 45% reported job satisfaction, organisational measures for well-being are often missing. The most common sources of stress include excessive job demands, lack of feedback, and rigid work organisation. The study highlights that supporting work–life balance should not be considered an additional benefit but rather a key element of sustainable HR strategy. By fostering trust, promoting flexibility, and prioritising well-being, organisations can gain long-term competitiveness and stronger retention.

Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots in Patient Management

2026-07-20T09:09:50+02:00

Artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots are expected to play an increasingly important role in patient management systems worldwide. These technologies have the potential to support preliminary triage, reduce waiting times, and alleviate the administrative burden placed on healthcare professionals. At the same time, their application raises substantial challenges related to data protection, ethical accountability, clinical responsibility, and professional practice. The purpose of this study is to present the opportunities and limitations of chatbot applications in healthcare and to illustrate their regional relevance in Hungary through the example of Northern Hungary. Based on a structured literature review and secondary data analysis, the findings indicate that chatbot integration may contribute to enhanced system efficiency and reduced inequalities in access to outpatient care, provided that implementation is accompanied by appropriate regulatory, ethical, and institutional safeguards.

Bridging Loyalty and Innovation: The Dual Challenge for Germany’s Automotive Workforce

2026-07-20T09:30:33+02:00

The study examines the relationship between employee loyalty and innovation within the framework of an empirical study conducted at a large German automotive company. The rapid technological development of the industry, sustainability goals, new market entrants, digitalization, and the rise of electric mobility demand continuous adaptation from both companies and employees. The research aims to explore how the automotive transformation and the associated innovation pressure affect employee loyalty and to identify key factors that promote loyalty. The research is based on a survey conducted among employees working in the company’s development department. The analysis focuses on factors such as organizational culture, job security, brand significance, training opportunities, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. The findings aim to demonstrate that maintaining loyalty amidst the constant progress driven by innovation is a cornerstone of the company’s long-term success. The research provides practical recommendations for human resource management on how to balance strengthening loyalty and fostering innovation.

Manufacturing Development and Regional Socioeconomic Outcomes in the Context of Hungary’s Battery Industry Expansion

2026-07-20T09:41:29+02:00

This paper examines the association between regional manufacturing development intensity and socioeconomic outcomes in Hungary in the context of the country’s recent battery-industry expansion, using an EU27 NUTS2 benchmark panel over 2013–2022. Using a two-way fixed effects framework, it analyses employment, compensation per employee, and the tertiary employment share, while also testing the conditioning role of regional innovation capacity. The results show limited evidence of broad-based employment expansion, clearer wage upgrading, and no systematic upgrading in the tertiary employment share. Wage gains are stronger in regions with higher human capital and R&D effort, suggesting that innovation capacity strengthens the association between manufacturing development intensity and local wage outcomes. The findings suggest that manufacturing deepening in the context of Hungary’s battery-industry expansion is associated with real but uneven regional socioeconomic outcomes.

Land-Use Transformation and the Prospects of Spatial Knowledge Concentration: The Case of the Northern Industrial Area of Szombathely

2026-07-20T10:00:11+02:00

The use of space has changed over time, revealing not only physical characteristics but also ideologies, narratives, and economic and political interests. As a result, spaces go beyond their practical functions to serve as symbols of struggle, power, or visibility, often connected to these broader forces. This paper reviews the spatial characteristics and changes in the land use of the so-called Northern Industrial Area of Szombathely City since the mid-1970s. It explores the area’s characteristics, future development plans and their historical antecedents, while studying the spatial concentration of knowledge and its impacts beyond the industrial zone, extending to the city and the wider region. The study indicates that knowledge concentration requires high-quality training and economy-integrated higher education, active stakeholder cooperation, a critical mass of intellectual resources capable of generating and implementing innovation, and an adequate quality of life. It argues that the city’s industrial structure must shift from labour-intensive to knowledge-intensive ecosystem through coordinated development efforts, which may improve economic robustness, strengthen regional positioning, raise profitability and competitiveness, and contribute to the creation of a resilient knowledge economy.

The Stagnant Union: The Dual Division of Gulf Integration

2026-07-20T10:07:01+02:00

The Persian Gulf region has gradually emerged from its peripheral position as a result of its rapid economic and political development. In line with the broader wave of regional integration that became a global trend during the second half of the twentieth century, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was established in 1981. The member states' shared historical, linguistic, religious, and ethnic characteristics, together with favorable economic prospects, created a unique set of conditions conducive to closer cooperation. Similar to the European Union, one of the GCC's principal objectives was the establishment of a highly integrated form of regional cooperation. In the decades following the signing of its founding charter, however, the Council faced both external and internal divisions, which significantly hindered the deepening of integration. The process of regional integration in the Gulf and the challenges accompanying it can be examined from several perspectives. One widely applicable and effective approach is chronological analysis, which follows the sequence of events over time. Another analytical framework focuses on decision-making processes, examining how individual decisions have shaped the dynamics of cooperation within the organization. This study centers on the key developments that have been most influential in shaping the evolution of Gulf integration, grouping these events according to different analytical criteria. Furthermore, the analysis adopts a comparative qualitative case study approach, highlighting the similarities and differences between Gulf regional cooperation and the European Union, which serves as the primary reference model.

Sustainable Urban Logistics Planning in the V4 countries – A comparative analysis

2026-07-20T10:27:32+02:00

While the number of studies on sustainable urban mobility—and logistics in particular—is growing, a comparative analysis of logistics planning in the V4 countries reveals a research gap. This study examines the attitudes toward sustainable logistics planning in the countries of the Visegrad Group. One of the key areas of urban development is urban logistics, which causes numerous negative environmental impacts. The innovations of the 21st century that are bringing about radical change — including the use of autonomous vehicles and technologies — contribute to its sustainable transformation. A comparative content analysis of relevant national and local planning documents revealed that the logistics planning practices of the V4 countries follow a similar trajectory. Although the integration of self-driving technologies into freight transport appears only sporadically in strategic documents, emission reduction and the promotion of intermodal solutions can be identified as a unified, consistent objective.

Smart city performance of the EU15 capitals, a comparative study

2026-07-20T10:32:41+02:00

The urban population is growing steadily today, and smart cities are playing an increasingly important role across all continents. More international organizations and institutions are supporting the development of smart cities, and an increasing number of recommendations are being made for measuring their effectiveness. This study examines the capitals of the EU15 region in terms of their smart performance and ranks them accordingly. The assessment is conducted using a comprehensive smart city index, in line with the recommendations and pillars outlined in the international literature. The index evaluates the cities’ performance across six components and identifies differences among them. The results suggest that there are disparities in urban indicators even within the region; like the European average, northern-southern and western-eastern differences can be observed. The Northern and Western cities perform consistently well across multiple components, while Southern cities lag due to economic and governance challenges.