This paper explores the transformative role of FinTech solutions in enhancing agricultural productivity and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region confronted by myriad challenges including fragmented economies, limited capital, climate adversities, and restricted access to financial services. Drawing upon empirical examples, it delves into the potential of crypto-assets and blockchain technology to address these issues, spotlighting the rapid growth of the FinTech industry as a disruptive force capable of revolutionizing financial accessibility for rural communities. Through a comprehensive literature review and case studies, the study highlights innovative FinTech applications, such as mobile money services, which have significantly contributed to financial inclusion among smallholder farmers, facilitating access to savings, loans, and insurance products. The paper presents two pioneering initiatives from Kenya - the blockchain-based insurance model, Etherisc, and Agri-wallet, a digital wallet solution, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating risks associated with agriculture and enabling efficient financial transactions; and a central information-operator from Ghana, the Esoko. Furthermore, it identifies existing barriers to the wider adoption of FinTech solutions, including infrastructural deficits, legal uncertainties surrounding smart contracts, and the limited penetration of internet services, underscoring the imperative for enhanced digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to maximize the benefits of digital technologies for sustainable agriculture. The findings suggest that, despite challenges, the integration of FinTech in agriculture presents a promising avenue for boosting productivity, ensuring food security, and fostering economic resilience among rural populations in Africa. The paper calls for concerted efforts by stakeholders to address the digital divide and create enabling environments for the deployment of innovative financial technologies, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.

Blockchain technology and its industrial use cases can be detected worldwide. It is time for the state to think about the blockchain as an opportunity to reduce costs and build trust in the public spending. The paper and the presentation give an overview on how the state can apply the distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain technology in the public administration: there are several countries with best practices already, and even more are in the introduction phase of opening to Industry 4.0 in the public services as well. On the field of FinTech area the state has great responsibility to regulate (or at least define) the phenomena of cryptocurrencies, that is already in use for more than 10 years now without any responsible governmental acts. Within this topic the Central Bank Digital Currency projects are also discussed in the paper, which are supported by IMF, and declared as the next natural step forward on financial markets.

This study examines how employees’ psychological capital relates to workplace stress and mobbing (also known as workplace bullying) across three European countries. Stress has become an increasingly dominant issue globally since the second half of the 20th century, moving from clinical contexts into public awareness. It is now recognized as a significant health risk factor, particularly in work environments. While positive forms of stress (eustress) can enhance performance, chronic workplace stress is linked to serious mental and physical health problems. This study investigates the relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap), workplace stress, and mobbing among employees in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Based on a cross-sectional survey (N = 89), the research applied validated instruments (PCQ, PSS-10, COPSOQ II) to measure PsyCap, perceived workplace stress, and experiences of mobbing. Results show a high average PsyCap level (M = 4.64, SD = 0.70) and a moderate perceived workplace stress level (M = 2.73, SD = 0.62) across the sample. A strong negative correlation was identified between PsyCap and workplace stress (r = −0.573, p < 0.001), while a moderate positive correlation was found between workplace stress and mobbing experiences (r = 0.323, p = 0.002). Although PsyCap moderated stress levels, it did not significantly moderate the relationship between mobbing and perceived stress. These findings emphasize the role of PsyCap in reducing workplace stress and underline the necessity of organizational interventions in promoting psychological resilience and mobbing prevention. The results also indicate a need to further examine the causal relationship between mobbing, stress, and PsyCap.

The production and sales figures for electric vehicles are showing a steady upward trend, clearly indicating the growing importance of sustainability goals. A unique historical situation has developed in the US: the owner of the leading electric car manufacturer (Tesla), Elon Musk, has taken an active role in political life. Amid a rising trend in electric vehicle (EV) adoption aligned with global sustainability goals, the political activism of Musk has provoked public backlash, including acts of vandalism and aggression toward Tesla vehicles. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the study explores (1) the psychological underpinnings of object-directed violence, (2) the legal classification of politically motivated vandalism, and (3) the broader market implications of corporate politicization. Our findings confirm that object-directed aggression stems from displaced frustration, especially when individuals feel politically powerless or morally outraged. Our analysis revealed that most Tesla-related vandalism will likely be prosecuted as property crimes. Although U.S. officials have labeled some acts as domestic terrorism or hate crimes, legal thresholds are generally not met. Our interdisciplinary model suggests that the politicization of Tesla has broader implications. Tesla’s symbolic status in the electric vehicle market means that attacks on it risk triggering a decline in public trust toward electric mobility.

Student employment has become an increasingly common feature of higher education, yet research on international students has predominantly approached paid work as an economic necessity. This article examines student employment as a culturally embedded social practice among international students in Hungary, focusing on employment patterns and cultural value orientations. The study applies a mixed-methods design, combining a focus group interview with an online questionnaire survey conducted among international students at a Hungarian university (N = 61). Cultural value orientations were measured using Hofstede’s Values Survey Module, and differences between working and non-working students were analyzed using inferential statistical methods. The results show that international students’ employment is dominated by flexible, low-entry-threshold jobs, particularly platform-based delivery work, while study-related or professional positions remain less common and are associated with higher income levels. Employment participation was significantly related to gender and academic year, with male students and those in higher years of study being more likely to work. Regarding cultural value orientations, a statistically significant difference between working and non-working students emerged only along the masculinity–femininity dimension, with working students displaying more performance-oriented values. The findings highlight that international student employment is associated with both structural constraints and culturally grounded value orientations.