Vezetéstudomány / Budapest Management Review
The monthly published, peer-reviewed Vezetéstudomány / Budapest Management Review [ISSN 0133-0179 (Print); ISSN 3057-9376 (Online)] is the most significant journal in the field of business, management, and organizational studies in Hungary, published since 1970. It is a general management journal, which includes studies on different aspects of organizations: structure, processes, and performance, and equally on cultural, behavioural, and technological subjects, and publishes papers that provide empirical findings or contribute to theory. Articles published in the journal (starting in 2022) are indexed in the SCOPUS database.
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CALL FOR PAPERS - THEMATIC ISSUE (Vol. LVIII., 2027): Communication Management and Complexity"
Copyright (c) 2026 Corvinus University of Budapest, publisher of Vezetéstudomány / Budapest Management Review https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From theory to practice – Bridging international competency models with Fligby simulation for leadership self-assessment
This paper explores how the FLIGBY digital simulation bridges the gap between the theoretical frameworks of international leadership competency models (ECQ, UNESCO, UN, OECD) and practical competency development within the public service. The research focuses on the tension between students’ self-perceived competencies and their actual performance measured in simulated decision-making scenarios. An exploratory pilot study was conducted involving 16 public service professionals. A mixed-method approach was employed, where subjective self-assessment scores were linearly transformed to be comparable with the algorithm-based behavioural scores generated by the simulation software. The results confirm a significant discrepancy between „perceived” and „actual” (simulated) competency levels. Participants consistently overestimated their skills, particularly in interpersonal domains. The study concludes that while static competency models define normative expectations, they lack the feedback mechanisms necessary for reflexive self-awareness. The FLIGBY simulation effectively complements these frameworks by providing experiential feedback and fostering realistic self-assessment of leadership.
Systematic Literature Reviews in management research
The aim of the study is to identify the methodological and stylistic requirements of systematic literature reviews in management research, and to present the current practices and development opportunities of Hungarian research in this area. The research consists of two parts. The first part analyses eighteen editorial articles published in international management journals, with the aim of identifying good practices recommended by journal editors. The second part reviews thirty systematic literature reviews published between 2021 and 2025 in Hungarian MTA “A” category journals, evaluating domestic practice against the international benchmark identified in the first step. The comparison suggests that international editors consider methodological transparency, quality of theoretical synthesis, and practical relevance to be the most important, whereas Hungarian articles are more often descriptive and place less emphasis on critical evaluation. The study formulates recommendations to improve methodology, strengthen critical synthesis, and promote the ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence.
Who wins today? University governance and management in model-changing institutions
In Hungary, the most contested higher education reform of recent decades has been the so-called model change, which has generated debates domestically and internationally. The legislation granted the foundations maintaining the modelchanging institutions the opportunity to deviate from the governance model prescribed for state institutions, thereby allowing for a more diverse set of institutional governance practices to emerge. Drawing on the statutes of the modelchanging universities, this article examines the (self)governance and management of universities. The findings indicate that in most model-changing institutions, the powers of the senates have diminished, particularly in financial matters. In one-third of the senates, the share of members whose appointment depends on the management or the board of trustees has substantially increased. Overall, four distinct types of senates can be identified: self-governing, marginalised, symbolic, and controlled senates. With regard to management, three main models emerge: the rector–chancellor, the presidential and the rectoral model.
The presence of machiavellianism in the workplace
Machiavellianism is a core personality trait of the Dark Triad that, in organizational contexts, is associated with strategic self-advancement and orientations toward power and hierarchical positions. The present study aimed to examine the extent to which Machiavellianism (Mach) can be explained by demographic and work-related status variables. The sample consisted of 768 participants, and Machiavellianism was assessed using the Machiavellianism Personality Scale (MPS). A multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the overall model was statistically significant (R2 = .190; R2Adj.= .178 p < .001). The results showed that women scored lower on Machiavellianism than men, whereas middle- and topmanagement positions were associated with higher Mach scores compared to non-managerial roles. Participants aged 51 years and above exhibited lower Mach scores relative to those aged 18-30, while organizational tenure did not emerge as a significant predictor.
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Magyar Tudományos Akadémia IX. Osztály Gazdálkodástudományi Bizottság Ipar- és Vállalatgazdaságtan Albizottsága, Marketingtudományi Albizottsága és Vezetés- és Szervezéstudományi Albizottsága
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Challenges in mobilizing formal volunteers
Despite increasing participation in volunteer activities, effectively mobilizing potential volunteers remains challenging. Understanding this requires identifying the factors that hinder volunteering, as well as distinguishing between different groups of potential participants. In this pilot online survey, the authors examined inhibiting factors along the dimensions of “cannot”, “doesn’t want to”, and “no one asked”. Cluster analysis identified three distinct groups: the weakly constrained (n=189), the multiply constrained (n=65), and waiting potential volunteers (n=107). Cluster membership was significantly associated with gender, religiosity, community-oriented motivation, and prior volunteering experience. Limitations include non-probability sampling and the relatively small sample size; therefore, the findings are not generalizable. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the application of differentiated recruitment strategies may be justified for volunteer organizations. In particular, the group of waiting potential volunteers deserves special attention, as its members are open to participation but have not previously been approached.
Factors influencing openness to artificial intelligence
With the rapid spread of digital technologies, employee openness toward the workplace integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key factor in the adaptability of organizations within the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. This study aims to identify the main factors influencing openness to AI integration, with a focus on employee engagement, work experience, job position, and educational background. Based on a survey conducted among 129 employees, the authors applied ordinal logistic regression to test their hypotheses. Results indicate that employee engagement, ICT-specific work experience, and managerial roles significantly increase openness to AI. In contrast, age, general work experience, and education level did not show a significant effect. The practical implication of the study is that successful AI implementation requires strengthening employee engagement and ensuring managerial support.
Business collaboration, digitalization, and innovation redefining success in uncertain times – A CEE perspective foreword to the special issue
Copyright (c) 2025 Corvinus University of Budapest, publisher of Vezetéstudomány / Budapest Management Review https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CALL FOR PAPERS - THEMATIC ISSUE (Vol. LVII., 2026): Entrepreneurship Research
Entrepreneurial uncertainty in Central and Eastern Europe
Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has long been shaped by institutional instability, political volatility, and repeated shocks. This paper synthesizes findings from 42 studies to examine how entrepreneurs in this region navigate uncertainty. The systematic coding process revealed recurring themes, including institutional fragility, political involvement, responses to external shocks, digital innovation, migrant and cultural entrepreneurship, long-term reforms, and regional development. Evidence shows that entrepreneurs in CEE rely less on formal institutions and more on trust-based networks, pragmatic approaches to innovation, and practices rooted in identity. Events such as pandemics and the Ukraine war have exposed existing vulnerabilities, but also highlighted the adaptive strategies, including increased digital engagement and refugee entrepreneurship. Overall, entrepreneurship serves as both a coping mechanism amid crises and a catalyst for transformation in transitional economies. Based on these insights, the paper proposes strategies for institutional reforms, digital skills enhancement, and inclusive support systems.
Advancing sustainability in organic food SMEs through green entrepreneurship
This bibliometric study analyses 157 publications (between 2015 and March 2025) mapping research at the intersection of green entrepreneurship, sustainability, and organic food SMEs. Citation network analysis identified six thematic clusters: sustainable business model innovation, financing mechanisms for green innovation, transformative entrepreneurship, circular economy strategies, institutional support systems, and hybrid business models in organic food. Performance analysis reveals that systematic reviews and conceptual frameworks predominate in high-impact research (GCS: 1.6-8.8). Temporal evolution shows a transition from broad sustainability frameworks pre-2020 to focused innovation strategies post-2020, driven by the European Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Geographic concentration in Western Europe and Asia limits cross-contextual applicability. Critical gaps include longitudinal validation of sustainable business models, gender-inclusive entrepreneurship research, and digital transformation pathways in developing economies. This study advances bibliometric methods in entrepreneurship research while providing evidence-based priorities for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in organic food sustainability.
Working on a dream – Resources and management of family businesses in winemaking
The performance of family firms depends critically on how they recognize, configure, and leverage their resource base, particularly the intangible, family-derived elements commonly referred to as familiness. This study examines Hungarian family-owned wineries with the aim of identifying their key resources, exploring their dual – both advantageous and constraining – nature, and analysing how they become embedded in everyday operations. Drawing on qualitative interviews and the existing literature, the paper introduces three novel theoretical contributions: a dynamic, life-cycle-dependent interpretation of familiness, the identification of status quo preference as a previously underexplored mechanism that inhibits the deployment of VRIN resources, and the concept of a “natural VRIN configuration” emerging from the integration of physical (e.g., terroir) and family-based intangible resources. Based on these insights, the author develops a holistic, seven-step, iterative resource-management model that links theoretical perspectives with practical managerial processes and deepens the understanding of resource dynamics in family firms.
The diffusion of AI-based technologies generates both new opportunities and challenges for society, which directly affects user attitudes. The aim of this study is to empirically test the applicability of the General Attitudes Towards AI Scale (GAAIS) in the Hungarian population and to identify attitude-based segments, along with their value-oriented profiles. Data collection took place in autumn 2024, resulting in a sample of n=415. The online questionnaire included demographic items and validated scales (GAAIS, PVQ21). The findings reveal three distinct attitude segments, which differ along individual value orientations. Among members of the Positive segment, the core values are Universality, Stimulation, and Hedonism, whereas in the Negative segment, Self Direction and Tradition emerge as the primary value dimensions. In the case of the Ambivalent segment, the dominant values are Power, Security, Conformity, and Tradition. These results provide a basis for further analyses and strategy development, while enriching the academic discourse on AI attitudes.
CALL FOR PAPERS - THEMATIC ISSUE (Vol. LVII., 2026): Stakeholder Roles in Product and Service Management
Assessing the consequences of digitalization
The rapid spread of digital technology is transforming workplaces and creating new challenges. Technostress has emerged as a critical factor to investigate, with the authors’ current research exploring its negative side (distress). Their goal was to develop and validate a Hungarian-language scale for measuring workplace technostress, building upon recognized international scales, contributing to the Hungarian literature on technostressors, and providing a tool for further research. Their cross-sectional study is based on a questionnaire with a non-representative convenience sample (n=337). The analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the seven-dimensional scale (Overload, Invasion, Complexity, Uncertainty, Insecurity, Usefulness, Safety/Threat). Although average levels of technostress were low, individual variability was relevant, highlighting the need to differentiate technostress levels based on individual or organizational characteristics. Along with proposed refinements, the scale can be used in future studies to map the effects of technostress in the workplace and formulate recommendations for preventing its negative impacts.
The study examines, within the framework of smart tourism, “double AI” (AI-on-AI) systems. The aim is to present how leaders in the tourism sector (SMEs, municipalities, destinations) can use these new frameworks to increase risk resilience. The research is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of resilience and AI technology, utilising both qualitative (case studies) and quantitative (surveys) methods. According to the literature, AI enables personalised services and enhanced efficiency in tourism while also presenting new challenges related to data protection and employment. The study complements this by presenting international and Hungarian examples, as well as three comparative case studies. The results encompass, on the one hand, the primary components and impacts of AI systems on resilience, and, on the other hand, the key quantitative indicators from the surveys. This mixed-method approach supports corporate leaders’ decisionmaking from several perspectives.
Why do we refrain from volunteering? A test of inhibiting factors
In light of Hungary’s changing socio-economic landscape and the crisis situations of recent years, voluntary organizations are experiencing increasing pressure, highlighting the need to engage a growing number of volunteers. While the number of volunteers has risen, understanding the reasons behind non-participation remains essential for effective recruitment. This study explores barriers to volunteering in Hungary by applying an internationally recognized framework. A quantitative empirical investigation was conducted, in which the original statements of the framework were adapted into the Hungarian language and tested through a questionnaire. The results show that the adapted version is fully applicable for three factors (lack of skill, lack of accountability, lack of opportunity), while three others (lack of time, physical boundaries, and stress associated with volunteering) are only partially transferable. For the remaining two factors (lack of benefit, social boundaries), the measures did not prove to be valid in the Hungarian context.
Success factors of digital solution implementation
Digitalization is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time. While digitalization offers numerous advantages, organizations also face significant difficulties in implementing digital solutions, making it essential to examine the factors that lead to success or failure. This paper explores and contextualizes the success factors of digital solution implementation – technological factors, technology-organization fit, and management competence – through a systematic literature review (conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines) and qualitative interviews. The qualitative research emphasizes the crucial role of project champions, process orientation, and experiential learning in the success of digital solution implementations in the Hungarian context.
Providing a home in the midst of homelessness
Social and solidarity economy (SSE) organizations have played a significant role in supporting refugees of the Russian-Ukrainian war, often being the first to offer solutions to newly emerging challenges in the asylum system. Thus, many of their activities can be considered social innovation, a topic rarely researched in Hungary. To fill this research gap, this paper analyses Dorcas Ministries’ refugee mission program from the perspective of social innovation, through a case study based on interviews with various stakeholders. According to the results, the program implemented at the organization’s Debrecen site from March 1, 2022, to April 30, 2025, provided activities based on the needs of the deeply impoverished Transcarpathian Roma refugee families, promoting skills development and empowerment across several areas in a complex manner. Therefore, it can be considered a gap-filling social innovation with a positive impact on both the target group and the implementers in many aspects.
Real options and artificial intelligence in decision support for hydrogen-based investments
Global decarbonization goals and the rapid pace of the energy transition are changing technological and economic decision-making. Hydrogen is a promising pillar of sustainable energy. Its widespread deployment is hindered by high capital and operational costs, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory uncertainties. These factors complicate investment timing and feasibility decisions. This study seeks to identify research trends and methods for hydrogen investment planning. The authors use bibliometric analysis of keyword co-occurrence, regional distribution, and author networks. Real options theory for incorporating uncertainty and flexibility into investment decisions and the emerging role of AI and ML in optimizing complex energy systems are highlighted. The findings show that most decision-theoretic research focuses on energy system optimization, uncertainty management, and renewables integration, rather than hydrogen. The paper identifies research gaps and suggests ways to explicitly embed hydrogen into economic evaluation frameworks and decision-support systems that use financial models and AI-driven tools.
This study investigates the organisational preparedness and challenges Hungarian public interest entities (PIEs) face when implementing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This paper addresses a novel and relevant aspect of corporate sustainability, providing one of the first systematic, interview-based insights into an area of growing regulatory concern with limited empirical knowledge in the European Union’s evolving sustainability landscape. Through semi-structured interviews conducted with sustainability leaders from eleven companies, this study reveals that regulatory alignment is enhancing reporting transparency, yet transitioning to externally assured non-financial data poses a substantial challenge. Interviewees repeatedly pointed to the assurance process as the forthcoming milestone and one of the most intricate aspects of sustainability reporting. This research suggests that fragmented data systems and rapidly changing reporting standards further impose difficulties for compliance with reporting, which demands greater accuracy, transparency, and methodological rigour. The empirical results offer valuable insights for both practitioners and policymakers.
Coach-athlete relationship and motivation, intention to change clubs and intention to leave the sport among players of Hungary ice hockey academies
The study of the interpersonal relationship between the coach and the athlete (Coach-Athlete Relationship, CAR) is one of the rapidly developing areas of sports psychology. Three dimensions of CAR can be distinguished: emotional, cognitive, and behavioural. The authors’ research extends CAR research by investigating whether athletes can be classified into different profile groups based on these CAR dimensions and, if so, whether these profiles differ in their level of self-determination and whether they change clubs or leave the sport. The study participants were 202 youth ice hockey players from Hungarian state-accredited hockey academies, who filled out a questionnaire survey. The research identified four significantly distinct CAR profiles, which showed different relationships with motivational regulations identified by the self-determination theory (Amotivation, External Regulation, Introjected Regulation, Identified Regulation, Integrated Regulation, and Intrinsic Regulation), as well as with intentions to change clubs and quit the sport. The article also discusses theoretical and practical implications.
Moodle – An information system success view
Digitalisation has become essential for higher education institutions. Sustaining complex information systems must enable faster, more convenient administration while also improving learning outcomes. Understanding the users’ opinions can make a relevant contribution to developing these systems. The study focuses on students’ opinions of Moodle, a popular virtual learning environment at universities. The framework model is based on the DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems Success; the analysis used the PLS-SEM method. A non-representative sample of 309 students was available from various universities in Hungary. The results reveal that the benefits of Moodle can be derived from the informationprovided by the system and the satisfaction of the users. The information success approach to Moodle offers a new perspective on decisions on digitalisation improvements in higher education. Extending the model to other systems may offer a comprehensive evaluation framework.
Examining cooperation strategies in a simulated conflict situation in terms of work addiction and assertiveness
Work addiction and assertiveness were mapped by creating a simulated conflict situation. To conduct the study, students from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Debrecen solved a multi-faceted integrative bargaining task and completed the WART-HU and the Rathus Assertiveness Questionnaire. Based on the experiences of 210 pairs of negotiations (n=420), the members of pairs that showed full cooperation in the bargaining process (30 pairs, or 14.28%) proved to be significantly more vulnerable to work addiction (U=1.959; p=0.016). Gender differences also emerged during the negotiations, with men proving to be significantly more assertive among the participants (U=16.503; p<0.001), while women reflected a greater involvement in terms of work addiction (U=15.750; p<0.001). There was also a slight negative correlation between work addiction (r=-0.153, p=0.027) and the occurrence of unfair agreements. The results suggest that higher exposure to work addiction is associated with more optimal utilization of integration potential.