The shadow economy’s size and impact remain subjects of extensive research and debate, holding significant implications for economic policy and social welfare. In Lebanon, the ongoing crisis since 2019 has exacerbated severe economic challenges, with the national currency’s collapse, bank crisis, and foreign reserve deficits. The World Bank reports Lebanon’s financial deficit surpassed $72 billion, three times the GDP in 2021. Despite a drastic decline in GDP, imports have surged to near-pre-crisis levels, exacerbating economic woes and indicating a constant outflow of foreign currencies. Considering such contracting facts, this paper aims to investigate global factors influencing the shadow economy and discern their manifestations in Lebanon during financial crises. Our methodology involves a comprehensive literature review, alongside a case study approach specific to Lebanon. This dual-method strategy ensures a detailed understanding of the shadow economy’s impact and the development of actionable insights for policy and economic reform. Through this approach, we seek to contribute to a nuanced understanding of Lebanon’s economic landscape and provide valuable guidance for policy decisions aimed at reducing corruption, promoting transparency, and fostering a robust formal economy. The increase in the shadow economy raises the formal economy risk, as resources and activities diverted to informal channels hinder the growth and stability of the official economic sector. Although focusing on Lebanon, this analysis deepens the comprehension of the economic landscape and provides valuable guidance for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, aiming to address the root causes of informal economic activities and promote sustainable growth in developing countries in general.

Amid Lebanon’s multifaceted economic crisis, this paper explores the intricate dynamics between political patronage networks and financial stability. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of New Institutional Economics (NIE) and Project Management (PM), the study delves into how entrenched political elites and patronage networks have shaped Lebanon’s financial system, exacerbating vulnerabilities and perpetuating the ongoing crisis. Utilizing qualitative methods including in-depth interviews, document analysis, and case studies, the research illuminates the pivotal role of political actors and their vested interests in economic policies and financial institutions. The findings reveal systemic governance failures, crony capitalism, and institutional decay as underlying causes of Lebanon’s economic stress. In response, the paper proposes a comprehensive framework for governance reform that integrates insights from NIE and PM, emphasizing structured planning, accountability mechanisms, and institutional strengthening. The purpose of this study is not only to contribute to a nuanced understanding of Lebanon’s challenges but also to offer actionable insights for policymakers, academics, and stakeholders to address the root causes of the crisis and pave the way for sustainable economic recovery and revitalization.

Understanding the role of personal remittances in economic development is crucial, particularly for countries like Lebanon, where these inflows play a significant role in economic stability. This study investigates the impact of personal remittances on Lebanon’s economic development over the period from 2002 to 2022, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative regression analyses and qualitative data from surveys. The research finds that personal remittances have a more substantial effect on Lebanon’s GDP compared to foreign direct investment (FDI), with positive correlations observed between remittances and key economic indicators such as GDP, public debt, and unemployment rates. Additionally, qualitative findings reveal that remittances are vital for addressing basic living expenses, education, and healthcare needs, illustrating their multifaceted influence on household well-being. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a nuanced understanding of how remittances impact economic development in Lebanon and highlights the need for policy interventions aimed at enhancing financial literacy and promoting productive investments. The findings offer valuable implications for policymakers and stakeholders, suggesting that improving the management and utilization of remittances could significantly bolster Lebanon’s economic resilience and growth prospects.

Este artículo relata una práctica de una simulación empresarial llevada a cabo con alumnos de la Licenciatura Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ADE). El artículo describe diferentes acciones llevadas a cabo para incrementar la satisfacción del alumnado con respecto a la adquisición de conocimientos, su proceso de aprendizaje, así como la adquisición y desarrollo de competencias necesarias para el futuro ejercicio de la profesión.Los excelentes resultados obtenidos entre el alumnado con una práctica realizada en la asignatura de Dirección de Producción y el interés de otros profesores en desarrollar una práctica que integrase diferentes asignaturas de ADE motivó la puesta en práctica de un juego que simulase conceptos de la asignatura de Producción e integrase conceptos de Marketing, Dirección Comercial, Contabilidad, Finanzas y Dirección Estratégica. Las simulaciones descritas en el trabajo fueron realizadas tanto con alumnos de grado como de posgrado y en ambos casos el estudio revela excelentes resultados tanto para el aprendizaje y fijación del conocimiento como para el desarrollo de competencias. Los fallos y aciertos de los alumnos, las situaciones imprevistas detectadas y las conclusiones presentadas a posteriori por parte de los alumnos permiten al profesor discutir sobre distintos puntos durante el resto del curso y llamar a la reflexión sobre lo ocurrido, sus causas y consecuencias.