The post-pandemic age has heightened the importance of digitalizing organizational practices and fostering innovation for SMEs to ensure resilient business operations in a volatile work environment. This research paper examines the impact of digital transformation leadership on the digitalization of business practices and the development of innovative business models while considering the roles of organizational agility and knowledge transfer. A survey of 270 employees from SMEs in Lebanon was conducted using the convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was performed quantitatively through Partial Least Squares—Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that adopting digital transformation leadership fosters organizational agility, enabling effective digital transformation and business model innovation with a robust knowledge transfer system. This study contributes to the fields of digital transformation and innovation, and offers practical insights for SME managers navigating uncertainties and market volatility in the post-pandemic period.

Objective: Although the importance of emotional intelligence is noted by several authors, its significance should be emphasized in jobs where crises occur, such as Lebanese banking positions. The significance of the study lies in its main aim, which is to address this gap and examine how the emotional intelligence of Lebanese bank employees affects their performance during a crisis. The aim of the study is to examine the positive impact of emotional intelligence on the performance of employees working in the Lebanese banking sector during a crisis. Methodology: To verify this aim, a questionnaire was distributed to employees working in the Lebanese banking sector during the crisis that has been affecting Lebanon. A sample of 201 respondents was obtained, and the data obtained were analyzed using SPSS. Findings: It was found that employees working in the banking industry during the crisis performed better when they possessed high emotional intelligence. Implications/Value: It is highly recommended that bank managers become aware of the importance of their own emotional intelligence and that of their employees, as it will directly and positively affect their performance during a crisis, thus influencing the overall performance of the sector.

Objective: Lebanon is currently in its third year of an economic crisis that started in 2019 when the banking system collapsed under the weight of massive public debt, the result of decades of corruption and incompetence as well as an unsustainable financing mechanism and the ineptitude of those in power. Many people are wondering why Lebanon’s perversive financial system exists and many financial critics compared the banking system to a Ponzi scheme which has never been supported or refuted before by scholarly research that has been published. Taking into consideration the gap in the body of prior research and writing, the following study aims to address its focal question: Can the Lebanese banking sector be compared to a Ponzi scheme? Method: To test the hypothesis, a survey was delivered to the bank’s clients receiving 432 responses. Results: Based on the responses, the hypothesis was verified at least from the point of view of Lebanese citizens who believe they were tricked and deceived by a Ponzi scheme. Conclusion: Due to the significant harm caused by Ponzi schemes, international authorities are considering conducting extensive interrogation into this destructive enigma. Hence, for future work, it is recommended to conduct a qualitative study to gather data from the perspective of professionals in the Lebanese banking sector, financial market experts, and economic analysts.

Objective: Employee retention is a real challenge and a crucial component that affects the organization's success and sustainability. The major purpose of this study is to examine the human resource management strategies that influence employee retention in private institutions in Lebanon. Methodology: The research employed a quantitative approach using a survey to collect data from a sample of 487 employees, and data was analyzed using the SPSS software. Findings: According to the research, employee empowerment, appraisals, wages and incentives, and training and development, all have a major influence on retaining employees at higher education institutions in Lebanon. Implications: The significance of such practices in establishing a healthy work environment, enhancing job satisfaction, and lowering turnover rates is emphasized in the study. Furthermore, the strong correlation among the variables highlights the value of prioritizing human resources practices for higher employee retention in the competitive educational environment in Lebanon. Orginality/Value: Thus, private universities in Lebanon can enhance employee retention by conducting strengthened training and development, enhancing performance appraisals, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and empowering their employees.

Purpose: In the presence of limited financial resources, developing countries such as Lebanon often allocate small budgets to the sports sector. Even more, the Lebanese Government lacks a strategic approach that is necessary for any nation to achieve elite sport success. This study aims to assess the motivations and barriers that impact Lebanese athletes’ achievements at the Olympics by addressing the factors that affect such participation. Two main aspects were put into the study: lack of governmental support and sponsorship. Design/methodology/approach: This study examines the barriers that hinder achievement by Lebanese Olympians in their International participation with an emphasis on the factors that affect their performance whether positively or negatively. The methodology consisted of a set of survey questions filled by 50 Lebanese athletes and 4 interviews conducted with Lebanese Olympians to make use of their experience and insight regarding such barriers and how to best boost motivation among young and potential talent. Findings: The findings shed light on the limited Lebanese Olympic participation; out of the 17 participation (226 Olympians in total), only 4 Olympians won medals for the country; the past victory was 38 years ago. The reasons as reached are mainly due to the lack of government support and the inability of athletes to secure-related sponsors. Specifically, a lack of governmental support has a negative correlation with athletes’ achievements in international contests. Moreover, the inability of athletes to secure the financial support, in the form of sponsorship, necessary for the training, preparation and all the way to participation. Research limitations/implications: The study revealed a lack of active participation from the government in nurturing skill and elevating talented athletes’ chance to achieve in the Olympics. The main factor that this study was able to identify is the lack of an official body to manage the nurturing, training, financial support up to participation of the athletes in the international events. Practical implications: The study highlighted the importance of training camps and consistent improvement to performance. While these two require extensive investment and devotion, athletes on their own cannot afford to fulfill the requirements without the support of the government; the latter being almost absent. Originality/value: The insights provided through this study address the importance of sponsorship and government support in athletes’ achievements. It shed light on areas that are nonexistent for the Lebanese case and provided practical recommendations that if applied, would increase the chances of Lebanon in competing effectively in the international arena.

Given the significant rise in the number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs worldwide, especially in developing nations, this study investigates the factors influencing fundraising levels among NGOs in Lebanon, a region grappling with profound economic and political challenges. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzes key predictors, including donor funding conditions, financial management practices, organizational fundraising capacity, and competition for funds. Drawing upon a positivist research philosophy and a deductive approach, this study employed a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The responses were collected from 124 key decision-makers in NGOs across Lebanon. Statistical analysis using SPSS was employed to investigate the relationships between the variables. The findings reveal that competition for funds is a significant determinant of fundraising success, underscoring the intense rivalry among NGOs for limited donor resources. In contrast, financial management practices, organizational capacity, and donor funding conditions exhibit negligible impacts, highlighting a crucial divergence from established literature. This study addresses a critical gap by examining Lebanon's unique context, where external factors significantly influence fundraising dynamics for NGOs. By offering actionable insights for both NGOs and policymakers, the research advocates for tailored strategies that specifically address local challenges. The findings aim to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of NGOs within Lebanon's complex landscape. Furthermore, this research contributes to the theoretical discourse on NGO fundraising, emphasizing the necessity for context-specific approaches in developing regions.