https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/80382 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:01:03 GMT 2026-04-17T03:01:03Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121375 Title: Influencer marketing national guidelines : enhancing consumer rights through responsible marketing Abstract: The widespread use of social media has turned this medium into a powerful marketing platform (Gupta and Singh, 2020). A popular marketing strategy increasingly employed by brands and marketers is that of influencer marketing, which uses the relationship between influencers and their followers, to shape audience attitudes (Freberg et al., 2011). Since influencers’ endorsements often get mixed with everyday content, consumers are not always aware that the influencers’ content can be commercial (De Veirman et al., 2017). This can result in deception and in breach of consumers’ rights. The theoretical part of this study provides an analysis of influencer marketing and how it impacts consumers purchase behaviour. The study further discusses how the disclosure of commercial practices can help consumers make informed buying decisions. A review of best practices employed by different competent authorities to regulate influencer marketing was carried out. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, the study analyses the potential development of national guidelines as a tool to regulate the local influencer marketing industry. The study’s results show that influencer marketing is effective in shaping consumers’ purchase choices and that there are several factors that contribute to this efficacy. Concerning disclosures of commercial content, the findings confirm that appropriate disclosures can help consumers recognise adverts. The research results also indicate a general agreement among the stakeholders interviewed that the publication of national guidelines would facilitate disclosure of commercial practices and provide appropriate legal guidance to the local industry. Furthermore, national guidelines can be used as a self-regulatory tool for voluntary compliance with consumer legislation. Description: Executive M.B.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121375 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/93862 Title: COVID-19 : challenges and opportunities for the grocery retail industry in Malta Abstract: This dissertation is being written in time where clarity is needed. As the title suggests, the purpose of it is to identify patterns within the industry. This is being done by highlighting challenges and the opportunities experienced by grocery retailers due to COVID-19. This dissertation starts of by giving a historical overview into the EU’s Industrial Policy and how this has formed throughout the years. This is followed by a literary review of the European Green Deal and the way it is shaping European policy moving forward, particularly in view of sustainable industry. This analysis is being done in two ways: (i) one-to-one interviews with leading grocery retailers in Malta, and (ii) using secondary data available to provide more details and present other examples. These two methods were instrumental in understanding how this industry operated during the pandemic, what trends arose and what the industry needs to do to switch gears in a post COVID-19 world. The most interesting part of the pandemic is still ongoing. Due to the many variables that may influence further waves of infection, due to the variations and despite a steady vaccination roll-out programme in most nations, the outcome of this pandemic is still unknown. The dissertation will conclude by providing the key points that emerged during the one-to-one interviews and that were fortified by further analysis. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/93862 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/85859 Title: Teleworking in the public service of Malta : trends and patterns Abstract: This research examines the trends and patterns of teleworking in the Maltese Public Service from 2009 until 2020. The increasing use of technology has facilitated the ease of working from home while delivering the same quality service to the public. Teleworking in the Public Service evolved from first generation to second generation with the proper access to ICTs. Views on teleworking arrangements were also sought from teleworkers and senior management. The research was carried out using a mixed method approach. Statistical analysis on the trends and patterns of teleworking were analysed over a period of 11 years. An online questionnaire was disseminated to public service teleworking employees. In-depth Interviews were held with Directors, Corporate Services and Human Resources who endorse teleworking applications. The study concluded that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, teleworking was availed of by women in scales (11-15) who are mainly responsible for taking care of children or elderly relatives. Public officers in scales 1-5 are the least likely to telework. This may be because teleworking is viewed as negatively affecting their chances for promotion. Public officers in scales 16-20 are also not likely to telework due to the nature of their role. Another trend is that teleworking caused the loss of teamwork. Over the years many teleworkers felt professionally isolated, leading to barriers in having good working relationships with colleagues. Such isolation has caused stress and mental issues among teleworkers, increasing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Where management used to supervise and possibly micromanage employees at their place of work, teleworking has caused managers to focus on employee output. The trend and pattern that is emerging is the adoption of the hybrid work model (Ro, 2020). Employees prefer to work from home a few days a week to maintain a work-life balance. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/85859 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/85780 Title: The perceived effects and implications of a de-risking strategy within Malta’s gaming industry Abstract: In this research, the researcher examines the perceived effects and implications of the evolving de-risking occurrence by classifying and explaining the crucial drivers that impact or are influenced by the de-risking process. This research’s primary focus is the perceived implications and critical drivers of the de-risking concept, focusing more on the gaming entities in Malta. Throughout this dissertation, a mixed method approach was adopted to obtain the main goals of this study and answer the research questions. The data was collected through surveys that targeted professionals working with financial institutions, corporate service providers, gaming entities authorities and professional services. This information was analysed using qualitative and quantitative tools. During the past year, Malta’s de-risking concept across various sectors to minimise risks resulted in rising compliance costs, higher penalties and fines. The EU, especially the MoneyVal report, has pushed sectors across Malta to be more compliant and apply measures to mitigate gaps in the regulations that were in place locally. This study focuses on how financial institutions adopted a de-risks strategy that financial institutions used affected gaming entities. It seems that de-risking leads to certain types of customers, such as gaming entities, being financially excluded, resulting in terminated banking relationships. By utilising this risk appetite, various organisations have managed to handle risks more adequately, such as repetitional risks and having a sustainable consumer establishment. The de-risking concept increases ubiquity, and the adoption of this concept needs to be continued in future years, both locally and internationally. Regulatory authorities, such as the MGA, FIAU and MFSA, are responsible for regulating and providing oversight whilst ensuring that the de-risking strategy is being adopted in a meaningful manner, thereby ensuring that legitimate business is not lost. This will ultimately result in the maximisation of the effectiveness of the de-risking strategy by striking the right balance between the adequate management of risks and not destroying the needs of the business, whilst implying the need for regulation to be balanced and proportionate. Since there has been little research on the de-risking strategy that had to be adopted after the MoneyVal report in 2019, this research has mainly focused on the gaming industry in Malta as a vital contributor locally. This is because this study will analyse whether the perceptions regarding the effects and implications of a de-risking strategy in the gaming industry in Malta are aligned between the industry and the regulators themselves. Furthermore, this research strengthens the need for the continuous awareness and campaigns required to enhance the knowledge and expertise of de-risking locally. Educating professionals is necessary to remain up-to-date with all the newest improvements concerning de-risking and AML/CFT. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/85780 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z