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The chapter aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and crisis on the implementation of the game market strategy of clustering business structures. The chapter contributes to the literature by clarifying the concept of economic clustering from the perspectives of game theory and stakeholder theory in the COVID-19 pandemic and crisis. The scientific novelty and originality of the research results are that they revealed differences in the effectiveness of the game strategy of clustering business structures, first, between developed and developing countries and, second, between conditions of stability and conditions of crisis. The theoretical significance of the results and conclusions is that they opened a new perspective on the clustering of business structures – from the perspective of game theory (as a game strategy in its alternativity with the strategy of individual business presence in the market) and from the perspective of stakeholder theory (as a market strategy, the effectiveness of which is evaluated for all stakeholders). The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that it allows rationalising the decision-making on the implementation of the game strategy of clustering business structures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and crisis, considering the peculiarities of developed and developing countries. The authors provide their recommendations for each category of country.

Multiple linear regression (MLR) is a commonly used statistical technique to predict future values. In this paper, we examine the situation in which a given time series dataset contains numerous observations of important predictor variables that can effectively be classified into groups based on their values. In such situations, cluster analysis is often employed to improve the MLR models predictive accuracy, usually by creating separate regressions for each cluster. We introduce a novel approach in which we use the clusters and cluster centroids as input data for the predictor variables to improve the predictive accuracy of the MLR model. We illustrate and test this approach with a real dataset on fleet maintenance.

This study compares the performance of two types of clustering methods, time-based and non-time-based clustering, in the identification of river discharge patterns at the Johor River basin during the northeast monsoon season. Time-based clustering is represented by employing dynamic time warping (DTW) dissimilarity measure, whereas non-time-based clustering is represented by employing Euclidean dissimilarity measure in analysing the Johor River discharge data. In addition, we combine each of these clustering methods with a frequency domain representation of the discharge data using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) to see if such transformation affects the clustering results. The clustering quality from the hierarchical data structures of the identified river discharge patterns for each of the methods is measured by the Cophenetic Correlation Coefficient (CPCC). The results from the time-based clustering using DTW based on DFT transformation show a higher CPCC value as compared to that of non-time-based clustering methods.

This study examines associations between accrual earnings management (AEM) and real earnings management (REM), and earnings quality between countries considered under insider economics and outsider economics clusters. Countries included in the outsider economics cluster are Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, countries included in the insider economics cluster are Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea. Earnings management practices have changed from AEM to REM since the publication of the Sarbanes Oxley Act and DFA 954 implementation of the Claws back provision policy in the United States.

Research data were obtained from the Bloomberg database, 2010–2016. Regression analysis and t-test were utilized. This study compared AEM and REM to determine which is stronger based on country clusters, as well as the association between AEM or REM and earnings quality.

The results of this study indicate that AEM and REM are associated with the quality of earnings in the insider economics cluster. However, AEM and REM are not associated with earnings quality in the outsider economics cluster. Furthermore, associations between AEM and earnings quality are stronger than associations between REM and earnings quality in insider economics cluster.

This research is to determine scenarios and perspectives for improving the cluster strategy of business integration in the post-COVID-19 era with the help of the methodology of the game theory.

The methodology of this research includes the complex method, statistical method, correlation analysis and the game theory of decision-making.

Based on the analysis of scientific approaches, we formulate the authors' treatment of the essence of the notion of clustering, which characteristics are evaluated in this work. In this treatment, we distinguish factors that influence the development of clustering of business structures of the state, which level is assessed within the analysis. The components of the competitiveness of business structures are among such factors. Cluster structures of certain countries successfully functioned during the COVID-19 pandemic, using effective strategies created independently (United States) and based on the strategies of non-market regulation (China).

The scientific novelty of this research consists in the identification of the types and characteristics of the strategies of clustering of business structures formed during the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras.

To determine the influence of the development of clustering of the national business environment on the level of digital competitiveness.

The research was performed using the following methods: statistical analysis, correlation analysis and comparative analysis.

We study the influence of the development of clustering of the national business environment on the level of digital competitiveness. It is revealed that the studied developed countries (Singapore, Denmark and Switzerland) demonstrate a high level of clustering of business, which is assessed through the use of the indicator ‘State of сluster development’, and a high level of digital competitiveness. The considered developing countries (Peru, Mexico and the Philippines) have medium values of the above variables. Only Peru was able to use a highly effective mechanism of clustering, which influenced the digitalisation of sectors of the economy, which have business clusters. We also describe the competitive advantages of the development of cluster entrepreneurial structures, which ensure their economic and market success.

The scientific novelty of the results obtained is due to the elaboration on the specifics of the influence of the cluster strategy of business integration on the level of national digital competitiveness.

The mechanisms of all life and ecosystems on Earth have a spiritual dimension of interconnectedness. We refer to such patterns as the process of dynamic, awareness-driven clustering, which applies as much to the microscopic molecular world of energetic connectivity that formed the earliest and smallest forms of life, as to the complex world of DNA programmed species which includes the human being. This clustering subsequently develops beyond the definition of the molecular composition and behaviour of any living creature. Each human being, for instance, consists inside of billions of interrelated life forms that sustain the person through symbiotic interaction within our intestines. In fact, we can consider any human being as a uniquely clustered living inner universe of its own.

In a broader context, every human being itself relates with its environment with the same awareness-driven dynamic clustering principles as our inner world. Through this natural activity, we feed, grow, protect, procreate and evolve. Most of this clustering we do as a natural condition of our being. Our evolutionary breakthrough into the conscious world of cognitive perception, auto-reflective awareness, interpretation and communication, has made us a unique self-reviewing, learning, creative species, capable of organising itself out of progressive self-interest. This unique level of evolution has brought us where we stand today, the sixth force of mass destruction of all life forms on Earth, including our own, since our planet has existed, and the first destructive force that is equally characterised as a miracle of wit and creativity among all living species. This relatively sudden, extremely dangerous paradox of wit versus destruction has given rise to a new evolutionary, spiritual breakthrough with newly oriented awareness-driven dynamic clustering, the participation society, or awareness-driven human ecosystem.

This chapter explores some examples of good and not-so-good practices implemented worldwide, especially in Southern Europe, in Creative Tourism activities developed by entrepreneurs. The case studies used in the present chapter are located either in urban territories, small cities or rural areas. The global market introduces some difficulties in achieving good practices, highlighting the need to improve solid partnerships. The support from private and public sectors to institutions and enterprises developing creative tourism activities is analysed. Administrative and economic difficulties are also considered, and some proposals for the future survival of institutions and enterprises. In a global market, the definition of clusters is playing an increasing role in the survival of local and regional economies. In the tourism market, where seasonality is also a significant problem with difficult resolution, creating clusters can also be a great tool to contradict this. However, the success of implementing clusters in the tourism market depends on strong leadership and in-depth monitoring of results planned to be achieved. The present chapter considers clustering in Creative Tourism and the difficulties of implementing it in South Europe. Cultural and organisational issues are highlighted, as well as the need to construct thematic clusters that feature the needs of tourists.