Abstract
The current literature focuses on the cocreation of brands in dynamic contexts, but the impact of the relationships among brands on branding is poorly documented. To address this gap a concept is proposed concerning the relationships between brands and a model is developed, showing the influence of the latter on the identity and reputation of brands. Therefore, the goal of this study is to develop a brand relationships concept and to build a framework relating it with corporate brand identity and reputation, in a higher consumer involvement context like higher education. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for this purpose. In line with this, interviews, cooperatively developed by higher education lecturers and brand managers, were carried out with focus groups of higher education students, and questionnaires conducted, with 216 complete surveys obtained. Data are analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Results demonstrate that the concept of brand relationships comprises three dimensions: trust, commitment, and motivation. The structural model reveals robustness regarding the selected fit indicators, demonstrating that the relationships between brands influence brand identity and reputation. This suggests that managers must choose and promote brand relationships that gel with the identity and reputation of the primary brand they manage, to develop an integrated balanced product range.

Abstract
This paper investigated the impact of employee quality on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Based on data from China A-share-listed companies for the years 2012-2016 and using ordinary least squares, our empirical results show that the educational level of the workforce, as a proxy for employee quality, is positively associated with CSR, which suggests that higher education can promote CSR implementation. Additional analyses found that this positive relationship is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, enterprises in regions with lower marketisation processes, and firms with lower proportions of independent directors. This study extends the literature on human capital at the level of firms' entire workforce and CSR by elaborating the positive effect of employee quality on CSR in the context of an emerging economy (China). The results suggest that it is necessary to consider the educational level of employees when analysing CSR, which is of strategic significance for corporate sustainable development.

Abstract
The challenges of financial systems have immediate or medium-term social effects. The financial industry is constantly searching for measures to reduce these challenges, especially for those with little or no access to financial services. While current communication technologies make services more accessible through digital mobile platforms, there are still difficulties in establishing viable customer arrangements. In addition to the increased investment in financial technologies, nonbanking financial institutions have now expanded to offer more flexible services tailored to individual circumstances, especially those in isolated rural areas. This research outlines the network model of nonbanking financial institutions in Romania, as well as a microfinance model, based on the financial analysis of four national indicators of nonbanking financial institutions. Data used are presented in absolute values, from the annual numerical series for the reference period 2007-2017. The new initiatives and features incorporated in this Romanian model should be applicable elsewhere and will actively contribute to the expansion and sustainability of financial services, with a positive inclusive impact on society.

Abstract
In the present study the strategies of innovation, risk and proactiveness in micro and small businesses comparing their results between family and non- family firms were studied. Although it is common to find in the literature a trend of better performance of family businesses, this work is counteracted this trend. Not to the particular performance level, but the strategies presented, whose adoption leads to better performance. The study was carried out in the Vale do Sousa region and industrial and construction companies were considered. In terms of results, the sample allows us to conclude by 47 % of family businesses. Comparing the family business groups and unfamiliar, it was found that there were no differences in terms of innovation strategies and risks, however, the non- family businesses have become more proactive. In line with these results also found that it is not possible to distinguish between family and non- family firms in terms of entrepreneurship.

Abstract
This paper analyses the directions and causes of student migration in the information society at economic universities in Poland and Portugal. An international survey was conducted among students born between 1981 and 1995. The research included a group of 121 Polish and 55 Portuguese students. The conclusions of the study confirm the hypothesis that the place of residence/country of origin has a significant effect on the direction of migration. Furthermore, the causes of migration are largely dependent on the gender of the respondents and their professional status.

Abstract
In order to investigate the factors influencing the sustainable guarantee network and its differences in different spatial and temporal scales, logistic regression algorithm is used to analyze the data of listed companies in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China from 2008 to 2017 (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). The study finds that, overall, companies with better profitability, poor solvency, poor operational capability and higher levels of economic development are more likely to join the guarantee network. On the temporal scale, solvency and regional economic development exert increasing higher impact on the companies' accession to the guarantee network, and operational capacity has increasingly smaller impact. On the spatial scale, the less close link between company executives and companies in the western region suggests higher possibility to join the guarantee network. The predictive accuracy test results of the logistic regression algorithm show that the training model of the western sample enterprises has the highest prediction accuracy when predicting enterprise behavior of joining the guarantee network, while the accuracy is the lowest in the central region. When forecasting enterprises' failure to join the guarantee network, the training model of the central sample enterprise has the highest accuracy, while the accuracy is the lowest in the eastern region. This paper discusses the internal and external factors influencing the guarantee network risk from the perspective of spatial and temporal differences of the guarantee network, and discriminates the prediction accuracy of the training model, which means certain guiding significance for listed company management, bank and government to identify and control the guarantee network risk.