Search

Nowadays, there is an increasing recognition of the value of eco-innovation in both academic and practical spheres. Establishing the connection between eco-innovation and corporate performance is highly important. This paper aimed to analyze the correlation between eco-innovation, corporate performance, and company size. To accomplish this goal, the paper collected unique data from 383 global non-financial companies using the Refinitiv Eikon database from 2013 to 2022. This paper uses fixed effect and (generalized method of moment) GMM techniques to overcome possible endogeneity concerns. The strong empirical results display a positive relationship between eco-innovation and corporate performance. Importantly, this paper discovered that the size of companies significantly magnifies the effect of eco-innovation on corporate performance. Our findings are still robust to endogeneity concerns. The results confirm that prioritizing eco-innovation can benefit larger companies in multiple ways, including boosting productivity, avoiding penalties, expanding into new markets, improving green image, and gaining a competitive edge, all of which ultimately enhance corporate performance. Additionally, the extensive evaluation by stakeholders enables these larger corporations to generate increased profits. This paper aims to contribute the innovation literature by exploring an under-explored topic using extensive panel data and offering practical guidance for non-financial firm stakeholders. The implications of the findings have various impacts on future research and policy development. Furthermore, this paper aims to assist policymakers in establishing impactful mechanisms and guidelines that foster ecologically conscious attitudes. The conclusion assists managers in grasping the importance of context-based eco-innovation.

Due to rapid advances being made in computing technologies, open innovation methods are being used for better managerial forecasting and min-max efficient time for delivering final products to the marketplace. This requires that technology, time, human capital, efficient and sound production methods, and delivery are all high quality. This paper explores how ‘process development′ can connect all parties in managerial efficiency in time and cost to achieve targeted goals. Knowledge gaps concerning operations and technological forecasting of multiple development projects under open innovation infrastructure are filled in here. Overlapping consecutive tasks in the production process to reach the desired objective are described. The proposed model recognizes the trade-off between time-to-market reduction and devising a scheduling process that is minimized as much as possible, which demonstrates time to delivery effectiveness. The model serves to conduct an empirical study using Chinese data. We observe encouraging results in the modelling of operational excellence in technology development processes (lead time data) using Convex, Linear and Nonlinear models to achieve the goals. Overall, in open innovation, where collaboration spans boundaries and involves multiple stakeholders, effective overlapping scheduling isn't just about managing time; it's about orchestrating a harmonious collaboration that enables diverse groups to work cohesively towards a shared goal, and our paper contributes to providing a seminal toolkit and methodologies into it.

This paper illustrates how an industrial cluster can be created when there is little established industry from which the cluster can evolve. Industrial clusters are known to give firms superior performance by improving the competitiveness of regions. There is significant debate on effective strategies to create new industrial clusters.Incorporating evidence from a systematic literature review supported by quantitative data this study demonstrates that an industrial cluster can be created without a preestablished industrial base. The medical device cluster in Galway, Ireland is used for the study.The results show how government policies supported the cluster's creation. The engagement of key institutions and stakeholders improved the competitive factors in a self-reinforcing cycle. Using a theoretical model, the growth of the cluster is explained. The paper suggests measures to assess the health of a cluster and identifies the importance of geographic location. Policies to improve a cluster need to be focused on closely bounded regions and not dispersed.

This paper retrospectively examines how the digital payment-financial inclusion nexus fostered demand-driven payment system innovation and diffusion within the global open economy during the COVID-19 crisis. To that end, the paper uses a cross-sectional sample of 127854 respondents from across 123 economies, extracted from the 2021 wave of the Global Findex Survey. Together with a hybrid theoretical framework that bridges the quadruple helix (QH) innovation model with random utility theory (RUT), the study characterizes individuals’ stated preferences for cashless payment across the three consumption domains of in-store shopping, online shopping, and regular bills settlement. The parameters of the resulting econometric model are estimated within the R software version 3.6.3. The findings from all nine considered demand side financial inclusion indicators reveal that globally, during the crisis, formal financial inclusion had a significantly positive impact on the marginal utility, and thus likelihood that individuals use digital payment solutions (DPS) for in-store and online shopping experiences, as well as regular bills settlement. Additionally, DPS uptake for online shopping highlighted a significant gender-based gradient in favor of males. Moreover, higher education levels, labor market participation, rising income levels, reduced COVID-19 related financial worries, mobile phone ownership, and internet access, are all found to have positively contributed to individuals’ DPS uptake likelihood during the crisis. Furthermore, a cross-country heterogeneity in individuals’ cashless payment preferences remained persistent across the three consumption domains due to macroeconomic, regulatory, cultural, and digital infrastructural readiness differences between countries. Overall, the findings provide support for evidence-based decision making by all digital payment ecosystem stakeholders.

The paper explores the concept of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) in the context of the tourism industry. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and competition among companies within regional systems to foster innovation. It also discusses the role of social capital, relational assets, and social relationships in driving innovation within RIS. The Campania Region recognizes the importance of tourism for its development and supports the digital transition, modernization of public administration, communication infrastructure, and production system. In this vein, the paper proposes a theoretical framework that combines dynamic capabilities, relational view, and resource-based theory to explain the mechanisms and dynamics of RIS. The co-creation of innovation and strategic plans within a system of regional assets is highlighted as a key aspect of RIS. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and the integration of various stakeholders' interests in the development of sustainable and innovative regional systems.

This paper aims to provide an alternative perspective on the constructs of family enterprise model. The conceptual model shows the nexus of family and enterprises in four quadrants: Kin, Business; Kin, Not-business; Not-kin, Business; and, Not-kin, Not-business. This construct synthesis aims to cover family enterprises from ancient to contemporary times to contribute to a theoretically founded conceptual framework. The two constructs to form a definition of family enterprise are enterprise, and attachment. The enterprise construct consists of two dimensions, Business and Not-Business. The attachment construct comprises two dimensions, Kin and Not-Kin, which are then offered with conceptual definitions. The paper proposes several ways to appropriately measure the constructs to address research questions. To the best of my knowledge, it is the first academic paper that includes not businesses such as not-for-profit as part of family enterprise business model. It examines the concept of family as member attachment to the enterprise rather than member ancestry. Practitioners and policymakers seeking solutions to family enterprises can use the four quadrants to investigate the issues, as each quadrant contains unique characteristics.

The relationship between managerial qualities and risk management is unclear, particularly for small and medium-sized organizations (SMEs) in developing market economies such as South Africa, because much research has focused on big enterprises in industrialized nations. To address this knowledge gap, this paper investigates the relationship between SME owner-manager characteristics and risk management, using upper echelons theory in a novel approach to provide a better understanding of how owner-manager characteristics may be linked to risk management strategies. This was achieved by the distribution of questionnaires to 320 purposely selected SMEs in Cape Town as well as personal interviews with two risk experts. The results show that risk avoidance is SMEs' most prevalent risk management strategy. The findings also show that SME owner-manager characteristics and risk management strategies are firmly and significantly linked, revealing the key determinants of effective risk management in SMEs. This paper is unique because it focuses on the often-overlooked topic of applying echelons theory to SMEs. Aside from bridging this knowledge gap, it has significant implications, such as informing SME owner-managers and policymakers on key variables that influence SME risk management strategies and making recommendations for future research.

Evaluating patent assets from the perspective of a patent portfolio is an emerging research direction and also a concrete practical example of open innovation theory, which presents the main form of encouraging more innovation entities to participate and further innovate by disclosing technological innovation information. For a better understanding of the patent portfolio value system at the quantitative level, this paper attempts to explore the relationship between the patent portfolio and the open innovation environment of industrial clusters, thus proposing a dynamic patent value evaluation method. Therefore, through focusing on the field of artificial intelligence for healthcare, this paper implements the evaluation process based on collecting relevant patent data and building an intuitionistic fuzzy set evaluation system. The evaluation results provide a value ranking for the patent portfolio, which helps decision-makers to carry out industrial patent layout planning and implement patent licensing strategies orienting to open innovation.

Green economy is the way forward to achieve economic, social and environmental, sustainable development. However, to accelerate the transition to green economy, private sector companies need to understand the impact of imposing green polices and activities on the economy. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of green growth on future aggregate stock market returns on European stock exchanges. Using fixed effects model, the results show that green growth policies result in lower future aggregate stock market returns consistent with the investors’ perceived reduction in risk argument. The findings of this paper enhance our understanding of how transition to a more sustainable green economy could impact the aggregate return of financial markets. The results remain unchanged after estimating standard errors clustered by country, by year and by both country and year. However desirable it is to adopt a green economy, it is important to implement the right measures to support it sensitively, without imposing heavy costs that severely affect economic health.

The focus of this paper is twofold; the primary objective is investigating the impact of board gender diversity on firms’ research and development (R&D) investment as an innovation driver. The secondary objective is looking at R&D expenditure from an opportunistic earnings management practice, suggesting that this expenditure could be used as a real earnings management technique to enhance firms’ earnings. The study sample comprised all pharmaceutical firms listed in the Bloomberg database between the years 2018 and 2021. The study’s findings indicated that the presence of female directors is correlated with greater innovation as firms are prone to invest more in R&D projects, hence, practising their strategic role effectively. Furthermore, a significant negative relationship is found between the presence of female directors and real earnings management practices, indicating that female directors would effectively contribute to board monitoring and as a result, the managerial opportunistic practices are eliminated. Our findings remain robust after using alternative econometric methods to address the endogeneity issue and applying alternative gender diversity proxies. This paper contributes to the literature by providing additional insight into the vague relationship between female directors and R&D spending by specifically looking into this relationship through different theoretical lenses: upper echelons theory and agency theory. The findings of the study are valuable for both pharmaceutical firms and policymakers interested in boosting innovation investment and improving monitoring mechanisms within a corporate governance structure.

Development of competencies for Open Innovation (OI) plays a very important role since new skills and abilities are required at all levels: to design and adapt products and processes, to develop new business models and to modify the organization of work and processes. This paper analyzes Education 4.0 features, main components, and characteristics; adaptation of teaching and learning practices to changed requirements of Industry 4.0 for the successful implementation of the Open Innovation model. This paper systematically reviews a total of 48 WoS and Scopus studies, ultimately allowing us to determine components of Education 4.0 used in the framework of the OI model in recent years. Four research questions have been directed to data analysis. The results showed that (a) there is little literature research on issues related to important aspects in the dynamics of open innovation (partnerships, critical thinking, self-assessment, leadership, friendships, and risk-taking); (b) the main literature focuses on a comprehensive study of knowledge and skill parameters, application of appropriate strategies for their development, there are gaps in character development and meta-learning; (c) there is a noticeable lack of research on the competence framework of OI aimed at schoolchildren and the use of learning and teaching strategies to strengthen open educational innovations in schools; and d) there is a lack of research on development of OI competencies using cloud resources. This paper is intended for researchers, education and open innovation experts interested in the possibilities of educational technologies for the further dynamic development of the OI model.

The UK government is promoting the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) by presumption in favour due to outperforming traditional methods in meeting key industry goals. Despite the public construction sector’s recognition of the benefits, MMC uptake across this influential purchasing power is yet far from satisfactory. Such low adoption rates have been linked to MMC firms’ business strategies contributing to public clients’ indecision. To investigate such arguments, the study utilises a questionnaire survey and gathers responses from seventy-four decision-makers of UK-established MMC businesses. Results are then discussed in relation to the contingency theory from a Business Model Canvas (BMC) perspective, revealing the divergence between organisations outperforming others in the public sector, i.e. achieving fit. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first construction management study to empirically propose the relationships between the nine business model elements of the BMC in relation to a specific market. The findings of this paper suggest the critical role of the Target Customer element in reaching alignment with the external environment by acting as a receiver and provider of information, superseding the importance of solely focusing on communicating added values and extended capabilities. Our findings also suggest that MMC organisations outperforming others in the UK public sector are those who are understanding public clients’ needs the most, and thus, continuously changing their business strategies to sustain alignment with any change in those needs. Overall, the paper proposes a three-dimensional consideration to achieve fit, namely, 1) internal consistency of the elements (inside-out), 2), changing external environment (outside-in), and 3) relationships between the nine elements (inside-in). The study depicts the problematic nature of the internal interrelations responsible for reaching fit in the UK public sector and deepens the understanding of how the nine BMC elements are supporting more informed and strategic decisions. Therefore, decision-makers are urged to pursue alignment by assessing the contingency of each decision made with respect to the proposed influences. Future research to focus on replicating the results in accordance with other theories involving technological and organisational change, maturity, and systems theory.

The most pressing environmental challenges of our society require radical solutions that would redesign the ways we produce, deliver, and consume goods and services. However, little is known about what actually drives the development of radical eco-innovations. This paper explores the concept of Open Eco-innovation (OEI), an innovation model that leverages external knowledge, resources, and partnerships to enhance internal eco-innovation. Based on the sample of 2 934 Spanish firms from a mixed variety of industries, we demonstrate that an open innovation approach is crucial when firms pursue eco-innovations, particularly when aiming for more radical solutions. Unlike other studies, we show that this importance varies depending on the forms of opening (cooperation vs. sourcing external knowledge), the choice of knowledge partners, and the intended level of eco-innovation radicalness. This paper addresses a gap in understanding the selection of appropriate forms of knowledge sourcing and the choice of knowledge partners for each level of eco-innovation radicalness. Our results also point to a potential mismatch between the importance of open innovation to develop impactful and innovative environmental solutions and a small percentage of organizations adopting this innovation approach.

The development of Web3 — a stack of decentralised technologies underpinned by blockchains — isn’t simply a technical or financing challenge, it is also a problem of innovation and entrepreneurial discovery. In this paper we apply the lens of user innovation toolkit theory to the development of Web3. Toolkits are an organizational design solution to an innovation problem with sticky and local information. Our aim is to explore how toolkits theory applies to Web3 innovation, proposing that Web3 innovation is being organized through toolkits (e.g., blockchains, token standards, DAO frameworks) that enable efficient organization of sticky information to facilitate innovation. The contribution of this paper is the first application of toolkits theory to Web3, reframing its development as a problem of entrepreneurship and innovation in the context of distributed information. We provide implications for the role of developers as user innovators, the economic problem of emergent toolkit stacking, and the design of toolkit business models.

There is a lack of study examining the relationship between high-involvement HRM practice and innovation capability as mediated by knowledge sharing. So, the motivation of this paper is to study and explore potential intermediating roles of explicit and tacit knowledge sharing in linking high-involvement HRM practice and innovation capability under the possible moderator of market turbulence. Analysis of Moment Structures was used to measure validation and test the structural model based on the questionnaire surveys of 333 participators in 119 Vietnamese manufacturing and service enterprises from May to July 2021. The collected data were inspected and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software version 22. The result advocates the proposed hypotheses relating to the intermediating role of KS in the HRM practices-innovation relationship. It spotlights the crucial character of market turbulence in driving the domination of high-involvement HRM practice on incremental and radical innovation. This paper remarkably increases the insights of the precursor role of high-involvement HRM practice, intermediating mechanism of KS activities, and the regulating influence of market turbulence in predicting and fostering radical and incremental innovation, thereby pushing forward the theory of HRM and innovation management.

ABSTRACT: This paper raises the question of whether global innovation systems (GIS), the expanded networks of actors beyond national boundaries, could be a new sibling of innovation systems perspectives. We argue that in today’s globalized world, it is idoneous to analyze innovation activities in a global context rather than a national or regional one. To confirm this argument, first, previous research is reviewed to understand how the GIS perspective has emerged and what different aspects have enabled these discussions. Distinct gaps from a body of literature are identified, such as the lack of a united definition, leading causes, and empirical evidence of GIS. With this understanding of the GIS perspective’s background, this research aims to overcome the challenge of filling out these gaps using two-stage approaches. The first approach suggests three building blocks of the GIS perspective (global institutions, global actors and networks, and a global knowledge-base). Using the open innovation concept, the second approach measures the openness of national innovation systems (NIS) of the OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee) member countries to represent the tangibility of the GIS perspective. The paper concludes that the GIS approach would provide us with a valuable viewpoint for analyzing current innovation activities in today’s globalized economy as the form of GIS perspective is observed when measured.

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the antecedents of cashless payment systems among businesses in Malaysia. The adoption of cashless payment systems by businesses has the potential to reduce the costs related to handling huge amounts of cash in the market and enhance transaction speed. Unfortunately, its current adoption in Malaysia is still small and very little is known about the factors. A seven-factor model based on the TOE framework was developed and tested. The partial least square (PLS) statistical approach was employed to analyze data collected from 200 business entities in Malaysia. The results reveal that compatibility and technology competence have higher significant relationships with the adoption of cashless payment systems. Management support, firm critical mass, competitive pressure, and information intensity are significantly related to the adoption of cashless payment systems, while firm size is not associated with it. The findings of this study provide significant practical implications for Malaysian stakeholders and technology vendors to recognize factors that affect a firm’s adoption of cashless payment systems to support business transactions. By investigating the phenomenon through the TOE framework, this study presents an integrated model of cashless payment systems by businesses. Our findings also offer guidance for future application of the PLS method in cashless payment and related research. The paper provides a more holistic understanding of the factors influencing cashless payment systems among businesses.

ABSTRACT: Open innovation (OI) has been implemented to develop competitive advantages based on the management of innovation with external players. As such, it is expected that the generalized adoption of OI practices needs to be nurtured by governmental public policies in order to enhance OI-based ecosystems. The role of open innovation ecosystems is known by the importance of multiple synergies among players/stakeholders, which are expected to be supported by regulations and funding to consolidate firms’ innovation results. This paper analyzes the role of regulations and funding on firms’ innovation performance using the double-hurdle estimation procedure. The results show that, in the first tier, inbound knowledge flows positively affect performance, and, in the second tier, public funds further reinforce innovation performance and fiscal and security regulations. In contrast, as regulations are perceived as barriers, they fail to impact innovation performance. With this paper, we manage to shed light on the importance of public policy funds in the support of thriving OI-based ecosystems as enhancers of firms’ innovation performance.

ABSTRACT: This paper outlines the importance and role of non-product-related brand attributes, e.g., user imagery and usage imagery, in local news media content consumption by a younger audience aged 15–24. Due to technological developments, new media content consumption patterns have emerged. New dynamic, interactive, and multiplatform marketplaces have changed how media brands deliver content and how audiences consume it. The main catalysts of change are multiple platforms, on-demand content consumption, and social media platforms. The increasing use of global social networks offers media brands possibilities to distribute content and connect with their audiences, all while creating new challenges and competition in local media. These changes have brought about possibilities of broadening media audiences, as well as challenges, e.g., because of decreasing media brand associations and preference being given to social media platforms and global media brands. Generation Z’s traditional media consumption patterns are below average. This audience segment prefers mobile access and online media content on various platforms, uses social media more than other age range audiences, and chooses global media and social media platforms over national media brands. These dynamics increase the challenges for local news media brands in attracting and growing a future audience, as Generation Z consumes fewer national media content in their local or national language, and what they do consume is through the medium of social media. The authors analyse media consumption trends in Latvia and determine how media brands increase their equity and the consumption of media regarding younger audiences. This research was designed to understand media consumption trends via secondary information analyses and employs a quantitative survey to identify non-product-related brand attitudes. The research question of this paper is concerned with defining how media brand associations affect content consumption and engagement. We used regression analyses to predict the most significant correlations between brand attributes and content consumption and concentration. The study focuses on national news media brands.

ABSTRACT: The research and development activity of a company determines the innovativeness of enterprises and economies. This kind of activity simultaneously influences the pace of their development and the level of competitiveness. With this in mind, the article—against the background of the characteristics of research and development activities—defines a framework for R&D&I activities for the steel industry in the conditions of popularization of the concept of Industry 4.0 and analyzes expenditures on R&D&I activities in Poland in 2010–2019. This topic is important because steel is one of the most important materials for the construction and the manufacture of steel products. It is very important to adjust the steel industry to the new market condition using research and development activities. The analysis was performed on the basis of data on expenditures on R&D&I activities by internal expenditures on R&D, expenditures on product and business process innovations and outlays on fixed assets for environmental protection through investments. The target of the paper is to find response on the three research questions formulated in the paper: what is the dynamics of the changes in the R&D expenditures in the Polish steel industry in 2010–2019 in comparison with the total industry in the country; what is the dynamics of changes in investment expenditures on new products and business process innovations in the Polish steel industry in 2010–2019; what is the level (dynamics) of investment outlays in environmental innovations in the Polish steel industry in 2010–2019? To conduct this analysis, we used the following methods: critical literature analysis, secondary data analysis, statistical methods. Industry 4.0 implementation in the steel industry has a strong, positive influence on the innovativeness of the company and on spending on innovations. On the basis of the data analyzed in the paper we observed that the increase of expenditure on R&D in the Polish steel industry was similar to that of other industries. As a result of the research, it was found that the dynamics of R&D expenditure in the Polish steel industry was consistent with the dynamics of expenditure calculated for the entire Polish Industry. At the same time, the sharp increase in R&D expenditure since 2018 was related to the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in the Polish industry. An interesting result of our research is the observed time lag in the form of a postponement of the growth of R&D expenditure after the emergence of the Industry 4.0 concept. We also observed that environmentally fixed capital expenditures may show fluctuating dynamics due to business cycles and legal restrictions to protect the environment. The added value of the publication is the framework of R&D&I activities for the steel industry and an in-depth analysis of R&D&I expenditures on the example of the metal producers in Poland in the last decade of growing interest in the concept of Industry 4.0 (I 4.0).

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a framework of employee skills and competencies useful for developing occupational profiles for employees of companies transitioning towards Industry 4.0. The paper consists of a discussion of the theoretical and practical parts of case studies. The theoretical portion was created on the basis of a review of scientific literature and research studies regarding the competencies and skills of employees in the ongoing fourth industrial revolution. This part focuses on the skills profile of an Industry 4.0 employee and an Operator 4.0 (O4.0) from a creativity and innovativeness point of view. The link between the theoretical part and the case study analysis was a general framework for building the competencies and skills of the steelworker in the emerging fourth industrial revolution. The case study analysis covered the framework of competencies and skills of a metallurgist in smart manufacturing built into the organization of steel mills. Recruitment offers of a steel company implementing smart manufacturing (SM) projects and educational programmes of technical universities in the field of metallurgy were analysed. The aim of the study was to develop a framework for the profile of an employee working in an innovative company transforming to I4.0. The publication posed the following research questions (purposes/hypotheses): P1. To what extent do Polish companies in the metallurgical sector pay attention to creativity and innovation issues when looking for employees? P2. To what extent do the profile (portfolio) of metallurgy graduates of Polish technical universities turn their attention to the issues related to creativity and innovation?

ABSTRACT: This study explores the key determinants of Supply Chain 4.0 (SC4.0) maturity in the context of a developing country by examining the relationships between supply chain ambidexterity, supply chain agility, and the maturity of SC4.0. The study was carried out using the survey method involving 154 managers from Indonesian manufacturing companies. The SC4.0 maturity model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling. From our analysis, it was found that supply chain ambidexterity emphasizing on innovation positively influences the companies’ agility and SC4.0 maturity levels, and supply chain agility partially mediates supply chain ambidexterity. This paper contributes to the operationalization of SC4.0 maturity determinants that incorporate innovation and technological aspects and extends the extant literature by empirically elaborating the determinants and antecedents of SC4.0 maturity that may expedite the achievement of SC4.0 maturity. This implies that companies and supply chain professionals aiming at achieving their SC4.0 maturity should do so by being outward-looking and, at the same time, foster supply chain collaboration with external networks. This paper is pioneering the empirical study on SC4.0 and offers a means to achieving SC4.0 maturity through SC ambidexterity and SC agility, particularly in the context of a developing country.

ABSTRACT: Firms achieve their competitive advantage quickly through the concept framework of open innovation by integrating external inspiration with internal endowment when facing hyper-competition in the digital era. This paper deploys open innovation into building platform blocks by modular operators. These eight modular operators are splitting, augmenting, deleting, substituting, inversing, porting, configuring, and integrating. By means of case studies of two Taiwan Internet vendors, the results depict the manipulation strategies between eight modular operators to fit seven functional requirements for weaving social media, which are presence, identity, sharing, reputation, groups, conversations, and relationship. Finally, this paper advances propositions about the deployment of modularization strategies to develop a competitive platform.

ABSTRACT: For the past decade, Industry 4.0 has become the basis for building competitive advantage for business operations. The key technologies of Industry 4.0 are implemented in enterprises of various industries. This paper focuses on presenting the results of research on the influence of the Industry 4.0 concept on the operations of enterprises that are implementing smart manufacturing (SM) projects. The paper analyses the following areas of influence of projects on the enterprises’ operations: productivity, agility and speed, quality, competitiveness and enterprise value, profitability, staff reduction, delivery improvements, vertical and horizontal integration, resource savings, reduction of operating costs, technology adaptability and quality of machine operations. The paper belongs to the research paper category. The research tool was a questionnaire. The research was carried out in the segment of steel enterprises in Poland. The results of the presented research belong to pilot research of a segment of steel industry in Poland. The main conclusion of the study is that implementation of Industry 4.0 in the Polish steel sector had a positive influence on many factors strictly connected with the innovativeness of the company. Especially, the implementation of this conception in the steel sector leads to an increase in the quality of the product and the possibility to achieve a good level of customization of the product. Those factors are very important for the steel sector potential to succeed on the competitive market. The individual SM projects that were evaluated were a form of case study. The participants of the research were employees in managerial positions and operating technological installations in steel sector enterprises. In the opinion of the surveyed (79 people), depending on the type and scope of changes implemented in the company in the direction of Industry 4.0, decision-makers expect a higher quality of processes and products, the ability to meet customer requirements—the direction of the personalization of products and services, agility and flexibility of performed operations with the use of smart technology and accuracy and precision of performance higher than in the case of manual human activities.

ABSTRACT: This paper explores digital reality replication for cultural consumption and green-digital open-system innovation, along with responsible, sustainable practices fashioned in a post-COVID-19 era. We address these after the dystopian effects of lockdown on global tourism and, in particular, the looming crisis of unsustainable ‘overtourism’. The aim of this paper is to disclose problems and policies related to moderating consumption to more sustainable levels. The scope of the article tackles three fields: urban re-branding, fast fashion, and overtourism. Each problem area is analysed against the background of digital surveillance in the attention economy with the aid of a conceptual model. Accordingly, the principal objectives of this paper are to analyse key sustainability problem sources, evolutionary processes, and policy responses. The paper’s originality and value lie in its recognition of tractable problem engagement through conceptual and practicable methods. This contribution also explores other consumption modes that tourists appreciate, namely, retail activity and its unsustainable “fast fashion” obsession. Finally, the paper analyses urban soft branding, the third tourism attractor within the niche touristic activity of the creative-cultural and gastronomic kind, which also features impulses that affect the perpetuation of unsustainable touristic practices. Thus, this contribution also assesses various studies on tourism futures that exploit digital media to assist in conserving both natural and cultural environments. Accordingly, we first narrate the soft re-branding of an “Art City” as a “Fashion City” and consider the example of green-digital innovation in the cultural milieu of Florence, Italy, in light of criticism of the unsustainability of “fast fashion”. We consider which actions are envisioned or advised in the similarly “over-touristed” city of Venice. In a different vein, we consider whether the mobilisation of ‘pop celebrity’ performers such as audience engagers or influencers works for sustainable intervention through an assessment of the cultural interventions of Madonna in Lisbon. Finally, we anatomise “green” politics and policies for creative-cultural cities with the support of digital media to influence sustainable actions to moderate or, alternatively, revitalise polluted, congested, or otherwise over-touristed city centres. The greening of central Paris, Barcelona, Milan, and London offer a a series of examples of this type of moderation and revitalisation.

ABSTRACT: The Industry 4.0 paradigm represents the fourth industrial revolution, embodied by the marriage between information and communication technologies and manufacturing. Assessment campaigns are conducted to examine the status of deployment of that paradigm, mostly through self-assessment questionnaires. Each campaign is typically limited in scope, involving just a group of companies located in a few countries at most. Such limitation does not allow an overall view of Industry 4.0’s diffusion. In this paper, we offer that panoramic view through a systematic literature review. The number of papers devoted to Industry 4.0 assessment grows steadily. However, many papers do not provide essential information about the assessment campaigns they report, e.g., not detailing the number, type, or location of companies involved and the questionnaire employed. We observe a large diffusion in Europe and Asia but not in the U.S., with the Top 5 countries being Malaysia, Poland, Italy, Germany and Slovakia. The campaigns uniformly cover small, medium, and large companies but not all industrial sectors. The choice of questionnaires is extremely varied, with no standard emerging.

ABSTRACT: It is important for companies to be able to make their business models dynamic. This enables them to adapt to changing circumstances and remain viable. The aim of this paper is to combine insights from the literature on business models and business model dynamics into a comprehensive dynamic business model framework. The framework that is developed in this paper takes into account various origins of changes in business models (internal or external to the company) and various types of changes in business models (primary or secondary changes and forced changes or strategic choices) and also includes the issue of business model consistency. In order to combine different origins and different types of business model change into one dynamic business model framework, some simplifications of reality were needed. The framework is described in text and shown in a comprehensive picture. The application of the framework to two cases of renewable energy companies in Indonesia shows that the framework is able to capture business model dynamics in a simplified and comprehensive way and that it allows for case study comparison. In a thorough discussion, it is shown how the framework can be adapted to make it better able to represent more complex dynamics.

ABSTRACT: The article describes an innovative metrizable idea for systemic assessments of product quality within the baking industry. Complex product quality analysis requires the employment of metrizability criteria for factors that impact the quality of the product, and these are called determinants. Therefore, such analysis is only possible with the use of systems engineering. A system represents the potential of a manufacturing process, of major impact on quality. Composites of the manufacturing process make up the determinants of bread quality, grouped into three sets: raw materials, manufacturing technology, and manufacturing organization and technique. This paper also contains methodological implications for the construction of algorithms for manufacturing process potential determinants. Metrizable product quality assessment is a very important issue in the context of its implementation in manufacturing companies. Its use allows for obtaining comprehensive data on the quality status of a product. It is an important tool for analyzing and forecasting modern quality trends. The method presented in the article is new, innovative, and practical; and its vector representation may prove useful in Quality 4.0. The method could be an important point of reference for managers, directors, and decision makers who must determine the best metrizability criteria for systemic product quality assessments, and could prove useful in Industry 4.0 in the bakery industry. The main value of the paper is the presentation of a new, extensive method for systemic assessments of product quality based on vector analysis in industrial organization. We trialed the method in the baking industry. We concluded that the method is a contribution to management science, especially in the field of quality management, because this approach is not used in business and is not described in relevant international literature.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study is to provide an analysis of the literature about methods for assessing the impact of coaching on the performance of a company, and elaborate a framework of assessment methods emphasizing their use in the course of coaching interaction. The paper also explores the relationship between open innovation and coaching and proposes the themes for further research. The Scopus and Web of Science databases were selected for the review of the research papers in the business subject area. The review was guided by the following research questions: What methods are used for assessing the impact of coaching? How are these methods used in the course of the coaching interaction? How does coaching interrelate with open innovation? The findings suggest that the assessment of the impact of coaching on the individual’s behavior and performance of a company is considered from different perspectives. The methods differ based on the needs for the assessment whether the process evaluation or the outcome evaluation is required. The analysis of the literature proves that the relationship between coaching and open innovation is mutually advantageous.

ABSTRACT: With digitalization and the support of policies, the creative industries have shown rapid growth in the last 20 years. Open forms of collective learning, user engagement and social networks have become popular to generate IPs and values. Meanwhile, government policy can support the sectors through subsidies, regulations, standardization, and protections at regional and national levels. This paper aims to explore the role of government policy in the innovation of creative industries from a macro dynamic perspective. The research method combines a structured literature review, a secondary document review of industry reports and government policy, and thematic content analysis. Through in-depth studies of the UK’s and China’s animation sectors, the paper identifies key elements of closed innovation, social innovation, and open innovation systems in the market. Comparisons of national government policies since 2000 reveal different approaches for countries where creative sectors are well-established, and for those starting with limited knowledge resources. A dynamic model is developed to address the evolution of macro dynamic innovation systems and the role of policies as interactive mechanisms. Practical implementation and future research areas are also suggested.

ABSTRACT: The elaborate analysis of a business process (BP) typically informs its potential for business process redesign (BPR), but the latter is usually conducted in a non-systematic way. The purpose of this paper is the introduction of the Business Process Redesign Capacity Assessment (BP-RCA) framework that assesses the redesign capability of BP models, prior to their implementation. This study combines key redesign features introduced by domain experts, to a conceptual framework that takes into consideration an inclusive set of BPR components in three consecutive phases, towards facilitating organizations in the practice of redesign decision making. In this paper, an illustrative case study is used to present the initial phase (selection) of the framework. To assess the usability of the BP-RCA, the authors reviewed twelve established redesign initiatives from literature which proved to implicitly follow similar steps to the proposed framework. The findings indicate that the BP-RCA framework provides a systematic exploration of fundamental redesign aspects and can be used as a reliable measurement of the redesign capacity of candidate BP models. The framework also provides practitioners with the necessary methodology for increasing the BPR effectiveness, the robustness of the varying initiatives and the overall innovativeness of businesses.

ABSTRACT: Delivering parcels to collection and delivery points (CDPs) is often seen as a better option compared with home delivery. However, if the demand is inhomogeneous, either the parcel locker utilization or the service level (i.e., the number of parcels that can be delivered) is low. Either situation would reduce the financial viability. This paper compares two options to increase the utilization, namely: (i) modular lockers (i.e., numbers of lockers adjusted periodically depending on demand) and (ii) combining parcel lockers with staffed CDPs. The latter has the advantage of a low investment cost of staffed CDPs and a low cost per parcel of parcel lockers. Secondly, the paper calculates the optimal number of lockers at a staffed CDP, assuming that all parcels are placed in the staffed CDP if the parcel locker is full. This method was applied to data collected by a parcel delivery company in London. The advantage of using real world data over one year is that it includes seasonal and daily changes in the parcel demand. The decision support method accounts for parcels not being picked up by customers on the delivery day, returned deliveries, and the net present value (NPV) of the investment. This paper shows that having enough lockers for 100% of all parcels compared with 80% doubles the number of required parcel lockers because of the inhomogeneity of the demand. In addition, combining fixed lockers with staffed CDPs offers greater financial benefits compared with modular lockers in this case study.

ABSTRACT: Focusing on competitive dynamics, this study examines the strategic issues Boeing has faced in seeking to maintain its leading position in the airline industry. Boeing’s status as a first mover in the aerospace industry has made it a world-leading company; however, the external environment and various pressures have allowed Airbus to emerge as a strong competitor. By conducting a descriptive case analysis, this paper identifies the competitive issues between these two giants, analyzing continuous action and reaction processes throughout the whole history of the airline industry. Finally, by examining Boeing’s main strengths, business diversification options, and risk-taking culture, this paper suggests ways Boeing can retake its place as the industry leader.

ABSTRACT: Nowadays, the relevance of technology transfer center network has been greatly increased due to interdisciplinary modern innovations, and cross-sectoral collaboration in project implementation. This paper highlights theoretical and conceptual foundations of technology transfer, and the role of innovation and knowledge. The main purpose of the paper is to analyze the experience of creating technology transfer networks in Russia, and to develop prospective national technology transfer model based on the concept of innovation ecosystem and open innovation. Being a knowledge integrator, a university plays a vital role in technology transfer. The presented study makes contribution to the academic literature by providing a synthesis on related concepts of open innovation, network, and ecosystem approaches to technology transfer. The results of this analysis provide information on prospective models for creating a network of technology transfer in Russia. That will help academics, policymakers, government, and business owners with a more depth understanding of the practical mechanisms that support innovation strategy.

ABSTRACT: Digital trading apps are evidence of developing open innovations in the financial sector. The investment industry (including banks and brokers) can greatly benefit from the utilization of digital trading applications and corresponding tools, such as smart contracts. The goal of this research paper is to examine the possibility that brokers’ existing mobile apps outperform banks without mobile apps in the Russian financial sector. The efficiency of brokers is compared to banks in Russia. The results of these institutions’ activities are related to the number of profitable banks, which declines as a sign of high efficiency. The paper uses methods of t-test, linear and polynomial regression analysis between assets (dependent variable) and the profit to assets (independent variable) in Russia. The article finds the different directions of the utilization of the discussed technology, and they all share the consequential growth after the technology’s introduction. The paper also discusses the various areas of digital trading apps implementation and the future contributions for the Russian banking system and economy.

ABSTRACT: Nowadays, due to the complexity of the relationships with external entities, along with the importance that traditional media and the innovative social media have in creating competitive advantages, it is necessary for companies to collaborate in order to create Intellectual Capital (IC). Although collaboration is crucial to create IC, there is a paucity in literature regarding the effects that a specific type of collaboration may have on the IC of an organisation, specifically a franchising with a mediatic actor. Moreover, literature addressing IC creation and destruction over time is scarce, especially when applied to the construction industry. This paper’s goal is twofold: understanding the longitudinal changes of a construction SME’s Intellectual Capital, regarding its creation and destruction; analysing the impact that a specific inter-organisational collaboration franchising—with a mediatic actor may have on such IC. A single in-depth case study was conducted, allowing to conclude that the actions of an organisation can develop both Intellectual Assets and Intellectual Liabilities. It was also concluded that inter-organisational collaboration, through a franchise with an actor with experience in communication, can generate, in the long term, positive and innovative effects regarding the different IC components, namely the Relational one. More specifically, the paper allowed to ascertain that an organisation’s IC changes over time in a dynamic fashion, i.e., Intellectual Liabilities which emerged before an innovative collaboration can be transformed into Intellectual Assets and create competitive advantages. This paper contributes to stress the importance of managing IC, not only when it is created, but namely in when it can be destroyed, in a context of inter-organisational collaborations applied to a construction SME.

ABSTRACT: Digital transformation in the banking sector is a continuous process that affects both the external and internal environment by redesigning internal processes and existing methods. There are many reasons that digital transformation takes place, such as servicing remote areas without physical branches, differentiation from competitors or reduction of operating costs. In any case, there are a lot of doubts about the acceptance of digital technologies. Thus, this article examines the acceptance rate of digital transformation in the banking sector in Greece. One hundred and sixty-one employees at Greek banks completed the survey. A Multivariate Regression Analysis was implemented to analyze the items of the Technology Acceptance Model. The findings of this paper indicate the perception of bank employees with regard to new technologies. This paper provides a practical contribution for executives of Greek banking organizations to schedule targeted educational programs to facilitate the transition to the new digital era for their employees. Executives are curious if employees are ready to accept and implement digitalization in their daily job routine. Therefore, the Technology Acceptance Model can provide answers to executives in facing these challenges.

The number of scientific publications studying open innovation (OI) and tourism has increased since the first concept appeared. Nevertheless, there is still a gap regarding the science mapping and performance analysis of these two concepts. Although there are studies that focus on open innovation and tourism, few are studying the relationship between themes. We aimed to address this gap by reviewing the literature and searching the Scopus database using R. Bibliometrix. We identified 45 published articles between 2010 and 2022, covering 23 sources and 130 authors. The results indicate a strong collaboration network among authors. Open Innovation, Tourism, and Sustainability are the trend topics, as well as the three main keywords. The emerging topics are “open innovation in tourism”, “service innovation” and “overtourism”. Keywords, trend topics, and emerging topics can be valuable guides for researchers and help them decide which path to take in their studies in this field. This paper is a starting point for carrying out further research that relates OI to other areas of tourism, such as smart tourism or smart tourism destinations, which are highlighted in some of the most recent articles that were under this study.

Purpose: This study aims to identify and examine the relevance of implementing remote work by small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business operators during the post-COVID-19 era in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a qualitative methodology, conducting interviews with twenty SME businesses, including business leaders and management level employees. It explores the challenges faced by these operators in maintaining remote work and its impact on their business operations. Data was analysed and compiled using ATLAS.ti software. Findings: The findings indicate that not all SME are capable of sustaining remote working environments. The nature of the business plays a crucial role in providing flexibility to employees in their operations. There are also weaknesses in remote work security that need to be addressed, as they can potentially impact business operations and performance. Research limitations/implications: The implications of the pandemic on business operations, regardless of size, are significant globally. This study sheds light on the challenges faced by SME in implementing remote work and its feasibility in the post-COVID-19 period. Originality/value: The content of this paper is based on information, observations, and discussions with SME operators on how COVID-19 has compelled their businesses to adapt to the changing environment. Previously, there was no urgency for businesses to embrace remote work operations, but the pandemic has forced them to adopt such measures.

Next generation textiles (NGTs) represent a paradigm shift in the textile industry, incorporating the most recent advances in materials, technologies, and functionalities. The dynamic world of textiles is undergoing an extraordinary transition, ushering in the age of NGTs. This article discusses the mechanisms, difficulties, present advancements, and potential future opportunities associated with these NGTs. This assessment traverses the domains of nanotechnology, 3D printing, recycling, wearable electronics, machine learning, biomimicry, and energy harvesting while focusing on sustainability, functionality, smart integration, advanced manufacturing techniques, and multifunctionality as major factors. The paper highlights the wonderful prospects of improved performance, sustainability, intelligent textiles, and wearable technologies, highlighting consumerization, personalization, safety, and protection enhancements. Furthermore, a key method for overcoming major challenges is discussed which is to adopt open innovation, which encourages collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the integration of external resources, all of which aid in addressing scalability and mass production, costing, and a lack of modern technologies in the NGTs industry.

Innovativeness and digitalization of enterprises of various countries is fundamental to their development and building a competitive knowledge-based economy. These issues are well understood in the European Union (EU), which promotes sustainable development of its economy, for which innovativeness and digitalization are of vital importance. The paper addresses this issue by presenting the results of a study of the level of innovativeness and digitalization of enterprises in the countries of the EU. The objectives of the research were to assess the level of innovativeness and digitalization of enterprises in the EU-27 states and to determine a relationship between digitalization and the level of innovativeness of these enterprises, as well as the impact of selected economic, energy, social and environmental parameters on these processes. The importance and interaction of these areas, as well as their impact on the economy, causes the methodology developed and the research conducted to consider both these dimensions of business activity simultaneously. To achieve these goals, an original research methodology was developed. Its basis was a set of 18 selected indicators characterizing the state of digitalization and innovativeness of enterprises in the EU-27 member states. Three methods of Multiple-criteria decision-making (EDAS, MOORA, VIKOR) and the Hurwicz criterion were used for the primary research. On the other hand, the CRITIC, Entropy and equal weights methods and the Laplace criterion were used to determine the weights of indicators. The multi-criteria approach to the issue under study made it possible to achieve the set objectives and formulate conclusions and answers to the research questions posed. The results unequivocally indicate a link between the innovativeness of enterprises and the process of their digitalization and R&D expenditures in the EU countries. The level of innovativeness and digitalization is definitely higher in the group of the so-called ''old EU-14' states than in the ''new EU-13'' states. The research and its results provide ample opportunities for conclusions as to the state of both studied processes (digitalization and innovativeness) in the enterprises of the EU-27 states. The wide scope of the research carried out makes it possible to use the findings to build strategies and future economic policies of the entire EU and individual countries. The universality of the developed methodology also gives a wide range of possibilities for its application for further research.

This paper proposes a framework for explaining the collaboration between co-creation and LAB design methodologies with KIBS (Knowledge Intensive Business Services), which include ICT services, when public services were immerse in an innovative process at government units within six EU-20 countries in the Co-VAL H2020 survey (Spain, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom). The proposed channels of interaction of user´s at the centre methodologies and KIBS is based upon the new public government paradigms and the public service dominant logic. The model examines the propositions of these paradigms, as to how co-creation processes are embedded in the interaction of KIBS and final customers, by deriving the channels through which those consultancies contribute to fostering innovation in various government units across the EU-20 (1875 public units of work surveyed), particularly in relation to improving public business-related services. The study first utilizes unilateral equations to estimate the overall effects of all the covariates and, in a second step, utilizes systems of equation models to derivate the interaction of users at the centre methodologies on KIBS and, consequently, the indirect effects that these processes have on the innovation processes of the public units of work that contracted those business services. Results conclude that value co-creation is embedded on KIBS with the decisive influence of inputs provided by final customers of the innovative processes as the public dominant service logic states. The analysis is based on the Co-VAL EU 2020 Survey, testing the causal effects that KIBS consultancies have on public innovation processes, especially those related to business services or business organizations, with a focus on the reinforcement of co-creation, LAB design, and co-production methodologies. To our knowledge this study is the first to estimate those indirect influences of user´s at the centre methodologies on public innovation processes that contract KIBS to generate positive dynamics improvements of public services.

Regional innovation should be adaptive because it involves uncertainties and risks, and the context of each region is critical to the success of innovation processes. However, regional areas often face unique challenges that require tailored approaches to innovation. The focus of innovation is evolving and needs to prioritize sustainability. Consequently, adaptable innovation approaches are essential to ensure the sustainability of addressing the challenges and opportunities that arise within each regional context. Thus, the paper aims to answer three research questions: 1) How are agile and open innovation concepts described within the context of regional innovation? 2) Are the concepts of agile and open innovation compatible for integration into an adaptive model in the development of regional innovation? and 3) What patterns or commonalities emerge in the comparison between theories identified for adaptive regional innovation? This research study adopts a conceptual synthesis approach to integrate the existing knowledge. It draws on two innovation concepts: agile innovation, which offers agility and open innovation to enrich collaboration in development. Our work makes a significant contribution by proposing an adaptive innovation model for regional innovation development that explains the integration of agile and open innovation. The adaptive innovation model defines essential activities such as innovation focus areas, idea management, concept development, implementation, and evaluation, which are all part of the innovation emphasis areas. It also identifies the quadruple helix as key players in this model. This methodology can be used by regional governments and policy makers to encourage regional innovation towards sustainability and resilience.

This theoretical work addresses the maturity models related to innovation processes that can be applied in critical industries such as the aerospace-defense sector in Colombia. It responds to the need to articulate the local industry, technical and innovation capabilities, regulatory aspects, scalability and the observed market. It proposes a model to measure an innovation process's readiness level in these sectors, applicable to decision-making processes, development centers, and the country's leading sectors. It offers a theoretical basis and a tool to be applied in the decision-making process to help minimize the inherent risks to the innovation process in the sector. The method used was mixed; first, a review of the state-of-the-art and a scientometric analysis was carried out to determine factors subsequently validated by experts, which gave rise to variables with a high degree of relevance in generating innovative products or services. These were modeled through structural equations considering variables covering the innovation cycle, considering market, industry, and technology criteria, which minimize risk until integrating the absorption of the innovative product. Finally, the model was refined through exercises with experts related to the sector from academia, industry, research centers, innovation and the end user of the innovation products. The paper proposes a theoretical measuring model of technological maturity of innovation and a flow chart that could serve as a tool for measuring technological readiness. The model could be a tool for an organization's decision-making, as it visualizes technology, market and regulation as critical factors in the innovation cycle.

This paper presents a study focused on the analysis of phytosanitary treatment sales in the Souss Massa region of Morocco. The objective of the study is to predict the sales of agricultural products, particularly crop protection solutions, aiming to optimize supply chain operations and meet customer demand effectively. Data for this study are collected from multiple sources, including the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system called Microsoft Dynamics AXAPTA used by a leading agricultural company operating in the region. Information such as the date of sale, farming type, climate, and specific sales locations within the Sous Massa region is gathered. Machine learning techniques are applied for forecasting. Various regression models, including the Gradient Boosting Regressor algorithm, are employed to determine the most accurate predictor. Evaluation of the models reveals promising results, with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.0035 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.0066. The results obtained by applying various regression models, including the Gradient Boosting Regressor algorithm, demonstrate promising prediction scores. These findings contribute to the field of sales prediction in the agricultural industry while considering the impact of climate conditions, farming practices, and regional factors.

Numerous studies have explored the impact of information asymmetry on firms’ dividend policies. These studies have generally focused on advanced capital markets and have provided conflicting evidence on the quality of the information environment and dividend policy. Our paper, thus, tries to address this gap in current understanding by examining the connection between asymmetric information and dividend payout policies and whether this connection is moderated by corporate governance quality (CGQ) in an emerging economy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using a panel sample of non-financial firms traded on the UAE stock exchanges over the period from 2009 to 2022, we document that dividend payments are negatively influenced by information asymmetry problems. We also document that the negative connection between information asymmetry and dividend policy is less pronounced in firms with strong corporate governance systems, consistent with the conjecture that such firms face lower agency and asymmetric information problems and hence pay higher dividends.

This study aims to investigate the factors of renewable energy consumption in the fifth Technology Revolution with specific evidence from ASEAN countries. The study applies an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. The paper also uses the unrestricted fixed and random panel data methods. The manuscript identifies significant factors such as technological innovation, governmental policies, public awareness, electricity consumption, country population, foreign direct investment inflows, imports, exports, and economic growth that have influenced the renewable energy sector in these nations. This study also investigates the determinants that influence renewable energy in the context of international integration and the fifth technology revolution in ASEAN countries. The research analyzes data spanning two decades, from 2000 to 2022, through a combination of econometric modeling and machine learning techniques. Preliminary findings indicate that technological innovation, government policies, and public awareness significantly affect renewable energy consumption in these countries. The empirical results offer insights for policymakers and stakeholders in leveraging technological advancements for sustainable energy development. The findings from this study on the determinants of renewable consumption in the context of the Fifth Technology Revolution in ASEAN countries also have several important policy implications for the sustainable development goal.

The research and development activity of a company determines the innovativeness of enterprises and economies. This kind of activity simultaneously influences the pace of their development and the level of competitiveness. With this in mind, the article—against the background of the characteristics of research and development activities—defines a framework for R&D&I activities for the steel industry in the conditions of popularization of the concept of Industry 4.0 and analyzes expenditures on R&D&I activities in Poland in 2010–2019. This topic is important because steel is one of the most important materials for the construction and the manufacture of steel products. It is very important to adjust the steel industry to the new market condition using research and development activities. The analysis was performed on the basis of data on expenditures on R&D&I activities by internal expenditures on R&D, expenditures on product and business process innovations and outlays on fixed assets for environmental protection through investments. The target of the paper is to find response on the three research questions formulated in the paper: what is the dynamics of the changes in the R&D expenditures in the Polish steel industry in 2010–2019 in comparison with the total industry in the country; what is the dynamics of changes in investment expenditures on new products and business process innovations in the Polish steel industry in 2010–2019; what is the level (dynamics) of investment outlays in environmental innovations in the Polish steel industry in 2010–2019? To conduct this analysis, we used the following methods: critical literature analysis, secondary data analysis, statistical methods. Industry 4.0 implementation in the steel industry has a strong, positive influence on the innovativeness of the company and on spending on innovations. On the basis of the data analyzed in the paper we observed that the increase of expenditure on R&D in the Polish steel industry was similar to that of other industries. As a result of the research, it was found that the dynamics of R&D expenditure in the Polish steel industry was consistent with the dynamics of expenditure calculated for the entire Polish Industry. At the same time, the sharp increase in R&D expenditure since 2018 was related to the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in the Polish industry. An interesting result of our research is the observed time lag in the form of a postponement of the growth of R&D expenditure after the emergence of the Industry 4.0 concept. We also observed that environmentally fixed capital expenditures may show fluctuating dynamics due to business cycles and legal restrictions to protect the environment. The added value of the publication is the framework of R&D&I activities for the steel industry and an in-depth analysis of R&D&I expenditures on the example of the metal producers in Poland in the last decade of growing interest in the concept of Industry 4.0 (I 4.0).

This paper outlines the importance and role of non-product-related brand attributes, e.g., user imagery and usage imagery, in local news media content consumption by a younger audience aged 15–24. Due to technological developments, new media content consumption patterns have emerged. New dynamic, interactive, and multiplatform marketplaces have changed how media brands deliver content and how audiences consume it. The main catalysts of change are multiple platforms, on-demand content consumption, and social media platforms. The increasing use of global social networks offers media brands possibilities to distribute content and connect with their audiences, all while creating new challenges and competition in local media. These changes have brought about possibilities of broadening media audiences, as well as challenges, e.g., because of decreasing media brand associations and preference being given to social media platforms and global media brands. Generation Z’s traditional media consumption patterns are below average. This audience segment prefers mobile access and online media content on various platforms, uses social media more than other age range audiences, and chooses global media and social media platforms over national media brands. These dynamics increase the challenges for local news media brands in attracting and growing a future audience, as Generation Z consumes fewer national media content in their local or national language, and what they do consume is through the medium of social media. The authors analyse media consumption trends in Latvia and determine how media brands increase their equity and the consumption of media regarding younger audiences. This research was designed to understand media consumption trends via secondary information analyses and employs a quantitative survey to identify non-product-related brand attitudes. The research question of this paper is concerned with defining how media brand associations affect content consumption and engagement. We used regression analyses to predict the most significant correlations between brand attributes and content consumption and concentration. The study focuses on national news media brands.

This study explores the key determinants of Supply Chain 4.0 (SC4.0) maturity in the context of a developing country by examining the relationships between supply chain ambidexterity, supply chain agility, and the maturity of SC4.0. The study was carried out using the survey method involving 154 managers from Indonesian manufacturing companies. The SC4.0 maturity model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling. From our analysis, it was found that supply chain ambidexterity emphasizing on innovation positively influences the companies’ agility and SC4.0 maturity levels, and supply chain agility partially mediates supply chain ambidexterity. This paper contributes to the operationalization of SC4.0 maturity determinants that incorporate innovation and technological aspects and extends the extant literature by empirically elaborating the determinants and antecedents of SC4.0 maturity that may expedite the achievement of SC4.0 maturity. This implies that companies and supply chain professionals aiming at achieving their SC4.0 maturity should do so by being outward-looking and, at the same time, foster supply chain collaboration with external networks. This paper is pioneering the empirical study on SC4.0 and offers a means to achieving SC4.0 maturity through SC ambidexterity and SC agility, particularly in the context of a developing country.