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In higher education and beyond, the Covid-19 pandemic is considered to have accelerated digitalisation. While this acceleration is usually viewed in the context of the digital transformation that is characterised by its longevity, the permanence of pandemic-driven digitalisation requires investigation. Focusing on appointment procedures for professors as a central element of universities' governance, the qualitative study presented here employed expert interviews and group discussions to investigate how German universities responded to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic by furthering digitalisation. Drawing on the concept of synchronous and asynchronous communication and Luhmann's understanding of decision programmes, this article proposes differentiating between two modes of digitalisation in order to systematise the empirical findings and thus analytically distinguish pandemic-driven digitalisation from the general digital transformation. It finds that not all of the newly implemented digital solutions will be used permanently and argues that this can be understood in terms of obstructed decision programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has accelerated the digitalisation of organisations to enhance flexibility and adaptability in a turbulent environment. Literature warned of digitalisation's side effects on psycho-social hazards at work. However, empirical evidence is inconsistent, especially in service industries such as education and healthcare, that rely on face-to-face exchanges to achieve organisational excellence. The article attempts to fill this knowledge gap, investigating digitalisation's implications on psycho-social hazards in education and healthcare. A probit regression model was designed to examine digitalisation's effects on 5 types of psycho-social risks at work, namely time pressures, poor relationships with colleagues, job insecurity, interaction with users, and irregular working hours. Digitalisation triggers an intensification of work, increasing time pressures. Furthermore, it recontextualizes organisational dynamics in the cyber-physical domain, disrupting social exchanges at work. Digitalisation determines greater job uncertainty, which is detrimental to work satisfaction. In order to curb psycho-social risks at work, health promotion measures are required, aimed at addressing the negative implications of digitalisation by restoring a 'human touch' in managing human resources. Disregarding the negative impact of digitalisation on employees' well-being at work may undermine organisational viability in the post-COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments have been promoting policies for fostering innovation and economic growth through processes of digital transformation in different sectors over the last decade. Referring to the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) industry, public administrations (PAs) have been trying to comply with legal requirements by exploiting cutting-edge digital tools and innovative methods such as Building Information Modelling (BIM). Compared to traditional methods and technologies, this process can boost project management by increasing collaboration among stakeholders, providing enhanced facility visualisation and reducing errors. Although its strategic benefits are widely recognised, the lack of technical skills and the strong attachment to old standards of operation have hindered its adoption, especially in the Italian context. Thus, there is a great need to push PAs towards a change of mentality and processes and check their adoption. After collecting data through literature review and interviews, this research aims to define an operational framework that supports PAs to implement and check the digitalisation of their workflows for the design phase. The framework consists of three consecutive milestones, including acquisition, modelling and verification. The framework is based on an iterative process, which is in common among the three identified milestones. For each of these milestones, a set of key performance indicators was defined to assess the implementation. Indicators were developed by exploiting five-point-based levels and addressing focal points for implementing digital systems. Taking limits and the BIM maturity level of PAs into account, this step-by-step adoption will help PAs to support BIM implementation and leverage their processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the language of digital sovereignty has become ubiquitous in Europe. However, we still lack systematic knowledge if and to what extent the discourse on digital sovereignty is accompanied by actual policy change in different areas of EU policymaking. Drawing on a range of both qualitative and quantitative methods, the various contributions to this special issue examine discursive and policy change in nine major areas of EU digital policymaking. While they find policy change towards more control of the digital across all policy areas examined, this shift is only sometimes accompanied by discursive change towards digital sovereignty. This, we argue, is the result of ideational trade-offs actors face when using the language of digital sovereignty in different venues, policy areas, or countries. Considering current geo-political and geo-economic challenges, this special issue sheds light on recent transformations of EU digital policymaking and its discursive politics in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs Bourdieu's theory of practice to analyse 31 interviews with teachers, principals and administrators. I explore the strategies teachers use to handle the mandatory enactment of a Learning Management System (LMS) in Danish primary and lower secondary schools. Teachers are categorised into three groups: those mainly focused on teaching, those with digital responsibilities and those representing the Danish Teachers' Union. The findings reveal three distinct strategies adopted by these groups of teachers. Firstly, teachers solely focused on teaching developed a strategy of resistance, avoiding the use of the LMS in their daily teaching. In contrast, the other two groups of teachers responded to the changes by accumulating either digital or managerial capital to enhance their skills. This latter strategy positioned them as key figures in the eyes of local management, preparing them for advancement. Furthermore, since enhancing skills entails collaborating closely with management, it naturally leads these teachers to support the enactment of the LMS through their actions in the schools. The findings contribute to theoretical development and provide insights into teachers' practices when required to enact change in school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The meat industry plays a vital role in India's economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in digitalising the meat supply chain in India to address these challenges and enhance efficiency, transparency, and traceability. Digitalisation enables real‐time monitoring of environmental conditions, such as humidity and temperature, during storage and transportation, ensuring optimal preservation of meat products. Government initiatives, such as the Digital India programme and the Atma‐Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, provide support and incentives to foster digitalisation in the meat industry and other sectors. This study analysed the implementation of digital technologies and supply chain performance as the involvement of top management commitment is crucial while carrying out this task. It supports that the implementation of digital technologies would lead to an increase in supply chain collaboration and it further would lead to an increase in supply chain performance. This study will help robust and more unified supply chain by connecting the stakeholders digitally as well as by applying digital technologies for smooth industry operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Nowadays, the adoption of digital technologies getting a significant pace. It has the potential to improve the existing dynamics of the food supply chains and improve its transparency. Many times, uncertainties prevail in the food supply chain performance systems, which cause amplification of risk. These uncertainties are due to a lack of product traceability mechanisms in the food supply chains. Hence, it becomes vital to harness the potential of digital technologies like the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and common digital platforms to improve the flow of information and products in the food supply chain. The presented work is aimed at assessing the impact of digital technologies on risk identification and its mitigation in the food supply chain dynamics. For the same, risks are assessed relative to its mitigation strategy by the two‐stage methodology of preference rating approach. Here, the impacts of risk under consideration are quantified relative to every risk mitigation strategy for a better depiction of the potential of digital transformation of the food supply chain. It yields the broadening of its implication perspectives at operational, strategic and tactical levels of the food supply chain and makes them future‐ready. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russia's war on Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis have painfully reminded Europe that it must urgently reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. For a sustainable, secure and affordable energy future, the coming years will require a massive scale-up of renewable energy across the EU and a tremendous effort by European businesses and households to cut their energy consumption. The use of data and digital solutions can play a pivotal role in bolstering these efforts. This has been recognised in the European Commission's EU Action Plan on digitalising the energy system of October 2022, the first comprehensive plan for a twin green and digital transition in the European energy sector. While this plan is undeniably commendable, it is just a start. To fully unlock the potential of digitalisation in the transition towards sustainable energy systems, built around the active participation of consumers, significant shares of renewables, energy savings, and efficient energy use, the EU and its member states need to: Accelerate work on a common European energy data space, characterised by interoperable data standards, effective incentives for data sharing and adequate data protection and privacy safeguards for consumers. Ensure that citizens possess the necessary digital skills and information to reap the full benefits of the twin transition in terms of consumer empowerment and access to affordable and clean energy. Put in place the necessary safeguards regarding cybersecurity of energy networks to ensure that digital transformation does not jeopardise the resilience of EU energy systems. Use financial tools to accelerate the deployment of digital solutions in the energy sector and equip existing networks with the necessary digital infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although recent research has confirmed the positive economic effects of digitalisation on firm performance, fewer investigations have addressed the potential non-economic effects of digitalisation on organisational performance, including sustainability performance. To address the inconclusive relationship between digitalisation and organisational sustainable performance the current research considers the mixed effects of digitalisation and proposes a practical tool for assessing those effects. An exploratory, qualitative study reveals several mixed effects of digitalisation across six performance perspectives: financial, customer, internal business processes, learning and growth, social, and environmental. The practical proposed ‘digimpact’ tool can evaluate these various impacts of digitalisation on sustainable organisational performance and thereby help managers design effective digital transformation strategies. The digimpact measurement tool also can be tested, confirmed, and revised in ongoing research to expand and improve its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we investigate the implementation and challenges of accessing archives in the digital age. Through an online survey and expert interviews, data were collected from archival institutions, professional users, and civil society organizations in all Council of Europe member states. The findings reveal that digitization has had a positive impact on document accessibility, providing convenience, reducing workload, and improving user access. However, only a small portion of archival holdings have been digitized, highlighting the need for further efforts in this area. Data protection and copyright present significant obstacles, with the European General Data Protection Regulation leading to access restrictions and legal uncertainties. Preservation, interoperability, and organization of records pose challenges in the digital realm, and while artificial intelligence shows promise in automating metadata creation and identifying sensitive materials, concerns about algorithmic biases and the need for additional checks are highlighted. To enhance accessibility, user-friendly interfaces, cooperation among memory preserving institution, and outreach to new user groups are crucial, which can ensure the effective preservation and accessibility of digital collections in the digital age. We provide insights for policy-making and archival institutions in navigating the evolving landscape of accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paperwork has always been a central part of bureaucratic work. Over the last few years, bureaucratic procedures have become increasingly standardised and digitalised. Based on interviews and ethnographic fieldwork within welfare offices in Switzerland and Belgium, we reflect on the way evidence is constructed within social policy and cases built for or against noncitizen welfare recipients in order to show how paper truths are established and challenged. The focus on digital practices within public policy implementation highlights how it contributes to enhanced control mechanisms on the implementation level and how migration law continues to guide welfare governance for noncitizens. This allows targeting of the most marginalised groups, whose rights to access state support are institutionally impeded. Through database information flows, official forms, paper reports and face-to-face meetings, we further show how a hybrid form of bureaucratic work emerges, where direct contact with the client is still key, yet highly influenced by standardisation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Sheridan talks with Clare L E Foster, sharing some wider observations about the challenges of the digital transformation of The National Archives. (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/executive-team/john-sheridan/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of educational software among teachers in Italy (N = 559). The evaluation of usefulness was conducted on the latest and most popular web-based software used by European teachers, namely: Quizizz, Mentimeter, Wakelet, Padlet, Canva, Emaze, Answergarden, Jamboard, Coggle, Createley, Wordwall, LearningApps, Prezi, Kahoot, Plickers, Trimino, Dobble, Genial.ly, ClassDojo, Explain Everything, KhanAcademy, and Easelly. Based on data collected in the first half of 2022 using an online survey, it was noted that: 1) The majority of teachers are not able to evaluate modern software because they do not use such teaching resources as those listed; 2) About 9.3% of teachers rate the listed software highly; 3) Most commonly teachers use and also rate highly: Canva, Wordwall, Padlet, LearningApps, Kahoot, Coggle, Jamboard, and Prezi; 4) Seniority and workplace does not always differentiate the evaluation of educational software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of its European Data Strategy, the EU wants to create a market for non-personal data and unlock the sharing of industrial data between companies. This theory-building case study suggests that businesses' data governance preferences are determined by their position in the data value chain and thus whether firms monetise data as data holders (producers) in the upstream or as data reusers (access seekers) in the downstream segment. While the latter favour legal rules for governing data sharing, the former prefer only contractual agreements. The data value chain theory draws on concepts of the role of data in value creation in the digital economy and on case evidence from the automotive and financial sectors, which are typical cases of digital disruption. The theory helps to better understand coalition building in business lobbying activities, the potential dynamics between private self-regulation and public policies, and the probable feedback effects of digital policies on corporate power sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study analyses the critical issues in Agri-tech start-up growth in India and explores ways to improve the process. Research methods are triangulated to understand Agri-tech entrepreneurs' opinions and experiences. After the articles and reports were reviewed, a statistical analysis of a user opinion survey of two hundred and two Agri-tech users was conducted. Post survey, three rounds of semi-structured interviews among the twenty-two Agri-tech entrepreneurs and experts helped in fine-tuning the findings. The key issues highlighted in the findings are the availability of low-interest and creative financing models; Infrastructure availability and incubation support; Cross-domain quality solutions with multiple levels of features; Supportive mindset of business customers and partners; and Skill-building and Training of farmers. This research is one of the few academic studies on Agri-tech entrepreneurship and includes the COVID-19 pandemic effect. The findings help the researchers build the knowledge base of agriculture 4.0 entrepreneurship. Suggestions may help the practitioner boost the growth of Agri-tech solutions. In addition, the study highlights innovative suggestions like setting up an open national database of core parameters, cloud computing-based agriculture 4.0 digital stack, digitalising farmer producer organisations, and monitoring plus organisational evaluation setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to current discussions of digital teaching and technology within the field of engineering design education. We enter this dialogue by analysing a hybrid digital learning design for a 15-ECTS engineering design course. The course design pedagogically integrates principles from networked learning research, Problem-Based learning (PBL), as well as established pedagogical traditions. Specifically, we analyse and discuss the case based on four pedagogical principles underpinning the course: structured freedom, flipped engagement, hybridity, and transparency. The purpose of our discussions is to understand and contribute knowledge of digitalising engineering design education. Specifically, our pedagogical approach to hybrid and digital modes of learning rethink and expand the integration of digital technologies in physical design studios in a PBL context by employing networked learning principles. Following this, we draw out interesting contributions that have emerged and use the discussions to feed into the ongoing research on digitalising engineering design education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blockchain has been proposed for use in various applications in the energy field. Although the blockchain has technical strengths, several obstacles affect the application of the technology in energy services. The scope of this study is to highlight and prioritise the most important barriers to such applications. The first step in this direction is specifying the potential areas of the implementation of blockchain technology in the energy sector. Two useful tools for market analysis were used: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental, PESTLE Analysis, and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, SWOT Analysis, which examine external and internal factors, respectively. Thus, a list of the most important elements hindering the incorporation of the blockchain in the energy sector was extracted. The detected barriers were classified and ranked by energy and IT experts using the multicriteria method, "Analytical Hierarchy Process for Group Decision Making". The results reveal that legal barriers relating to the complexities of deficiencies of regulations are the most significant, while technological barriers, especially those related to security issues, are also important. Sociopolitical barriers related mainly to lack of trust in blockchain, as well as economic concerns such as high upfront costs, are less influential but should still be considered. The conclusions of the conducted research have the potential to guide market actors in their endeavours to modernise energy systems through the use of the blockchain, assisting them in designing the most appropriate market strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Museums are increasingly employing innovative digital techniques to curate, link, and market collections, enabling new kinds of public engagement to better connect with popular culture. By embracing contemporary modes of delivery to open access to their collections, museums are signalling a drive toward greater democratisation of knowledge and information through increased interaction and accessibility. Yet with this has come a series of copyright and legal complexities. This paper reviews current copyright barriers for museums in Australia and examines how international examples offer potential models and ways forward. The authors conclude that recent copyright modernisation reviews offer the museum sector an opportunity to restructure its strategies. As online formats evolve, there is an urgent need to explore how amendments to copyright laws in some countries have allowed for more fair and flexible use of cultural artefacts and orphan works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way in which we describe processes of automation, the digital society and the technology companies that deliver many of its services carry implicit and sometimes contradicting values and ideas about the society envisioned. In this paper, we are interested in unfolding some of the metaphors that guide political discourses on digitalisation in Denmark, particularly those related to the nexus between the welfare state and the market. We propose that metaphorical analysis of policy documents serves to tease out and confront the implicit values and tensions related to how welfare ideologies are reconciled with market logics. This carries important messages about the Danish government's imaginary of digitalisation and citizens, such as which role citizens are expected to play vis-à-vis digital services and welfare provisions. This paper argues that in contrast to the EU's declared goal of human-centric digitalisation, the Danish government relies on metaphors that are technology-centric rather than human-centric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This theme section editorial introduction presents a collection of papers brought together under the heading Rural transformations, rural futures. The papers are elaborations of work presented at a European Society for Rural Sociology 'satellite event' entitled Transitioning Rural Futures. Contributions to the theme section add to the emerging corpus of work that examines potentially transformative immediate and medium-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural areas, and also speak to other 'grand challenges' likely to transform rural places and shape rural futures: specifically, resilience, digitalisation, wellbeing, socio-economic inequalities, shifting rural policy landscapes and impacts of transnational economic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing digitalisation and access to communication technologies has arguably never been more important to rural communities than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digitalisation assumes a distinct character when looked at through a rural lens, reliable and accessible digital tools and infrastructure having marked implications for the future of rural communities. This was especially pertinent during COVID-19 lockdowns, when in rural (as well as urban) communities there was a push to host local activities and services online. Using reflections from both in-person and online research engagements with a crofting community in the North West Highlands of Scotland, this paper reflects on how the use of digital tools can support the development of different types of social capital. Successful rural digitalisation has the potential to benefit rural crofting communities in multiple ways: e.g. by supporting rural repopulation efforts, enabling access to new digital markets to sell produce, and supporting active participation in local decision-making through online meetings. Several barriers to realising digital benefits still exist in rural regions with specific digitalisation needs and challenges. The paper reflects on empirical findings and considers the future sustainability of rural crofting communities in the post-COVID, digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores how the territorial structure of manufacturing sectors with differing technological intensities is influencing the spatial pattern of digitalisation in the early stages of the fourth industrial revolution. Using data from 2014 to 2019 for sectors classified according to technology intensity and indicators measuring digitalisation trends, we have conducted a correlation and cluster analysis of Hungarian districts (formerly LAU1 level). We found that the geography of manufacturing sectors determines the spatial patterns of digitalisation, and the digitalisation is more advanced in districts that concentrate sectors with high and medium-high technological intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hongbao is a monetary gift given during Chinese New Year and other occasions. In 2015, WeChat introduced its electronic version in China. This has altered its original and ritualistic meaning, which is linked to a conception of the world characterised by filial piety, benevolence, and social harmony. Here the red packet is seen as a connector linking the generations, and also the individual to the community. The money inserted in the red packet symbolises these relationships, as well as the debt of life that can never be reimbursed. Hence, the amount is symbolic. The time-space compression that allowed for the introduction of the e-hongbao has changed this meaning, and the WeChat app can be analysed as a mediator that links the sender and the receiver. This blurs the meaning of the hongbao, linking it to economic practices and highlighting the individualisation of Chinese society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: People who take non-banking loans are primarily perceived as excluded from accessing bank services. The growth of e-commerce and the increasing digitalisation of customer interactions with banks was particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic (the first 'black swan'). These processes have also influenced the rapid growth of the LendTech (LT) sector within FinTech with its digital loans and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services. The war in Ukraine (the second 'black swan') has led to an energy crisis, increased inflation, interest rates and credit costs, and reduced credit accessibility. In this context, the following research questions are addressed: Are the LT and banking sectors complementary or substitutive in the area of consumer financing? Does complementarity apply to all customer segments and loan amounts? How does the extent of complementarity or substitutability of the LT sector depend on, and to what extent do changes in the regulatory and macroeconomic environment affect, the interaction between the banking and LT sectors? Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to identify trends in the LT sector within FinTech in the context of assessing the scale and determinants of current and future complementarity of the non-bank sector and the banking sector in the area of consumer credit in time of black swans. An additional purpose of the article is to estimate revenues from the basic operating activities of companies from the on-line channel. Methods: The research process was multi-stage and the research procedure was structured. Due to the lack of a uniform source of data on LT products and services, the study used many data sources -- data from the Credit Information Bureau, a primary nationwide survey on LT users a primary survey of people representing LT's managerial staff. The selection of LTs was carried out according to the concept of the monetary sampling unit. The Horvitz-Thompson estimator with Sen-Yates-Grundy variance form was used to estimate net operating income for LT from the online channel in 2021. Findings & value added: The LT companies surveyed state that black swans (the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine) and the current macroeconomic situation have not significantly affected demand for non-banking loans. The reduction in the opportunities for the LT sector as a result of anti-usury regulations will only lead to a shift in consumer demand to the pawnshop sector and the shadow economy, which will be detrimental to consumers. Complementarity between LT and the banking sector is revealed especially in crisis situations, thus limiting the effects of market shock (limited supply of loans offered by banks). In periods of stabilisation, a rather clear division of preferences is noticeable - in the case of seniors and loans for higher amounts, banks dominate, while in the case of lower amounts and in younger age groups, non-bank institutions are more popular. The mechanism by which shrinking banking services are replaced by LT in short-term crises confirms the importance of LT in balancing the Consumer Finance market in the face of unstable periods. From a medium- and long-term perspective, it should be noted that inflation and rising interest rates will increase the scale of credit exclusion in commercial banks, shifting part of the demand to the non-bank sector. These phenomena have an international dimension. Similar observations were made already in 2012 by the CFPB in the USA and the British FTA, when analysing the consumer finance market immediately after the subprime crisis, emphasising the effects of limiting access to bank consumer loans and the resulting growth of the LT market (Gębski, 2013). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of people are spending more and more time in digital landscapes, with many still unknown consequences for crisis and emergency management. This exploratory, in-depth, qualitative interview study (N = 14) explores conceptions about local and individual crisis and emergency preparedness among a small group of young adults representing the most digitally savvy generation in Sweden. The results show that the respondents exhibit a complex and ambivalent attitude to crisis and emergency preparedness issues. Considering their digital habits and skills, the respondents emphasise their own responsibility, social ties, and expectations of help from the authorities and the local community when describing how they intend to face and manage a crisis in practice. This exploratory study contributes preliminary and tentative theoretical knowledge to a highly limited body of work specifically addressing citizens' crisis and emergency preparedness in a digitalized world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technology is unlocking unprecedented growth opportunities in the sports industry, offering the chance to bring competitors and fans closer to the world of sport through innovative and personalised experiences. The sporting landscape is undergoing a particularly rapid and bold transformation through digital technology, and the rise of smartphones and tablets can contribute to the evolution of sport. However, to fully exploit the potential, sports organisations, sports managers and sports professionals will need a digital switchover. Digital analytics will enable a better understanding of sports services, attracting fans, engaging sponsors, sharing information and developing business models. Our research investigates the characteristics of the development of a new Olympic sport in the field of wall climbing among young adults, an innovation that will move sport services in a new direction and on a new footing by developing an innovative training methodology. New performance indicators such as climbing speed and research on active-passive climbing time will contribute to a more efficient and faster development path for athletes. Special Clift grip sensors, which can be installed under the artificial grips on the back of the wall, can measure both the time and length of the grip, as well as distinguish the load of the grip from the touch. The results of the research put the Clift wall climbing service at the forefront of sports development worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural communities have experienced significant changes in their social, economic and demographic structures, leading to an increased importance of volunteering. Such activities are related to traditional association structures, which seem to be declining in popularity. One of the current hopes for strengthening rural volunteering is digitalisation. This article examines the extent to which digitalisation has found its way into volunteering and how this is related to rural areas. It summarises the discourses on volunteering, rural areas and digitalisation and introduces a mixed-methods approach at the organisational level. Based on a nationwide survey and in-depth interviews with volunteers and experts, we present a digitalisation index to illustrate that digitalisation has found its way into rural volunteering, but not to the same extent everywhere. We suggest that the sparse use of distance-bridging digital tools is due to the structural peculiarities of rural voluntary organisations rather than stereotypical rural backwardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital twins for medium span bridges – pilot project bridge Schwindegg – part 2: Asset Administration Shell The term ′digital twin′ is becoming increasingly popular in German‐speaking countries for the digital management and condition monitoring of bridges. Although standardised developments for the use of digital twins have already been initiated in industry and medicine, the first prototypes are currently being implemented in the construction industry. The digital images are typically operated in online environments that are proprietary to the project and have limited reusability. The article investigates the integration of scaling into Building Information Modelling models, which is reaching its limits due to the real‐time capability. It places existing definitions of the digital twin of the industry in the context of the construction industry. The implementation of the Isenbridge in Schwindegg as an Industry 4.0 Asset Administration Shell (AAS) is presented, building on Part 1 of this contribution. We show that an industrial, data‐driven digital twin can also be implemented technically and semantically for engineering structures. The article also presents the future challenges for evaluation and control mechanisms still to be developed for the structure. We also show a possible visualisation. The goal is to develop a syntax for the AAS' communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the question of how Engineering education in the Nordic region responds to the challenge of educating future engineers who are ready for professional practice in a digital world. Particular interest is put on identifying who is responsible for the implementation of digital knowledge and what and how subject content is addressed. Our study draws on Bernstein's pedagogical device model (Bernstein, B. 2002. "Editorial: Basil Bernstein's Theory of Social Class, Educational Codes and Social Control." British Journal of Sociology of Education 23 (4): 525–526). The study focuses on the questions of if/how digital transformation leads to change of engineering education content and/or pedagogical approaches. Narratives of 20 university teachers have been collected and analysed. Findings reveal three areas of consideration; there is a connection between how digital knowledge is valued and how the subject is introduced in engineering education, differences in digital knowledge can be linked to the generation gap and, universities are seldom seen as the driving force for digital innovation. It is concluded that education must reflect on the purpose for which digitalisation takes place, continuous training targeting digital transformation should be offered to senior teachers and, universities need to provide increased focus and dedicated time for educational development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The globe has experienced a devastating COVID-19 pandemic, putting the planet under lockdown and causing social alienation. The near collapse of social and economic activities is disrupting the supply chain. Customer-required products were in low supply across the world. A slew of new digital firms springs up to fill the need during this time. This study aims to reach a holistic goal by better understanding customers' digitalisation behaviour. The first step is to review existing consumer digital psychology research to map this study's current knowledge of the pandemic's early and late phases and the impact of digital businesses on consumer behaviour. Finally, it provides lawmakers with a future agenda for limiting the digital psychology of consumers and enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: This study used the Scopus and Web of Science databases to extract records to follow the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. The final 57 papers were applied after the screening process. The digital environment, psychological digitalisation and behavioural changes were recognised as three primary classes based on a comprehensive examination of the previous literature. This study identified possible difficulties in earlier literature: the scarcity of collaborative and transdisciplinary research on digital psychology, which various academics have emphasised in the past. On the other hand, these investigations were primarily conducted in the psychological surroundings of technology users. Findings: According to this study, digital psychology has improved significantly during the pandemic and many new digital start-ups have arisen. This study also used digital research to create a framework for a pandemic strategic response plan to help minimise the current COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future outbreaks. Originality/value: The study mapped existing literature on digital psychology alterations because of the novel COVID-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To what extent did the Covid-19 pandemic affect the tools, priorities and organisation of cultural policies? And did the pandemic enhance the digital aspect of these policies? This paper compares pandemic cultural policy measures in seven European countries to answer these questions. The countries all installed a plurality of mitigating measures, combining grants and subsidies, compensation of lost income, income support and financial flexibility, creating a tendency towards cultural policy turning into economic policy, fiscal policy, and labour market policy. Cultural policies have not been fundamentally challenged by the pandemic, in the sense that it has affected the essential political tools, divisions of labour, or core goals. The responses have confirmed an existing policy structure or enhanced existing developments. The importance of a state-centred or a federalist cultural policy system has not been challenged in a substantial way. Secondly there is little evidence to show a general acceleration of national digital cultural policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalisation is portrayed as a transformative force, remodelling the way we live and businesses operate. In today's unprecedented business environment, the survival of organisations is in technological advancement and online presence. When masses rely on digital financial payments, there is a pressing need for the financial sector to offer innovative products and services to meet customers' needs and achieve sustainable performance. This paper aims to investigate the impact of data analytics on the productivity of banks in Pakistan and employed two-step system generalised methods of moments for estimation. The findings suggest that 5.9% productivity is increased for banks that invested in data analytics on average. It was also found that productivity increase is associated with an investment in data analytics compared to a mere investment in any software. However, the moderating role of dynamic capabilities on the relationship between data analytics and banks' productivity is insignificant, which raises a question on the relevance of research and development expense with human capital development. It is recommended that banks should invest in those analytics that have predictive, visualising and analytical capabilities. The use of these innovative technologies should be combined with training and human capital development to ensure sustainable firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to investigate the profound effects of technology and innovation on opportunities for international learning and cooperation in higher education and mobility. Employing a survey and questionnaire, the study focuses on 120 students across various specialities and education levels (bachelor, master, postgraduate). The research distinguishes itself through a novel, comprehensive analysis, utilizing a combined approach that amalgamates diverse methods of data collection and analysis. In the methodology, the experiment is outlined, specifying the types of data analytics employed (statistical analysis and thematical analysis). The significance of this work lies in its holistic examination of the impact of technology and innovation on international learning and cooperation, encompassing various mobility programs and their popularity among students. The results highlight the integral role of digital technologies in academic mobility, showcasing their ability to enhance student experiences by optimizing time management and fostering convenient interactions with international partners. Noteworthy differences in the popularity of mobility programs are identified, accompanied by an exploration of factors influencing their attractiveness to students. This studyunveils a range of digital tools such as virtual classes, distance learning, and virtual exchanges, illustrating their pivotal role in empowering students to discover, select, and engage with international study opportunities. The findings underscore the transformative impact of technology, offering a roadmap for educational environments beyond coursework. In conclusion, the article not only enriches the discourse on the integration of technology in academic mobility but also provides recommendations for educators and policymakers to enhance the effectiveness of international learning and cooperation in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to characterise the formation of a strategy for ensuring the quality of distance education in Ukraine. Methods: content analysis of modern literature, analysis, synthesis, and modelling were used. The main criteria for selecting scientific sources are relevance, reliability, and impartiality. The scientific novelty is the professional development of a modern strategy for ensuring the quality of distance education in Ukraine based on the analysis of modern pedagogical literature. The results of the study describe four stages of the formation of an innovative strategy for ensuring the quality of distance education in Ukraine. It is determined that similar to the system of traditional full-time education, distance learning requires the establishment of rules and the creation of a comprehensive framework and guidelines. At the same time, the clarity and balance of educational regulations is important in the system of empowering educational institutions to ensure the effective participation of both teachers and students at all levels. The results note that the key components of a quality assurance strategy for distance education are programme planning, selection of appropriate digital technologies, teacher training, assessment and reporting, and continuous improvement of the entire educational system. Monitoring and identification of risk areas are also important parts of the strategy, which provide an accurate understanding of the dynamics of educational outcomes and facilitate timely adjustment of the educational process in distance learning. The conclusions emphasise that monitoring is a particularly important part of this strategy. It is this process that helps to ensure effective and high-quality education that meets the needs of modern students and society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to empirically test the effectiveness of the model of teaching with rotating stations in a mixed format on the basis of a survey conducted among teachers of higher education institutions in Ukraine. The study uses a mixed-methodology approach to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 65 teachers during the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. The main instruments are questionnaires and interviews among teachers who have used the Station Rotation Model. The responses were processed using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis to identify any significant differences in the results. The results emphasise the need for careful selection of a platform for distance learning and the acquisition of skills in creating e-resources. The results of the study provide practical recommendations for the implementation of the model in the Ukrainian higher education context. This is important for Ukrainian higher education institutions looking for optimal methods of blended learning. The findings of the study highlight the positive attitude of teachers to the proposed model, which promotes the individualisation of learning and development of digital competence. However, implementation requires additional time and advanced digital skills of teachers. The average score of the model's effectiveness (approximately 4.046) and the percentage distribution in scores 4 (47.69%) and 5 (30.77%) indicate a high level of acceptance of this approach by modern teachers. The recommendations are based on the individual experience of teachers, indicating the variability in the choice of the optimal means of communication with students. The study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of the blended learning model and will help to optimise its wider implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalisation has transformed the dynamics of interaction between the media and its audience, requiring rapid transmission of information and adaptation to the diversity of approaches in the current media space (Casero-Ripollés, 2010; Peña Fernández et al., 2019). This research seeks to determine the notoriety of the main Spanish national generalist press and radio media. It also aims to evaluate the differences in recognition according to the sociodemographic characteristics of the subjects. The study is of an inferential-correlational type and employs a quantitative approach methodology, with a questionnaire as a data collection tool and a sample of 385 participants randomly distributed throughout Spain. Statistical procedures such as correlation matrices and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied to study the relationships between variables. The results reveal that El País leads in notoriety among newspapers, while SER stands out among general radio stations. The select groups are completed by El Mundo and ABC; and the COPE, respectively. Level of education, nationality, age and socio-economic status are the variables that show statistically significant inter-group differences in terms of cumulative recognition indexes. However, in the case of radio, relevant variations are also observed in terms of ideological issues, potentially marked by a circumstantial component. It is worth noting that in none of the scenarios measured does gender act as a differentiating variable. The conclusions reveal a notoriety of the media relatively in line with their audience ratings, although there are other conditioning elements, such as the trajectory of the medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Programme in satisfying older adults 'food needs. For this purpose out of about 377 Public Distribution System (PDS) shops only 20 shops, 10 from urban areas and 10 from rural areas were selected for this study. From each shop 8 older adult respondents, a total of 160, were selected randomly for data collection. However, 8 respondents were omitted because of a lack of required data, and therefore, a total of 152 elderly respondents were finally selected for the study. An interview schedule was used for data collection. The study revealed that rural older adults have higher odds of preference for food rations as compared to urban counterparts. Scheduled caste older adults have higher odds of preference for food rations as compared to 'other 'categories. The daily wage labour has higher odds of preference for food rations as compared to other job categories. These findings stress a careful policymaking is required on food security concerns of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health systems around the world are facing challenges in achieving their goals. In the wake of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the need for resilient health systems has become even more apparent. This article argues that embedding resilience into health system performance assessment (HSPA) frameworks can be a valuable approach for improving health system performance. This perspective examines key challenges threatening health systems and makes a case for the continued relevance of HSPA by embedding resilience-related performance intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer of 2020 saw face-to-face teaching replaced by online teaching. The question arose as to how digitalisation may be implemented meaningfully. The views of lecturers and students on past online programmes were gathered in order to identify potential and future prospects. Project description: An exploratory, guidelines-based interview study was conducted during the clinical phase of the medicine degree at the Faculty of Medicine in Würzburg. Five lecturers and five students were interviewed in the winter semester of 2020/21. This was followed by a content analysis evaluation according to Kuckartz, with the help of MAXQDA. Results: Online teaching offers more flexibility and security for the future. Hybrid formats (e.g., blended learning) are in demand. While theoretical knowledge can be taught online, face-to-face teaching remains essential in practical training. Digital elements must be developed didactically and anchored in the curriculum. Interaction and direct feedback between students and lecturers are key aspects of this. Discussion: Online teaching in medicine offers numerous potentials and didactic design options that can improve the degree programme in a competency-based manner. Combined teaching formats are particularly effective in this regard. Fittingly conceived, multimedia teaching formats enable students to approach their studies in a focused manner. The points raised during the interviews correspond with the fundamental principles of the ARCS model, which was developed to strengthen continuous motivation in students. Conclusion: Well-thought-out design and integration of online teaching can contribute to attractive, efficient, and future-oriented teaching/learning activities. Decisive factors are the collaboration of everyone involved and adequate provision of both time and financial resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to identify changes in the cultural and leisure activities of open-air museums in Ukraine through the prism of digital transformation, to characterise the activities of open-air museums in new cultural and social conditions. The research methodology provides general scientific principles of systematisation and generalisation, which made it possible to analyse and determine aspects of the transformation of the cultural and leisure activity of openair museums in the field of digitalisation. The purpose and tasks of the publication also determined the application of an axiological approach, which made it possible to determine the role of open-air museums in the implementation of cultural and leisure activities and their transformational manifestations through the prism of digitalisation. The application of the analytical method contributed to the delineation of the conceptual foundations of further scientific perspectives for the study of the cultural and leisure activities of open-air museums in the ХХІ century and the analysis of the impact of digital transformation on the cultural and leisure activities of open-air museums in the first quarter of the century. The principles of objectivity and reliability formed the methodological basis for analysing the impact of digitalisation and the transformation of cultural and leisure activities in the period under study. The scientific novelty consists in outlining the aspects of the cultural and leisure activity of open-air museums in Ukraine under the influence of the digital transformation of the cultural sphere, determining the future prospects of the researched issues. Conclusions. Thanks to digitalisation processes, the number of interactive museum programs and projects is increasing, which makes visiting open-air museums and getting to know their cultural and leisure activities more accessible to the public. At the same time, their accounts in social networks, the use of online tours with electronic accompanying material, audio guides, QR codes and other devices that help in recognising and assimilating information to users are widespread and developing. However, the transformation of the manifestation of cultural and leisure activities of open-air museums in the ХХІ century has its negative and positive aspects. But the digitisation of museum collections is a reliable way to preserve works of culture and traditions for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digitalisation of school systems and teaching often comes with expectations to enhance both equity and student outcomes, particularly as stated in policy documents. When curricular goals relating to student’s proficiency in using digital tools in their daily lives are introduced, teachers bear the responsibility of ensuring that these goals can be achieved by all students. This article analyses teachers’ perspectives on the interplay between digitalisation, digital competence, equity, and students’ increased attainment of curricular goals. The interviewed teachers worked from preschool to upper-secondary school levels in the same municipality in Sweden, and their responses were subjected to a thematic analysis. The analysis shed light on three dilemmatic spaces, namely flexibility in teaching and learning, equity and students’ increased goal attainment, and becoming a citizen. Within these dilemmatic spaces, teachers faced the challenge of making decisions regarding their actions and their alignment with various expectations, including the well-being of their students, institutional rules and regulations, and policy guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing digital technology to achieve carbon emission reduction is a promising approach. This study combines two methods, including a systematic literature review (SLR) and empirical analysis to study the multiple paths of firm digitalisation to achieve carbon emission reduction through management activities. First, we employ an SLR method to identify the applications of digital technology for carbon emission reduction practice and the multiple paths of carbon emission reduction through management activities. We then empirically test the relationship between firm digitalisation, management activities and carbon emission reduction. The relevant findings are twofold. (1) The SLR reveals that artificial intelligence is the most effective technology to achieve carbon emission reduction, followed by the Internet of Things, big data analytics and cloud computing. These technologies often collaborate synergistically to achieve carbon emission reduction goals. (2) The SLR and empirical analysis reveal that firm digitalisation achieves carbon emission reduction through three management activities, including production operation management such as energy forecasts, resource control and preventive maintenance; innovation management such as process, energy and technological innovation; and logistics and supply chain management such as packaging management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since March 2020, the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to higher education internationalisation by disrupting long‐standing practices, accelerating the adoption of digital technologies, and pushing universities further into the ‘digital turn’. Nevertheless, it remains unclear to what extent higher education institutions (HEIs) have systematically integrated digitalisation into their broader internationalisation strategies. Therefore, this scoping review aims to trace the evidence in the international scientific literature on the intersections between COVID‐driven digitalisation and HEIs' internationalisation strategies. The focus lies on teaching and learning, cooperation, support structures, and leadership processes. We reviewed 45 studies from an initial selection of 648 sources retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. Results showed that digitally supported internationalisation strategies are often associated with more cost‐effective, inclusive and sustainable models. Despite ongoing calls for comprehensive approaches, the systematic adoption of virtual internationalisation strategies remains largely a normative subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactor automation is revolutionising the way new chemical processes are discovered and developed. Assigning repetitive aspects of chemical synthesis to machines, such as experimental execution and data collection, provides more time for researchers to focus on critical interpretation and creative problem solving. The ability to autonomously prepare late‐stage intermediates and complex products, rather than just simple starting materials, will play a central role in applications such as the efficient exploration of chemical space and responsive manufacturing. However, translating automated technologies from specific single‐step tasks to more general multistep syntheses remains a significant challenge, owing to high structural diversity and chemical/physical interdependencies between the steps. Robotic batch and continuous flow platforms are gradually becoming more universal, providing access to a wider range of chemistries required to achieve autonomous multistep synthesis. Advances in process analytical technologies have enhanced our ability to monitor interconnected reactions in real‐time, thus accelerating data collection and giving greater process control for ensuring a high standard of safety and product quality. Integration of these tools with control software creates a feedback loop, which can be harnessed for adaptive and flexible multistep screening or holistic self‐optimisation. This review presents recent developments in the application of automated reactor technologies for multistep chemical synthesis, including batch and continuous flow platforms. Specifically, this review highlights how the integration of control software with advanced process analytical technologies and machine learning algorithms are accelerating the synthesis of complex molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries are increasingly looking to 'digitalise' how public services are delivered, with welfare‐to‐work and public employment services being key sites of reform. It is hoped that digitalisation can achieve efficient, effective, and targeted services for those in need and there is now a growing body of research on both the opportunities and pitfalls associated with this transition to digital welfare states. However, as a concept, 'digitalisation' remains ambiguously defined, hindering understanding of the distinct ways that discrete technological innovations are reshaping citizens' access to social protection and the role of street‐level discretion in welfare administration. Drawing on interviews with expert informants from three countries pioneering digital reforms, this study aims to better understand what digitalisation entails for the delivery of activation. We identify three discrete modes of 'digitalisation' in welfare‐to‐work programmes: virtual engagement (remote activation), transactional automation (self‐activation), and digital triaging (targeted activation). Far from digitalisation heralding the automation and curtailment of frontline discretion, the different modes reshape frontline delivery and citizens' access to social protection in specific ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 6 Jan 22 to 17 Feb 22, a total of 729,367 close contacts classified into four distinct groups (i.e., household, social, school and nursing/ welfare home contacts) were managed by the Health Risk Warning system. High COVID-19-positive rates were demonstrated amongst household contacts, i.e., 10.9% (37,220/342,302) were detected via antigen rapid test kits and 56.5% (4,952/8,767) were detected via polymerase chain reaction testing. Household contacts represent the highest risk of being infected by virtue of the sustained close-proximity interactions in the household setting. Social, school and nursing/ welfare home contacts continue to remain at-risk groups for close monitoring. At a population level, household and symptomatic close contacts should be the groups of focus in the early phases of the pandemic, including future potential waves involving COVID-19 variants of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital Twins (DT) have become popular in various industries to solve complex problems. A true DT allows for bidirectional real-time data flows between the physical and virtual worlds. The term DT was often overused, leading to confusion about its capabilities therefore this paper provides a review of the current state of DT and its applications in the minerals industry. Existing literature shows a slow adoption of DTs in the minerals industry, which is largely due to challenges associated with geological unpredictability, legacy system integration, cost, skill gaps, cybersecurity, and lack of standards. Combining immersive visualisation with real-time spatial computer graphics could improve the usability and acceptance of DTs in the minerals industry which has been used successfully in training while underexplored for operational scenarios. The study concludes by highlighting the need for further research to understand the effectiveness of such an approach in mineral operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital twins for medium span bridges – pilot project bridge Schwindegg – part 1: sensor equipment In the coming years, bridge maintenance will be an essential task for infrastructure maintenance. Particularly for small and medium span bridges in the municipal road network, there are often no personnel available for structural inspection and maintenance. It will therefore be necessary in the future to develop concepts for semi‐automated bridge inspection. If information is available about the actions and resistances of the structures, the measured values contain important information about the condition of the structure. A concept for this could be digital twins. Intelligent maintenance management can be implemented on the basis of digital twins and the information they contain. Our two‐part article presents the concept of digital twins for medium span bridges. In the first part, the sensor equipment of a single span prestressed concrete frame bridge is presented for monitoring from a digital twin perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how leisure organisations developed entrepreneurial practices to enable innovation for the post-covid-19 pandemic era. Whilst entrepreneurship and innovation have been the subject of academic scrutiny in mainstream sport, there is a relative paucity of studies within the broader holistic context of leisure. Semi-structured interviews, conducted in the United Kingdom (UK), provide insights from nine high profile, globally recognised industry practitioners from across the leisure industry including the sport, entertainment, health and fitness, leisure, hospitality, arts and culture, events and tourism sectors. Four key themes emerged from the data including extending capabilities through (i) research and development (R&D) and (ii) digitalisation, and changing culture through (iii) diversification, and (iv) sustainability. These practices were shown to enable leisure organisations to create new customer value within an increasingly competitive environment. The paper concludes with an overview of theoretical and managerial implications and provides approaches for developing more entrepreneurial practices in leisure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]