Journal Description
Platforms
Platforms
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on platform management, services, policy and all related research published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- Rapid Publication: first decisions in 16 days; acceptance to publication in 5.8 days (median values for MDPI journals in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
Latest Articles
The Role of Platforms in Fostering Sustainable Finance: A Comprehensive Approach
Platforms 2024, 2(3), 138-149; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2030009 - 8 Sep 2024
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As the global financial ecosystem undergoes a paradigm shift toward sustainability, platforms emerge as instrumental intermediaries, connecting diverse stakeholders, facilitating information flow, and catalyzing impactful investments. This paper analyses the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and investigates the role of platforms in fostering
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As the global financial ecosystem undergoes a paradigm shift toward sustainability, platforms emerge as instrumental intermediaries, connecting diverse stakeholders, facilitating information flow, and catalyzing impactful investments. This paper analyses the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and investigates the role of platforms in fostering its growth. Sustainable finance platform-based enablers were determined using a systematic literature review and bibliometric techniques on a sample of papers retrieved from the SCOPUS database, and included crowdfunding platforms, impact investment platforms, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms, blockchain-based financing platforms, and ESG data platforms. The analysis showed that platform-based solutions act as accelerators of sustainable finance mobilization, by enhancing transparency of the processes, and by improving dissemination and accessibility of the funds needed. Thus, platform-based solutions help a broader set of stakeholders direct the potential of platforms to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and inclusive global financial system.
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Open AccessCommunication
The Development of an Online Decision Support System to Select Optimal Nature-Based Solutions to Protect Streams and the Sea
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Paschalis Koutalakis and George Zaimes
Platforms 2024, 2(3), 118-137; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2030008 - 16 Aug 2024
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Nonpoint source pollutants primarily originate from agricultural areas, settlements, and contaminated lands. Soil erosion and deposition are the means of transportation of pollutants since soil particles not only absorb but also transport contaminants through the stream network. Nature-based solutions (NbSs) are quite popular
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Nonpoint source pollutants primarily originate from agricultural areas, settlements, and contaminated lands. Soil erosion and deposition are the means of transportation of pollutants since soil particles not only absorb but also transport contaminants through the stream network. Nature-based solutions (NbSs) are quite popular around the world to mitigate soil erosion and deposition, which has accelerated due to climate change and other anthropogenic activities. To promote their adoption, we developed an online decision support system (DSS) to provide land and water managers and particularly stakeholders with the optimal NbSs and ecosystem-based approaches (EbAs) that could help protect watersheds, streams, and consequently seas from pollutants. This DSS incorporates a descriptive data management system to handle datasets (questions, answers/criteria, outputs/solutions) from various stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, urban planners, environmentalists) and other non-experts. The questions of the DSS are related to different characteristics (criteria) of the areas of interest for the NbS or EbA. The questions provide various answers (which serve as descriptive data) in order to weigh the criteria/characteristics and, ultimately, the proposed NbS. The NbSs of the DSS were recorded based on a bibliographic review and from stakeholders’ responses via forums, meetings, workshops, etc. The primary testing results by stakeholders showed that the online DSS has the potential to be used as a complementary service in the near future. Specifically, it can provide the optimal NbS based on the participants’ answers about the study area. This communication paper may act as an invitation to reach a greater audience of stakeholders for the improvement of the online DSS.
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Open AccessArticle
Implementing Zonal Aquaculture Innovation Platforms in Uganda: Key Lessons Learned
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Nasser Kasozi, Victoria Namulawa, Ivan Abaho, Gerald Kwikiriza, Constantine Ondhoro, Andrew Izaara, Chloe Kemigabo, Howard Kasigwa, Moses Ndugwa, Gerald Iwe, Ismail Kagolola, Thaddeus Zaabwe, David Mununuzi, Daniel Ojiambo, Lovin Kobusingye, Ronald Lulijwa and John Walakira
Platforms 2024, 2(3), 101-117; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2030007 - 5 Jul 2024
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Uganda’s aquaculture sub-sector is rapidly developing, contributing up to 22% of all fish produced in the country. However, the sub-sector still faces challenges related to limited access to extension services, production inputs, post-harvest handling facilities, disease incidences, value-addition skills and weak market linkages.
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Uganda’s aquaculture sub-sector is rapidly developing, contributing up to 22% of all fish produced in the country. However, the sub-sector still faces challenges related to limited access to extension services, production inputs, post-harvest handling facilities, disease incidences, value-addition skills and weak market linkages. Although there have been isolated interventions at different aquaculture value-chain nodes, the registered challenges continue to recur. To address prioritized issues in Uganda’s aquaculture sub-sector, nine zonal aquaculture innovation platforms were established based on the country’s nine agro-ecological zones. These platforms brought together different stakeholders to identify solutions to common problems in each aquaculture value-chain node. Each innovation platform consisted of fish farmers, hatchery operators, traders, extension workers, researchers, input dealers, local leaders, and financial institutions. During a series of zonal workshops, participants identified constraints to the aquaculture sub-sector in their respective zones. From the findings, there are technical knowledge gaps across the entire aquaculture value chain mainly affecting hatchery operators, input suppliers, and farmers. Therefore, there is need for coordinated interventions to enhance access to production technologies, innovations, knowledge, and skill transfer to promote gender-centered aquaculture development.
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Open AccessReview
Sustainable Brand Advertising—The Green Advertising for Generation Z, a Qualitative LRSB Analyze
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Paula Rosa Lopes, Albérico Travassos Rosário and Filipe Sales Rosário
Platforms 2024, 2(2), 84-100; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2020006 - 5 Jun 2024
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Advertising has been one of brands’ main allies in successfully promoting their products and services, creating trends and changing consumer mindsets, which allows them to increase sales and consequently achieve commercial success. The advertising medium has been evolving, increasingly encompassing new technologies as
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Advertising has been one of brands’ main allies in successfully promoting their products and services, creating trends and changing consumer mindsets, which allows them to increase sales and consequently achieve commercial success. The advertising medium has been evolving, increasingly encompassing new technologies as well as expanding its areas of intervention. This research article uses the Systematic Bibliometric Literature Review methodology, and its main objective is to clarify the state of the art regarding advertising and sustainability, since if advertising is one of the main allies for the success of brands, sustainability has become one of its main strategies. The starting question is whether advertising has been used to communicate sustainability. The methodology used in this study is a systematic bibliometric literature review (LRSB) to collect, analyze and synthesize data on advertising and sustainability, and covers a period of publications from the year 2007 to 2024, with the support of visual maps of the research indexed in the Scopus Database, created with VOSViewer. The aim was to give an overview of the studies published in this scientific area. The qualitative results of the analysis suggest that the theme of sustainability has been studied and associated with brands and sectors of activity such as luxury brands. The analysis leads to the suggestion of a reduced connection between sustainability and advertising, with studies on “green advertising” being mentioned, which allows us to affirm that this is an area that requires more in-depth studies, despite the fact that these initial results, on the one hand, help professionals in the field of digital marketing to make decisions, as well as clarifying the topic from a research point of view.
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Open AccessArticle
Energy Sector Evolution: Perspectives on Energy Platforms and Energy Transition
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Mohamed Wael Ben Khaled and Nadia Ouertani Abaoub
Platforms 2024, 2(2), 68-83; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2020005 - 11 May 2024
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Digital platforms are becoming more important in transforming the energy industry and altering the way we produce, distribute, and use energy. This paper explores the role of energy platforms in the transition towards renewable energy. We highlight, through real-life examples, that these platforms
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Digital platforms are becoming more important in transforming the energy industry and altering the way we produce, distribute, and use energy. This paper explores the role of energy platforms in the transition towards renewable energy. We highlight, through real-life examples, that these platforms foster a participatory approach, convert consumers into proactive participants, democratize energy production, and encourage innovation in areas such as storage, electric mobility, and renewable project investments. Through a comprehensive review of the current literature, technological advancements, and emerging business models, we identify the possible key contributions of digital platforms to the energy sector. These platforms offer personalized user experiences, mutual benefits for users and companies, adaptability to market changes, support for peer-to-peer trade, and a reduction in bureaucracy. We then present a pioneering conceptual model by Liu et al. (2022), which integrates the energy cloud, digital platform, and transaction platform and we explore the business model of energy platforms. This business model is characterized by connectivity, innovative pricing, and revenue strategies independent of physical asset ownership. Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading, dynamic pricing, and a focus on transaction and access fees over traditional cost structures. Drawing on the business model and previous analysis we update the conceptual model for energy platforms to present a practical vision through a holistic approach.
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Open AccessArticle
Local Government Debt, Local Government Financing Platforms, and Green Development Efficiency
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Yonghao Guan, Jingjin Wu and Yiqi He
Platforms 2024, 2(2), 55-67; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2020004 - 22 Apr 2024
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Local government debt (LGD), an important financing tool for local governments to achieve high-quality development, especially through the expansion of urban investment bonds led by local investment and financing platforms, has a significant impact on green development efficiency (GDE). This article starts from
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Local government debt (LGD), an important financing tool for local governments to achieve high-quality development, especially through the expansion of urban investment bonds led by local investment and financing platforms, has a significant impact on green development efficiency (GDE). This article starts from LGD, selects data from 30 provinces from 2010 to 2019, and uses a two-way fixed-effect model and mediation-effect model to empirically analyze the impact of LGD on GDE. The research results show that LGD has a significant inhibitory effect on GDE, and LGD can indirectly affect GDE through the degree of industrialization and the number of the urban population. This article suggests that the government should make even fuller use of LGD funds, optimize the use of relevant funds, standardize the operation of local government investment and financing platforms, reduce debt risks, promote industrial structure upgrading, promote urban population resettlement measures, and improve China’s GDE.
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Open AccessArticle
Mapping of Digital Platforms and e-Commerce Emergence in Africa: Evidence from Senegal
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Cheikh Abdou Lahad Thiaw
Platforms 2024, 2(1), 33-54; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2010003 - 12 Mar 2024
Cited by 2
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A global trend regarding the “platformization” of the internet has been, for years, emerging roughly across all traditional industries. It is reflected in the proliferation of digital platforms (DPs) based on the creation of new activities or the online expansion of offers traditionally
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A global trend regarding the “platformization” of the internet has been, for years, emerging roughly across all traditional industries. It is reflected in the proliferation of digital platforms (DPs) based on the creation of new activities or the online expansion of offers traditionally available only physically (e.g., boutiques, supermarkets). Thus, digital platforms are a new springboard of development opportunities for all businesses, and Africa, with demographic (more than 1.2 billion customers), economic (middle-class boom), and technological (internet and smartphone penetration) dynamism, represents a huge potential market for the DP industry. This exploratory research is based on a qualitative approach applied to the case of Senegalese DPs. From its finding, we have a mapping of DPs and a classifying typology of the types of actors involved, according to their specialization and their paradigmatic orientation. New insights into how DP organizations and the firms within them operate and create value are proposed as well as a new conceptual framework for the articulation of DPs, specifically those particularly adapted to the African context. This work opens avenues for future research linked to the scale of the new challenges related to marketing and managerial issues and the new business models that have recently been developed by innovative local actors (TukkiJamm, ShopMeWay, etc.).
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Platforms: A Deep Transformation in the Labor Market?)
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The Confluence of Digital Literacy and Eco-Consciousness: Harmonizing Digital Skills with Sustainable Practices in Education
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Noble Po-Kan Lo
Platforms 2024, 2(1), 15-32; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2010002 - 4 Feb 2024
Cited by 2
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This study investigates the implementation and impact of maker culture—viewed as a tool for developing green digital skills—in higher education institutions in Hong Kong. Maker culture, a collaborative educational approach, embraces students’ capacity for self-paced, autonomous learning and applies this knowledge to creative
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This study investigates the implementation and impact of maker culture—viewed as a tool for developing green digital skills—in higher education institutions in Hong Kong. Maker culture, a collaborative educational approach, embraces students’ capacity for self-paced, autonomous learning and applies this knowledge to creative problem-solving and innovation, key aspects of sustainability education. An empirical study was conducted, focusing on the experiences of teachers in the higher education sector in Hong Kong. Eight individuals were interviewed to gain insights into their perceptions and experiences with maker education within sustainability contexts. The sample was limited to ensure cross-sectional comparability and direct weighting of teachers’ experiences within a singular, complementary educational setting. The findings provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of integrating maker education into traditional educational systems to foster green digital skills. It became evident that adequate resources, effective teachers, and improved administrative systems play significant roles in the successful implementation of this approach. Maker education, as a tool for developing green digital skills, offers a promising alternative to traditional performance-based studies. It has the potential to lead to a future of education that is creative, innovative, and student-directed, fostering sustainability competencies. Therefore, despite the challenges, with the right support and resources, the integration of maker culture into educational systems could significantly transform teaching and learning processes, advancing sustainable education.
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Open AccessArticle
Platforms Enhancing Proximity in the Digital Era
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Anastasia Panori
Platforms 2024, 2(1), 1-14; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2010001 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 2
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Platforms have the ability to create connected digital spaces where different actors co-exist and work together. The paper explores the power of platforms as enablers of a new channel of proximity, called digital proximity. It argues that platforms enable interactions, information flows,
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Platforms have the ability to create connected digital spaces where different actors co-exist and work together. The paper explores the power of platforms as enablers of a new channel of proximity, called digital proximity. It argues that platforms enable interactions, information flows, and network formation through digital proximity, which can effectively reinforce externalities complementing existing proximity forms or bypassing physical space barriers. Firms and industries adopting platform-based tools can create meaningful channels for increasing their proximity at an intra- and inter-firm level. The study uses data from the Digital Economy and Society database covering 25 EU countries for the years 2019 and 2021. It calculates the degree of adoption by EU firms at the national level for a set of selected platform-based technologies closely related to different proximity forms. It investigates the relationship between digital proximity, firm size, and industry, also introducing a geographical dimension. The evidence suggests that large firms have managed to integrate platform-based technologies to a greater extent, whereas small and medium firms still lack leveraging the full power of platforms. Increased adoption at the country level is also related to increased productivity, indicating the geographical dimension of platforms. The paper argues that platforms can be seen as a new means for balancing uneven spatial capabilities for producing proximity, indicating a high potential for fostering territorial cohesion. It concludes by suggesting that future research should measure the effects of digital proximity on development and their causal relationship to better elaborate on the implications of platforms on development.
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Open AccessArticle
Government-Funded Development of Innovative Physical Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production in Rural Germany through a University–Business Alliance Formation
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Leif-Alexander Garbe, Sebastian Glaß, Florian Wald, Andrea Hellmann, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Hans Sawade and Fabien Schultz
Platforms 2023, 1(1), 53-87; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms1010006 - 29 Aug 2023
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Purpose: The alliance project “Physics for Food” aims to invent new physical technologies for sustainable agriculture and food production in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, an agrarian region in northern Germany. This article may serve as an example of good practice for regional collaboration and funding
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Purpose: The alliance project “Physics for Food” aims to invent new physical technologies for sustainable agriculture and food production in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, an agrarian region in northern Germany. This article may serve as an example of good practice for regional collaboration and funding acquisition between academia and the industry, especially SMEs, that may be replicated in other rural contexts. Approach: The project consortium consists of a triple-helix setting of scientists from university and research institutes as well as technology suppliers, seed producers, and farmers. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds the project in a special program called “WIR!” that addresses innovation and structural transformation of lagging regions in Germany. Findings: The program encourages development of regional innovation concepts and supports confederations that cross disciplinary, industrial, institutional, and administrative boundaries and thrive on civic involvement. Today already, there is huge potential and an increasing demand for the development and the supply of novel non-chemical alternatives in plant and storage protection in agriculture and food production. Originality: The project aims to lay the foundation for startup companies based in the region to act as innovative technology providers and to create jobs in the region while making the new technologies available nationally and internationally. The application of physical methods will decrease costs, conserve resources, and eventually contribute to protecting the environment.
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Open AccessArticle
Unraveling the Determinants of Platform Economy Adoption in Developing Countries: An Extended Application of the UTAUT2 Model with a Privacy Calculus Perspective
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Mounir Dahmani and Adel Ben Youssef
Platforms 2023, 1(1), 34-52; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms1010005 - 15 Jun 2023
Cited by 4
Abstract
The platform economy has emerged as a transformative force in various industries, reshaping consumer behavior and the way businesses operate in the digital age. Understanding the factors that influence the adoption of these platforms is essential for their continued development and widespread use.
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The platform economy has emerged as a transformative force in various industries, reshaping consumer behavior and the way businesses operate in the digital age. Understanding the factors that influence the adoption of these platforms is essential for their continued development and widespread use. This study examines the determinants of economic platform adoption in Tunisia by extending the widely used unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) model with a privacy calculus model. By applying the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, the research provides significant insight. The results highlight the critical influence of factors such as performance expectancy, habit formation, trust in technology, perceived risk, privacy concerns, and price value on users’ behavioral intentions and actual usage of the platforms. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics surrounding the adoption of the platform economy in developing countries and offer valuable insight for stakeholders. By leveraging this knowledge, stakeholders can foster an inclusive digital ecosystem, drive economic growth, and create an environment conducive to the widespread adoption and use of the platform economy in developing countries.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Platforms: A Deep Transformation in the Labor Market?)
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Open AccessTechnical Note
Critical Factors Influencing Classroom Participation in Online Learning
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Nino Samnidze, Ibraim Didmanidze, Medea Diasamidze, Diana Akhvlediani and Nino Kirvalidze
Platforms 2023, 1(1), 26-33; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms1010004 - 25 May 2023
Cited by 1
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Efficiency and engagement are considered to be the most critical components of teaching and learning. Teachers have always strived to maximize student involvement and quality participation with the help of various teaching techniques and strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore
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Efficiency and engagement are considered to be the most critical components of teaching and learning. Teachers have always strived to maximize student involvement and quality participation with the help of various teaching techniques and strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore the ongoing online learning process in language classes and find out ways to enhance student engagement in the process. Research methods: a questionnaire survey and observation were used to determine students’ attitudes, expectations, and the level of involvement in online learning at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The findings reveal the need to enhance student motivation. The research demonstrates that setting various authentic and interactive tasks with meaningful aims can significantly improve student focus. Additionally, incorporating social and emotional activities and providing teacher support and encouragement can facilitate student interaction and trigger an interest in lifelong learning.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Why Digital Platform Economy Is the Wave of the Present and Future)
Open AccessCommunication
Innovative Promotion Technologies: Brand Management in the Digital Environment
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Marina Borisovna Ianenko, Mikhail Evgenievich Ianenko and Ekaterina Vladimirovna Shevchuk
Platforms 2023, 1(1), 18-25; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms1010003 - 22 May 2023
Cited by 1
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As innovative technologies spread, the role of means of interaction with customers in the digital environment is growing. Virtual reality technologies are becoming one of the most promising tools for significantly expanding customer interaction in the context of digital transformation. The purpose of
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As innovative technologies spread, the role of means of interaction with customers in the digital environment is growing. Virtual reality technologies are becoming one of the most promising tools for significantly expanding customer interaction in the context of digital transformation. The purpose of this article is to analyze the brand strategies of the leading companies and show the possibilities of using virtual reality technology and the concept of the metaverse for brand formation and promotion. We also aim to assess the prospects and formulate recommendations on the use of the digital environment in brand management strategies. To achieve the set goal, several tasks were completed. The authors analyzed the experience of using the digital environment for interacting with customers and studied the influence of VR, AR, MR, and XR technologies on brand management. Additionally, the possibilities of using the metaverse concept for brand management was defined. In this work, general scientific theoretical and empirical research methods were applied. The study furthers the theoretical foundations of brand management in the digital environment via innovative branding technologies that support an increase in the competitive performance of companies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Why Digital Platform Economy Is the Wave of the Present and Future)
Open AccessArticle
Analysis of Maintenance Techniques for a Three-Dimensional Digital Twin-Based Railway Facility with Tunnels
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Min-kyeong Kim, Dongkyu Hwang and Duckshin Park
Platforms 2023, 1(1), 5-17; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms1010002 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 5
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In accordance with the paradigm of the 4th and Industrial Revolution, the introduction of building information modeling is expected in all areas related to railroad construction, operation and management, along with the establishment of a metaverse platform that combines big data, the Internet
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In accordance with the paradigm of the 4th and Industrial Revolution, the introduction of building information modeling is expected in all areas related to railroad construction, operation and management, along with the establishment of a metaverse platform that combines big data, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. The performance of tasks related to the safety and maintenance of railway facilities is aided by the use of digital systems free from physical and temporal constraints. Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and other 4th industrial technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR), are increasingly implemented in many types of infrastructure. With respect to railroads, the use of these methods to monitor tunnel spaces has been hindered by the limitations of modeling with UAV and inadequate Global Positioning System reception. Here, we conducted the domestic application of 4th industrial technologies to a railway tunnel; we addressed these problems using a BLK360, a fixed LiDAR device that combines two-dimensional panoramic images and a 3D point cloud method. The outcomes of this research will benefit railway operation managers by providing a platform combining a two-dimensional panoramic virtual reality (VR) image and a 3D model developed from a 3D scan framework for the maintenance of existing railway facilities (tunnels). Our approach was optimized for the maintenance and operational management of railroad facilities, as demonstrated for tunnels, because it continuously acquires time-series data that is appropriate for the maintenance of the corresponding space. In the future, this approach can be used for test tracks and operational lines.
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Open AccessEditorial
Introducing Platforms: A Transdisciplinary Journal on Platform Management, Services and Policy and All Related Research
by
Adel Ben Youssef
Platforms 2023, 1(1), 1-4; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms1010001 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 2
Abstract
The rise of the platform is one of the three iconic events of the “digital revolution” [...]
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Structural Transformation of Africa: Navigating the Future with Industry 4.0
Guest Editor: Adel Ben YoussefDeadline: 30 September 2024