Search Results (129)

Coal plays a significant role in the economies of many countries and serves as an energy source for numerous societies. However, its combustion causes various environmental problems and contributes to climate change. This article examines the efficiency of coal consumption in 26 European Union countries and its changes from 2014 to 2022. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology was applied to measure the extent of overall technical, pure technical, and scale technical efficiency, based on data concerning three production factors (labour, fixed assets, and energy), with GDP as a desirable output and CO₂ emissions as an undesirable output. The empirical findings revealed that Cyprus, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Poland were efficiency leaders throughout the entire study period. France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands managed energy and non-energy resources efficiently but were found inefficient in terms of operational scale. Countries that do not use their resources at optimal levels in the production of goods and services should provide greater technical and financial support to their production processes and improve the organisation and structure of labour. Full article

The socio-economic geography of the Italian territory is framed by strong imbalances in the settlement development, with consequent inequalities in terms of accessibility to essential services. These challenges are most critical in the ‘inner areas’, which are remote from metropolitan and urban centers and affected by chronic demographic decline and depopulation. Both European and national policies have relied primarily on financial interventions, often implemented with limited integration into comprehensive urban and territorial planning frameworks. Using a case study methodology, this research examines the area-based strategies of the 72 pilot areas designated under the 2014–2020 program-ming cycle of the National Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI). The main research question guiding this study is as follows: how does economic planning intersect with territorial governance in Italy’s inner areas, and what is the specific role of local autonomies and the management of core functions, particularly in relation to urban and regional planning? Through this lens, this study proposes a conceptual reframing of the inter-municipal ad-ministrative scale as a strategic framework for promoting more effective territorial policies. Full article

The digital economy has amplified the role of technological innovation in transforming financial services and business models. Patent data offer valuable insights into these dynamics, especially within the growing FinTech ecosystem. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of academic research that utilizes PATSTAT, a global database managed by the European Patent Office, focusing on its application in studies related to digital innovation, finance, and economic transformation. A systematic mapping of publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley, Emerald, and Springer Nature is carried out using Biblioshiny and Bibliometrix in RStudio 2025.05.0, complemented by graph-based visualizations via VOSviewer 1.6.20. The findings reveal a growing body of research that leverages PATSTAT to explore technological trajectories, intellectual property strategies, and innovation systems, particularly in areas such as blockchain technologies, AI-driven finance, digital payments, and smart contracts. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the strategic value of patent analytics in the FinTech landscape and offers a reference point for researchers and decision-makers aiming to understand emerging trends in financial technologies and the digital economy. Full article

Due to the recent significant increase in the scale of both domestic and international cargo transportation, the transport sector is becoming an important factor in the country’s economic development. This implies the need to improve all links in the cargo transportation chain. A key role in it is played by logistics centers, which in their activities must meet both state (CO₂ emissions, reduction in road load, increase in transportation safety, etc.) and commercial (cargo transportation in the shortest time and at the lowest cost) requirements. The objective of the paper is freight transportation from China to European countries, reflecting issues of CO₂ emissions, reduction in road load, and increase in transportation safety. Transport operations from the manufacturer to the logistics center are especially important in this chain, since the efficiency of transportation largely depends on the decisions made by its employees. They select the appropriate types of transport (air, sea, rail, and road transport) and routes for a specific situation. In methodology, the analyzed problem can be presented as a dynamic multi-criteria decision model. It is assumed that the decision-maker—the manager responsible for planning transportation operations—is interested in achieving three basic goals: financial goal minimizing total delivery costs from factories to the logistics center, environmental goal minimizing the negative impact of supply chain operations on the environment, and high level of customer service goal minimizing delivery times from factories to the logistics center. The proposed methodology allows one to reduce the total carbon dioxide emission by 1.1 percent and the average duration of cargo transportation by 1.47 percent. On the other hand, the total cost of their delivery increases by 1.25 percent. By combining these, it is possible to create optimal transportation options, effectively use vehicles, reduce air pollution, and increase the quality of customer service. All this would significantly contribute to the country’s socio-economic development. It is proposed to solve this complex problem based on a dynamic multi-criteria model. In this paper, the problem of constructing a schedule of transport operations from factories to a logistics center is considered. The analyzed problem can be presented as a dynamic multi-criteria decision model. Linear programming and the AHP method were used to solve it. Full article

Background: Economic logistics in fire and rescue services is a critical determinant of operational readiness, fiscal sustainability, and resilience to large-scale emergencies. Despite its strategic importance, logistics remains under-researched in Central and Eastern European contexts, where legacy governance structures and EU-funded modernization coexist with systemic inefficiencies. This study focuses on the Slovak Fire and Rescue Service (HaZZ) as a case to explore how economic logistics systems can be restructured for greater performance and value. Objective: The objective of this paper was to evaluate the structure, performance, and reform potential of the logistics system supporting HaZZ, with a focus on procurement efficiency, lifecycle costing, digital integration, and alignment with EU civil protection standards. Methods: A mixed-methods design was applied, comprising the following: (1) Institutional analysis of governance, budgeting, and legal mandates based on semi-structured expert interviews with HaZZ and the Ministry of Interior officers (n = 12); (2) comparative benchmarking with Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands; (3) financial analysis of national logistics expenditures (2019–2023) using Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles, completed with the visualization of cost trends and procurement price variance through original heat maps and time-series graphs. Results: The key findings are as follows: (1) HaZZ operates a formally centralized but practically fragmented logistics model across 51 district units, lacking national coordination mechanisms and digital infrastructure; (2) Maintenance costs have risen by 42% between 2019 and 2023 despite increasing capital investment due to insufficient lifecycle planning and asset heterogeneity; (3) Price variance for identical equipment categories across regions exceeds 30%, highlighting the inefficiencies in decentralized procurement; (4) Slovakia lacks a national Logistics Information System (LIS), unlike peer countries which have deployed integrated digital platforms (e.g., CELIS in the Czech Republic); (5) Benchmarking reveals high-impact practices in centralized procurement, lifecycle-based contracting, regional logistics hubs, and performance accountability—particularly in Austria and the Netherlands. Impacts: Four high-impact, feasible reforms were proposed: (1) Establishment of a centralized procurement framework; (2) national LIS deployment to unify inventory and asset tracking; (3) adoption of lifecycle-based and performance-based contracting models; (4) development of regional logistics hubs using underutilized infrastructure. This study is among the first to provide an integrated economic and institutional analysis of the Fire and Rescue Service logistics in a post-socialist EU member state. It offers a structured, transferable reform roadmap grounded in comparative evidence and adapted to Slovakia’s hybrid governance model. The research bridges gaps between modernization policy, procurement law, and digital public administration in the context of emergency services. Full article

The European Union (EU) is advancing a digital twin of its electricity grid as a flagship initiative to accelerate the dual transitions of decarbonization and digitalization. By creating a real-time virtual replica of the EU-27 power network, policymakers and industry stakeholders aim to enhance grid efficiency, resilience, and renewable energy integration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the three critical dimensions shaping the digital twin’s development: (1) regulatory barriers, including fragmented policies, inconsistent data governance frameworks, and the need for harmonized standards and incentives across member states; (2) technological challenges, such as achieving interoperability, integrating real-time data, developing robust cybersecurity measures, and ensuring scalable infrastructure; and (3) economic opportunities, centered on potential cost savings, optimized asset management, new flexibility services, and pathways for innovation and investment. Drawing on European Commission policy documents, regulatory reports, academic studies, and industry projects like the Horizon Europe TwinEU initiative, this review highlights that significant groundwork has been laid to prototype and federate local grid twins into a cohesive continental system. However, achieving the full potential of a pan-European digital twin will require additional regulatory harmonization, more mature data-sharing protocols, and sustained financial commitment. This review concludes with an outlook on the strategic convergence of policy reforms, collaborative R&D, and targeted funding, emphasizing how institutional momentum, federated architectures, and cross-sector integration are advancing a secure, resilient, and economically viable digital twin that is envisioned as a foundational layer in the operational and planning infrastructure of Europe’s future electricity system. Full article

The integration of health and social care is increasingly recognized as essential to address population ageing, the rise in chronic diseases, and persistent health inequities. Across Europe, diverse models have been developed to improve service coordination, resource efficiency, and person-centered care. This paper aims to explore international experiences in integrating health and social care, identify common strategies and challenges, and provide insights to inform policy development in countries where integration remains incipient, with a focus on Portugal. A qualitative comparative approach was employed. A systematic literature review was conducted across PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, including peer-reviewed articles, policy reports, and government documents. Thematic analysis was used to identify integration models, enablers, and barriers across different countries. Different models reveal that joint governance, pooled funding, strong community involvement, and digital innovation are key enablers of integration. However, common challenges persist, including fragmented governance, inconsistent implementation, and financial sustainability. In Portugal, structural separation between the health and social sectors continues to limit strategic alignment. Successful integration depends on political commitment, shared vision, and active stakeholder collaboration. European models offer adaptable lessons for Portugal and similar systems, especially regarding intersectoral coordination and preventive care. Integrating health and social care is vital for building resilient, equitable systems. Portugal must adopt a cohesive national strategy; strengthen local implementation; and embrace person-centered, sustainable solutions to ensure long-term impact. Integrating the health and social sectors is indispensable in navigating the ever-evolving healthcare landscape and promoting holistic well-being. Full article

There is an ongoing debate about the role of income diversification in enhancing bank stability within the financial services industry in Europe. Some advocate for diversification, while others argue that its importance should not be overstated. Some financial institutions are encouraged to focus on their traditional investments instead of income diversification, while others suggest that income diversification can stabilize or destabilize, depending on the regulatory environment. These conflicting results indicate a lack of clear evidence regarding the effectiveness of income diversification. Therefore, this paper aims to study the impact of income diversification on bank stability and enhance the predictive performance of bank stability by analyzing the period from 2000 to 2021 using a sample from 26 European countries, based on aggregate bank data. It employs a hybrid method that combines econometric techniques, specifically the generalized method of moments and a fixed-effects model, with machine-learning algorithms such as Random Forest and Support Vector Machine. These methods are applied to enhance the reliability and predictive power of the analysis by addressing the problem of endogeneity (via generalized method of moments) and capturing non-linearities, interactions, and high-dimensional patterns (via machine learning). The econometric findings reveal that income diversification can reduce non-performing loans, improve bank solvency, and enhance the Z-score, indicating the significant role of income diversification in improving bank stability. Conversely, the results also show that the machine-learning algorithms used play a crucial role in enhancing the predictive performance of bank stability. Full article

The sustainable management of natural reserves is increasingly prioritized within the global tourism sector, especially in fragile ecosystems like the Santurbán Moorland in Colombia. As a high-altitude Andean ecosystem providing essential water resources, the Santurbán Moorland faces mounting pressures from tourism growth and mining activity. This study assesses the adoption of sustainable tourism practices among tourism service providers (TSPs) in the region and identifies key gaps to inform policy and academic interventions. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods approach was applied, integrating surveys based on the European Tourism Indicators System (ETIS) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, as well as structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis identified “sustainable management” as the most robust dimension (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.953); however, no TSPs reported using renewable energy, and less than 5% of employees had received formal training in tourism. The main challenges include the lack of environmental certification, insufficient infrastructure, and limited communication of sustainability practices. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted public policies, financial incentives, and specialized academic training to strengthen sustainable practices. The results offer insights into the challenges faced by emerging ecotourism destinations and provide strategic guidelines to support a balance between environmental conservation and local socioeconomic development. Full article

This study investigates the heterogeneous impact of bank automation on institutional performance, emphasizing the role of mechatronic systems like automated teller machines (ATMs) and artificial intelligence-based tools such as chatbots and robo-advisors. Using Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), the analysis examines how these technologies influence key performance indicators, including return on equity (ROE), in the European Union (EU) banking sector from 2017 to 2022. The MMQR method allows for the differentiation of the effects of automation technologies by distinguishing between hardware-based mechatronic systems and software-driven AI solutions, providing a nuanced perspective on the digital transformation within the banking sector. The results highlight the heterogeneous effects of economic, financial, and institutional factors on banking performance in the EU. They emphasize the need for differentiated policy interventions to reduce performance gaps between EU economies and ensure that banks across all member states can leverage financial and technological advancements to enhance profitability. The findings underline the importance of strategic interventions to address digitalization disparities, promote financial inclusion, and establish a regulatory framework that fosters transparency, cybersecurity, and equitable access to AI-driven financial services. Full article

Road freight transport is the key driver of the European economy and society; thus, distortion of its operation would have negative influence on growth and well-being. For that reason, implementation of European policies, including transport decarbonization, should be comprehensively evaluated from an environmental, social and economic perspective. In that case, introduction of electric trucks will create a mutual impact on the market and on haulage companies. The main research problem is to assess the future impact of decarbonization on the international road freight transport market structure on the supply side and the competitiveness of companies operating there. Today, a number of small and medium companies, to a great extent from Eastern Europe, render transportation services, creating a competitive structure with high flexibility, accessibility and low prices. Shifting towards electric trucks, with significantly higher upfront costs, will redefine the market structure, eliminating the small carriers and activating horizontal integration. The key objective of this research is to identify the main factors and challenges related to electric truck implementation and define crucial areas of its impact on future market structure. The research shows that the improvement of environmental performance requires low- or zero-emission trucks, where the battery technology is a leading solution. Thus, fleet renewal needs additional financial support from the public side. Different measures are available in European countries, so the level of support is not equal from a competitiveness perspective. Battery truck selling, as well as sustainable strategies, refer mostly to huge transport companies. On the other hand, the case of Polish truckers shows that the economic viability of SMEs is poor; thus, the introduction of BET would be beyond its reach. The research findings could be treated as recommendations for market regulators (EC), where the tempo of implementation, as well as availability of public support programs, should be rethinking. As a result, the costs of the transition will be covered by citizens, as customers, in the prices of products and transport service, or as taxpayers, in public support programs, mainly consumed by large market stakeholders. Full article

The transition to energy-efficient buildings is a priority of the European EPBD (Energy Performance Building Directive) and requires deep retrofits to reduce consumption and emissions. However, their financial viability remains underexplored. This research assesses the financial feasibility of deep retrofit interventions through innovative business models, focusing on the Managed Energy Services Agreement (MESA), which is considered the most effective for residential buildings. Additionally, we integrate off-site production from the Energiesprong model, which optimizes costs and time through long-term contracts and industrialized retrofit technologies. The analysis targets two investment profiles—owner/tenant and developer/entrepreneur—in Italian urban contexts with different market dynamics. A static analysis evaluates retrofits based on existing costs and technologies, while a dynamic analysis considers future profitability improvements because of cost reductions enabled by off-site production. The results indicate that, under current conditions, residential retrofitting is not financially sustainable without public subsidies. However, cost reductions driven by off-site technologies improve profitability, making large-scale retrofits feasible. Moreover, real estate market characteristics affect financial sustainability: in smaller cities, deeper cost reductions are necessary for retrofit interventions to become viable. Full article

Legislative impact assessment (LIA) can be defined as the process performed by governments and legislative bodies to evaluate the potential effects of proposed policies or directives before they are implemented. This assessment typically covers various aspects (including economic, social, and environmental impacts) and is designed to ensure that policy proposals are well-founded, transparent, and that potential impacts are thoroughly examined before decisions are made. This process is nowadays performed by human experts and requires a significant amount of time. It is also characterized by some subjectivity that makes it difficult for citizens and companies to perceive the process as a transparent one. Moreover, public administration services responsible for LIA recognize significant difficulties in performing a timely and effective impact assessment exercise due to the lack of human and financial resources. To answer this call, this paper presents an artificial intelligence-based system to automatizing part of the impact assessment process, with the specific objective of detecting administrative burdens from transposed EU legislation. The system is built on a fine-tuned, transformer-based architecture leveraging transfer learning, making it an innovative tool for automating legislative impact assessment. Comprehensive testing on transposed European legislation demonstrated that the system significantly enhances efficiency and accuracy in what has traditionally been a complex and time-consuming task. Full article

Buildings account for a significant share of global energy consumption and carbon emissions, making deep renovations essential for climate mitigation. Renovation passports (RPs) are an emerging concept still in the early stages of development, designed to provide structured step-by-step renovation roadmaps that prevent lock-in effects and optimise energy performance over time. However, their large-scale adoption in the European Union (EU) remains limited due to technical, financial, behavioural, and policy challenges. This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify key strategies for the successful development and large-scale implementation of RPs in EU. A total of 217 research articles from Scopus and ScienceDirect, along with 99 EU policy documents and 16 Building Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) reports, were analysed to assess the technical, financial, behavioural, and policy dimensions of RP adoption. Our findings highlight the role of digital tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital building logbooks (DBLs), and one-stop shops (OSSs) in improving RP usability and accessibility. Financial barriers, such as high upfront costs and fragmented funding, require harmonised incentives, green loans, and energy performance contracting. Behavioural factors, including homeowner awareness, trust in renovation services, and decision-making complexity, also influence RP adoption. This study underscores the need for stronger policy integration between RPs and energy performance certificates (EPCs), improved financial instruments, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. By addressing these gaps, this research provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of RPs and contribute to the EU’s Renovation Wave strategy and broader climate neutrality objectives. Full article

Changes in the number of municipalities and their administrative organization represent one of the central themes of European public administration, reflecting historical context, demographic changes, economic pressures, and technological progress. The aim of this study is to analyse approaches to the merging and division of municipalities in selected European states and to identify factors influencing the success of these reforms. The research uses a combination of comparative analyses of legislative frameworks, socio-economic conditions, and case studies and works with data from official statistics, scholarly literature, and reports on the implementation of reforms. The main findings show that some states, such as Denmark, achieve significant improvements in efficiency through the merging of municipalities, while others, such as France, prefer the preservation of smaller municipalities in order to maintain local identity and community ties. Reform processes often face cultural and political obstacles, and their success depends on a combination of voluntary approaches, financial incentives, and effective communication with the public. The study concludes that the key to effective governance is the balance between the need to optimize public services and the preservation of local specificities. These findings provide important guidance for further reform processes in the European context and can contribute to the sustainable development of regions as well as to the greater satisfaction of the population. Full article