Search Results (963)

This paper examines the effect of digital innovation on cost stickiness in manufacturing firms, focusing on the underlying mechanisms and contextual factors. Using data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms from 2012 to 2023, we find that, first, for each one-unit increase in the level of digital technology, the cost stickiness index of enterprises decreases by an average of 0.4315 units, primarily through digital process innovation and digital business model innovation, whereas digital product innovation does not exhibit a statistically significant impact. Second, manufacturing servitization and the optimization of human capital structure are identified as key mediating mechanisms. Digital innovation promotes servitization by transitioning firms from product-centric to service-oriented business models, thereby reducing fixed costs and improving resource flexibility. It also optimizes human capital by increasing the proportion of high-skilled employees and reducing labor adjustment costs. Third, the effect of digital innovation on cost stickiness is found to be heterogeneous. Firms with high financing constraints benefit more from the cost-reducing effects of digital innovation due to improved resource allocation efficiency. Additionally, mid-tenure executives are more effective in leveraging digital innovation to mitigate cost stickiness, as they balance short-term performance pressures with long-term strategic investments. These findings contribute to the understanding of how digital transformation reshapes cost behavior in manufacturing and provide insights for policymakers and firms seeking to achieve sustainable development through digital innovation. Full article

Under the rapid development of the digital economy, the interactive relationship between exports and the digital economy has become an important issue for promoting regional economic growth. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces and municipalities in China from 2012 to 2022, this paper systematically examines the impact of exports on economic growth and the moderating role of the digital economy, and it introduces research and development (R&D) investment to test its mediating mechanism. The research finds that exports significantly promote regional economic growth. The digital economy has a negative moderating effect on the export growth effect, and it is significant in the eastern region but not significant in the central and western regions, showing obvious regional heterogeneity. R&D investment has played a partial mediating role between exports and economic growth. This paper suggests that the government should focus on regional differences, promote the deep integration of the digital economy and exports, enhance technological innovation capabilities, formulate differentiated policies based on local conditions, strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure, optimize the export structure, support the development of R&D-driven enterprises, and build a digital export system that promotes regional coordination and high-quality growth, so as to achieve high-quality coordinated sustainable regional development. This paper also has certain reference value for other developing economies, in promoting the integration of the digital economy and trade. Full article

The present study examines the barriers that prevent cooling system flexibility from being optimized. In the context of an increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, the necessity for flexible energy utilization is becoming increasingly apparent. A survey and discussion groups were conducted with various stakeholders within the cooling value chain to obtain their experiences and insights regarding barriers to flexibilization. The findings point out that economic, technological, and regulatory barriers are the primary factors impeding the implementation of flexible solutions. In particular, high investment costs, complex technical implementation, a lack of information, and a complicated legal framework were identified as significant impediments. To enhance the flexibility of cooling systems, coordinated efforts are necessary to address these barriers. Practical examples, training, and the standardization and digitalization of processes could facilitate the widespread implementation of flexible cooling systems. Full article

In the context of global climate governance and the green transition, digital infrastructure serves as a critical enabler of resource allocation in the digital economy, offering strategic value in tackling synergistic pollution and carbon reduction challenges. Using panel data from 280 prefecture-level cities, this study employs a multiperiod difference-in-differences (DID) approach, leveraging smart city pilot policies as a quasinatural experiment, to assess how digital infrastructure affects urban synergistic pollution-carbon mitigation (SPCM). The empirical results show that digital infrastructure increases the urban SPCM index by 1.5%, indicating statistically significant effects. Compared with energy and income effects, digital infrastructure can influence this synergistic effect through indirect channels such as the energy effect, economic agglomeration effect, and income effect, with the economic agglomeration effect accounting for a larger share of the total effect. Additionally, fixed-asset investment has a nonlinear moderating effect on this relationship, with diminishing marginal returns on emission reduction when investment exceeds a threshold. Heterogeneity tests reveal greater impacts in eastern, nonresource-based, and environmentally regulated cities. This study expands the theory of collaborative environmental governance from the perspective of new infrastructure, providing a theoretical foundation for establishing a long-term digital technology-driven mechanism for SPCM. Full article

This study examines whether regional infrastructure can predict economic resilience in European regions, focusing on resistance, recovery, and reorientation during the COVID-19 crisis. While infrastructure is widely recognized as a key factor influencing regional resilience, its explicit role has been underexplored in the European context. Using a comprehensive literature review and spatial econometric models applied to NUTS-2 level data from 2017 to 2024, we investigate the direct and spatial spillover effects of various infrastructure types—transportation, healthcare, tourism, education, and digital access—on regional resilience outcomes. We apply OLS and four spatial models (SEM, SLX, SDEM, SDM) under 29 spatial weighting matrices to account for spatial autocorrelation. Results show that motorway density, early school leaving, and healthcare infrastructure in neighbouring regions significantly affect resistance. For recovery, railway density and GDP per capita emerge as key predictors, with notable spatial spillovers. Reorientation is shaped by population structure, railway density, and tourism infrastructure, with both positive and negative spatial dynamics observed. The findings underscore the importance of infrastructure not only in isolation but also within regional systems, revealing complex interdependencies. We conclude that policymakers must consider spatial externalities and coordinate infrastructure investments to enhance regional economic resilience across interconnected Europe. Full article

Digital technologies could facilitate green development by enhancing energy efficiency. However, existing research on coupling coordination between digital infrastructure and green development remains scarce. To fill this research gap, this study analyzes the spatio-temporal variations and barriers of coupling coordination. An evaluation index system is established and then the coupling relationship and the barrier factors between digital infrastructure and green development are analyzed. A provincial analysis is conducted by using data from China. The results in the study indicate (1) coupling coordination between digital infrastructure and green development exhibits a relatively low state, characterized by an overall upward trend; (2) noteworthy disparities are observed in the spatio-temporal pattern of the coupling coordination degree, reflecting the overall evolutionary trend from low to high coupling coordination, along with the characteristics of positive spatial correlation and high spatial concentration; and (3) obstacle factors are analyzed from the aspects of digital infrastructure and green development, emphasizing the construction of mobile phone base stations and investment in pollution control, among other aspects. This study contributes valuable insights for improvement paths for digital infrastructure and green development, offering recommendations for optimizing strategies to promote their coupled development. Full article

This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence on how digital technologies reshape international trade, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Guided by two research questions—(RQ1) How do digital tools influence the volume and composition of cross-border trade? and (RQ2) How do these effects vary by countries’ development level and firm size?—we conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review covering 2010–2024. Searches across eight major databases yielded 1857 records; after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, full-text assessment, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT 2018) quality checks, 86 peer-reviewed English-language studies were retained. Findings reveal three dominant technology clusters: (1) e-commerce platforms and cloud services, (2) IoT-enabled supply chain solutions, and (3) emerging AI analytics. E-commerce and cloud adoption consistently raise export intensity—doubling it for digitally mature SMEs—while AI applications are the fastest-growing research strand, particularly in East Asia and Northern Europe. However, benefits are uneven: firms in low-infrastructure settings face higher fixed digital costs, and cybersecurity and regulatory fragmentation remain pervasive obstacles. By integrating trade economics with development and SME internationalization studies, this review offers the first holistic framework that links national digital infrastructure and policy support to firm-level export performance. It shows that the trade-enhancing effects of digitalization are contingent on robust broadband penetration, affordable cloud access, and harmonized data-governance regimes. Policymakers should, therefore, prioritize inclusive digital-readiness programs, while business leaders should invest in complementary capabilities—data analytics, cyber-risk management, and cross-border e-logistics—to fully capture digital trade gains. This balanced perspective advances theory and practice on building resilient, equitable digital trade ecosystems. Full article

The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 technologies has resulted in a scenario in which collaborative networks are essential to overcome the challenges related to their implementation. However, the frameworks to guide such collaborations remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by proposing Business Rules and Goals Models to operationalize Industry 4.0 solutions through enterprise collaboration. Using the For Enterprise Modeling (4EM) method, the research integrates qualitative insights from expert opinions, including interviews with 12 professionals (academics, industry professionals, and consultants) from Brazilian manufacturing sectors. The Goals Model identifies five main objectives—competitiveness, efficiency, flexibility, interoperability, and real-time collaboration—while the Business Rules Model outlines 18 actionable recommendations, such as investing in digital infrastructure, upskilling employees, and standardizing information technology systems. The results reveal that cultural resistance, limited resources, and knowledge gaps are critical barriers, while interoperability and stakeholder integration emerge as enablers of digital transformation. The study concludes that successfully adopting Industry 4.0 requires technological investments, organizational alignment, structured governance, and collaborative ecosystems. These models provide a practical roadmap for companies navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0, emphasizing adaptability and cross-functional synergy. The research contributes to the literature on collaborative networks by connecting theoretical frameworks with actionable enterprise-level strategies. Full article

As the global energy transition accelerates, the integration of solar power and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies offers new pathways for sustainable local development. This study examines four Serbian municipalities—Šabac, Sombor, Pirot, and Čačak—to assess how AI-enabled solar power systems can enhance energy resilience, reduce emissions, and support community-level sustainability goals. Using a mixed-method approach combining spatial analysis, predictive modeling, and stakeholder interviews, this research study evaluates the performance and institutional readiness of local governments in terms of implementing intelligent solar infrastructure. Key AI applications included solar potential mapping, demand-side management, and predictive maintenance of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Quantitative results show an improvement >60% in forecasting accuracy, a 64% reduction in system downtime, and a 9.7% increase in energy cost savings. These technical gains were accompanied by positive trends in SDG-aligned indicators, such as improved electricity access and local job creation in the green economy. Despite challenges related to data infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and limited AI literacy, this study finds that institutional coordination and leadership commitment are decisive for successful implementation. The proposed AI–Solar Integration for Local Sustainability (AISILS) framework offers a replicable model for emerging economies. Policy recommendations include investing in foundational digital infrastructure, promoting low-code AI platforms, and aligning AI–solar projects with SDG targets to attract EU and national funding. This study contributes new empirical evidence on the digital–renewable energy nexus in Southeast Europe and underscores the strategic role of AI in accelerating inclusive, data-driven energy transitions at the municipal level. Full article

Emerging markets face growing pressures to integrate sustainable English business practices while maintaining economic growth, particularly in addressing environmental challenges and achieving carbon neutrality goals. English Financial information extraction becomes crucial for supporting green finance initiatives, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, and sustainable investment decisions in these markets. This paper presents FinATG, an AI-driven autoregressive framework for extracting sustainability-related English financial information from English texts, specifically designed to support emerging markets in their transition toward sustainable development. The framework addresses the complex challenges of processing ESG reports, green bond disclosures, carbon footprint assessments, and sustainable investment documentation prevalent in emerging economies. FinATG introduces a domain-adaptive span representation method fine-tuned on sustainability-focused English financial corpora, implements constrained decoding mechanisms based on green finance regulations, and integrates FinBERT with autoregressive generation for end-to-end extraction of environmental and governance information. While achieving competitive performance on standard benchmarks, FinATG’s primary contribution lies in its architecture, which prioritizes correctness and compliance for the high-stakes financial domain. Experimental validation demonstrates FinATG’s effectiveness with entity F1 scores of 88.5 and REL F1 scores of 80.2 on standard English datasets, while achieving superior performance (85.7–86.0 entity F1, 73.1–74.0 REL+ F1) on sustainability-focused financial datasets. The framework particularly excels in extracting carbon emission data, green investment relationships, and ESG compliance indicators, achieving average AUC and RGR scores of 0.93 and 0.89 respectively. By automating the extraction of sustainability metrics from complex English financial documents, FinATG supports emerging markets in meeting international ESG standards, facilitating green finance flows, and enhancing transparency in sustainable business practices, ultimately contributing to their sustainable development goals and climate action commitments. Full article

Background: Gold mining is a critical part of the industry of Central Asia, contributing significantly to regional economic growth. However, gold production management faces numerous challenges, including adopting innovative technologies such as AI, using improved logistical equipment, resolving supply chain inefficiencies and disruptions, and incorporating modernized waste management and advancements in gold bar processing technologies. This study explores how advanced technologies and improved logistical processes can enhance efficiency and sustainability. Method: This paper examines gold production processes in Kyrgyzstan, a gold-producing country in Central Asia. The case study approach combines qualitative interviews with industry stakeholders and a system dynamics (SD) simulation model to compare current operations with a technology-based scenario. Results: The simulation model shows improved outcomes when innovative technologies are applied to ore processing, waste refinement, and gold bar production. The results also indicate an approximate twenty-five percent reduction in transport time, a thirty percent decrease in equipment downtime, a thirty percent reduction in emissions, and a fifteen percent increase in gold extraction when using artificial intelligence, smart logistics, and regional smelting. Conclusions: The study concludes with recommendations to modernize equipment, localize processing, and invest in digital logistics to support sustainable mining and improve operational performance in Kyrgyzstan’s gold sector. Full article

Healthcare Information Systems (HISs) are essential for improving care quality, managing chronic diseases, and supporting clinical decision-making. Despite significant investments, HIS implementations often fail due to the complexity of healthcare environments. Maturity Models (MMs) have emerged as tools to guide organizational improvement by assessing readiness, process efficiency, technology adoption, and interoperability. This study presents a comprehensive literature review identifying 45 Maturity Models used across various healthcare domains, including telemedicine, analytics, business intelligence, and electronic medical records. These models, often based on Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), vary in structure, scope, and maturity stages. The findings demonstrate that structured maturity assessments help healthcare organizations plan, implement, and optimize HIS more effectively, leading to enhanced clinical and operational performance. This review contributes to an understanding of how different MMs can support healthcare digital transformation and provides a resource for selecting appropriate models based on specific organizational goals and technological contexts. Full article

The digital business environment is rapidly evolving with advancements in information technology (IT), increasing the risk of information security incidents. Grounded in the resource-based view and in contingency theory, this study adopts a different approach from prior research by conceptualizing security management activities not as mere risk control mechanisms, but as strategic innovation drivers that can enhance corporate performance (sales revenue and operating profit). The authors develop a research model with six independent variables, including internal and external security management activities, CISO role configuration (independent or dual-role with CIO), and investment levels in IT and information security. The dependent variables include sales revenue and operating profit, with ISMS or ISO certification as a moderating variable. Using information security (IS) disclosures and financial data from 545 Korean firms that have reported their security management activities to the Ministry of Science and ICT, multiple regression and moderation analyses reveal that high IT investment negatively impacts performance, but this effect is mitigated when formal security systems, like ISMS or ISO, are in place. The results suggest that integrating recognized security frameworks into management strategies can enhance both innovation and financial outcomes, encouraging a proactive approach to security management. Full article

With the emergence of Survey 4.0, the oil and gas (O & G) industry is now considering spatial digital twins during their field design to enhance visualization, efficiency, and safety. O & G companies have already initiated investments in the research and development of spatial digital twins to build digital mining models. Existing studies commonly adopt surveys and case studies as their evaluation approach to validate the feasibility of spatial digital twins and related technologies. However, this approach requires high costs and resources. To address this gap, this study explores the feasibility of the informed argument method within the design science framework. A land survey data model (LSDM)-based digital twin prototype for O & G field design, along with 3D spatial datasets located in Lot 2 on RP108045 at petroleum lease 229 under the Department of Resources, Queensland Government, Australia, was selected as a case for this study. The ISO/IEC 25010 model was adopted as a methodology for this study to evaluate the prototype and Digital Twin Victoria (DTV). It encompasses eight metrics, such as functional suitability, performance efficiency, compatibility, usability, security, reliability, maintainability, and portability. The results generated from this study indicate that the prototype encompasses a standard level of all parameters in the ISO/IEC 25010 model. The key significance of the study is its methodological contribution to evaluating the spatial digital twin models through cost-effective means, particularly under circumstances with strict regulatory requirements and low information accessibility. Full article

Rapid urbanization and escalating disaster risks necessitate resilient urban governance systems. Smart city initiatives that leverage digital technologies—such as the internet of things (IoT), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)—demonstrate transformative potential in enhancing emergency management capabilities. However, empirical evidence regarding their causal impact and underlying mechanisms remains limited, particularly in developing economies. Drawing on panel data from 275 Chinese prefecture-level cities over the period 2006–2021 and using China’s smart city pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment, this study applies a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) approach to rigorously assess the effects of smart city construction on emergency management capabilities. Results reveal that smart city construction produced a statistically significant improvement in emergency management capabilities, which remained robust after conducting multiple sensitivity checks and controlling for potential confounding policies. The benefits exhibit notable heterogeneity: emergency management capability improvements are most pronounced in central China and in cities at the extremes of population size—megacities (>10 million residents) and small cities (<1 million residents)—while effects remain marginal in medium-sized and eastern cities. Crucially, mechanism analysis reveals that digital technology application fully mediates 86.7% of the total effect, whereas factor allocation efficiency exerts only a direct, non-mediating influence. These findings suggest that smart cities primarily enhance emergency management capabilities through digital enablers, with effectiveness contingent upon regional infrastructure development and urban scale. Policy priorities should therefore emphasize investments in digital infrastructure, interagency data integration, and targeted capacity-building strategies tailored to central and western regions as well as smaller cities. Full article