A systematic review of digital management tools and their impact on operational efficiency in heavy-duty freight transportation

Digital transformation tools have become a fundamental pillar upon which companies rely to enhance their performance and increase their competitiveness. This study aims to explore the impact of these tools on corporate productivity and efficiency, asking how digital technology applications impact overall organizational performance. The results showed that the use of digital transformation tools significantly contributes to improving productivity within companies. For example, cloud systems have improved access to data and facilitated collaboration between teams, while data analytics and artificial intelligence tools have enhanced decision-making by providing accurate and reliable insights. Improvements in operational efficiency were also observed, as digital tools have helped reduce human errors and expedite procedures. Several challenges that companies may face when implementing digital transformation were also identified. These challenges include resistance to change among some employees, high costs of technology investment and maintenance, and difficulties in integrating digital tools with legacy systems. These challenges require special attention to ensure the successful implementation of digital strategies. The study provides practical recommendations for companies, including developing clear strategies for adopting digital transformation tools, investing in employee training, and fostering a technology-supportive organizational culture. It also calls on researchers to conduct further studies to explore the impact of digital tools across different industrial sectors and at different levels of companies. The study highlights the importance of integrating digital transformation tools into corporate strategies to improve overall performance and increase productivity and efficiency. Its findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the actual impact of digital technology on companies, helping them refine their strategies and increase their competitiveness in the market.

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Revolutionizing turnaround management through innovative strategies is essential for enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing downtime in various industries, particularly in manufacturing, oil and gas, and chemical processing. This paper examines effective approaches to reduce ramp-up durations following maintenance activities, which are often characterized by significant operational disruptions and lost productivity. By implementing structured methodologies and leveraging advanced technologies, organizations can streamline their turnaround processes, ensuring a swift return to optimal production levels. Key strategies discussed include the adoption of predictive maintenance techniques, which utilize data analytics and machine learning to forecast equipment failures and schedule maintenance proactively. This approach not only minimizes unexpected breakdowns but also allows for better planning of turnaround activities. Additionally, the integration of digital tools, such as mobile applications and cloud-based platforms, facilitates real-time communication and collaboration among teams, enabling quicker decision-making and response times during the ramp-up phase. Moreover, the paper explores the significance of workforce training and cross-functional collaboration in improving turnaround outcomes. Empowering employees with the necessary skills and fostering a culture of teamwork enhances operational readiness and efficiency during critical phases. Furthermore, the utilization of simulation modeling can provide valuable insights into workflow processes, allowing organizations to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation during turnarounds. Case studies from various industries highlight the successful implementation of these innovative strategies, showcasing significant reductions in ramp-up durations and enhanced overall performance. The findings emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and adaptability in turnaround management, encouraging organizations to embrace a proactive mindset and invest in technology-driven solutions. In conclusion, revolutionizing turnaround management through innovative strategies offers a pathway to minimize ramp-up durations post-maintenance, ultimately leading to improved operational efficiency and cost savings. This paper advocates for a holistic approach, combining predictive maintenance, digital tools, workforce engagement, and simulation modeling to achieve sustainable improvements in turnaround performance.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the role of digital transformation in its three dimensions—digital technologies, digital infrastructure, and employees’ digital skills—in enhancing operational management efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the service sector in Saudi Arabia. The study also sought to assess the impact of these dimensions on improving operational performance and increasing the efficiency of business processes in these enterprises. Methodology: A descriptive-analytical approach was adopted, appropriate to the nature of the research. The study population comprised employees working in SMEs in the service sector across Saudi Arabia. A simple random sampling method was used, resulting in a sample of 165 participants. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Results: The findings revealed high levels of digital transformation and operational management efficiency from the participants’ perspective. Digital transformation had a statistically significant effect on enhancing operational efficiency. Among the three dimensions, digital skills and digital technologies had the greatest impact, followed by digital infrastructure, highlighting the importance of technically qualifying employees and promoting the use of modern technologies in operational processes. Conclusion: The study concluded that investing in digital infrastructure, enhancing employees’ technical competencies, and integrating digital systems with operational processes are essential for improving operational efficiency in SMEs. It also recommended expanding future studies to cover multiple sectors and incorporating mediating variables to examine the relationship between digital transformation and operational efficiency more comprehensively.

The study "Evaluating the Impact of Digital Transformation on Operational Efficiency and Performance at Prakash Roadlines" delves into the significant contribution that digital transformation makes to improving performance and operational efficiency in the logistics industry. Leading logistics company Prakash Roadlines has implemented digital transformation projects to solve issues like expanding operational expenses, antiquated manual procedures, and evolving client demands. This study examines the degree to which these initiatives have enhanced resource management, streamlined workflows, and increased operational efficiency. In order to find inefficiencies and put efficient solutions in place, the study highlights the usage of digital tools like fleet management systems, route optimization software, digital inventory management, and data analytics. Fuel economy, idle time, tracking capabilities, and logistical operations turnaround times have been significantly improved as a result of these systems. Notwithstanding these developments, the report finds that obstacles such departmental integration of digital systems, low staff skill with new tools, change aversion, and inadequate IT support still prevent digital transformation from reaching its full potential. As part of the research approach, organized surveys and interviews with management, staff, and other stakeholders are used to gather primary data. The operational, technical, and management viewpoints of Prakash Roadlines' digital transformation have been captured by combining quantitative data with qualitative observations. Respondents emphasize how digital tools have increased customer happiness, streamlined operations, and enhanced departmental communication.

The rapid advancement of digitalization has significantly impacted how organizations operate, with collaborative tools like Asana, Trello, and Slack becoming integral to fostering internal communication, collaboration, and social capital. Despite their widespread adoption, the comprehensive impact of these tools on organizational culture, employee engagement, and social capital remains underexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the potential of digital collaborative tools to enhance organizational social capital and exploring the role of strategic communication and digital inclusivity in this process. Utilizing a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 557 professionals through a survey distributed via LinkedIn. The questionnaire, designed with Likert scale closed-ended questions, focused on the utilization of collaborative tools and their perceived impact on communication, collaboration, and social capital within organizations. Multiple regression analysis was employed to test four hypotheses related to the effects of digital tool usage on organizational dynamics. The findings reveal that digital tools significantly enhance communication and collaboration within organizations, with the frequency and purpose of tool usage being key factors. Moreover, digital tool usage for networking and the quality of interactions facilitated by these tools were found to positively impact the development of social capital. However, challenges in integrating digital tools were shown to negatively affect this development, though technical support and training could mitigate these effects. Interestingly, the introduction of a 'social score' feature within digital tools was perceived positively, indicating its potential to further engage users and enrich organizational social capital. This study underscores the importance of adopting a strategic approach to implementing digital tools, emphasizing their role beyond operational efficiency to include the enhancement of social interactions and organizational culture. Recommendations include fostering digital tool usage for networking, providing adequate technical support and training, and exploring the integration of 'social score' features to incentivize engagement and collaboration.

This research analyzes the challenges and adaptation strategies faced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the integration of digital tools. The main goal is to understand how these companies handle digital transformation, the specific obstacles they encounter, and the successful practices they employ to overcome these challenges. Quantitative research was carried out with a cross-sectional design. Structured questionnaires in digital format distributed through Google Forms were used. The study population included SMEs active in the use of digital tools and the sample was selected through simple random sampling, covering approximately 100 SMEs. The questionnaires were validated, and their reliability evaluated through pilot tests. The results of the survey indicate that 51.85 % of respondents hold other positions within the company, suggesting an organizational structure with diverse roles. 59.26 % consider digitalization to be "very important" for the long-term success of their companies. Additionally, 37.04 % of companies have implemented digital marketing tools, improving business operations and customer relationships. Respondents also reported a positive experience with the implementation of digital tools, with 51.85 % evaluating it as "very positive." The research concludes that companies that successfully integrate digital tools report improvements in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and market expansion. Therefore, it is essential that SMEs develop effective strategies to overcome the obstacles and take advantage of the opportunities that digitalization offers.

The article considers topical tasks of modeling the processes of management, selection and optimization of the use of digital marketing tools. The main characteristics of digital marketing tools and features of their use are highlighted. The classification of digital marketing tools is given: marketing in mobile networks, search engine optimization, marketing and reputation management in social media, mailing lists, content marketing. The key indicators and factors of advertising campaigns using digital tools are identified: the number of visitors and buyers, the sources of conversions on advertising hyperlinks, the percentage of refusals to purchase and the number of repeated conversions of visitors. The aim of the article is to use mathematical modeling to optimize the use of digital marketing budget to achieve marketing goals of the enterprise. The calculations of the advertising budget take into account: the profitability of a digital marketing tool, the risk of loss of income as the standard deviation of the expected return, the share of investments in a marketing tool, the correlation coefficient of their mutual influence, time periods of marketing campaigns, restrictions digital marketing tools. A new scientific result is the use of a portfolio approach to the management of digital marketing tools with a limited advertising budget, taking into account the economic risk and the relationship between these tools. The developed solutions for the process of selecting digital marketing tools and promoting the Web project can be used to build an information-analytical decision support system to select the optimal distribution of the advertising budget among the various marketing communication tools. The resulting mathematical model can be used by commercial advertising agencies, online representative offices of companies to study the relationship between digital marketing channels and select the best solutions for the distribution of advertising budget.

The article is devoted to the study of digital personnel management tools as another method of increasing labor productivity in the context of global remote work. The article analyzes the latest research and publications on the theory and practice of personnel management, highlighting the growing scientific interest in modern technologies of personnel management and the role of digital tools in this process. The directions of integration of digital tools in personnel management were analyzed and methods of implementation were determined. The work presents the main directions and possibilities of using digital technologies to increase the efficiency of personnel management, in particular through computerization, the Internet as a business environment, the use of information technologies for full technical and information support of management processes. Special attention is paid to distance learning and staff development using various digital tools, such as e-learning, m-learning, u-learning, f-learning and blended-learning, which allow to improve the quality of education and training of employees. Issues of typology of digital learning tools, involvement of employees in the digitalization process and improvement of their qualifications are also covered. According to the results of the study, specific methods of integrating innovative digital tools are given in order to optimize the working time of management personnel, which in turn leads to an increase in the provision of information and prompt response to challenges that do not allow the enterprise to work as a single whole organism with the most optimized internal mechanisms. For each of the methods of integration of digital personnel management tools, possible ways of their implementation in the conditions of accelerated digital transformation and implementation of innovations in this direction are determined. The article calls for further research in the field of implementation of innovative digital technologies in personnel management, which opens up new perspectives for increasing labor productivity and the efficiency of the enterprise as a whole.

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to consider the role of the main digital tools, their advantages, and challenges of use in the marketing management system of enterprises. Design/methodology/approach. The research used the following general scientific methods of scientific knowledge: comparative analysis and synthesis, systematization, and theoretical and logical generalization. Scientific works and articles on the Internet of domestic and foreign scientists who study issues related to the field of digital marketing became the informational, theoretical, and methodological basis of the research. A systematic review of literary sources and scientific publications made it possible to get acquainted with existing theories, concepts, and research in the field of digital marketing. This method is used for conducting comparative analysis and synthesis to generalize information. The method of theoretical and logical generalization of the advantages and challenges of using digital tools made it possible to draw reasonable conclusions about their use in the marketing management of enterprises. Findings. The article examines the key roles of digital tools in the modern marketing management of domestic enterprises: attracting and retaining an audience, increasing brand awareness, personalizing communication, increasing the effectiveness of advertising, measuring results, interacting with the audience, and global access. Popular digital marketing management tools are highlighted, which include a wide range of technologies, online platforms, and web services that help businesses interact with audiences, promote their products or services, and measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts, including websites, contentmarketing, search engine optimization website, search advertising, social media, e-mail, web analytics, virtual and augmented reality technologies, chatbots, QR coding. Advantages are considered and attention is paid to the challenges associated with the use of digital tools in the marketing management system of enterprises. Practical implications. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of adaptation of domestic enterprises to the digital environment in modern business. Digital tools have become a necessary part of marketing strategy, and understanding and using them play a critical role in achieving success. Businesses that have a proper understanding of digital marketing can help improve the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns, creating a competitive advantage in the market. It also helps to increase sales, increase profitability, and improve interaction with customers. However, using digital tools also brings challenges, including the need to keep up with rapid changes in technology and the competitive environment. Businesses must be ready to adapt and learn to remain competitive. In practical terms, the study provides enterprises with useful information and recommendations on the effective use of digital tools in marketing management. This will help enterprises to grow, develop, and successfully compete in the conditions of digitalization. Originality/value. The article reflects a modern approach to considering digital tools in the marketing management of enterprises and takes into account the latest technological trends and changes in the Internet environment. Consideration of digital tools of marketing management of enterprises is carried out from a comprehensive approach, taking into account their role, advantages, and challenges of use in one context. This makes the article a valuable source of information for entrepreneurs and marketers looking to improve their digital marketing strategies and practices.

The operational efficiency of mass transportation is a critical factor in urban mobility, with significant implications for social welfare. However, many cities in developing countries face challenges in achieving optimal efficiency, impacting service quality and community accessibility. This study aims to analyze the determinant factors of operational efficiency in urban mass transportation modes and examine their implications for social welfare in the context of Indonesian cities. Employing a quantitative approach, this research utilized Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and multiple regression methods to evaluate 15 urban transportation corridors across Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung during the 2022-2024 period. Data were collected through direct observation, surveys of 1,200 passengers, and in-depth interviews with operators and regulators. The analysis revealed that service frequency, load factor ratio, and fleet quality are the dominant factors affecting operational efficiency, collectively contributing 68.4% to efficiency variations. Operational efficiency demonstrated a strong positive correlation with accessibility for low-income populations (r=0.742) and contributed to reducing household transportation costs by up to 23.6%. Furthermore, efficient corridors showed significantly lower carbon emissions (0.68 kg CO? per passenger-km) compared to inefficient corridors. The findings underscore the crucial relationship between transportation operational efficiency and social welfare outcomes. To maximize both efficiency and social benefits, policymakers should prioritize fleet modernization, optimize operational schedules, and enhance system integration through coordinated tariff structures and infrastructure development.

BackgroundHypertension, one of the most common cardiovascular conditions worldwide, necessitates comprehensive management due to its association with multiple health risks. Effective control often involves lifestyle changes and continuous monitoring, yet many individuals struggle to adhere to traditional management approaches. Digital health tools are emerging as promising alternatives, offering remote monitoring and real-time support. This study focuses on evaluating a digital tool specifically designed for hypertension management, analyzing its effectiveness, and gathering user perspectives on its functionality and impact.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a digital health tool in managing hypertension. Additionally, the study aims to understand user experiences and satisfaction levels to gauge the tool’s acceptance and potential for long-term use. By analyzing data from a large cohort, we seek to determine whether the tool can contribute to meaningful reductions in blood pressure and support sustained engagement over time.MethodsThe study includes a cohort of 5136 participants who used the digital hypertension management tool. This tool provides continuous blood pressure monitoring, real-time feedback, and personalized health recommendations, which are crucial for tailored intervention. Participants recorded their blood pressure values over time, and we tracked retention rates to measure adherence. An online survey was administered to gather user feedback, focusing on ease of use, satisfaction levels, and perceived health benefits.ResultsOur analysis indicates a significant reduction in blood pressure values among users, with a positive correlation observed between the duration of use and the extent of blood pressure reduction. We performed a 1-sided Wilcoxon Rank Sum test to compare systolic blood pressure values in the first and last biweekly use intervals, and descriptive statistics were used to assess survey responses. High retention rates were observed, with 2583 (50.3%) participants using the tool after 1 year. Survey responses revealed high satisfaction, with users highlighting the tool’s ease of use and noting reduced anxiety related to blood pressure management. These results suggest that users found the digital tool both effective and convenient.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the potential benefits of digital health tools in managing hypertension, emphasizing their ability to engage users over long periods and support blood pressure reduction. The high satisfaction rates and positive user feedback underscore the importance of user-centered design in creating effective health interventions. Overall, the findings suggest that digital tools, when designed with a focus on user experience, could be a valuable component in hypertension management strategies, complementing traditional health care approaches.

The freight sector is an important component of China’s national economy. It is composed of multiple sub-sectors and has a complex internal structure. This internal structure can hide information on the freight sector’s operational performance. Previous studies on transportation operational performance made measurements based on the whole transportation sector, and all of these studies ignored the impacts that the internal structure of the sub-sectors have on performance, which leaves a gap in the research. To illustrate this structure, this study proposes a parallel slacks-based measure model to measure transportation efficiency, which can represent the freight sector’s operational performance. The efficiencies of transportation operations for the whole freight sector and its three sub-sectors are further measured, by treating the sub-sectors as parallel subunits. Then, the inefficiency sources from the sub-sectors can be identified by the proposed model. To detect the environmental impact on transportation operations, energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are also considered in the evaluation. On the basis of the proposed approach, an application of the Chinese freight sector from 2013 to 2017 is provided. The impacts of influential factors on transportation efficiency are also explored. The empirical findings can be illustrated as follows: (1) there exist significant disparities in regional transportation efficiencies in the freight sector and its sub-sectors; (2) the inefficient transportation performance of the Chinese freight sector mainly derives from the poor performance of the waterway sub-sector; and (3) freight volume and population density have positive impacts on the transportation efficiencies of the railway and highway sub-sectors. Finally, some policies for improving transportation efficiency are also provided.

Taxi business, with its ubiquitous availability, route flexibility and comfortable travel experience, offers a complementary service for the public transportation system. Among the existing methods of doing taxi business, an meaningful issue is to mine efficient seeking strategies for taxi drivers, in order to improve transportation efficiency. Recent efforts have been made mainly on the individual recommendation with respect to shorter seeking time and higher seeking efficiency, whereas the global transportation efficiency will greatly be reduced once each driver only pays attention to his local optimization. Rather than the individual recommendation, in this paper we conduct research on mining the taxis mobility from large-scale taxi data, thereby proposing a novel solution, namely GREEN (short for A Global RoutEs rEcommeNdation), to improve the seeking strategies and optimize the global transportation situation. Specifically, we first investigate how the drop-off information affects seeking strategies and conduct quantitive analysis, revealing the impact of seeking efficiency, passenger density and top drivers’ experience. Moreover, to deal with the conflict between local optimization and global optimization, we dynamically adjust the weights of road segments based on the number of vacant taxis passing through each road segment. Also, to well evaluate the transportation efficiency, we define the seeking efficiency, net revenue and operation efficiency. Extensive experiments on the real-world dataset demonstrate that our scheme can work well, which not only improves the overall seeking efficiency by reducing total vacant driving time, but also increases the global operation efficiency, thereby optimizing the global transportation efficiency.

This research focuses on how digital transformation affects management practice in various industries. The paper explores the opportunities and challenges presented by digital tools like AI, data analytics, and cloud computing for managerial decision-making, operational efficiency, and organizational culture. Qualitative data analysis has been used to identify major trends, barriers, and effects of digital transformation. Findings conclude that with more digital tools, companies must have to struggle hard to put their new technology into the productive implementation, take care of increasing cybersecurity risk, and find a healthy digital culture within the organizations. Generally, the present study helps in establishing an important recommendation for using effective digital tools while providing fair support regarding transformational challenges on the employee resources and flexibility of change.