Digital Efforts Research Articles

Decoding the digital leap: Exploring the role of global value chains in driving country-level digitalization

This study employs a dynamic bootstrap corrected fixed effects model to investigate the impact of Global Value Chain (GVC) participation and its components (forward and backward participation) on digitalization across 47 economies from 2001 to 2018. The findings indicate that GVC participation significantly enhances digitalization in countries with lower economic growth by facilitating access to advanced technologies and global networks, thereby accelerating their digitalization efforts. Conversely, in countries with higher economic growth, the effects of GVC participation on digitalization appear negligible, suggesting that these economies may already possess robust digital infrastructures. Notably, backward participation hinders digitalization in lower-growth countries, whereas it positively impacts higher-growth countries. Forward participation, however, distinctly benefits digitalization in lower-growth economies but does not show significant effects in more advanced ones. These nuanced outcomes underline the importance of tailoring policy interventions to the specific economic context of a country. Policymakers are recommended to support GVC integration in developing economies as a strategic approach to boost digitalization, while in more developed economies, policies should focus on enhancing existing digital capabilities and innovation ecosystems. This study's insights advocate for nuanced, context-specific policies to leverage GVC participation as a digital transformation and economic development catalyst.

Financial Innovation and Risk Management in Japan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the Financial Innovation and Risk Management. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Japan has seen a surge in financial innovation driven by fintech startups and digitalization efforts by traditional banks. However, this innovation comes with regulatory challenges and risks that must be managed. Regulatory frameworks are being updated to address new risks like cybersecurity threats. There's also a growing focus on corporate governance, risk culture, and sustainability integration. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Option pricing theory, capital asset pricing model (CAPM) & modern portfolio theory (MPT) may be used to anchor future studies on the financial innovation and risk management. Foster a culture of innovation within financial institutions by promoting collaboration between risk management professionals and product development teams. Establish regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs to facilitate responsible experimentation with financial innovations while maintaining regulatory oversight.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON TOURISM MARKETING STRATEGIES AND THE ROLE OF DIGITALIZATION

Natia Surmanidze E-mail: n.surmanidze@ug.edu.ge PhD in Economics, The University of Georgia Tbilisi, Georgia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2116-6571 Sopiko Tevdoradze E-mail: Sofo.tevdoradze@giu.edu.ge PhD in Business Administration Georgian International University (GIU) Tbilisi, Georgia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1668-051X0000-0002-1668-051X Zurab Mushkudiani E-mail: Zurab.mushkudiani@giu.edu.ge PhD in Business Administration Georgian International University (GIU) Tbilisi, Georgia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0987-3564 Abstract: This research explores how the global COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented obstacles for the tourist business, which have led to rapid changes in its landscape. Specifically, it looks at how tourism organizations have adopted technology and changed their marketing methods. The study examines the complex links between technology adoption, organizational dynamics, and external environmental factors using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) paradigm as a conceptual lens. The research posits and empirically tests four hypotheses: (1) the pandemic significantly influences a shift from classical to digital marketing strategies, (2) organizational dynamics play a crucial role in the successful integration of digitization efforts, (3) external environmental factors, particularly the pandemic, shape the urgency and nature of digitization strategies, and (4) effective analysis of various indicators, feedback mechanisms, and sales metrics significantly contributes to the success of digital marketing strategies. In order to obtain valuable insights, the study uses statistical techniques such as logistic regression, multiple regression analysis, correlation evaluation, Chi-Square tests, and logistic regression that were carefully designed and distributed to eighteen tourism companies affiliated with Georgia's national tourism agency. Results highlight the paradigm shift towards digital marketing brought about by the pandemic, the critical role played by organizational dynamics, the impact of external environmental factors, and the critical importance of data-driven analysis in augmenting the effectiveness of digital marketing in the tourism industry. In order to help stakeholders in the tourism industry navigate the possibilities and difficulties provided by the post-pandemic digitally altered landscape, this research adds a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding technology adoption, digital strategies, and organizational responses. Keywords: Tourism digitization; COVID-19 impact; Digital marketing strategies; Organizational dynamics; Technology-Organization-Environment framework. JEL classification: L83, Q55, O33

Moving Through the Storm: A Longitudinal Study on IT-Based Agile Organizational Crisis Response

This research integrates the theoretical strands of crisis management and organizational agility to improvise a process in which organizations expedite their IT-based solutions to cope with mega disruptions, carried out through two studies. Using corpus linguistics as an analytical approach with data collected from press releases from 10 US retail conglomerates, our findings point to the transition from a business-as-usual business model to the incubation of a work-at-home retail model that is infused by technology innovations. In making such a transition, organizations exercise agility through rapidly responding to a multitude of environmental jolts. The contribution of the present article lies in illuminating the role of IT innovations and digitization efforts that lay the necessary organizational capabilities to stay abreast with market opportunities amid extenuating circumstances. This research provides an empirical articulation of the importance of IT-based crisis responses to help scholars better understand the nature of crisis management and organizational agility.

Decentralized Scheduling and Dispatch Control for the Traditional Labor-Intensive Assembly System

The fourth industrial revolution has broadly transformed the manufacturing system. However, this transformation is somewhat lacking in traditional or manual production systems due to the absence of IT infrastructure. Such traditional industries need to have the advantage of real-time control and monitoring. This study has developed economic assembly planning, scheduling, and control for a traditional assembly system. We used the concept of the configurable virtual workstation as the digitalization framework. Then, we employed the decentralized scheduling concept to reduce the computational effort in scheduling the complex product. The implementation result showed that scheduling and planning have transformed the traditional assembly process into intelligent scheduling and control with low digitalization effort

Digital Turn in Higher Education: An Examination of Enablers and Inhibitors in the Turkish Context

By qualitatively analyzing the case of a higher education unit and reflecting upon its experience of digitalization, the current study attempts to gain insights into how and to what extent digitalization takes place, and what factors facilitate/hinder digitalization efforts in the Turkish context. Data for the present study were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups. An inductive thematic analysis was employed to identify emerging themes within the data. The findings indicate that there have been both intraorganizational and top-down initiatives towards digitalization, though the latter seems to have failed in addressing intraorganizational needs and priorities. The findings also suggest that the factors that have contributed positively to digitalization are the instructors’ personal interests and availability of many digital tools. However, negative student attitude towards digital tools, problems with online assessments, failure to initiate and maintain a strategic organizational approach towards digitalization and faculty’s reluctance to step outside their comfort zone significantly hinder digitalization.

Land Archive Authentication as a Result of Media Transfer at the Land Office

The digitalization efforts undertaken by the land office do not necessarily guarantee the authenticity of its records or documents in the same manner as physical documents. Authentication is essential to reinforce the utility of digital land documents and bestow legal validity as admissible evidence in court. This research aims to analyze the implementation of digitalization and authentication of land documents at the land office. Furthermore, the analysis discusses the necessity of authenticating digital land documents to ensure that the resulting products can serve as valid evidentiary tools in legal proceedings. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach. The study reveals that the execution of digitalization and authentication of land documents at the WG Land Office does not comply with Law No. 43 of 2009, Government Regulation No. 28 of 2012 concerning archiving, Head of the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation No. 20 of 2011 on guidelines for authenticating electronic archives, and the Circular Letter of the Ministry of ATR/BPN No. 5/SE-100.TU.02.01/VIII/2019 on digitization standardization of warkah. In pursuit of legal certainty that aligns with formal legal truth, including the interests of all parties involved, the authentication of digital land documents as a source of juridical data is paramount in assessing and adjudicating a case before a panel of judges.

A semantic-based methodology for the management of document workflows in e-government: a case study for judicial processes

Trial excessive duration is a common problem in Juridical systems worldwide, even if some countries seem to be more affected by it than others. The European Council has provided metrics and statistics to identify this problem and has pointed out solutions, such as the simplification of norms and the digitization of Juridical procedures. The Italian Telematic Civil Process (TCP) is an example of this digitization effort that has surely positively influenced the duration of Trials, their traceability and general complexity. However, there are still many possible actions that can be taken to simplify the work of Judges and Chancellors, and to support their daily operations in dealing with several Trials at once, and with the consistent number of documents that are involved in them. This paper presents a toolchain and a related methodology for the management of documentation attached to Trials, based on semantic technologies and Natural Language Processing techniques, which will help Judges in faster assessing the situation of each Trial they follow, and will also provide the means to identify potential correlations among different Juridical procedures. The methodology is tested against a case study, i.e. the compensation requests related to road accidents, which has been provided and described by Domain Experts from the Italian Ministry of Justice.

Investing in Smart Cities: Enhancing Public Libraries for Quality Services in India

ABSTRACT This article comprehensively examines investments in India’s smart cities1 with a specific focus on public libraries. A survey of 100 Smart Cities Mission projects was conducted to gather data on budget allocation and expenditure for public libraries, construction and renovation projects, and IT infrastructure and outreach programs. Results reveal investments in 27 library projects across 12 states geographically distributed throughout India, spanning new library establishments, renovations, digitization efforts, and IT integration with library services. The majority of funds (60%) support new libraries including business and innovation components, while renovation projects claim 30%. The article contributes valuable insights for public library development, targeting library authorities, municipal administrators, and local planners as statutory services at the heart of community development and engagement of public.

The Precautionary Approach Design Pattern

The precautionary approach is a way to manage problems related to the uncertainty of scientific knowledge regarding potential serious harms and to enable decision-making under uncertainty with due diligence. I have developed a model of the essential structural elements of the application of the precautionary approach, particularly the precautionary principle in EU law, as a legal design pattern—a formalized presentation of the core generic features and processes of how the law successfully addresses recurring problems. The precautionary approach appears as a decision tree with weighting and balancing. It serves as an intervening rule to resolve inter-system conflicts between different action systems such as the economy, civil society, and ecological systems. It is related to other design patterns like the proportionality test, risk and impact assessment, and judicial review. Presenting the application of the precautionary approach as a legal design pattern facilitates interdisciplinary communication regarding the essential features of legally required problem-solving. Such a presentation enhances the problem-solving capacity of the application of the law beyond the legal domain, for instance, in improving digitalization efforts and enabling the integration of anticipatory quality controls of justice, legality and good governance into decision-making processes.

Sustainability through digital transformation: EU practices

<p>The significance of sustainability efforts has been reaffirmed by negative circumstances, such as the escalating visible consequences of climate change, floods resulting from erratic weather patterns in certain areas, and fires and extreme droughts in other regions. The logical rationale behind employing digital tools for sustainability purposes lies in the efficiency of digital transformation, supported by artificial intelligence, in improving remote access, control, and decision-making processes, as well as accomplishing tasks that are unachievable through human effort alone. Upon analyzing practices worldwide, it becomes apparent that the European Union (EU) is the singular entity that places utmost importance on digitalization as a means to ensure sustainability. Additionally, it provides comprehensive allocations for projects pertaining to this subject and supports the collective wisdom of its members through the established union. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the current literature in detail via a systematic review to extract the EU practices of sustainability through digitalization. Findings reveal the particular EU focuses and key themes on achieving sustainability with a visual representation of the results. Besides, the EU practices with other well-known countries on sustainability through digitalization efforts are compared and discussed. Thus, a practitioner can understand the findings of this research to use as the first step when generating research questions to start a new study.<strong></strong></p>

Proses digitalisasi karya ilmiah lama di Perpustakaan Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Padjadjaran

Because the Padjadjaran University Faculty of Agriculture Library has so many scholarly books, there is a mountain of accumulation inside of it. Science work is damp, moldy, and dirty. Furthermore, it is very challenging to find scientific articles later due to the mountains of them. The University of Padjadjaran Library's digitalization initiatives are predicated on this understanding. Examining the process of digitizing historical scientific articles (published prior to 2016) in the University of Padjadjaran's Faculty of Agriculture Library is the aim of this study. The research methodology used is a case study methodology using a qualitative approach. In order to gather data, observations and interviews are conducted. Interviews were conducted with the coordinator of digitization activities at the Library of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Padjadjaran, digitization staff, and students who had done digitalization internships. Data analysis uses data reduction techniques, data presentation, and verification. The study's findings indicated that this digitizing process had previously been done, halted, and then continued till the present. The first step involves scanning; the second involves editing the results of the scanning process, such as adding a watermark or a password, but this step has not yet been completed; the three uploading procedures are uploaded to the Unpad Faculty of Agriculture Library's Google Drive. The last phase involves scanning and destroying the physical scientific works; nevertheless, official protocols have not been followed in this process. The study's findings demonstrate that while the digitization efforts undertaken are generally excellent, crucial information pertaining to particular SOPs at every stage of the process is still lacking.

Innovation and Application of Digitalization in the Formation of the Image of a smart hotel

The advent of new technologies has revolutionized the tourism industry, offering more flexible and organized options for holidaymakers. Moving beyond traditional, often cumbersome tourism models that once dominated mass demand, the industry now embraces innovative technologies and enhanced comfort. These advancements have significantly elevated the expectations and desires of travelers. As a result, there is a growing competitive landscape within the tourism sector, driven by the evolving demands of tourists. Comparing the technologies and customer requests from five years ago with today's innovations and guest inquiries reveals a stark difference. New technologies have played a pivotal role in the implementation of tourist information systems, facilitating rapid identification and information dissemination in the field of tourism. Digitalization in tourism stands as a comprehensive solution to a wide array of potential challenges encountered in providing information services, organizing tourist excursions, and planning travel. The primary objective of these innovations and digitalization efforts in the tourism sector is to enhance communication and information exchange between tourists and industry professionals, thereby improving the overall travel experience.

The Digitalization in Insurance Broker Industry: How Artificial Intelligence Affect This Industry

This qualitative research explores the impact of digitalization, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), on the insurance broker industry. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with eight senior-level employee and eight younger participants from technology and operations departments, also from client-facing positions. The research aimed to analyze the impact of digitalization, especially artificial intelligence, to the insurance broker industry and to explore whether artificial intelligence is capable to replace an insurance broker role. The findings indicate that digitalization, including the adoption of AI, has brought about significant advancements in the industry. Digitalization efforts have led to streamlined processes, reduced costs, improved data analysis, and enhanced customer experiences. The findings of this research highlight the importance of taking a deliberate and strategic approach to digitalization and AI adoption in the insurance broker industry. Companies should use technology to increase efficiency while maintaining the human-centric elements that are essential for developing strong client relationships and providing tailored insurance solutions.

Opportunities and challenges of promoting integrated care through digitalisation–Learning lessons from large-scale national programmes in England

There is a growing global interest in integrating health and care through digitalisation. However, many ambitious digitalisation initiatives in the healthcare sector fail to achieve their intended outcomes. One contributing factor is the failure to apply lessons learned from past endeavours. We here leverage the experiences gained from large-scale digitalisation efforts within the National Health Service (NHS) in England to distil valuable insights for strategic decision-makers who are embarking on the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at integrating health and social care through digitalisation. While not exhaustive, our compilation of eight key lessons serves as a foundational resource to inform such initiatives, seeking ultimately to contribute to realising maximum benefits for health and care organisations and service users.

The Implications of Cybercrime on Economic Security: The Case of Kenya

The research study examined the evolving landscape of cybercrime and its significant implications on economic security within Kenya. As the digital economy rapidly grows, cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, posing significant risks not only to individual entities but also to national security. In Kenya, a nation at the forefront of digital transformation in Africa, these threats have escalated, challenging the ability to safeguard vital economic infrastructures. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze Kenya’s cybercrime landscape. The theoretical framework was based on securitization, deterrence, and routine activity theories, offering a strong foundation for understanding cybercrime’s impact on economic security. Data was collected through an extensive literature review and engagement with professionals from various sectors, including government, security agencies, and academia. Participants, with 1 to 30 years of experience, provided key insights into Kenya’s cybersecurity state. An 80% response rate was achieved, ensuring the findings were valid, reliable, and representative of the broader cybersecurity landscape. The study reveals critical issues in Kenya’s cybersecurity landscape. Despite digitalization efforts and security policies, there remains a significant gap in public cyber threat awareness, leaving many vulnerable to attacks. The 2017 cyber-attack on the National Bank of Kenya, resulting in the theft of KES 29 million ($280,000), highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and public education. The study also identifies the asymmetric nature of cybercrime, which, unlike traditional crimes, transcends borders, making it harder to predict and mitigate. The global interconnectedness of the internet exacerbates this challenge, necessitating a shift from reactive to proactive cyber threat strategies. The study recommends immediate implementation of comprehensive cyber literacy programmes for the public, focusing on common threats, safe practices, and basic cybersecurity, with tailored content for different demographics. Cybersecurity education should be integrated into the national curriculum from the primary level to foster early awareness. It also highlights the need for collaboration among all stakeholders – government, private sector, academia, and civil society to share information and best practices. Organizations, especially in critical sectors like banking, healthcare, and government, should adopt robust security measures, including advanced detection systems and regular audits. The study also suggests further that the government should consider employing local ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities and counter cyber threats, particularly in government and critical infrastructure.

Evolution of Information Technology in Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

Aim/Purpose. This study addresses the research question: “What are the developmental phases of Information Technology in the industry?” Existing research has explored the impact of Information Technology (IT) on specific industries. However, it is essential to understand the evolution of IT within industries, its influence on the workforce, and technological advancements. Addressing this knowledge gap will enhance future workforce development and IT integration across diverse sectors. Background. IT can significantly transform industries and drive innovation to meet client demands. Understanding IT phases in industry through literature helps governments and businesses worldwide recognize its importance. This knowledge can guide strategies to address the shortage of highly skilled workers by prioritizing education and training programs to meet future demands. Methodology The methodology involved a systematic literature review of 110 IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar articles. Thematic analysis was used to understand the development of IT in distinct phases since the 1990s. This development has resulted in a continuous demand for new workforce skills and evolving customer expectations. Contribution. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap by enhancing our understanding of how evolving IT influences the industry and shapes IT jobs and skills. It provides a historical perspective, illustrating how IT advancements have led to new applications to meet changing needs. Additionally, the study identifies patterns in the evolving IT skill requirements due to technological advancements and discusses implications for curriculum development and higher education. Findings. The study identified three significant phases through a systematic literature review and thematic analysis. The first phase, “Advent of Industry IT” (1990-2000), established the digital framework and built essential systems and infrastructure. The second phase, “Connectivity & Information Revolution” (2000-2010), saw exponential internet growth, transforming information access and communication. The third phase, “Emerging Industry IT” (2010-present), focuses on artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven insights, continuing to disrupt and transform industries. Recommendations for Practitioners. The changing phases of IT within the industry should inform the development of innovative programs. These programs should address diverse skill sets across eras, preparing the workforce for evolving job roles in various sectors, such as healthcare in North America, automotive manufacturing in Japan, telecommunications in Africa, and innovations in other parts of the world. Recommendations for Researchers. Researchers can conduct longitudinal studies to explore the ongoing evolution of IT, tracking its trajectory beyond current delineated phases to understand future trends. Comparative studies across various industries can assess how IT evolution varies among sectors and delve deeper into its practical implications. Researchers can also conduct impact assessment studies to determine how various IT phases directly affect organizational strategy, worker dynamics, and organizational structures across industries. Examples include logistics in the Netherlands, retail in the United Kingdom, and agriculture in Brazil. Impact on Society. Policymakers and planners can use knowledge of these phases to predict technological shifts and industry trends. This knowledge helps develop strategies and policies supporting entrepreneurship, education and training alignment, technical innovation, economic growth, and job creation in line with the changing IT landscape. Examples of policies include Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, Germany’s Industry 4.0 strategy, Ghana’s digitization efforts, and India’s Digital India campaign. Future Research. Future research can provide a thorough understanding of the evolutionary patterns of IT within sectors by validating the study through various datasets and conducting in-depth examinations of individual industries. This will contribute to a deeper understanding of sector-specific IT evolution and their varying impact on societal interactions and industry dynamics. Comparative studies across various sectors, such as logistics in the Netherlands, retail in the United Kingdom, and agriculture in Brazil, can assess how IT evolution varies.

Life cycle cost modelling using 6D BIM in construction: A comparative study

Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are among the important current trends in the construction industry. LCC contributes to the objective management and measurement of costs during the entire lifetime of a building and BIM represents one of the digitalization efforts related to the Construction 4.0 initiative. Because life cycle cost modelling using 6D BIM has the potential to bring significant positive effects such as cost savings and reduced environmental burden, this paper aims to study the development of this concept in the Czech Republic and Austria. The legislative environment, the actual usage of LCC and BIM in practice, as well as problems faced by the Czech and Austrian construction industries, are discussed in this comparative study. The results show that the practical level of use is still relatively low in both countries, yet specific differences were identified, for example those related to the definition of legislative requirements and the availability of standards and specifications.

Mitigating Cybersecurity Risks in the Digitization of Banking Operations: Strategies, Challenges, and Best Practices for Zambian Commercial Banks

This study explores cybersecurity risk mitigation strategies within the Zambian banking sector amidst rapid digitization. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, data from a survey involving 123 bank employees/managers from banks operating in Zambia and expert interviews with bank cybersecurity staff. The study offers comprehensive insights into stakeholders’ perceptions, challenges, opportunities, implemented strategies, and recommended best practices for Cybersecurity Risk Mitigation (CSRM). The findings highlight a diverse landscape of digitization efforts among banks, influencing their exposure to cybersecurity vulnerabilities ranging from fundamental lapses to sophisticated threats like advanced persistent threats (APTs) and ransomware. Current cybersecurity strategies, including security audits and regulatory compliance, are prevalent but exhibit varying effectiveness, particularly in areas such as encryption and incident response readiness. Employee training emerges as a pivotal factor despite mixed perceptions regarding its efficacy, underscoring its critical role in mitigating human-induced vulnerabilities and adapting to evolving cyber threats effectively. Best practices identified in the study emphasize rigorous regulatory compliance tailored to the banking sector, secure software development practices, and robust vendor risk management protocols. Recommendations derived from the study advocate enhancing regulatory adherence, investing in advanced encryption technologies, and prioritizing comprehensive, context-specific employee training programs to foster a resilient cybersecurity culture across Zambian banks. These insights contribute valuable perspectives on cybersecurity challenges specific to the Zambian banking sector, advocating adaptive strategies to safeguard digital operations effectively amidst evolving cyber threats. This study not only addresses current gaps in cybersecurity resilience but also provides practical recommendations such as enhanced regulatory compliance, improved encryption and incidence response, prioritization of employee training and implementation of secure software practices aimed at enhancing overall preparedness and resilience against cybersecurity threats in Zambian banking operations undergoing digital transformation.

Towards a service-oriented architecture for information systems in the circular economy

Information gaps are one of the significant barriers to a flourishing circular economy (CE). Information systems (IS) are implemented to overcome these gaps as part of digitalization efforts. In the CE context, IS can provide insights into the sustainability and circularity of a product and its value chain. In fact, many products come into existence through supply chains encompassing plentiful suppliers and complex in-use and after-use streams. Implementing CE IS, like obligatory product passports, will significantly scale up information technologies (IT) use. Environmental impacts through IT use, and diverse product lifecycles call for an architecture that allows such a degree of complexity while minimizing burdens. This conference paper summarizes our preliminary results on designing an architecture for CE IS. First, we reviewed the literature on product passports. We created an architecture based on the design science methodology, including a meta-model providing an overview of all concepts. We also show how the architecture can facilitate the CE IS implementation by an example case of remanufacturing. Our results advocate rethinking the concept of product-centered systems towards IS that are more based on CE and digital services.