Technology Sector Research Articles

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE COMPETITIVENESS OF UKRAINE'S ICT SECTOR: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

The purpose of the paper is to examine the international competitiveness of Ukraine's ICT sector through a comparative analysis with 30 countries, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders and investors to improve Ukraine's position in the global ICT market. Methodology. The research employs the composite index methodology to assess the international competitiveness of Ukraine's information and communication technology (ICT) sector. The original ITSIC comprises 35 indicators; however, this has been expanded to 58 in order to provide a comprehensive view of the competitive advantages and position of the ICT sector in the global ICT market. Results. The article presents the findings of a comparative study of the ICT sector of Ukraine with global and regional leaders in the global ICT market. In order to identify the factors influencing the formation of competitive advantages, the following groups of factors were taken into account: the state of ICT infrastructure, the availability of qualified and competent IT professionals, the state and favourability of the political and business environment, the innovative potential of the ICT sector and its involvement in international trade and cooperation. The calculations have yielded the ratings for each group of indicators and the composite index as a whole, which identify the leaders in both global and regional dimensions. Specific consideration is given to the positioning of Ukraine's ICT sector within the context of the surveyed countries, with a focus on the identification of its competitive advantages and disadvantages within the global ICT market. Consequently, it has been determined that the international competitiveness of the domestic ICT sector between 2018 and 2022 was most significantly influenced by the extent of its involvement in international trade and collaboration, the availability and proficiency of the talent pool, and the quality of the ICT infrastructure. In conclusion, this study has identified the factors and trends that have the potential to impede Ukraine's ascension as a global leader in the ICT sector. Practical implications. The findings of the study may prove beneficial to a number of parties, including public authorities, ICT companies, investors and venture capitalists, educational and research institutions, international organisations and development agencies, IT entrepreneurs and the general public. The value and originality of the study can be found in its comprehensive, data-driven, and context-specific analysis, which provides actionable insights and strategic recommendations to enhance the international competitiveness of Ukraine's ICT sector.

The European Unified Patent Court and non-practicing entities: a year of early evidence

ABSTRACT Traditionally, the debate over Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) has centred on U.S. patent law, as this is the legal arena where most NPE lawsuits occur. However, the establishment of the European Unified Patent Court (UPC) has drawn increased attention from European policymakers, as it has the potential to escalate NPE activity by enhancing the litigation value of patents in Europe. In this article, I conduct an analysis of all infringement cases filed during the first year of operation of the UPC. I identify cases initiated by NPEs and collect details of the patents litigated and the companies involved. The main findings suggest that the UPC could become an attractive venue for NPEs to litigate their patents. NPEs initiate 13.0% of all cases, with their activity concentrated exclusively in the latter half of the period (December 2023 – May 2024), during which they represent 24.6% of total cases and 43.0% in the Electrical Engineering sector. In terms of patent characteristics, NPEs tend to litigate patents of lower quality than those pursued by other types of litigants.

Predictive Analytics for Mental Health: Machine Learning Approaches in the Tech Industry

Mental health concerns in the technology sector have become increasingly prominent, drawing attention due to the industry's high-pressure environment and intense workloads. This study investigates the application of machine learning techniques to predict mental health conditions among technology industry professionals. The research utilizes a comprehensive dataset, analyzing factors such as work-life balance, job satisfaction, workplace environment, and individual well-being. The study implements and evaluates several Machine Learning approaches, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Decision Tree Classifier, KNN, Gradient Boosting Classifier, XGB Classifier, to determine the most effective method for predicting mental health outcomes. The results highlight the potential of predictive analytics in early identification, enabling organizations to implement proactive strategies to enhance mental wellness and improve employee productivity. Additionally, this investigation emphasizes the necessity of incorporating mental health support mechanisms in technology-driven workplaces to foster a more positive work environment. The paper concludes with a discussion of the study's limitations and potential avenues for improving mental health prediction models in the future.

Impact of human resource practice on work engagement and turnover intention in information technology companies

Orientation: The information technology (IT) sector, a global economic driver, faces high employee turnover because of low work engagement. This study examines the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and their impact on work engagement and turnover intention (TI) in IT companies.Research purpose: The primary purpose of this research article is to investigate how HRM practices influence employee work engagement and TI in the IT sector.Motivation for the study: This study is motivated by the need to address this critical issue by exploring the role of HRM practices in shaping employee engagement and TI.Research approach/design and method: The research data came from 10 IT organisations in Pune IT parks. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect data. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Moment Structure Analysis to evaluate the hypotheses.Main findings: The study found that HRM practices such as effective communication (EC), training satisfaction (TS), performance appraisal satisfaction (PAS), pay satisfaction (PS) and opportunities for development (OFD) positively influence work engagement among IT employees. Addressing these HRM practices can enhance employee retention and engagement in the IT sector.Practical/managerial implications: Implementing these strategies can lead to a more committed and productive workforce, improving overall organisational performance and retention.Contribution/value-add: This research offers actionable recommendations for IT companies to improve employee retention and engagement, filling a gap in existing literature by focussing exclusively on the unique challenges and dynamics of the IT industry.

Exploring Employee Experience: Millennial Human Resources Practitioners in the IT Sector

The labour market is going through a disruptive phase, characterised by changes in expectations about work. On the one hand, younger generations of employees value aspects such as purpose, personal development, and work-life balance, making these elements crucial to a positive experience at work. On the other hand, organisations recognise that employee satisfaction and well-being influence organisational success. Thus, the main objective of this study is to understand the employee experience of millennial human resources in the information technologies (IT) sector. As specific objectives, we intend to understand which (i) factors they consider influencing their personal and professional experience within organizations; (ii) organizational practices associated with the promotion of positive employee experience; (iii) organizational strategies adopted to promote a positive employee experience and, (iv) challenges linked with positive employee experience management. A qualitative research methodology was used to collect data, using a semi-structured interview with a group of 10 millennial human resources professionals joining the IT sector to answer the research question how is the experience of millennial human resources in the IT sector? The interviews were verbatim transcribed, and data were analysed according to thematic analysis procedures. Our findings show that human resources professionals belonging to the millennial generation express a greater interest in being part of organizations that offer a compensation and benefits system aligned with their performance, in addition to ensuring an effective work-life balance. Furthermore, they emphasize the influence of organizational behaviour on their job satisfaction, indicating that employee experience tends to be positive when the organization promotes a collaborative culture, fostering a work environment conducive to the development of strong interpersonal relationships, the creation of cohesive and dynamic teams, and a clear alignment between individual and organizational goals. Overall, the interviewees demonstrate satisfaction with their current employee experience, acknowledging that it meets their needs and interests comprehensively. Some conclusions for Human Resources Management are provided in the last part of the paper.

A multilevel investigation of workplace bullying and employee creative behavior: uncovering the crucial role of psychological capital

PurposeThis study investigates workplace bullying through a novel conceptualization by focusing on the simultaneous effects of abusive supervision and coworkers’ bullying. It aims to thoroughly understand how these harmful behaviors affect employee creative behavior.Design/methodology/approachBased on the tenets of social cognitive theory, this study used multilevel structural equation modeling with Mplus to analyze multi-source and multi-wave data collected from the information, communication and technology sector. The sample included 510 participants from 170 teams, comprising 340 subordinates and their 170 supervisors. Responses were collected at three time points, with a gap of approximately two weeks.FindingsThe findings indicate significant direct effects of abusive supervision and coworkers’ bullying on employee creative behavior, highlighting the detrimental effects of workplace bullying. Additionally, this study introduced and tested the mediating role of psychological capital, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms through which workplace bullying affects employee creative behavior.Originality/valueBy adopting a social cognitive framework, this multilevel research advances the field and enriches the literature on workplace bullying and employee creative behavior. This study adds depth to existing research by examining how abusive supervision and coworkers’ bullying simultaneously affect employees. It also highlights the vital role of psychological capital in mediating these effects. The findings emphasize the need to tackle workplace bullying to boost employee creative behavior and overall well-being.

Information Communication Technology and Financial Sector in West Africa

Globally, information and communication technology play a pivotal role in driving the financial sector. This study examines the relationship between information communication technology and the financial sector in West Africa from 2012 to 2022. The study is essential because studies focusing on ICT and financial depth are scarce in West African nations. The data for the study comes from the World Bank database and uses the GMM system. The financial depth indicator is the ratio of bank assets to GDP while the indicators of ICT are internet subscription, mobile subscription and fixed broadband subscription. Mobile phone subscription significantly and statistically enhances financial depth of banks in West Africa by 423.82 % during the period under review. Internet subscription increases financial sector size by 11 % and the result is statistically significant. The fixed broadband positively influences the financial depth in West Africa by 341 %, and the result is statistically significant. Policymakers must invest heavily on ICT and adopt financial technology to promote financial depth.

Supply Chain Management for the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Model: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

China’s “Going Out” strategy and the “Belt and Road” initiative have significantly propelled the expansion of overseas contractual engagements, with a pronounced impact in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) sector. EPC contracting is increasingly recognized for its superior resource allocation and integration efficiency. Within the EPC framework, procurement is pivotal, exerting a direct influence on project cost, schedule, and quality parameters. The biblio-metric analysis of this paper reveals the research trend of EPC projects in the past decade, especially in supply chain integration, procurement management, and stakeholder management. This indicates an increasing interest in efficient project management and supply chain optimization in international engineering EPC projects. Although the application of supply chain integration in the manufacturing industry has been a successful experience, its practical application in construction and EPC projects is still insufficient. Integration strategies mentioned in the literature, such as achieving supply chain transparency through digital platforms, reducing operating costs, and optimizing delivery time, are directions that need to be further explored in this field. Effective supply chain integration and increased maturity of procurement management in EPC projects are still less involved areas. In addition, there is also a lack of research on how to manage high-risk and unpredictable risks in large international engineering projects. This article suggests that future research should focus on developing flexible supply chain management tools and practices to adapt to a project-oriented supply chain environment.

Environmental quality in Africa and infrastructure development: The mediating impact of the knowledge economy

AbstractThe study investigates the impact of infrastructure development on environmental quality and the mediating impact of the knowledge economy in 48 African economies from 2000 to 2020. The Generalized Method of Moment is adopted to control for error term‐related problems and potential endogeneity through an instrumentation process. The following findings are established: First, Infrastructure development enhances environmental sustainability in Africa, through the reduction of greenhouse gasses. Second, it contributes to reducing CO2 emissions in liquid, solid and gaseous states of fuel consumption. These results hold after considering the infrastructure development indicators of the African Development Bank. Third, the findings further reveal that the transport, energy, water supply, and technology sectors all contribute to enhancing environmental quality. Fourth, taking into account differences in factor endowment, the findings indicate that infrastructure development helps reduce CO2 emissions in both lowly and highly endowed African countries, except for electricity and water supply in the lowly endowed economies, indicating that the development in these sectors needed to be speeded‐up to enhance environmental quality in these countries. Fifth, the findings indicate that the knowledge economy mediates with infrastructure development to promote environmental quality through the reduction CO2 emissions. The findings recommend policymakers promote infrastructure development for environmental efficiency in Africa. This is particularly enhanced through the mediation impact of the knowledge economy.

Confidence interval estimation for reliability of a two parameter Weibull distribution under complete and censored samples

Estimating the reliability function of the two parameter Weibull distribution is a critical task in various fields, providing essential insights into product longevity and optimizing maintenance strategies. Due to its adaptable parameters namely scale parameter α and shape parameter β, the Weibull distribution models diverse failure behaviours, from early-life defects to wear-out periods. By evaluating reliability at key time phases namely early life (t < 0.1α), useful life (0.1α ≤ t ≤ α), and end-of-life (t > α), this estimation process supports quality control, operational forecasting, and end-of-life planning. Such reliability assessments help minimize operational disruptions, improve cost management, and support strategic planning across industries where dependability and lifecycle management are essential, such as in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors. Although it holds practical significance, the estimation of confidence interval (CI) for the reliability function of two parameter Weibull distribution has been relatively underexplored in the literature. This paper presents a new approach for constructing CI for the reliability function of the Weibull distribution using the generalized variable (GV) technique, applicable to both complete samples and type II singly right-censored samples. The empirical evaluation of this method indicates that it provides coverage probabilities that are closely aligned with the nominal level, even when dealing with small uncensored samples (as small as 5) and censored samples where the proportion of censored observations can reach 70%. In comparison, traditional methods for the Weibull distribution tend to yield less reliable or widely varied coverage probabilities for complete samples. The findings are demonstrated through practical examples. Keywords: Reliability, Confidence interval, Generalized Variable approach, Censoring.

INDIVIDUAL FACTORS, SOCIAL RELATIONS, UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Globalization and the development of information technology, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector has become the main pillar in driving the local economy. Garut Regency, West Java, has great potential in developing MSMEs which play an important role in job creation, economic growth and income distribution. There are challenges in optimizing the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in this area. This research aims to examine the influence of individual factors, social relationships, and the ability to utilize social media on the development of MSME businesses in Garut Regency. The method used is an explanation survey with a quantitative and qualitative approach (mixed methods). Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires, while qualitative data was obtained from Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews. The results of analysis using Structural Equation Modeling show that individual factors have an influence of 32.1%, social relations have an influence of 32.9%, and the ability to utilize social media has an influence of 35.9% on the development of MSME businesses in Garut Regency. Simultaneously, these three factors have an influence of 44% on business development. This research provides a basis for formulating more effective policies and programs to support the growth of MSMEs in Garut Regency.

Collective attention overload in a global manufacturing company: a case study

AbstractThe rapid evolution of information technology (IT) platforms has enabled the collection of vast volumes of data for decision support. These technologies have facilitated an increase in information sharing and collaboration, promising to accelerate problem-solving and foster innovation. However, despite the advancements in this sophisticated and evolving technological landscape, scholars have raised concerns that the collective attention of organizations may be compromised primarily due to the overwhelming volume of information that employees are exposed to daily. Given the limited nature of human attention, this excessive information can impair decision-making and restrict an organization’s capacity to achieve performance enhancements. To understand the IT impact on collective attention, we conducted a case study in a multinational organization in the engineering and electronics sector. Our participants described how an IT platform designed to encourage information sharing and collaboration affected collective mindfulness of opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Despite an innovation culture and careful implementation, the IT platform induced a level of information sharing and collaboration that overwhelmed collective attention, leading to employees failing to achieve the anticipated performance improvements. Our findings caution organizations about how emerging technologies may induce attention overload, undermine collective attention, and detract from collective mindfulness of business opportunities. Our research findings confront the prevalent assumption that an abundance of high-quality information invariably leads to enhanced organizational performance. The article concludes by proposing a research agenda aimed at defining guidelines for the adoption of collaborative IT platforms that prevent overloading collective attention.

The Effect of Retail E-Commerce Sales and Domestic Direct Investment on the RCA Value of the Indonesian Medium High Technology Sector: RLS and FMOLS Approach

The Effect of Retail E-Commerce Sales and Domestic Direct Investment on the RCA Value of the Indonesian Medium High Technology Sector: RLS and FMOLS Approach

Synthesis, Characterization and Theoretical Calculations of a Novel Organic Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel

Abstract Q235 is a carbon structural steel sheet that is widely employed in the construction and engineering sectors due to its cost-effectiveness and durability. Here, A novel organic corrosion inhibitor for Q235 sheet based on furan-thiadiazole (5-amino-2-furyl-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole, AFTZ) has been designed, successfully synthesized and characterized in this work. Results of experimental data and theoretical calculations indicated that AFTZ has an excellent corrosion inhibition property for Q235 sheet in 1.0 mol/L H2SO4. The highest efficiency of corrosion inhibitor tested by weight loss experiment can reach 91.17% and electrochemical experiment was up to 95.85% when AFTZ increased to 2 mg/mL in H2SO4 solution. The morphological characteristics of Q235 sheets with or without corrosion inhibitor showed that the target inhibitor has good corrosion inhibition performance. Quantum computation using the DFT method of guassian09 software and FT-IR date attribute the excellent corrosion inhibition to the film-forming nature of AFTZ.

Optimizing the Operation of an Electrolyzer with Hydrogen Storage Using Two Different Methods: A Trade-Off Between Simplicity and Precision in Minimizing Hydrogen Production Costs Using Day-Ahead Market Prices

The potential for hydrogen is high in industrial processes that are difficult to electrify. Many companies are asking themselves at what cost they can produce hydrogen using water electrolysis with hydrogen storage. This article presents a user-friendly and less computationally intensive method (called method 1 in the following) for determining the minimum of the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) by optimizing the combination of electrolyzer size and hydrogen storage size and their operation, depending on electricity prices on the day-ahead market. Method 1 is validated by comparing it with a more accurate and complex method (called method 2 in the following). The methods are applied to the example of a medium-sized industrial company in the mechanical engineering sector with a total natural gas demand of 8 GWh per year. The optimized LCOH of the analyzed company in method 1 is 5.00 €/kg. This is only slightly higher than in method 2 (4.97 €/kg). The article shows that a very good estimate of the LCOH can be made with the user-friendly and less computationally intensive method 1. For further validation of the methods, they were applied to other companies and the results are presented below.

Dependence and information flow among U.S technology industries

ABSTRACT The technology sector serves as a fundamental pillar for all industry sectors in the economy, playing a central role in driving worldwide economic growth. It particularly distinguishes itself in the U.S., representing approximately one-third of the global technology market. However, the technology sector is not a homogenous group of similarly focused companies, its industries vary significantly in their characteristics. This paper analyzes the relationships among U.S. technology industries defined by the Global Industry Classification Standard using Vine copulas and transfer entropy. It spans 1 January 2010–31 January 2024, to clarify intra-sectoral heterogeneity and identify key industries predicting the performance of others. Our findings highlight the predictive power of the semiconductor industry, with significant information transmission to all other industries. Contrarily, the flow in the opposite direction is significant in only 3 of 5 cases. The identification of semiconductors’ central role is particularly valuable for both retail and institutional investors concentrating on technology stocks, as it may indicate future developments in the entire sector. Moreover, due to the industry’s global importance, shocks in the semiconductor industry could propagate across the entire technology sector, leading to broader economic instability. Therefore, the semiconductor industry should be closely monitored by the policymakers too.

Impact of Climate Risks and Global Uncertainties on Technology and Environmental Protection Stocks: A Study on China

This study aims to examine the relationship between CUM, CPU, CU, and UCT with the FTSE China Technology Index (FTXIN410) and SZSE Environmental Protection Index (SZEPI) using ARDL and NARDL methods. To test the robustness of the model, three additional parametric methods are employed: FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR. The technology and environmental protection sectors in China are crucial for the country's sustainable economic future. Understanding the impact of global and local uncertainties on these sectors is critical for predicting sectoral trends and future market dynamics. Climate uncertainties and global uncertainties can impact investors' returns and market behaviors. In critical sectors such as technology and environmental protection, uncertainties need to be closely monitored for their implications on investment decisions and market stability. The results of the study indicate a long-term relationship between China’s climate uncertainties and global uncertainties with technology and environmental protection indices.

AI-Driven Service Transformation : Revolutionizing Operational Excellence

Service industries are undergoing rapid transformation through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. This article presents an AI-powered service delivery model that autonomously optimizes operations, improves customer satisfaction, and drives business growth. The article leverages AI algorithms to automate incident management, predict operational disruptions, and enhance customer experiences. Real-world implementations within retail, healthcare, and technology sectors demonstrate significant improvements in service efficiency, with operational costs reduced by 30% and customer satisfaction scores increasing by 30%. This article proposes AI-driven service enhancements as a game-changer in the delivery of complex, scalable, and reliable services.

Analisis Current Ratio, Debt To Equity Ratio, Dan Earning Per Share terhadap Harga Saham: Studi Keuangan pada Sektor Teknologi yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Pada Tahun 2022

The current economic and information technology disruption has a huge impact on many business sectors. This study aims to determine the effect between current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and earning pershare on Stock Price. The methods used in this research are descriptive and associative methods through a quantitative approach. Data analysis using multiple linear analysis with SPSS application. The population in this study were 46 issuers of Technology Sector Companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2022. The sample used in this study amounted to 32 technology sector issuers listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2022 which were obtained using Purposive sampling technique. The research data used in this study include primary data and secondary data, namely observation, interviews, questionnaires, literature studies, and documentation. The results of this study There is a significant influence of Current Ratio, Debt to Equity Ratio and Earning Pershare on Stock Price.

Application of Public-Private Partnership Mechanisms to Ensure Innovative Development of the Healthcare Sector

INTRODUCTION. The pursuit of technological sovereignty in the current geopolitical situation has led to a growing emphasis on studying relations in the field of government support for healthcare innovation, in particular, the institute of public–private partnership (PPP). In the face of the challenges presented by sanctions, the economic crisis, and a potential deficit in sustainably competitive national innovative medical products, the Russian government is confronted with the necessity of financing the development and production of innovative medical products, including through involving private partners (investors). The use of PPP mechanisms is essential for the achievement of technological sovereignty. In addition to attracting private capital and competences, PPP mechanisms can significantly accelerate the development, realisation, and introduction of innovative medical products, improve the quality of medical care, and increase the production of medicines and medical devices.AIM. This study aimed to analyse existing PPP mechanisms for the development of the Russian healthcare, science, and technology sectors within the framework of state–business relations and to identify optimal models for the development, realisation, introduction, and production of innovative medical products.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study analysed Russian federal legislation using an information-based analytical approach to identify the most promising mechanisms for innovative development in healthcare, with a focus on PPP models.RESULTS. The article considers frequently encountered forms of possible government involvement in and support of innovative healthcare development with the aim of increasing efficiency and scaling up the realisation and introduction of innovative medical products. Additional aspects covered include the funding of technological sovereignty projects, the expansion of preferential regimes, and the concept of using PPP models. The article presents various PPP realisation mechanisms, including special investment contracts, concession agreements, and PPP agreements, which allow placing infrastructure facilities under the management of private partners. The transferred facilities may include production facilities, research centres, and other facilities necessary for innovative development. The article pays particular attention to the terms and features of concession agreements in the healthcare sector, considers the distribution of duties and responsibilities between the parties involved, and investigates the use of the risk-based approach. Additionally, the article analyses established business practices to identify conditions that are necessary for the parties to a concession agreement.CONCLUSIONS. The realisation of PPP projects in the innovative development of the healthcare sector requires taking into account and overcoming constraining factors, including technological and administrative barriers that may hinder effective development. The authors believe that the most preferable PPP form is the concession agreement model.