Technological Transformation Research Articles

Distinctive Features of the Mexican Automobile Industry and its Industrial Integration in North America

The article analyzes the economic state of the Mexican automotive industry at the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, with a special emphasis on the obstacles preventing the further successful development of the industry. Due to the significant changes in the structure of the global automotive market that have occurred in the last decade, the Mexican automotive industry, which is one of the key manufacturing sectors in the country's GDP, requires deep technological transformation, as well as access to new promising markets in developing countries. Based on the results of an analysis of modern economic indicators and factors that significantly influence the situation in the country's automotive industry, the article proposes various opportunities for solving existing problems, which in the future will reveal the potential of the industry and bring the existing business processes within it into line with the goals of achieving a zero-emission balance CO2 and sustainable development of the world economy.

The crossroads of clonal evolution, differentiation hierarchy and ontogeny in leukemia development.

Transformative technologies to sequence tumor genomes at large scale and single-cell resolution have exposed the repertoire of genetic alterations that are present in leukemia genomes, the timing of their acquisition and patterns of their co-occurrence. In parallel, single-cell multi-omics technologies are allowing us to map the differentiation paths and hierarchical structures of malignant cells and giving us a glimpse into hematopoietic development in prenatal life. We propose that interrogating how the genetic evolution, differentiation hierarchy and ontogeny of malignant myeloid cells intersect with each other, using new experimental systems and multimodal technologies, will fuel the next generation of research breakthroughs.

Intellectual Property Challenges in the Age of 3D Printing: Navigating the Digital Copycat Dilemma

This paper examines the intellectual property (IP) challenges introduced by 3D printing, a transformative technology enabling widespread innovation, but also raising critical legal questions. It focuses on three main areas: (1) IP issues associated with 3D printing hardware, (2) copyright and licensing complexities related to downloadable 3D files, and (3) IP concerns for commercialized 3D printed items. Through a comprehensive review, the paper highlights how existing IP frameworks struggle to keep pace with the flexibility and accessibility inherent in 3D printing. Proposed solutions, such as blockchain for secure design tracking and enhanced digital rights management (DRM), point towards a more controlled future for digital design protection. Additionally, the study underscores the need for international cooperation to harmonize IP laws, facilitating more effective cross-border enforcement. This work aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on IP rights in 3D printing, proposing adaptive strategies to support legal clarity while fostering technological advancement.

Еволюція концепцій концентрації капіталу

The article studies the evolution of capital concentration concepts, starting from the classical approaches inherent in traditional economics to modern digital economic systems. The author analyzes the main changes in approaches to capital concentration that have occurred under the influence of technological innovations, globalization, and the development of information technology. An interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of capital concentration concepts is applied, which allows taking into account the impact of economic, social and technological transformations. It is substantiated that capital concentration is a fundamental process that determines the structure and functioning of economic systems at different stages of their development. The article identifies the main approaches to assessing capital concentration in the context of socio-economic transformations. It is determined that the change in capital concentration paradigms requires new approaches to regulation and public policy that take into account the specifics of the digital economy. The impact of digital platforms on capital concentration is analyzed. The author identifies the current challenges and opportunities arising in the context of digitalization of the economy and outlines the future development of capital concentration concepts. Particular attention is paid to the development of a conceptual matrix that reflects the relationships between the main institutional factors that affect capital concentration. Proven the necessity of revising traditional economic paradigms in the context of digital transformation and forming a competitive policy in the field of capital concentration in order to ensure sustainable economic development and social justice. The article systematizes theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis of capital concentration, which can serve as a theoretical and methodological basis for further research.

Genetic Engineering Pharmaceutical Technology: A Brief Review

Genetic engineering has emerged as a transformative technology in the pharmaceutical industry, offering unprecedented control over the manipulation of genetic material. This technology enables the precise editing, combining, and expression of target genes in various organisms, leading to the production of specific proteins, enzymes, and biologics essential for therapeutic applications. This review provides an overview of the basic principles and strategies of gene therapy, the development of genetic engineering pharmaceuticals, and their applications in producing physiologically active substances, antibodies, and vaccines. The review also highlights the significant advancements in the field, and explores the future potential of genetic engineering in advancing medical science and improving human health.

Neural network-based logistics and distribution cost prediction of maintenance equipment

Accurate prediction of maintenance equipment logistics and distribution costs can help enhance the competitiveness of enterprises. In order to obtain higher accuracy prediction results, a neural network logistics and distribution cost prediction method of maintenance equipment was proposed, based on historical data, the learning sample of maintenance equipment logistics distribution cost prediction was established through transformation technology, and the BP neural network was introduced to train the learning sample. The change characteristics of maintenance equipment logistics and distribution cost were fitted, so as to realize the cost prediction. The results show that the prediction accuracy of the BP neural network is not only more than 5% higher than that of the gray model on average, but also the prediction stability is better.

Factors Influencing The Digital Transformation Of Non-Financial Companies

Digital revolution driven by the rapid progress of internet technology has swept across the world. This changed the socio-economic landscape and ushered in a new era of industrial and technological transformation. This wave of digitalization has fueled dynamic economic activities and profoundly impacted global corporate innovation. This study investigates whether factors such as enterprise size, capital structure, percentage of accounts receivable, management overhead ratio, profitability, ownership, business age, and growth affect digital transformation. The samples used in this research is the financial statements of companies listed during the year of 2020 to 2023. The number of samples selected is 42 companies with 168 data. The results of this research indicated that percentage of accounts receivable, management overhead ratio, profitability, ownership, business age, and growth have an influence on digital transformation, while enterprise size and capital structure have no effect on digital transformation.

CINEMA COMO RECURSO DE APRENDIZAGEM HISTÓRICA

Since the beginning of the 20th century, historians, educators, and researchers have brought relevant approaches to the use of pedagogical methods such as cinema as a teaching resource in history. In recent years, in Brazil, elementary schools have been required to show two hours of films per month, nationally produced films that serve as a curricular component, in accordance with the determination of law 13.0006/2014, based on the Law of Guidelines and Bases of National Education. In this sense, according to the points made by several authors based on discussions by experts and determinations within this field of research, it is possible to observe changes in the methods of its use in classrooms, especially in history classes, given the sociocultural changes, as well as the constant technological innovations and audiovisual techniques for the production of historical knowledge. In this sense, the present study has the general objective of investigating the historical evolution, its technological transformations, and cultural influences that shaped the origin and development of cinema. As specific objectives, it is necessary to identify the narrative and allegorical elements of the film Terra em Transe and to establish a dialogue between the film and the review of the literature found. It is concluded, therefore, that cinematographic language is widely used in the teaching of History, so that teachers, both in primary and secondary education, of the subject of History keep in mind the perspective of the formation of historical consciousness and the importance of narrative competence as a method of historical learning.

Transformer-ultrasonic synchronised rotating sensor for detection of drum shaft defects

ABSTRACT This study presents a novel defect detection system that combines transformer technology with ultrasonic synchronous rotation in drum shafts. Based on electromagnetic induction, a piezoelectric sensor is driven by the transformer’s secondary pulse signal to enable synchronised transmission of both transformer and ultrasonic guided waves as the drum shaft rotates. This integration improves the accuracy and reliability of defect detection. The design process centres on optimising transformer coupling efficiency, ultrasonic guided wave propagation, and synchronisation mechanisms to achieve high-resolution imaging and real-time monitoring in an easy-to-operate system. The results indicate that the system effectively detects defects by analysing echo signals, locating defects through time differences, and functions well within rotating equipment.

Blockchain adoption in sustainable supply chains: Opportunities, challenges, and sustainability impacts across sectors

Purpose: This research reviews blockchain technology's integration into modern financial systems, outlining its huge potential to bring about improvement in areas such as transparency, security, and operational efficiency. Based on the challenges of data integrity, fraud prevention, and reduction of intermediaries, the study assesses the transformational role of blockchain in financial institutions. Research Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was taken, where quantitative data from the surveys of 150 financial executives across different types of organizations were combined with qualitative insights from expert interviews. Such statistical analysis, complemented by thematic interpretation, could enable an integrated assessment of blockchain applications and related challenges in the financial sector. Results: The results reveal that blockchain significantly enhances the transparency and security of transactions, hence reducing fraud and manipulation of data. The respondents were very optimistic about the cost reductions due to the elimination of intermediaries. Yet, these are counterbalanced by barriers to wide diffusion, such as scalability issues, regulatory uncertainties, and technical integration complexities that reduce the full potential of blockchain. Limitations: The limitations of the study are the small sample size, which limits the generalization of findings. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to investigate more comprehensively the impact of blockchain on the financial sectors. Contributions: The research, therefore, contributes to discourses on blockchain as a transformative finance technology, giving insights into useful strategic, policy, and technology issues. Novelty: It also presented both opportunities and challenges in view of realizing blockchain's role in digitizing financial ecosystems.

4D Printing of Liquid Crystal Emulsions for Smart Structures with Multiple Functionalities

Abstract3D printing, and more recently 4D printing, has emerged as a transformative technology for fabricating structures with complex geometries and responsive properties. However, employing functional colloidal solutions as inks for printing remains unexplored. In this work, we present a novel and versatile 4D printing approach for fabricating functional and complex‐shaped objects using polymerizable liquid crystal (LC) emulsion droplets. Leveraging a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technique, we achieve rapid production of intricate 3D geometries with high resolution. The printed structures retain the LC ordering from the precursor droplets, imparting the final objects with shape memory properties, including shape fixation and recovery upon heating or light exposure. Light‐responsive behavior is introduced post‐printing by embedding an azo dye into the 3D structures. Additionally, we explore the potential to create intrinsically porous 3D structures by selectively removing non‐reactive components from the printed geometries, adding an extra level of functionality to the printed objects. Furthermore, we incorporate chiral nematic LCs into the emulsion droplets, producing 3D objects with tunable reflective properties. To our knowledge, this is the first example of DLP 3D printing with emulsions, offering an effective and versatile pathway for developing 4D‐printed materials with potential applications in optics, robotics, microfluidics, and biomedicine.

Features of building a successful logistics business in the USA

The very intensive development of e-commerce and changing consumer behavior in the United States have provoked an unprecedented increase in freight traffic. This trend is increasing every year. Existing logistics models sometimes demonstrate the inability to effectively cope with the increased workload, which necessitates a rethink of traditional approaches to business organization in the area under consideration.There is no common position in the scientific community regarding optimal scaling strategies for logistics companies in the context of digital transformations. A number of researchers advocate the priority of technological modernization, while others focus on strengthening regional partner networks. The indicated contradiction is aggravated by the lack of knowledge of synergetic effects when integrating various options for action.The purpose of the study is to identify key success factors in building and scaling a logistics business in the United States through the prism of technological transformation of the industry and changes in market conditions.It is noted that companies integrating elements of classical logistics with digital platform solutions demonstrate an increase in the profitability of operations. At the same time, the critical success factor is not the volume of investments in technological modernization, but the ability to create effective synergy between various parts of the entrepreneurial model. The author’s view on the options for the development and scaling of logistics entrepreneurship in the United States is proposed.The article is of value to the heads of logistics companies, investors considering the possibility of entering this sector in the United States, as well as researchers dealing with the digital transformation of the analyzed industry.

Exploring the Relevance of Values Generated by Music Organisations in Consumers

Abstract The digital revolution has significantly changed the way music is consumed, particularly among young people. This technological transformation, coupled with economic and sociocultural shifts, has heightened interest in studying music consumption across various scientific disciplines. However, the identity of music consumers, demographic influences and the diversity of consumption in today’s context remain areas ripe for exploration. To contribute to this line of inquiry, this paper employs the arts and cultural organisation (ACO) model (Addis & Rurale 2021) to conduct exploratory research on music values from the consumer perspective. An electronic survey was utilised as the data gathering technique among music listeners. The results highlight the significance of music in fostering personal joy and creating community, along with the considerable value attributed to music as a catalyst for discussion and innovation. Moreover, the well-being value is associated with entertainment, joy and relaxation derived from listening to music. Finally, age emerges as a variable capable of elucidating trends in the assessment of creativity and well-being values.

Educational Technology for Digital Transformation of Higher Education Institutions into Entrepreneurial Universities

Digital technology is transforming higher education institutions into entrepreneurial universities, which, in turn, supports economic development and knowledge generation. The integration of education technology enhances access, equity, inclusion, and the quality of learning experiences. This research aims to uncover how educational technology promotes digital transformation in Indonesia’s higher education, fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, and contributes to social and economic growth. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey method, with the data collected using purposive sampling. The questionnaire was designed to represent the indicators set in the variables, and the results were analyzed using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method. This study analyzes 45 universities aiming to become entrepreneurial institutions, with 155 respondents filling out the questionnaire. The integration of educational technology and digital transformation in higher education has significant implications, affecting teaching methods, administrative efficiency, and the educational environment. The entrepreneurial university model emphasizes collaboration and responsiveness to market needs, preparing graduates for a competitive job market. This shift requires a reassessment of traditional teaching methods and a shift in mission. The successful integration requires strategic planning, transformational leadership, investment in digital infrastructure, and fostering a culture of innovation.

Digital and analogical discretion: an exploratory study of Italian street-level bureaucrats

PurposeThe article examines how street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) manage the digital bureaucratic relationship in dealing with customer needs and the technological innovations introduced into organisations (digital tools). The topic of technological transformations from a street-level perspective has garnered limited interest so far, especially in Italy. The research question underlying the article is as follows: how does the discretion of SLBs change with the introduction of digital tools within the public administration? We expect that the characteristics of clients on the one hand, and the degree of institutionalisation of the digital tool in question on the other, will change the way in which SLBs exercise their discretion.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from two separate research projects in which the authors were involved: (1) the first was a doctoral research project concerning labour inspectors tasked with investigating labour irregularities reported by workers; (2) the second was a research project regarding the relationship between the elderly and public service caseworkers. Information gathered through a series of semi-structured interviews was analysed, with a focus on the digitalisation process. The interviewees included 15 labour inspectors, and 12 long-term care caseworkers. With regard to the interviews conducted with labour inspectors, we examined the online request for action submitted by workers reporting irregularities in their employment relationships. As regards the interviews with caseworkers involved in services for the elderly, the discussion revolved around the option introduced during the pandemic period in 2020, to request access to the services in question through submission of an online form rather than requesting such services in person.FindingsWhat emerges is that while the introduction of digitalised policies allows SLBs to obtain more information with which to assess the situation of individuals, the discretionary power exercised by front-line workers only results in the partial use of the digital tool, whilst favouring the traditional relationship between bureaucrats and their clients.Originality/valueWe introduce the concepts of “digital discretion” and “analogic discretion” in an attempt to understand how SLBs use their decision-making powers, which may prove to be useful analytical tools for studying the ways in which the discretion of SLBs is realised through new digital practices.

Blockchain Technology and Industry 5.0 synergy for sustainable development in RMG industries: an ISM and fuzzy DEMATEL approach

This research explores the contribution of Blockchain Technology and Industry 5.0 in driving sustainability within Bangladeshi Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry, with a focus on alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study employs Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods to identify and analyze 14 critical synergies that can drive sustainability. The ISM analysis categorizes the synergies into independent, dependent, and linkage variables, providing insights into their roles and significance within the system. Fuzzy DEMATEL further refines this understanding by evaluating the direct and indirect relationships among the linkage synergies. Key findings reveal the importance of synergies such as reverse logistics and recycling, supply chain collaboration & visibility and ethical practices in driving sustainability. This research contributes by offering a detailed analysis of how the synergy between Blockchain technology and Industry 5.0 can enhance sustainability practices in the RMG industry, providing actionable insights into the technological transformation of supply chain dynamics in support of global sustainability targets.

DEFECT CHARACTERIZATION OF METALLIC MATERIALS USING SELF-PARAMETERIZED DENSITY-BASED CLUSTERING AND COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNIQUES

Rapid growth of manufacturing industries is propelled by transformative technologies such as machine intelligence, autonomous computing and non-destructive testing (NDT). During the manufacturing of wrought products, there is no guarantee that the final product is 100-% flawless. Thus, all final products are subjected to quality checking to identify and eliminate defective products. In industries, most of internal defects are identified using NDT techniques, which fail to precisely characterize the defects. In this paper a novel algorithm, called Self-Parameterized Density-Based Clustering (SPDBC), is proposed for defect characterization. The proposed clustering method uses spatial parameters to identify the size and position of defects by filtering out the noise and other data that correspond to the non-defect area. Using these filtered data, computational intelligence techniques are employed to predict the defect type. SPDBC achieved Jaccard indices of 97.02 % and 98.78 % for identifying the defect size and position, respectively. Gradient boosting regression trees (GBRT) achieved a maximum accuracy of 97.44 % in predicting the defect type. As a result, the proposed approach can assist NDT experts in various sectors to differentiate between problem severities faster and replace defective parts before any major breakdown occurs.

Training in Co-Creation as a Methodological Approach to Improve AI Fairness

Participatory design (PD) and co-creation (Co-C) approaches to building Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems have become increasingly popular exercises for ensuring greater social inclusion and fairness in technological transformation by accounting for the experiences of vulnerable or disadvantaged social groups; however, such design work is challenging in practice, partly because of the inaccessible domain of technical expertise inherent to AI design. This paper evaluates a methodological approach to make addressing AI bias more accessible by incorporating a training component on AI bias in a Co-C process with vulnerable and marginalized participant groups. This was applied by socio-technical researchers involved in creating an AI bias mitigation developer toolkit. This paper’s analysis emphasizes that critical reflection on how to use training in Co-C appropriately and how such training should be designed and implemented is necessary to ensure training allows for a genuinely more inclusive approach to AI systems design when those most at risk of being adversely affected by AI technologies are often not the intended end-users of said technologies. This is acutely relevant as Co-C exercises are increasingly used to demonstrate regulatory compliance and ethical practice by powerful institutions and actors developing AI systems, particularly in the ethical and regulatory environment coalescing around the European Union’s recent AI Act.

Surface functionalization of bio-based polymers in FDM: A pathway to enhanced material performance

Such rapid advancement places FDM as a transformative technology in additive manufacturing generally, and particularly into the context of the fabrication of complex geometries using bio-based polymers. However, with such inherent limitations regarding their mechanical and thermal properties, these face significant obstacles that need innovative approaches toward improvement. Surface functionalization is now considered one of the frontline strategies in the advanced improvements of the interfacial properties and durability of biobased polymers within FDM applications and represents opportunities for enhancing material performance. This paper discusses recent advances in surface functionalization methods, including plasma treatment, grafting, and nanocoatings applied to optimize PLA, PHA, and their composites functionality. These techniques tune the surface properties at the molecular level and consequently strengthen adhesion, minimize moisture intake, and enhance thermal stability toward improved mechanical properties and longer operating time for the printed parts. Our findings indicate that incorporating functionalization of the surface in the FDM process overcomes some of the challenges of bio-based polymers and achieves the targets of sustainable manufacturing. The work underlines contemporary methods and shows both their implications and practical effects, thus opening a path to future research and industrial applications in high-performance eco-friendly materials.

Does technological progress mode affect just energy transition? A seemingly unrelated regression analysis based on Chinese provincial panel data

Just energy transition (JET) refers to the process of shifting from fossil-fuel-based energy systems to more sustainable and renewable energy sources in a manner that is inclusive and socially fair. Technological progress is a key driver of the energy transition. Selecting an appropriate technological progress mode (TPM) to drive JET that harmonizes environmental conservation with employment stability is crucial for economies to achieve sustainable development. Based on seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analysis, this research uses provincial panel data of China from 2001 to 2020 to examine the effects and underlying mechanisms of various TPMs on JET. We first construct a translog cost function incorporating four TPMs, including technology import, technology transformation, cooperative research and development (R&D), and independent R&D. The study then systematically estimates and contrasts the factor bias and utilization tendencies associated with these TPMs. The findings indicate that (1) technology import does not directly facilitate JET as it leads to neutral technological progress; (2) technology transformation and cooperative R&D, associated with energy-biased technological progress, exhibit a tendency toward energy use and labor saving, which hinders JET; (3) independent R&D, linked with labor-biased technological progress, demonstrates a labor-using and energy-saving orientation, which supports JET; (4) the adverse effects of technology transformation and cooperative R&D on JET can be mitigated through enhanced environmental regulation, increased environmental taxation, and the provision of low-carbon subsidies. We offer policy recommendations for the Chinese government in promoting TPMs that foster JET while also providing insights and experiences that are beneficial to economies at various development stages in their pursuit of JET.