The European Commission (EC) has monitored Member States' digital progress through the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) since 2014. The DESI index currently ranks the EU Member States and monitors their progress based on four core and 33 individual indicators. We sought to determine whether convergence between the Member States could be detected using the DESI’s annual databases. By examining the variation in the indices, we propose the existence of a so-called “Matthew effect”, i.e., the “rich get richer” syndrome among the 27 EU Member States. We also hypothesised that the COVID-19 pandemic would influence the change in the DESI. Issues investigated were those using bibliometric, statistical-mathematical methods. The σ-convergence analysis was used to estimate the reduction over time of the differences between the Member States, while the β-convergence analysis was used to estimate the rate of catching up with the initial level of development. A PCA analysis was performed to verify the Mathew effect with additional λ-variances considering real GDP per capita change. The σ-convergence was confirmed over the period 2016–2021. The β-convergence was significantly confirmed, and the research also revealed that the half-life of catching up is approximately 20 years. The suggestion of a Matthew effect in the 2016–2021 period, although not significantly confirmed, tends to suggest its existence. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the value of the DESI index is likely to be affected, but future studies are needed to find support for this hypothesis. The study concludes that convergence between the EU-27 Member States can be detected based on the DESI, but this does not imply convergence for all four core DESI indicators.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the experience, successful management and the succession of generations in a Hungarian corporation in the food industry through the “Best Practice” model. Design/methodology/approach: The chosen methodology for this paper is “The best practice model” prepared by The Solutionist Group. The model presents the characteristics of family businesses and illustrates how the process of sustainable enterprise differs in different fields concerning family and non-family businesses. In applying this model, the experience, successful management and the succession of generations will be presented in the case of a large Hungarian enterprise which has a determining role in the Hungarian food industry. The results are based on the question framework of the expert interviews. Findings: The history of family-owned firms shows that in order to maintain appropriate business succession activity the family management has to plan in advance. Passing the baton to the next generation successfully is a complex and long-term family management role and it has strategic importance. To ensure business continuity, the successor has to take over the business and operate it well. That is why the sharing of knowledge, the innovation performance and the best practice are important parts of family company’s culture, and they consequently play an important part in the pass the baton project within family-owned firms. Originality/value: This paper expands the knowledge about the succession of family businesses.

Since the 2000s, the European Commission has been paying particular attention to the digital development of the European economy and society. Since 2014, the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) has been one of the key tools for monitoring and measuring. In 2021, the DESI index's core indicators were aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Digital Agenda, which has four dimensions: human capital, connectivity, integration of digital technology, and digital public services. We sought to determine whether convergence between the Member States could be detected using the third dimension of DESI's annual database. The σ-convergence analysis was used to estimate the reduction over time of the differences in digital technology integration between the Member States, while the β-convergence analysis was used to estimate the rate of catching up with the initial level of development. The σ- and β-convergence were not confirmed. We examined the individual indicators (11) of the integration of digital technology to identify critical areas that need to be addressed in the future to ensure that digital inclusion is as widespread as possible. Our analysis focused on the Member States that joined the EU during the Eastern European enlargements. The performance of all individual indicators is typically below the EU average, and, as the β-convergence analysis shows, the average catching-up rate is not encouraging.

The rapid proliferation of the demand-side, platform-based collaborative economy and its various forms have been an aspect of everyday life for over a decade. However, despite the platform’s popularity, the descriptions and names attributed to the demand-side, platform-based collaborative economy are often used interchangeably and can be ambiguous, resulting in confusion among researchers and practitioners. This study examines the articles published during the previous ten years, which have aimed not only to define, but also to classify, the collaborative economy according to various criteria. After reviewing the existing classification criteria, this article presents a clearer taxonomy of the multiple forms of the collaborative economy by distinguishing service providers’ groups on their respective attributes. Our review and analysis have both theoretical and practical importance. Regarding the latter, our research will help managers and government officials alike in rethinking the taxation and subsidizing policies related to the various demand-side, platform-based collaborative economies and in preparing national and international consultations and conventions. This study aims to define the demand-side, platform-based collaborative economy and integrate the concept into various economic activities, providing a new and valuable contribution to the literature.

There are several variations of efficiency definitions and of course ratios concerned with efficiency. A better understanding of the notion of efficiency is critical to dissolve ambiguity about it. Many confuse efficiency with other supposedly synonymous notions such as profitability, successfulness, competitiveness, liquidity or productivity. This ambiguity originates not only in subjective reasons, but the lack of hierarchical order among certain ideas. The primary driver in our research is, to systematize efficiency in general, and formulate a new categorical approach of the efficiency in corporate level.