This research thoroughly examines the dynamic relationship between the European Union’s economic growth and rapid advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Specifically, it assesses how certain ICT indicators are associated with significant economic growth. Utilizing an extensive dataset from the Digital Economy and Society Index 2022 (DESI), the Statistical Office of the European Union (EUROSTAT), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this study encompasses data from all 27 European Union member states. Employing structural equation modelling, our analysis illustrates the positive correlation between ICT development and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) index. Our findings highlight the critical role of swiftly evolving technological landscapes, emphasizing the growing influence of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in business sectors. Furthermore, this study showcases the need to enhance human capital and expedite the growth of e-government technologies. These advancements are pivotal in strengthening the infrastructure supporting citizens and public enterprises across European countries, thereby contributing to their economic vitality.

This study investigates the critical role of information systems and digital transformation in advancing sustainable supply chain management. Companies are increasingly adopting sustainable policies to protect the environment, enhance societal wellbeing, and drive economic development. By digitalizing their processes, they achieve significant operational improvements and boost business performance. Information systems are now integral to supply chains, supporting diverse processes and facilitating excellence in digital transformation and sustainable development. However, research in this area has been limited, focusing primarily on the environmental pillar. This study aims to explore the relationship between supply chain digitalization and the adoption of comprehensive sustainability practices. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including a comparative case study analysis of a modern 3PL company, a retailer, and a producer of construction materials. The findings reveal that the strategic integration of digital transformation and sustainable policies within organizational contexts is vital for enhancing business performance and achieving operational excellence. Effective use of information systems and resources enables companies to amplify their economic, social, and environmental impact, fostering an environmentally friendly image, strengthening societal relationships, and increasing market share. This study underscores the importance of a holistic approach to sustainability, driven by information systems and Industry 4.0 technologies, positioning companies as leaders in sustainable supply chain management.

In recent years, sustainability initiatives and the prominence of renewables have emerged as pivotal priorities in addressing environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic challenges. Within this context, green certificates—representing proof of electricity generation from renewable sources—have gained substantial recognition, enabling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to clean energy. This study employs a bibliometric analysis to chart the evolution and current state of green certificates research. Drawing from the Scopus database, we sourced bibliographic data, resulting in a refined dataset of 940 documents spanning from 2000 to 2022. Through performance analysis, we systematically evaluated the landscape of green certificates research, assessing publication trends, identifying influential works, spotlighting prolific authors, highlighting leading academic institutions, mapping regional research hotspots, and pinpointing the top publishing journals in the domain. Employing science mapping techniques—such as co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and bibliographic coupling—we delineated the collaborative patterns and the conceptual and intellectual structure of the field. This was further augmented by content analysis, revealing four salient research themes, emphasizing the consistent and central focus on support mechanisms and policies for renewable energy sources, sustainable renewable technologies and market dynamics, technological innovations and green certificate trading, and renewable energy sources investment strategies. Building on these findings, the paper concludes by outlining practical implications and prospective research avenues. These encompass a detailed understanding of renewable energy support mechanisms, the pivotal role of electricity disclosure in enhancing transparency, and the transformative potential of emergent technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, in the green certificate trading landscape. The research also emphasizes the fundamental role of guarantees of origin in advancing sustainability goals, the dynamic discourse on green hydrogen certification standards, and the intricate dynamics of trading mechanisms in shaping investment strategies.

Purpose: Despite its popularity, business process management (BPM) is not unequivocally defined, but obtains different forms with varying specifications. This paper presents a critical overview of BPM, as it appears within four dominant management paradigms: total quality management, standardized management systems, business process reengineering and Six Sigma. The purpose of this paper is to explore BPM specifications and compare the BPM implementation potential under each paradigm. Design/methodology/approach: This is based on the analysis of a large number of highly cited scholarly publications. In order to identify the nature of BPM within each paradigm, a common framework for comparison is first established and then, for each paradigm, BPM is analyzed according to the main parameters of this framework. Findings: Many differences among various BPM forms are paradigm driven. So, the approach adopted by each paradigm (i.e. individual-process or systemic approach) affects the scope and role of BPM. The principles of each paradigm directly affect the attributes assigned to BPM. Despite of important differences, the structure of BPM within all paradigms conforms to the stages of the classical BPM lifecycle. However, each paradigm assigns different weights to each stage and also displays different levels of BPM implementability. Originality/value: The paper presents a first systematic comparison of BPM specifications for the dominant management paradigms primarily deployed. It thus explains why many attributes originating from the paradigms have crept into the general BPM specifications. This work can be considered as a step toward defining the core attributes of a paradigm-independent BPM model, thus enhancing its application scope as an invaluable management tool.

The integration of sustainable practices in tourism is increasingly critical, given the sector’s substantial environmental and social impacts. Although the need for innovation management to promote sustainable tourism is widely recognized, various barriers hinder its effective implementation. This study employs the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology to systematically examine these barriers, identifying their interconnections and assessing their broader implications. The findings indicate that a short-term focus and financial constraints are the primary effect barriers to implementing innovation management in sustainable tourism. Their prominence as endpoints in the flow of impact within the model of interconnected barriers developed in this study underscores the need to further address the deeper, cause-related barriers that propagate these effects, such as inadequate leadership support, resistance to change, poor stakeholder communication and collaboration, insufficient knowledge and skills, and restrictive regulatory policies. Additionally, industry-specific challenges like a fragmented industry structure and fluctuating market conditions exacerbate these difficulties. Therefore, a comprehensive, holistic approach is essential for transitioning the tourism sector towards sustainable practices through innovation management and overcoming inherent financial and strategic barriers. This study advocates adopting the recently published Management System Standard ISO 56001:2024 as a structured innovation management framework capable of systematically and holistically mitigating these barriers. By analyzing the cause-and-effect relationships among the identified barriers, this study ultimately provides valuable insights that aid stakeholders—including policymakers, business leaders, and community representatives—in devising more effective, inclusive, and forward-thinking approaches to innovation in sustainable tourism. This is crucial for fostering a tourism sector that is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally responsible and socially equitable.

Background: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in humanitarian logistics is essential for improving coordination and decision making, especially in the challenging landscape of disaster-relief settings. However, the current literature offers limited empirical evidence with respect to the specific impact of AI on coordination and decision making for real-life humanitarian problems. Based on evidence from the humanitarian sector, this paper focuses on how AI could help humanitarian organizations collaborate better, streamline relief supply-chain operations and use resources more effectively. Methods: Twelve key themes influencing AI integration are identified by the study using a Grounded Theory (GT) approach based on interviews with experts from the humanitarian sector. These themes include data reliability, operational limitations, ethical considerations and cultural sensitivities, among others. Results: The findings suggest that AI improves forecasting, planning and inter-organizational coordination and is especially useful during the preparedness and mitigation stages of relief operations. Successful adoption, however, depends on adjusting tools to actual field conditions, building trust and training and striking a balance between algorithmic support and human expertise. Conclusions: The paper offers useful and practical advice for humanitarian organizations looking to use AI technologies in an ethical way while taking into account workforce capabilities, cross-agency cooperation and field-level realities.