The decarbonization of European economies is an established reality that has been accelerating in recent years. The focus of EU policy is on the dynamic transformation of the energy balances of Member States, which most significantly impacts economies reliant on coal. In the context of emerging megatrends, this study sets out to determine the extent of changes occurring in the economies of European Union countries in relation to the Green Deal paradigm. The objective of this article is to introduce a comprehensive method developed by the authors for assessing the dynamics of energy transformation in the European Union countries under study. This method is divided into two phases. Initially, countries are classified according to the energy transformation dynamics matrix. Subsequently, the actual assessment of energy transformation dynamics is conducted using a novel composite indicator, the ETPI (Energy Transition Progress Index), based on analyses for 2022 and 2013 using Eurostat data. The results identify leaders in energy transformation, such as Sweden, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Finland, and the Netherlands, while highlighting significant challenges facing Poland and Bulgaria.

Modern mobility and adaptation of transport and communication systems to the requirements of the inhabitants are both inseparable elements of the developed concept of smart cities. One of the important stages in the implementation of this concept is the planning stage, taking into account the complexity and a large number of determinants that impact the effectiveness of decisions related to the planning of transport, communication and logistic systems. The purpose of the article is to lay out a model of a system based on the integration of selected Internet of Things tools used in smart cities to support urban development planning processes in the scope of the ongoing modification of transport, public communication and logistic systems. The model was developed on the basis of the cooperation between the authors and the boards of selected cities’ observations made during the authors’ travels and on the basis of identification and analysis of IT systems types and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) tools in use within the smart city concept. The need to integrate IoT tools in support of the smart city concept resulted from the synthesis of previous research experience and the existing gap between the capabilities and the scope of applications of the tools in discussion. The results of the analysis allowed to develop a procedure that in an automated way allows to improve the communication, transport and logistics order in the area of interested cities.

The application of creativity and innovativeness of clients in the processes of value co-creation thanks to the contemporary ICT technologies is possible on an ever-increasing scale. The first part of the article contains theoretical considerations about the value co-creation mechanisms and the innovation activity which can be initiated and fostered by using these mechanisms in organizations. Also, the authors also indicated main areas where the application of ICT can significantly influence initialization and gaining co-creation mechanisms. The second part – empirical part presents the exemplary co-creation tools used in selected type of knowledge organizations – tax consulting firms.