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.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the heterogeneity in the implementation of the ISO 9001 quality management system in service-oriented organizations, and to identify patterns (i.e. relationships, dependencies and exceptions) among critical implementation factors, possible implementation determinants and desired post-implementation outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: The paper adopts a qualitative approach, in the form of a multiple case study of five ISO 9001 certified, service-oriented organizations, located in Greece. Using multiple data collection methods including interviews with upper management and employees, desk research and on-site observation allowed for data triangulation. Findings: The analysis reveals that ISO 9001 implementation can range across different levels of fidelity, from merely superficial to genuinely substantive. Several determinants (i.e. implementation experience, motivation for certification, perception of quality, commitment to change) affect the level of fidelity and, in turn, the post-implementation outcomes. Interestingly, even a superficial ISO 9001 implementation can initiate, at least to a moderate degree, beneficial changes throughout the organizations. The organizations that strictly abide by ISO 9001 requirements still have to address some challenges, most notably to instill a culture of prevention in their management system and to efficiently balance standardization and flexibility. Originality/value: This study contributes to the ISO 9001 internalization literature, providing an in-depth analysis of possible patterns among ISO 9001 implementation factors, determinants and outcomes. Related findings are also discussed under the prism of the revised ISO 9001:2015.

In the broader context of quality management, testing and calibration laboratories are increasingly adopting ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation as a key benchmark for achieving operational excellence. This management system standard outlines the essential requirements laboratories must meet to demonstrate their technical competence and produce accurate, reliable results. This study aims to identify and validate the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for effective ISO/IEC 17025 implementation. It begins with a systematic literature review focusing primarily on ISO/IEC 17025, supplemented by insights from other established standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to enrich the findings. This study employed an interview-based qualitative approach to validate and refine the identified CSFs. This entailed conducting 34 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of industry professionals—including technical managers, quality managers, auditors, and clients—from calibration, chemical, and civil engineering testing laboratories. The findings led to the establishment of 16 CSFs, including leadership and strategic commitment, motivation for accreditation, allocation of financial and organizational resources, and the provision of technical infrastructure. Also crucial are the management of human resources—competency, training, and engagement—and key quality management elements such as effective system design, method verification, measurement traceability, quality assurance, control, and performance improvement. Additional factors include fostering a quality-oriented culture, ensuring operational integrity and impartiality, managing supplier relationships, focusing on customer needs, and adhering to regulatory compliance. Recognizing these CSFs enables organizations to focus on pivotal areas, streamline monitoring processes, and align with strategic objectives. This study represents the first in-depth exploration into the CSFs for ISO/IEC 17025 implementation within testing and calibration laboratories, thereby contributing directly to enhancing their quality and operational performance.

Non-cyclical and high-leverage infrastructure projects, such as road transportation networks, have been considered as critical policy instruments to promote growth and social development. Yet, their growth-generating effect on the economic welfare of countries and regions has come under scrutiny in recent years: several studies have nuanced the implicit positive associations between investments in transportation and economic benefits. Building upon a set of traffic flow characteristics as potential correlates to the regional development indicator, this research focuses on the economic impacts of Egnatia Odos Motorway (EOM) on Greece's Northern region. To specify, by employing a large-scale longitudinal dataset which includes over 230 million entry records of various vehicle types along EOM, generated from toll collection systems between 2010 and 2019, we investigate the associations between traffic data and potential variations in regional GDP per capita annual growth rate. Our results suggest positive associations between regional economic development and the EOM operation and, more specifically, with passengers' transportation and inland freight. We conclude that transportation big data provide essential input for the appraisal of a road transport investment project, reveal the status of regional welfare, and may contain valuable information for spatial management and planning.