The aim of the study is to review the topic of competences that will be present at smart factories. The study used bibliometric and topic analysis to achieve insight into new trends in Industry 4.0. Bibliometric analysis and topic mining was done on 43 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, published before July 2018 in the Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science and Scopus databases, using the software tool Statistica Data Miner. Results are segmented into four sections: (1) personnel development in learning organizations, (2) training techniques for personnel, (3) future engineering profiles and engineering education, and (4) relational capabilities. Each section is thoroughly discussed in this paper. The study contributes to the pool of knowledge on Industry 4.0 phenomena by compiling competences needed at smart factories in the future.

Background and Purpose: The aim of the study is to develop a conceptual key competency model for smart factories in production processes, focused on the automotive industry, as innovation and continuous development in this industry are at the forefront and represent the key to its long-term success. Methodology: For the purpose of the research, we used a semi-structured interview as a method of data collection. Participants were segmented into three homogeneous groups, which are industry experts, university professors and secondary education teachers, and government experts. In order to analyse the qualitative data, we used the method of content analysis. Results: Based on the analysis of the data collected by structured interviews, we identified the key competencies that workers in smart factories in the automotive industry will need. The key competencies are technical skills, ICT skills, innovation and creativity, openness to learning, ability to accept and adapt to change, and various soft skills. Conclusion: Our research provides insights for managers working in organisations that are transformed by Industry 4.0. For instance, human resource managers can use our results to study what competencies potential candidates need to perform well on the job, particularly in regards to planning future job profiles in regards related to production processes. Moreover, they can design competency models in a way that is coherent with the trends of Industry 4.0. Educational policy makers should design curricula that develop mentioned competencies. In the future, the results presented here can be compared and contrasted with findings obtained by applying other empirical methods.

This paper aims to study the conative component of competencies of managers in the posttransition economy of Slovenia. A conceptual framework of the tripartite components of competencies is developed and a sample of 183 managers in 11 small and medium enterprises from different sectors of industry is analyzed. The eventual disparity with the managers` conative component of competency and their job-related self-expectations and level of adaptation is analyzed. The results of the study suggest that Slovene managers are not aggressive initiative-takers but do not resist opportunities when they arise. However, the conative component of managers reveals that they might have problems coping with market and economic challenges because they will most likely shy away from taking the initiative in finding new opportunities.

Entrepreneurial Conative Component of Competences: the Case of Slovenia: Competitive pressures, globalization and economic growth have brought Slovenian enterprises to enhance the role of entrepreneurial competences. The present paper aims to study conative component of entrepreneurial competences as a crucial part of human capital in Slovenian enterprises. The focus of this paper is any eventual disparity of non-teachable attributes of conative component of competences of Slovene enterpreneuer with learned ones rather than the concept of entrepreneurship itself. Authors seperate entrepreneurial competences into three components: cognitive, affective and conative. The purpose of this study is to assess the entrepreneurial conative traits and to investigate the correlation between different conative components of entrepreneurial competences and compare the results to their job-related self-expetations. The conative component of entrepreneurial competences was measures with the Kolbe A™ Index. The study was conducted with 43 Slovenian entrepreneuers from three different enterprises. Independet sample t-test and Pearson's correlation were used to test research aims. SPSS 16.0 was used to analyse the data. The results show conative components of Slovenian entrepreneurial competences, difference between them and individual's job-related self expectations and that the correlation between conative components exist.

In the context of digitalization and growing demands for environmental responsibility, creative industries are seeking ways to reduce their material footprint. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of digital technologies, such as virtual prototyping and digital fashion, in shaping new sustainability standards. To achieve this, a systemic multidisciplinary approach was applied, combining comparative analysis, quantitative assessment of key indicators (MIRR, CFCI, VSR), and the calculation of the Integral Sustainability Index (ISI).The results show that virtual prototyping reduces material costs by 45–65% and the number of physical prototypes by 3–5 times; however, its energy efficiency depends on project complexity and is achieved only after the ‘energy break-even point.’ Digital fashion practices demonstrate the potential to reduce the carbon footprint, but only when utilizing energy-efficient digital infrastructure. The integrated assessment revealed an increase in the overall level of sustainability (with $ISI$ rising from 0.52 to 0.71) during the transition to digital processes. The main conclusion is that digital technologies establish new sustainability standards, yet their positive impact is realized only through the conscious design of technological systems, business models, and institutional environments focused on balancing environmental, economic, and social goals.

This study develops the Information Systems–Organizational Fit Alignment Model (ISOFAM) to evaluate information systems (IS) alignment during the pre-combination phase of mergers and acquisitions (M&A)—a critical yet underexplored stage in integration planning. Through constructivist grounded theory and the reanalysis of qualitative data from two anonymized M&A cases—one domestic (Slovenian) and one cross-border (European)—this study identifies four diagnostic dimensions: Technical Compatibility, Functional Complementarity, Cultural and Governance Fit, and Planning Maturity. ISOFAM is operationalized through visual tools, including the Risk–Opportunity Diagnostic Matrix, IS Misalignment Escalation Flowchart, and Temporal Integration Framework, which facilitate early alignment and strategic foresight. These contributions position IS as a strategic pre-combination priority, enhancing both theoretical and practical outcomes in digital M&A.