Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discover how Hungarian manufacturing companies interpret technology and human resources as driving forces and barriers in terms of Industry 4.0 implementation. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with corporate leaders and applied qualitative content analysis using Atlas.ti software. Findings: The authors formulated a new definition of Industry 4.0 which emphasises the role of human factors. The authors identified driving forces (efficiency with speed/information flow/precision) and barriers (technology compatibility, human fears and lack of digital skills) in terms of Industry 4.0 implementation and developed the DIGI-TEcH performance management dimensions. Research limitations/implications: Comparison with other countries is limited. Given the exploratory and qualitative nature, further quantitative research would be needed to generalise results. Finally, only manufacturing companies are examined. Practical implications: It provides empirical evidence to practitioners to understand concerns about technology and human resource in terms of Industry 4.0 implementation. In addition, corporate performance management can be extended by the developed DIGI-TEcH dimensions. Originality/value: This paper reveals key evidence for the uptake of technology and human factors in terms of Industry 4.0 implementation and their impacts on corporate operation and performance. It also provides an insight into a specific country context, which can be a useful benchmark for other Central and Eastern European countries.

The study aims to examine the relationship and interaction between learning organization culture and the factors influencing digital transformation (leadership style, training, digital readiness, and trust), as well as identify factors that significantly influence learning organization functioning by exploring the extension of a grounded theory framework. The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. The survey population was composed of managers of Eastern European manufacturing companies who were reached through the Orbis database. The survey yielded 618 evaluable responses (n = 618). The PLS-SEM method was used because the structural model is complex, with many constructs (some of which are formatively measured) and model relationships. Leadership behavior and a supportive management style inspire the development and training of employees, through which the level of readiness for digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies can be increased. Training in these skills will increase confidence in digitalization technologies. Leadership support also influences digital trust and employee response to the use of digital technologies, as does participation in training, which directly supports digitalization and I4.0 readiness. The results of the research not only support previous research findings but also complement them by focusing specifically on the impact on the learning organization in the context of digitalization. This study provides evidence that leadership that is supportive of the learning organization's culture plays a key role. Overall, leadership is a dominant influence in the digital transformation of organizations and in shaping the learning organization culture this requires, but all the relationships represented in the model have a significant positive relationship. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-09 Full Text: PDF

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many universities to close doors and keep students completely online—a phenomenon that raised unprecedented challenges with lessons learned that should be integrated into future educational knowledge management strategies and practices. Special attention should be given to students’ learning habits. This paper presents the results of a semi-systematic literature review on the research problem and a survey of a sample of business students regarding their learning habits and preferences. Learnings of the research can be useful for the transition to an entirely online distance education, integrated in the framework of knowledge management strategies regarding e-learning in universities. The primary quantitative research was conducted before the start of the lockdown, and the results give useful insights that can be translated into mandatory elements for any strategy designed to assure a smooth and effective passage from in-class education to online teaching and learning. Students’ pre-epidemic learning habits, their use of communication tools and their preferences for solutions usable in distance education, with a special focus on gender and education level, have been investigated. Results are correlated in the paper with possible knowledge management strategies in universities as part of an approach with both academic and practical implications.

Organizational transformation for digitalization is a daily challenge for organizations. Successful change can be defined as the combined result of a number of factors, in which the attitude, trust and/or distrust of employees towards technology is of paramount importance. The aim of this study was to explore which factors most influence employees’ trust in technology and how the risk they pose can be mitigated. The quantitative research analyzed 473 respondents (Smart PLS3, using SEM model) and came to the following conclusions. Employees’ trust in technology depends primarily on the supportive role of management, and to a lesser extent on the digital readiness of the company and the training provided in the organization. The supportive role of management is a key element in the model, as it affects trust not only in a direct way, but also indirectly, through several pathways in the model. This means that the supportive role of leadership is clearly a decisive influence and its importance helps to assess the risk of trust or lack of trust.

Internet, közösségi média, digitális transzformáció, dolgok internete, okos technológiák, mesterséges intelligencia: egyre inkább a hétköznapok részévé válnak. Az automatizáció és a robotika az Ipar 4.0 alapkövei. A vállalatoknak most kell dönteniük arról, hogy integrálják-e a mesterséges intelligenciát, robotokat a működésükbe, továbbá bátorítják-e a munkatársakat, hogy robotokkal dolgozzanak együtt. Néhány tanulmány készült már eddig arról, hogy ezekkel a változásokkal kapcsolatban milyen attitűdök jelennek meg a munkahelyeken. Jelen kutatás összefoglalja egy projekt első eredményeit, amelynek célja annak feltárása, hogy Magyarországon milyen előítéletek és attitűdök vannak jelen a vállalatoknál; mire van szükségük ahhoz, hogy elfogadják a változást és szélesebb körben alkalmazzák a technológia vívmányait. A kutatás kvalitatív módszertanra, vezetőkkel készített interjúkra épül. Az eredmények alapján a technológiai változásokkal szemben tartózkodó állásponton vannak a vállalatok, de ahol már bevezették az Ipar 4.0 egyes elemeit, ott a pozitív tapasztalatok felülírják a félelmet és hatékonyabban tudják a munkát elvégezni.

Hallyu, the global cultural phenomenon that is also known as the Korean Wave affects its fans in terms of both their openness to Korean culture and their purchase intentions. Despite this, research into the psychological mechanism behind it is lacking. The aim of this study is to discover a) the relationship between Hallyu culture and the psychological factors associated with interpersonal relationships mediated through digital platforms; and b) the psychological factors that contribute to one’s Korean Wave related purchase intention. The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. Using a purposive sampling method, the core population of the survey consisted of Hallyu fans in Hungary, who were reached through various, Korean culture-specialised social media groups. Data from 495 eligible respondents was analysed using the PLS-SEM method with SMART PLS3 software. It can be concluded that fear of missing out (FOMO) and self-pressure to be member of fandom inspire presence in the online space, which can increase purchase intention towards K-goods, Results shows that the examined psychological elements have the greatest impact on two age groups (20-23 and 30-43 years old); however, due to its higher level of income and already established living circumstances the second group can respond to marketing activities to a greater extent. It has also been determined that the level of fandom involvement has a positive effect on purchase intention, something which can be further enhanced by FOMO and peer pressure. Based on the correlations identified, more effective marketing activities can be planned among fans through social media and influencers in fan groups.