A Novel Hybrid Model for the Evaluation of Industry 4.0 Technologies' Applicability in Logistics Centers

The application of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the field of logistics leads to the emergence and development of the concept of logistics 4.0. Many I4.0 technologies have been applied in the field of logistics. The goal of this research is to analyze the applicability of nine key I4.0 technologies in logistics centers (LC). For this purpose, an integrated MEREC (MEthod based on the Removal Effects of Criteria)—fuzzy MARCOS (Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution) model was developed. The applicability of nine I4.0 technologies was evaluated based on 15 subcriteria within three main groups of criteria, namely, technological, social and political, and economic and operative. Using the MEREC method, the weight values of the criteria and subcriteria were determined, while the technologies were ranked using the fuzzy MARCOS method. Based on the results obtained by applying this integrated MCDM (multicriteria decision-making) model, CC was identified as the best alternative, i.e., the technology that is most applicable in logistics centers, followed by IoT and big data. An analysis of the sensitivity of the obtained results to the change in the importance of the criteria was carried out, which shows certain changes in the ranking when the importance of the most important criterion changes.

E-Government as a Key to the Economic Prosperity and Sustainable Development in the Post-COVID Era

Our paper focuses on the role of e-government in relation to economic development within the post-COVID era. Nowadays, e-government represents the service which utilizes digital technology to create electronic pathways to improve the efficiency of public services, increase economic prosperity, and improve the standard of living. In this paper, we argue that e-government presents the only proper and viable model for public administration in the 21st century by embedding internet-based technologies to ensure smooth interactions between the government and its citizens, solving the most socially important problems, enabling internal communication between public servants, and delivering public services to the entire population regardless of age or gender. In addition, we show that stakeholders and policymakers should foster the development of an adequate and non-discriminatory environment for e-government through regulatory frameworks, policy guidelines, and government guarantees. Our study is based on the results of our own survey that was administered using a snowball and quasi-random sample of 400 respondents (aged 19–26 years;56.2% females and 43.8% males) from the Czech Republic (N = 136) and the Russian Federation (N = 264), of whom 58% were women and 42% were men (M ± SD = 45.53 ± 11.46, median age 44). Our results show that the e-government enhancement concept has been perceived as an effective tool for fostering economic prosperity, tackling corruption, and helping to avoid uncertainty. Based on the theories of customer-focus and relationship marketing, this study suggests that the most significant factor influencing the success of e-government projects is citizen orientation, followed by channel and channel orientation, and technology orientation. We show that the governments of developing countries should prioritize e-government applications in their requests for international assistance and cooperation, as well as international financial support. Moreover, we argue that digital transformation should become the key element of the changing business and market needs in the post-COVID era.

Reorienting the sharing economy for social benefit: the nonprofit digital platform business model

Purpose>Digital platforms enable the sharing economy and have become dominant business models in many industries. Despite their many benefits, negative externalities associated with the growth of for-profit digital platforms, such as Uber and Google, have ignited concerns among market participants, policymakers and society as a whole, without corrective market forces in sight. One way to address this problem is through a combination of government regulation, criminal enforcement actions and private antitrust litigation. This study aims to analyze an alternative approach, called the nonprofit digital platform (NDP), which is an emerging business model capable of unleashing free-market forces and enhancing the sharing economy’s social benefits.Design/methodology/approach>This study documents the negative externalities (actual and potential) of for-profit digital platforms, uses the product attributes model to explain the market position and strategy of NDPs with respect to for-profit digital platforms and provides recommendations for the successful launch and management of NDPs.Findings>An NDP is a market-based alternative to antitrust, regulation and litigation that enhances the social value created by the sharing economy, but its success requires startup-like management that attracts and retains talent, capital, effective advertising and positive network externalities.Social implications>NDPs can force free-market adjustments in the industries they enter, reduce the negative spillovers of for-profit digital platforms and increase social value by incrementally raising the level of competition.Originality/value>This study conceptually explores the value that nonprofits could bring to the sharing economy in fulfilling its promise and provides strategic recommendations for social-digital entrepreneurs and nonprofits.

Upgrading Indonesian Dairy Farmer Value Chain based on Economic Resilience Approach during Covid-19

The Indonesian dairy industry is one of the many industries that suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, dairy farmers experience a low level of economic resilience. To find an answer to this challenge, the author adopts an innovative approach in this research by using the parameters of economic resilience to ensure the sustainability of the dairy farmer's business. It uses mathematical modelling for estimating the ratio of economic resilience (R = 0.96), and based on that;it becomes an indicator for upgrading the dairy farmer's value chain. In addition, we found strategies for increasing the bargaining power of the dairy processing companies by strengthening the role of cooperative as a manifestation of horizontal integration.

Potential COVID-19 impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector

Purpose>The purpose of this viewpoint is to present some reflections about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector context.Design/methodology/approach>Initially, a bibliographic research study was carried out to establish a theoretical background and contextualization. After analysing different kinds of documents, the authors of this viewpoint discussed potential COVID-19 impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector. A multidisciplinary discursive approach was used in the debates.Findings>The COVID-19 pandemic will negatively influence the transition of Brazilian manufacturing sector to Industry 4.0. Despite the fact that some “World Class Companies” based in Brazil still continue the transition process towards the “Digital Revolution”, most of Brazilian manufacturing companies are postponing important initiatives related to Industry 4.0 due to uncertainties. In addition, policies promoting innovation are increasingly necessary.Practical implications>This viewpoint presents interesting implications for researchers and society. Researchers can use these reflections to structure surveys or case studies to better understand the aforementioned impacts on companies due to the pandemic. These reflections can also be used by society for public policy debates. For companies, the information presented highlights the relevance of Industry 4.0 as an important phenomenon to manufacturing sector and companies' competitiveness.Originality/value>This viewpoint presents reflections which may be used to encourage debates about how to manage digital transformation in the manufacturing sector during an unstable environment.

Lessons for responding to COVID-19, from Exemplars in Under-five Mortality Reduction: [version 1;peer review: 3 approved with reservations]

COVID-19 may not have the same direct effects on children as it does on older adults, but its indirect effects still pose a threat to child health, by disrupting delivery of routine health services like immunizations. This has happened during previous crises, and early indications point towards similar disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic. To mitigate this, countries need to build resilient health systems capable of maintaining essential maternal and child health interventions, while also responding to COVID. How can this be accomplished? To find some answers, we can learn from countries in the past who improved health outcomes in the face of challenging circumstances. Specific to child health, countries with positive-outlier performance in reducing under-five mortality provide helpful strategies. These lessons include a clear national plan that drives rapid response, leveraging existing data systems to inform decision-making, engaging communities via community health workers, and focusing on equity. Today, countries around the world are facing the challenge of responding to the pandemic while building resilient health systems that continue to deliver invaluable maternal and child health services. Studying lessons from previous success stories can help inform the road ahead.

“One of the team” patient experience of integrated breast cancer care: Managing Community Care

Purpose>This paper presents my experience of breast cancer care in which I describe my care as positive and integrated.Design/methodology/approach>I have applied an autoethnographical approach to my patient story to analyse my care in order to reflect and share insights. I have applied my knowledge and experience in integrated care through my research, management and practice.Findings>In my patient story I describe being empowered and feeling like “one of the team.” Vertical and horizontal integration was evident across staff services and agencies. This included integrated working across multi‐disciplinary teams, between primary and secondary care and also between the NHS and a voluntary agency. I identified features that were important to me in my care under the headings of: certainty, communication, contact, compassion, continuity, cohesive, care and collaboration.Practical implications>I consider the implications of sharing patient stories to inform quality improvement, influence education and training for staff and design support for patients. I consider how patients can be more involved in the evaluation of their care.Originality/value>This viewpoint has been written from my perspective as a patient and a professional, and was written in order to recognise good practice and share the learning for continual quality improvement. There is every sign that person-centred integrated care is starting to be embedded in some of our services and hopefully this will be recognised, celebrated and sustained.

Beyond the pandemic: Implications of COVID-19 on regional economic integration in Southern Africa

This study examined the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the much sought-after regional economic integration using Southern Africa as a case study. The eruption of COVID-19 stifled world economic activities and unleashed economic uncertainties. First, the disease forced countries into imposing restrictions that included total closure of businesses and borders and travel bans that resulted in reduced economic activity among countries. Second, Africa was expected to suffer economic reverse of between -2% to -5% in 2020 due to a sharp decline in output growth. This has had adverse implications on trade and financial markets across the region and scuppers the ambitions for regional economic integration. Using a desktop approach, the study critiqued and analysed the literature on regional integration and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prospects for enhanced regional economic integration. The findings revealed that COVID-19 plunged the prospects of regional economic integration into disarray. Owing to imposed restrictions business slumped, trade declined, poverty deepened and vulnerability of populations increased cumulatively negating the quest for regional integration. The study concludes that to manage the aftermath of COVID-19, regional economic coordination should be encouraged.

Competition and Integration of US Health Systems in the Post-COVID-19 New Normal: Cross-sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: How do health systems in the United States view the concept of merger and acquisition (M&A) in a post-COVID 19 "new normal"? How do new entrants to the market and incumbents influence horizontal and vertical integration of health systems? Traditionally, it has been argued that M&A activity is designed to reduce inequities in the market, shift toward value-based care, or enhance the number and quality of health care offerings in a given market. However, the recent history of M&A activity has yielded fewer noble results. As might be expected, the smaller the geographical region in which M&A activity is pursued, the higher the likelihood that monopolistic tendencies will result. OBJECTIVE: We focused on three types of competition perceptions, external environment uncertainty-related competition, technology disruption-driven competition, and customer service-driven competition, and two integration plans, vertical integration and horizontal integration. We examined (1) how health system characteristics help discern competition perceptions and integration decisions, and (2) how environment-, technology-, and service-driven competition aspects influence vertical and horizontal integration among US health systems in the post-COVID-19 new normal. METHODS: We used data for this study collected through a consultant from a robust group of health system chief executive officers (CEOs) across the United States from February to March 2021. Among the 625 CEOs, 135 (21.6%) responded to our survey. We considered competition and integration aspects from the literature and ratified them via expert consensus. We collected secondary data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Compendium of the US Health Systems, leading to a matched data set for 124 health systems. We used inferential statistical comparisons to assess differences across health systems regarding competition and integration, and we used ordered logit estimations to relate competition and integration. RESULTS: Health systems generally have a high level of the four types of competition perceptions, with the greatest concern being technology disruption-driven competition rather than environment uncertainty-related competition and customer service-driven competition. The first set of estimation results showed that size, teaching status, revenue, and uncompensated care burden are the main contingent factors influencing the three competition perceptions. The second set of estimation results revealed the relationships between different competition perceptions and integration plans. For vertical integration, environment uncertainty-related competition had a significant positive influence (P<.001), while the influence of technology disruption-driven competition was significant but negative (P<.001). The influence of customer service-driven competition on vertical integration was not evident. For horizontal integration, the results were similar for environment uncertainty-related competition and technology disruption-driven competition; however, the significance of technology disruption-driven competition was weak (P=.05). The influence of customer service-driven competition in the combined model was significant and negative (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Competition-driven integration has subtle influences across health systems. Environment uncertainty-related competition is a significant factor, with underlying contingent factors such as revenue concerns and leadership as the leading causes of integration plans. However, technology disruption may hinder integrations. Undoubtedly, small- and low-revenue health systems facing a high level of competition are likely to merge to navigate the health care business successfully. This trend should be a focus of policy to avoid monopolistic markets.

Innovation and Patenting within Containerized Liner Shipping

Increasingly, in many industries, companies commercialize their technology and innovations through patenting to gain an edge over competition. Within the maritime sector, while literature on innovation is expanding, issues related to the importance of intangible assets, such as patenting, for the participant firms of the industry remain unaddressed. Utilizing innovational frameworks and patent data withdrawn from European Patent Organization’s (EPO’s) database, the aim of this paper is to investigate the innovative level, in terms of patents granted, of incumbent market actors in liner shipping. Apart from patent counts, this exercise sheds light on the areas to which these patents apply, providing a classification while also investigating additional attributes which relate to patent citations, investors and applicants. Although results indicate a varying degree of utilization of the patenting system amongst liner carriers, they nonetheless affirm to some extent that knowledge creation is a valuable tool in the arsenal of some liner carriers, and that patenting is one of the various means utilized to enhance their market position and achieve a sustained competitive advantage. In addition, findings suggest that liner carriers’ innovative efforts have, based on the forward citations received, some significance, while they focus primarily the development of patented technologies which enhance the operational efficiency of their vessels. In this respect, the investigation undertaken sheds some light and provides a novel perspective on understanding the behaviour and innovative propensity of liner shipping companies.