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Dynamic modeling and experimental validation of the photovoltaic/thermal system
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to present a novel and comprehensive methodology for the dynamic modeling and experimental validation of a photovoltaic/thermal system. The dynamic model is divided into thermal and electrical subsystems, encompassing the photovoltaic/ thermal module and the thermal energy storage. The thermal subsystem of both the photovoltaic/thermal module and the thermal energy storage is described by a one-dimensional dynamic model of heat transfer mechanisms and optical losses, while the electrical subsystem is presented as an electrical equivalent circuit of double diode solar cell. Model validation was conducted on a modern experimental photovoltaic/thermal system over an extended operational period at a five-minute resolution, with validation days classified as sunny, cloudy, or overcast based on weather conditions, thereby demonstrating an applied approach. The results demonstrate the lowest deviation values reported to date, confirmed using six quantitative indicators. The added value of the proposed methodology, not previously addressed in the literature, lies in the following contributions: (i) comprehensive modeling of the entire photovoltaic/thermal system, (ii) accurate consideration of optical losses in the photovoltaic/thermal module, and (iii) long-term experimental validation. Overall, the proposed methodology provides a reliable and efficient framework for PV/T system design, optimization, and long-term performance assessment
Sustainable transport and last-mile delivery
Get PDFTa diplomska naloga raziskuje izzive in priložnosti trajnostne dostave zadnje milje kot ključni element sodobne logistike. Dostava zadnje milje velja za najdražji in okoljsko najzahtevnejši del dobavne verige, saj predstavlja znaten delež emisij CO2, onesnaženosti zraka in prometnih zastojev v urbanih območjih. Zaradi hitre rasti e-trgovine in spreminjajočih se pričakovanj potrošnikov je potreba po inovativnih in trajnostnih rešitvah večja kot kdaj koli prej.
Naloga analizira različne strategije, vključno z uporabo električnih vozil, tovornih koles, dronov in omaric za pakete. Opisuje tudi digitalna orodja, kot sta optimizacija poti in umetna inteligenca. Dokazano je, da te tehnologije zmanjšujejo vplive na okolje, znižujejo obratovalne stroške in izboljšujejo učinkovitost dostave. Posebna pozornost je bila namenjena sprejemanju s strani uporabnikov in podjetij, pri čemer je bil poudarjen pomen udobja, zanesljivosti in finančne izvedljivosti za uspešno izvedbo.
V diplomskem delu so v nadaljevanju preučene mednarodne najboljše prakse in primerjane s trenutnim stanjem v Sloveniji. Čeprav pobude, kot sta elektrifikacija voznega parka Pošte Slovenije in uvedba mestnih skladišč v Ljubljani in Mariboru, kažejo napredek, ostajajo še vedno omejenega obsega. Na podlagi globalnih modelov iz Finske, Nemčije, Nizozemske in Norveške so predlagana priporočila za Slovenijo, za širitev omaric za pakete, spodbujanje uporabe tovornih koles, pospešitev elektrifikacije voznega parka in vlaganje v digitalno optimizacijo, ki bi Sloveniji pripomogla k čimbolj trajnostni logistiki.This thesis addresses the challenges and opportunities of sustainbale last- mile delivery as a key element of modern logistics. The last mile is found to be the most expensive and environmentally burdensome par of the supply chain, causing significant share of CO2 emmisions, air pollution and traffic congestion in urban centers. With rapid growrh of e- commerce and rising consumer expectations, the need for innovative and sustainbale solutons is greater than ever.
The research analyzes various strategies, including the use of electric vehicles, delivery bikes, drones and parcel lockers, as well as digital tools such as route optimization and artifficial intelligence. These technologies have been proven to reduce environmental impacts, reduce operating costs and improve delivery efficiency. Special attention is also paid to user and business acceptance, with convenience, reliability and financial feasibility of the solutions highlightes as key.
The thesis also discusses international good practices and compares them with the current situation in Slovenia. Although measures such as the electrification of the Pošta Slovenije fleet and the introduction of urban depots in Ljubljana and Maribor indicate progress, efforts remain fragmented and limited in scope. Based on foreign models from Finland, Germnay, the Netherlands and Norway, recommendations for Slovenia are formulated, including expanding the network of parcel lockers, promoting the use of bicycles for delivery, accelerating the electrification of fleets and investing in digital optimization, which would help Slovenia achieve the most sustainable logistics possible
Investment evaluation of bee product manufacturing and processing
Get PDFOcena ekonomske in finančne upravičenosti investicij v čebelarstvo je ključnega pomena za odločanje o prihodnjem razvoju čebelarske panoge. Rezultati so uporabni tako za čebelarje, kot za oblikovalce kmetijske politike. Namen magistrskega dela je bil oceniti investicijo v pridelavo in predelavo čebeljih pridelkov na obstoječi čebelarski kmetiji. Ekonomska upravičenost investicije v pridelavo in predelavo čebeljih pridelkov je bila analizirana s pomočjo kalkulacij skupnih stroškov. Z orodjem Excel so se razvile modelne kalkulacije skupnih stroškov, kjer je bil obravnavan med kot glavni pridelek, kot stranski proizvodi pa cvetni prah, vosek, propolis, matični mleček in čebelji strup. S finančnega vidika se je s statično metodo analizirala statična doba povratka investicije. Raziskavi je bila dodana tudi analiza SWOT čebelarske dejavnosti.
Osnovna pridelava medu je na meji ekonomske upravičenosti (Ke = 1,01), z neposrednim plačilom se ta izboljša na 1,08. Nepovratna sredstva pri vseh modelih izboljšajo ekonomske kazalnike. Ekonomsko sliko, izboljšata propolis s koeficientom ekonomičnosti 1,09 in matični mleček z 1,64. Statična doba povratka pri matičnem mlečku je le 2 meseca in pri propolisu 5 mesecev. Pridelava čebeljega strupa je ekonomsko neugodna (Ke = 0,57).Assessing the economic and financial viability of investments in beekeeping is crucial for deciding on the future development of the beekeeping sector. The results are useful for both beekeepers and agricultural policy makers. The purpose of the master\u27s thesis was to assess the investment in the production and processing of bee products on an existing beekeeping farm. The economic viability of the investment in the production and processing of bee products was analyzed using total cost calculations. Excel was used to develop model calculations of total costs, where honey was considered the main product and pollen, wax, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom were considered by-products. From a financial perspective, the static payback period was analyzed using the static method. A SWOT analysis of beekeeping was also added to the study.
Basic honey production is at the limit of economic viability (Ke = 1.01), which improves to 1.08 with direct payments. Non-repayable funds improve economic indicators in all models. The economic picture is improved by propolis with an economic coefficient of 1.09 and royal jelly with 1.64. The static payback period for royal jelly is only 2 months and for propolis 5 months. Bee venom production is economically unprofitable (Ke = 0.57)
Recognition and resolution of conflicts in selected social welfare institutions
Get PDFUvod: V življenju nasploh in v delovnem okolju se nenehno pojavljajo konflikti, ki so na delovnem mestu predvsem zaradi različnih osebnosti in skupnih ciljev različno razmišljujočih sodelavcev lahko težavni za reševanje in iskanje pozitivnih rešitev za obe strani. Z raziskavo je bilo raziskano, kakšna je toleranca in občutljivost za konflikt pri zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi in oskrbi v socialno varstvenih zavodih.
Metode: Uporabljena je bila deskriptivna metoda dela. Raziskava je temeljila na kvantitativni metodologiji raziskovanja na podlagi strukturiranega anketnega vprašalnika. V raziskavi je sodelovalo 127 zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi in oskrbi v štirih socialno varstvenih zavodih. Podatki so bili analizirani s pomočjo programa SPSS, verzija 25.
Rezultati: Ugotovljene so bile zmerna toleranca za konflikt, srednja občutljivost za konflikt ter srednja sposobnost za konflikt. Sposobnost prepoznavanja in reševanja konfliktov se ne povezuje s psihofizičnim počutjem zaposlenih. Prav tako ni bilo ugotovljenih statistično pomembnih razlik v sposobnosti prepoznavanja in reševanja konfliktov s strani zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi in oskrbi v socialno varstvenih zavodih med Slovenijo in Avstrijo.
Razprava in sklep: Zaposleni v zdravstveni negi in oskrbi v socialno varstvenih zavodih dojemajo konflikte kot naravni del odnosov in so sposobni prepoznati manjše spore. Zgodnje prepoznavanje konfliktov je ključno za njihovo učinkovito obvladovanje in reševanje ter prinaša pozitivne spremembe znotraj delovnih timov.Introduction: Conflicts are an inevitable part of both everyday life and the workplace. In professional settings, they most often arise from differences in personality and from the pursuit of shared goals among colleagues with diverse perspectives. These differences can make conflicts difficult to resolve and positive outcomes challenging to achieve. This study examined the level of conflict tolerance and sensitivity among employees working in nursing and care in social care institutions.
Methods: A descriptive research design was employed. The study followed a quantitative approach, using a structured questionnaire as the main research instrument. A total of 127 employees working in nursing and care across four social care institutions participated in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 25.
Results: The findings indicated a moderate tolerance for conflict, a moderate sensitivity to conflict, and an average ability to manage conflicts. The ability to recognize and resolve conflicts was not associated with the employees’ mental and physical well-being. In addition, no statistically significant differences were found between employees in nursing and care in social care institutions in Slovenia and Austria.
Discussion and conclusion: Employees in nursing and care perceive conflicts as a natural part of interpersonal relationships and are capable of recognizing minor disputes. Early identification of conflicts is crucial for their effective management and resolution and can lead to positive changes within work teams
Kaplan-Meier estimator and survival analysis of unemployment spells in Slovenia
Get PDFThis paper analyses unemployment spells in Slovenia during the Great Recession. Descriptive statistics for several demographic variables are shown and discussed, namely for age group, gender, region, level of education, and work experience. Survival analysis is applied, and the cumulative survival function and the Kaplan-Meier survival function estimator for different levels of education are examined
Raziskovanje vloge zaznanih koristi in stališč do spleta pri modeliranju namenov spletnega nakupa
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: E-commerce has reshaped consumer behaviour by offering unparalleled convenience, variety and accessibility, while creating new opportunities for businesses to grow revenues. Despite its prominence, there remains a need for parsimonious models that explain online purchase intention in terms of core consumer perceptions. This study aims to develop and test a structural equation model (SEM) in which consumer perceived benefits and attitudes toward the web drive intention to purchase online. Methods: An online survey was administered to 190 Slovenian consumers. Questionnaire items were drawn from established scales measuring (a) perceived benefits of online shopping, (b) attitude toward the web, and (c) online purchase intention. Internal consistency was assessed via Cronbach’s alpha. SEM was then applied using IBM SPSS AMOS to evaluate both measurement and structural components of the model, testing hypotheses that perceived benefits influence both attitude and intention, and that attitude further mediates intention. Results: The survey instrument demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.92). The three-construct SEM explained 74 % of the variance in online purchase intention. Fit indices indicated very good model performance (NFI = 0.969, NNFI = 0.970, CFI = 0.979, IFI = 0.979). All hypothesized paths were significant, confirming that higher perceived benefits enhance both positive web attitudes and purchase intentions, and that web attitudes further bolster intention. Conclusion: This streamlined SEM offers a robust and well-fitting explanation of consumer online purchase intentions. E-commerce platforms can leverage these insights by emphasizing the specific benefits consumers value and cultivating positive web experiences to drive sales. The model offers both practical guidance for online retailers and a foundation for future research, such as incorporating environmental consciousness, to refine our understanding of sustainable e-commerce adoption.Ozadje in namen: E-trgovanje je preoblikovalo vedenje potrošnikov, saj ponuja neprimerljivo udobje, raznolikost in dostopnost ter hkrati ustvarja nove priložnosti za rast prihodkov podjetij. Kljub svojemu pomenu ostaja potreba po enostavnih modelih, ki pojasnjujejo namero za spletni nakup na podlagi temeljnih potrošniških zaznav. Namen te študije je razviti in preizkusiti model strukturnih enačb (SEM), v katerem zaznane koristi potrošnikov in odnos do spleta vplivajo na namero za spletni nakup. Metode: Spletna anketa je bila izvedena med 190 slovenskimi potrošniki. Vprašalnik je temeljil na uveljavljenih lestvicah za merjenje (a) zaznanih koristi spletnega nakupovanja, (b) odnosa do spleta in (c) namere za spletni nakup. Notranja zanesljivost je bila ocenjena s Cronbachovim alfa koeficientom. Na model je bil nato uporabljen SEM s programom IBM SPSS AMOS za oceno merilnega in strukturnega dela modela ter za preverjanje hipotez, da zaznane koristi vplivajo tako na odnos kot na namero, odnos pa dodatno mediira namero. Rezultati: Merilni instrument je pokazal odlično zanesljivost (Cronbachov α = 0,92). Tridelni SEM je pojasnil 74 % variance v nameri za spletni nakup. Indeksi prileganja so pokazali zelo dobro delovanje modela (NFI = 0,969NNFI = 0,970CFI = 0,979IFI = 0,979). Vse predpostavljene poti so bile statistično značilne, kar potrjuje, da višje zaznane koristi povečujejo tako pozitiven odnos do spleta kot tudi nakupne namere, odnos do spleta pa dodatno krepi namero. Zaključek: Ta poenostavljen SEM ponuja trdno in dobro prilegajoče se pojasnilo potrošniške namere za spletni nakup. Platforme za e-trgovanje lahko te ugotovitve izkoristijo tako, da poudarijo specifične koristi, ki jih potrošniki cenijo, ter spodbujajo pozitivne spletne izkušnje za povečanje prodaje. Model ponuja tako praktična priporočila za spletne trgovce kot tudi izhodišče za prihodnje raziskave, na primer vključitev okoljskega vidika, s čimer bi še dodatno razumeli trajnostno sprejemanje e-trgovanja
The impact of management ethicality on sustainable business development
Get PDFV današnjem poslovnem svetu etika v managementu ni več le dodatna vrednota, ampak ključni steber, ki vpliva na dolgoročni uspeh podjetij. V magistrski nalogi raziskujemo povezavo med etičnim vodenjem in trajnostnim razvojem, pri čemer se osredotočamo na gospodarske, družbene in okoljske vidike poslovanja. V teoretičnem delu predstavljamo klasične in sodobne pristope k etičnemu vodenju, kot so teorije pravičnosti in odgovornosti, ter koncept trajnostnega razvoja, ki temelji na modelu "triple bottom line" (ekonomska, socialna in okoljska dimenzija). Posebej nas je zanimalo, kako managerji usklajujejo kratkoročne finančne cilje z dolgoročno odgovornostjo do družbe in okolja, kar je ključna dilema sodobnega poslovnega sveta.
V analitičnem delu smo pregledali obstoječo literature in izpeljali primerjalno analizo poslovanja podjetij z različno stopnjo etičnega vodenja. Osredotočili smo se na sekundarne vire, kot so letna in trajnostna poročila ter strokovne analize, ter izbrali primere Unileverja, Amazona in Enrona. Analiza je pokazala, da podjetja, ki dosledno upoštevajo etične principe, kot je Unilever z visokimi ESG ocenami, dosegajo višje zadovoljstvo zaposlenih, manjše nihanje v zaposlitvi in lažje vgrajujejo trajnostne cilje v svoje strategije. Po drugi strani primer Enrona jasno ilustrira, kako neetično vedenje vodi v izgubo zaupanja, pravne zaplete in upad konkurenčnosti, kar je privedlo do bankrota leta 2001.
Naše ugotovitve kažejo, da etično vodenje močno vpliva na vse tri razsežnosti trajnostnega razvoja. Na gospodarskem področju zmanjšuje poslovna tveganja in spodbuja inovacije, kot so novi trajnostni izdelki. Na družbenem področju krepi kulturo in ugled organizacije z večjo vključenostjo zaposlenih, na okoljskem pa prispeva k odgovornejši rabi virov in prehodu na krožno gospodarstvo, kar je razvidno iz zmanjšanja emisij pri podjetjih z etičnim fokusom. Na tej podlagi smo pripravili praktične predloge za podjetja: uvedba etičnih kodeksov in rednih izobraževanj za zaposlene, povezovanje trajnostnih ciljev z nagrajevanjem vodstva, bolj pregledno poročanje o kazalnikih ESG ter večjo vključenost deležnikov prek dialoga in skupnih projektov.
S tem delom želimo poudariti vlogo etičnosti v managementu kot ključnega elementa za trajnostni razvoj podjetij. Naloga prispeva k teoretičnemu razumevanju povezave med etiko in trajnostjo ter ponuja praktične smernice za podjetja. Hkrati odpira vrata za nadaljnje raziskave, zlasti z empiričnimi metodami, kot so ankete ali intervjuji, ki bi razjasnile vpliv etičnosti v različnih kulturnih kontekstih. Tak pristop bi lahko vodil do bolj odgovornega in trajnostnega poslovanja v prihodnje.In today\u27s business world, ethics in management is no longer merely an additional value but a key pillar influencing the long-term success of companies. This master\u27s thesis explores the connection between ethical leadership and sustainable development, focusing on economic, social, and environmental dimensions of business operations. The theoretical section presents classical and modern approaches to ethical leadership, such as theories of justice and responsibility, alongside the concept of sustainable development based on the "triple bottom line" model (economic, social, and environmental dimensions). I was particularly interested in how managers balance short-term financial goals with long-term responsibility toward society and the environment, a critical dilemma in the contemporary business landscape.
In the analytical part, I conducted a review of existing literature and a comparative analysis of companies with varying levels of ethical leadership. The study relied on secondary sources, including annual and sustainability reports as well as expert analyses, and included case studies of Unilever, Amazon, and Enron. The analysis revealed that companies consistently adhering to ethical principles, such as Unilever with high ESG ratings, achieve greater employee satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and more effectively integrate sustainability goals into their strategies. Conversely, the Enron case vividly illustrates how unethical behavior leads to loss of trust, legal issues, and a decline in competitiveness, culminating in bankruptcy in 2001.
My findings demonstrate that ethical leadership significantly impacts all three dimensions of sustainable development. Economically, it reduces business risks and fosters innovation, such as the development of new sustainable products. Socially, it strengthens organizational culture and reputation through greater employee engagement, while environmentally, it promotes responsible resource use and a transition to a circular economy, as evidenced by reduced emissions in ethically focused companies. Based on these insights, I propose practical recommendations for businesses: implementing ethical codes and regular training for employees, linking sustainability goals to leadership compensation, enhancing transparency in ESG reporting, and increasing stakeholder involvement through dialogue and joint projects.
This work aims to highlight the role of management ethics as a crucial element for the sustainable development of companies. The thesis contributes to the theoretical understanding of the link between ethics and sustainability while offering practical guidelines for organizations. It also opens avenues for further research, particularly through empirical methods such as surveys or interviews, which could clarify the impact of ethics across diverse cultural contexts. Such an approach could pave the way for more responsible and sustainable business practices in the future
Design and implementation of production process control by using Profinet Protocol and S7-1500 controllers
Get PDFV okviru diplomskega dela je bil podrobno spoznan sistem komunikacije med Siemensovimi programirljivimi logičnimi krmilniki preko protokola Profinet. Zasnovan in implementiran je bil lastni proizvodni proces na treh učnih postajah sistema Festo CP-Lab, s poudarkom na direktni izmenjavi podatkov obdelovancev med krmilniki. Doseženo je bilo usklajeno delovanje več različnih postaj v skupnem pametnem sistemu, kar danes predstavlja temelj inženirstva mehatronike in koncepta Industrije 4.0.The thesis has been focused on a detailed understanding of the communication system with Siemens programmable logic controllers via the Profinet protocol. A proprietary production process has been designed and implemented on three training stations of the Festo CP-Lab system, with an emphasis on direct exchange of the workpiece data among controllers. The coordinated operation of multiple stations in a common smart system has been achieved, which today represents the foundation of mechatronic engineering and the concept of the Industry 4.0
Redesign of information transfer processes between sales and implementation functions based on best practises
Get PDFV diplomski nalogi je analiziran proces prenosa informacij med prodajnimi in izvedbenimi funkcijami v podjetju, ki se ukvarja z implementacijo digitalnih rešitev. Namen raziskave je bil prepoznati ključne pomanjkljivosti obstoječega procesa ter oblikovati predloge izboljšav na podlagi mednarodno priznanih dobrih praks projektnega vodenja. Raziskava temelji na kvalitativni metodologiji, ki vključuje analizo projektne dokumentacije, polstrukturirane intervjuje z zaposlenimi ter študijo primera zaključenih projektov. Rezultati so pokazali, da proces prenosa informacij pogosto poteka neformalno, dokumentacija je pomanjkljiva in nejasna, implementacijska ekipa pa ni vključena v zgodnje faze projekta. Posledično prihaja do zamud, povečanih stroškov in zmanjšanega zadovoljstva naročnikov. Na podlagi ugotovitev so predlagane rešitve, kot so zgodnejša vključitev projektnega vodje v predprodajo, uvedba tehničnih pregledov, formalizacija postopkov predaje projektov ter standardizacija ključne dokumentacije. Predlagani ukrepi prispevajo k večji učinkovitosti izvedbe projektov, boljšemu sodelovanju med oddelki ter višji ravni zadovoljstva naročnikov, hkrati pa podjetju omogočajo dvig projektne zrelosti in zmanjšanje tveganj v informacijsko tehnoloških projektih.This thesis analyzes the process of information transfer between sales and implementation functions in a company engaged in the implementation of digital solutions. The aim of the research was to identify key shortcomings of the existing process and to propose improvements based on internationally recognized project management best practices. The research is based on a qualitative methodology, including the analysis of project documentation, semi-structured interviews with employees, and a case study of completed projects. The results revealed that the information transfer process is often informal, the documentation incomplete and unclear, and the implementation team not involved in the early stages of the project. As a result, delays, increased costs, and reduced customer satisfaction occur. Based on these findings, several solutions are proposed, such as earlier involvement of the project manager in the presales phase, the introduction of technical reviews, the formalization of project handover procedures, and the standardization of key documentation. These measures can improve project execution efficiency, enhance collaboration between departments, and increase customer satisfaction, while also enabling the company to raise its level of project maturity and reduce risks in Information Technology projects
Vpliv vizualnih elementov družabnih medijev na vedenje turistov generacije Z
Get PDFIn today\u27s online world, where all information is available to users with just one click, it is challenging to determine their credibility. Given the fact that there are almost 5 billion social media users, it is safe to say that social media has become an essential part of everyday life for many users, especially members of Generation Z. When filtering the pool of information, visual elements play a significant role in the decision-making process for users. Generation Z is composed of young people born between 1995 and 2005. They are considered the originators of social media and the virtual world, and spend the most time analysing content in the form of photographs or videos. The main reason why Generation Z members prioritise visual elements more than textual ones stems from the higher degree of reliability and trust that this type of content displays. To analyse how photos and videos influence the trust of members of Generation Z in online recommendations, a survey was conducted in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, in which the Pearson correlation test was applied. The research lasted from February to March 2024. Moreover, a study was conducted on a sample of 305 respondents, where the sample was convenience, and the obtained data were tested using the IBM SPSS Statistics platform. The main findings indicate how visual elements of social media, such as photos and videos, influence a greater degree of trust in credibility among Generation Z