Journals Published by Vilnius Tech
Not a member yet
12596 research outputs found
Sort by
Settling the debate: does digitalisation impact the economic growth in the European Union Member States?
Get PDFThis research analyses the influence of digitalisation (Digitalisation Composite Indicator (ITC)) on economic growth (GDP per capita) by scrutinising the progression of digitalisation intensity and its impact. Digital technology has the potential to exert a substantial influence on various facets of the national economy, significantly impacting economic growth, innovation, and overall quality of life. Given the disparities among European Union Member States concerning governance quality, the imperative of digitalisation becomes evident in advancing economic prosperity, irrespective of a country’s development status. Specifically, our study aims to evaluate the effects of the implementation of digital tools on economic growth in the Member States of the European Union (EU-27) from 2017 to 2021. Two advanced methods, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Ordinary Least Square model (OLS), were employed to conduct the empirical research. The findings indicate that before the pandemic, the level of digitalisation was subpar, marked by limited technological advancement. Nations exhibiting a heightened degree of digitalisation also demonstrate elevated levels of economic development. These results underscore countries’ need to realign and reconfigure their digital transformation strategies, emphasising incorporating digital technologies and cultivating ongoing innovation to bolster long-term economic growth.
First publihed online 02 July 202
Economic consequences of the phenomenon of uberization on the example of the services of selected carriers in the transport industry
Get PDFUberization is a process, phenomenon, trend, and direction that emerged in the 21st century economy thanks to Uber Technologies, Inc., which was the first to introduce a mobile application that connects drivers and passengers. Although the name of the trend was not formalized by the Uber corporation, it appeared a few years later to describe certain dependencies that emerged in the economy and that gained importance not only in the field of transportation services, but also in the field of finance, in the labor market, or in relation to the real estate market. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the progressive phenomenon of uberization on the competitiveness of the transportation industry in the pre-pandemic period and in the post-pandemic period. The study assumed the hypothesis that carpooling services, which are one of the important models of uberization, implemented in Poland through the BlaBlaCar app, can be a significant competitor to transportation services provided through traditional forms and models of communication, i.e., train and bus connections. The results of the study showed that BlaBlaCar services are a cheaper alternative to other means of transportation, i.e., public transport (Polskie Koleje Państwowe, PKP Intercity) and bus connections, although not always. As a rule, their competitiveness is higher for those routes and trips where there are many drivers offering free space in the car. On the other hand, on the routes less frequently visited by BlaBlaCar drivers, fares with a BlaBlaCar driver are higher than rail and bus fares. The considerations of the article meet the objectives of the cognitive goal and the application goal and showed that uberization in the transport industry is a significant phenomenon that is still developing and, in the future, may threaten traditional forms of transport, i.e., rail and bus travel
The drivers of export product diversification in China: does natural resource endowments matter?
Get PDFExport product diversification (EPD) mitigates a country’s vulnerability to global trade shocks, contributes to its high-quality economic progress, and increases its resilience. Natural resource endowment (NRE) is considered as one of the important determinants of EPD that is less explored by scholars. The contribution of NRE to EPD will remain a matter of debate in China. The paper aims to identify the drivers of the diversification of export products in China using the province level data from 2011 to 2019. It considers key determinants including foreign direct investment (FDI), human capital (HC), technological innovation (TI), and trade openness (TO). The results of the Fixed Effect-Driscoll-Kraay standard errors (FE-DKSE) indicate a positive and significant relationship between NRE and EPD. This suggests that a rise in NRE within a country promotes EPD. Furthermore, FDI, TO, TI, and HC have statistically significant positive links with EPD. Moreover, the findings of our research are consistent across all regions. The robustness analysis provides evidence that our findings are both significant and robust. The empirical findings indicate that the included variables are fundamental determinants of EPD, which provides policymakers with crucial policy implications. To encourage EPD, the government should implement policies that stimulate these determinants.
First published online 05 February 202
The role of ICT in shaping international trade dynamics: a G20 perspective
Get PDFThis research examines the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on economic expansion and commerce within G20 nations. Findings reveal that the digital revolution and advancements in artificial intelligence have significantly bolstered the global digital economy, fostering enhanced productivity, innovation, and trade. Utilizing panel data analysis, the study demonstrates that progress in ICT technology contributed approximately 0.33% to economic growth. Additionally, it facilitated an expansion of about 0.12% in product trade and 0.14% in service trade. The research also uncovered a “Diminishing Marginal Returns of ICT on Trade” effect, where trade volume increases with ICT development, but at a decelerating rate over time. To maximize trade growth potential, the study proposes increased governmental investment in ICT technology development and innovation, coupled with the establishment of digital trade standards. These measures could position digital trade as a catalyst for future economic expansion. While the research acknowledges limitations such as a restricted sample size and reliance on panel data, its conclusions offer valuable insights for policymakers and enterprises in emerging economies.
First published online 2 July 202
Bivariate grid scale based multiple attribute evaluation technique (GAMETE) with incomplete information on weights
Get PDFIn this paper, we have devised a novel Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) method referred to as the bivariate Grid Scale based Multiple Attribute Evaluation Technique (GAMETE) method to deal with MADM decision problems involving tangible and intangible attributes under incomplete weight information. The proposed method innovatively incorporates an Attractiveness GRID Scale (AGRIDS) to evaluate intangible attributes, grounded in cognitive psychological principles – particularly the separability and independence of positive and negative aspects in human judgement. Additionally, a new bidimensional positional advantage operator (bi-pao) is introduced to compute the intangible attractiveness index. Further, linear programming models are formulated in order to construct the pairwise dominance matrix. Afterwards, we rank alternatives using a dominance intensity measure and the Boolean matrix. Furthermore, the proposed method is illustrated through a logistics center location problem. We also perform a comparison with several state-of-the-art linguistic Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (LIFS) and linguistic Pythagorean Fuzzy Sets (LPFS) based MADMs with the aim of showing the applicability and feasibility of the method suggested. Notably, GAMETE provides a multidimensional decision-making framework suitable for addressing complex technological and economic challenges where both quantitative and qualitative factors coexist. Its flexibility and interpretability make it a promising tool for real-world strategic decision scenarios
Schizophrenic urbanism: a quantitative approach for monitoring deviation in neighbourhood’s planning standards
Get PDFUrbanism represents a new terminology and a unique approach that describes and encounters the challenges of rapid urbanization in modern developments in contemporary cities and its effect on urban planning standards. As a metaphor, this term connects schizophrenia as a specific mental disease with precise features of urban planning, such as the loss of identity, place recognition, and community interaction with the social and environmental context. The lack of consensus adds a layer of complexity to understanding the subject matter. To add to the intricacy, schizophrenia has varied presentations with an unpredictable course and recovery. Symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into three broad categories: positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and recognition symptoms. This paper attempts to draw parallels between the recognition symptoms of schizophrenia and urban planning and gain an understanding as to whether urban planning and development are indeed schizophrenic in nature or whether the interference of local authorities, planners, and certain circumstances initiates a kind of deviations that leads to schizophrenic urban symptoms. This is done through an overview of the symptoms of schizophrenia and a comparison of specific symptoms with contemporary urban planning and development, focusing on fragmentation, disconnection from reality, identity loss, adaptability and change management, environmental interaction and conflict and tension. This will be done through critically analyzing contemporary urban planning and development in relation to disorganization and intervention. The study methodology is joined by locating turf within urban planning, sociology, and cultural assessments, and the ethnography research is used that contains interviews, surveys, and content analysis, to study the outcomes of plan requirements deviation and its impact on the local perception. The paper proposed coherent Key Performance Indicators KPIs that can estimate the consequences of applying international planning standards without acknowledging local diversity and place identity. This study encourages a culturally sensitive and locally inclusive approach to local neighborhoods’ planning principles, emphasizing the need to engage local communities in decision-making. The use of this proposed KPIs system could preserve and enhance the unique identities of neighborhoods and address their social needs amidst the challenges of rapid urbanization. The paper concludes that there is a high compatibility between the symptoms of schizophrenia and contemporary urban planning and development and that a greater understanding of schizophrenia can assist in improving the way we plan and develop cities’ neighbourhoods
Employee commitment in Ghanaian healthcare: a multi-factor analysis
Get PDFPurpose – The study investigates the factors influencing organizational commitment among employees at a Municipal Health Directorate (MHD) in Ghana. It focuses on identify- ing key organizational and individual factors that drive commitment and examining potential gender differences.
Research methodology – A quantitative approach was employed, using a cross-sectional survey of 204 MHD employees, with a final sample size of 153. A structured questionnaire measured organizational commitment and influencing factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine relationships between variables.
Findings – Key drivers of commitment include training and development, salary, leadership style, work environment, job satisfaction, and involvement in decision-making. Training and development were the strongest predictors of commitment, while job-related stress negatively influenced commitment. No significant gender differences in commitment were found. Research limitations – The cross-sectional design limits causality. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs to track changes in commitment over time and explore gender differences in other contexts.
Practical implications – The findings emphasize the importance of investing in employee development, fostering supportive leadership, managing job stress, and involving employees in decision-making to enhance commitment.
Originality/Value – This study provides valuable insights into the determinants of employee commitment in healthcare, contributing to the limited research on organizational commitment in resource-constrained healthcare settings in Ghana.
 
Utilizing flexible working arrangement into organizational citizenship behavior: a double mediation model
Get PDFPurpose – The current study aimed to investigate the role of career cushioning and work-life balance (WLB) as mediators in the effect of flexible work arrangements (FWA) on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).
Research methodology – Data were collected from 270 employees working in different multi-financial companies. To test the hypotheses, this study employed SEM-PLS.
Findings – The results indicate that flexible working arrangement is a key factor to foster organizational citizenship behavior. Subsequently, the study highlights the importance role of career cushioning and work life balance as the mediator.
Research limitations – This research was carried out on the multi-financial sector in one country and specific generation, thus, the findings’ generalization is lacking.
Practical implications – This study suggested that companies or human resource teams pay attention to career cushioning and work-life balance to encourage OCB through FWA policy for millennial and Generation Z employees.
Originality/Value – The uniqueness of the Millennials and Generation Z presents a complex challenge, particularly for multi-financial companies. Therefore, it is essential to establish clear career levels and ensure a balance between personal and work life. Empirical research that explores the implication of flexible working arrangement in fostering organizational citizenship in specific generation is lacking, reported solely on manufacturing companies and across generations. Meanwhile, the multi-financial sector, especially in developing countries, is understudied. Consequently, the initial study leads the examination of flexible working arrangements’ role in fostering organizational citizenship behavior in millenial and Z Generation
The link between the shadow economy and the happiness economy in EU euro area countries
Get PDFPurpose – the aim of this study is to assess the relationship and influence between the shadow economy and the level of happiness in the Euro area economies of the European Union by highlighting the theoretical assumptions behind the concept and expression of the shadow economy and happiness.
Research methodology – to calculate the size of the shadow economy will be used Gutmann’s index. To calculate the happiness of the economies will used the Happiness Economy Index from the World Happiness Report (2022) including the following 6 indicators (GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy (that derives to life expectancy and mental health evaluation), social support, freedom index, generosity (do-nations to charity), and corruption index. To determine the relationship between the shadow and happiness economy, the Granger causality method.
Research limitations – the study’s limitations include data reliability and accuracy, methodological limitations, geographical and cultural differences, and time constraints. The estimation of the size of the shadow economy and the happiness economy index may contain inaccuracies, and the Granger causality method cannot fully confirm causality. The study is limited to the euro area countries of the European Union; therefore, the results may not be fully applicable to other countries. Additionally, the data may not fully capture long-term trends or developments.
Practical implications – the results of this study can help policymakers and economists better understand how to reduce the size of the shadow economy and thereby increase people’s happiness. The study’s findings indicate a positive correlation between a country’s Happiness Economy Index and the size of its shadow economy. This suggests that investing in people’s well-being can positively impact the formal economy. Furthermore, the study’s findings can inform the development of effective strategies to combat the informal economy. For instance, strategies such as enhancing social support, increasing the freedom index, and combating corruption can potentially reduce the size of the informal economy and improve the overall economic situation in a country.
Findings/Value – the research confirmed the hypothesis that the size of the shadow economy is smaller in countries with a higher happiness economy index. And Granger causality tests show that the shadow economy has a relatively strong effect on happiness in the EU euro area countries
Modern creative methods of ballet staging and their reflection in the Kazakh ballet Zhusan
Get PDFThe manuscript explores the evolution of ballet staging, focusing on the integration of modern dance and classical ballet. It traces this trend to the second half of the 20th century, highlighting the impact of modern dance’s flexibility on classical ballet’s rigidity, leading to a postmodern era in ballet theater. The study acknowledges significant Western European, American, and Russian researchers in ballet. It discusses how the fusion of classical ballet and modern dance has enriched choreography and led to innovative staging techniques. The manuscript examines the transformation in the definition of ballet, the rejection of strict genre boundaries, and the rise of individual authorial signatures in contemporary ballet productions. The work delves into the postmodernist quest for creative freedom, with choreographers like Merce Cunningham (1919–2009) seeking to break traditional dance constraints. It addresses contemporary ballet trends such as polystylism, eclecticism, collage, and complex performance structures. Focusing on Kazakhstan’s Zhusan ballet, the manuscript analyzes its choreography, music, and artistic interpretation. Zhusan exemplifies the fusion of classical, Kazakh, and contemporary dance, featuring a poetic libretto and a compilative score. In conclusions, the manuscript emphasizes the contemporary ballet’s shift towards the choreographer-director’s subjective vision, a departure from traditional approaches. This critical analysis offers a historical overview and examines the dynamic nature of ballet staging, showcasing a blend of tradition and innovation