Open Access
Article
SciPap-2086
Digitalisation as a tool to enhance eco-efficiency measures: A systematic literature review
by Sara Majid
Abstract: Digitalisation has become a key process for companies to improve their sustainability, yet a clear overview of the challenges and achievements within European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) regarding digitalisation is still lacking in the literature, making it difficult to identify research gaps or quantify the impact digitalisation has on the European SME market. This paper examines digitalisation as an enabler for European SMEs to improve their environmental sustainability and specifically considers the implementation of eco-efficiency measures such as waste reduction and waste management and thus confirms whether digitalisation can enhance eco-efficiency measures or not within European SMEs. The study is based on a bibliometric analysis followed by a systematic literature review. In particular, it first synthesizes the existing state-of-the-art research and summarizes theoretical frameworks, to explain main themes and gaps in the literature published from the year 2020. Selected articles focusing on European SMEs and digitalisation practices in the context of eco-efficiency are revised in detail. This review identifies common challenges and opportunities associated with digitalisation in the context of European SMEs while offering pathways to address the research gaps.
Keywords: Small And Medium Enterprises (Smes), Environmental Sustainability, Europe, Digitalisation Eco-Efficiency, Waste Reduction, Energy Efficiency
JEL classification: O32, Q56, C80, L26, L86, M15
Open Access
Article
SciPap-2087
Growing Green Processes and Sustainable Business – Mapping Company-Level Motives to Initiate Sustainable Practices Based on the Wood and Metal Industries in Estonia
by Merle Küttim, Tarvo Niine, Margit Kull, Arseni Kotov, Wolfgang Dieter Gerstlberger, Jelena Hartšenko, Ulrika Hurt
Abstract: Human-driven changes threaten environmental and economic stability, prompting the formulation of sustainability objectives and innovation efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of economic activities. However, the pace of this transition is often seen as slow, and businesses' commitment to sustainable development is frequently deemed insufficient. In this context, the current study explores the motivational factors that drive businesses to adopt and implement sustainable practices. The findings reveal significant differences in how companies approach social and environmental sustainability and balance it with economic goals. To capture the diversity of motivations behind sustainability initiatives, investments, and related preparatory planning, we propose a model of three types of existing development mindsets in companies, distinguishing between “a spreadsheet mindset”, “a mindset of strategic capabilities” and “a value-driven mindset”. This typology serves as a tool for companies to self-assess their motivations as well as for governments to fine-tune sustainability regulations and support mechanisms accordingly.
Keywords: Motivation, Sustainable Practices, Metal Industry, Wood Industry, Qualitative Studies
JEL classification: L21, M14, O32, Q01, Q56, D22
Open Access
Article
SciPap-2083
The Blockchain-Based Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Supported by Stakeholders-In-The-Loop Model
by Şaban İbrahim Göksal, Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez
Abstract: This paper introduces the Blockchain-Based Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Supported by Stakeholders-In-The-Loop Model (BCTrustAI.SL) that incorporates sociotechnical components to ensure legal compliance and conformity with the emerging trustworthiness standards for AI systems. BCTrustAI.SL combines features of the Blockchain Framework for Trustworthy AI (BF.TAI), the BlockIoTIntelligence architectural model and the Society-In-The-Loop (SITL) framework, to solve the intangibility problem of the foundational normative notions of robustness, ethicality and lawfulness, and human-centredness, and help them become applicable in practice. The work contributes to the specification and operationalisation of trustworthiness as an AI attribute, highlighting the importance of a precise understanding of its institutional foundations, high order principles and concrete key requirements (data protection, data governance, technical robustness and safety, transparency, accountability, diversity and non-discrimination, and human agency and oversight) deriving from them. On a practical/technical level, BCTrustAI.SL showcases the strengths of combining Blockchain (BC) and AI to address their individual limitations, laying the groundwork for future advancements and practical applications.
Keywords: Trustworthy Ai, Robustness, Ethicality And Lawfulness, Human-Centredness, Blockchain Framework For Trustworthy Ai, Blockiotintelligence Architectural Model, Society-In-The-Loop Framework
JEL classification: M48, O31, O33, O38, K39, M15
