1. 38th Bled eConference: Empowering Transformation: Shaping Digital Futures for All : Conference Proceedings2025, proceedings Abstract: The Bled eConference, organised by the University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, has been shaping electronic interactions since 1988. The theme of the 38th conference is "Empowering transformation: Shaping digital futures for all". The central theme highlights the need for a digital transformation that is focused on the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of inclusive and sustainable development that enables equal participation of diverse stakeholders in shaping a digital future for all—one that is grounded in ethical, social, and sustainable principles. Within this framework, digital technologies are viewed as enablers for the transformation of existing systems and solutions in a human-centered way. The goal is to foster innovation, strengthen resilience, and promote long-term societal and economic progress. The papers in this conference proceedings explore a range of topics including the opportunities and challenges of the twin transition, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and data science, decision analytics for business and societal changes, digital innovation and business models, restructured work and the future workplace, digital health, digital ethics, digital education, smart sustainable cities, digital consumers, and the digital transformation of the public sector.
Keywords: resilience, digital transformation, digital innovation, twin transition, sustainability, digital transition, green transition, designing digital future
Published in DKUM: 09.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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2. Neobanks’ footprint on the transformative path of the Austrian and the Slovenian banking MarketChristian Cech, Martin Wirth, Timotej Jagrič, Vita Jagrič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The digital transformation in banking, which is supported by the European regulatory framework, has enabled new business models for banking. One example of these changes is the emergence of neobanks. We examine the presence of neobanks in two national markets, Austria and Slovenia. Despite the geographical proximity and rich history of banking integration between the two markets, our findings reveal significant differences in this perspective between the two markets. In the analytical part, we use available indirect and descriptive data. We have identified two historical periods. In the first, domestic neobanks appeared. Unlike in Austria, where there is a rich history of domestic neobanks, there were none in Slovenia. In the second identified period, the most propulsive European neobanks are similarly active in both markets, which increases competition in the banking markets. In the future, the neobanks could contribute to the increase in the mobility of deposits outside the national banking markets.
Keywords: neobanks, digital-only banks, cross-border banking, digital transformation
Published in DKUM: 02.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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3. Human-centered ai in smart farming : toward agriculture 5.0Andreas Holzinger, Iztok Fister, Iztok Fister, Peter Kaul, Senthold Asseng, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This paper delineates the contemporary landscape, challenges, and prospective developments in human-centred artificial intelligence (AI) within the ambit of smart farming, a pivotal element of the emergent Agriculture 5.0, supplanting Agriculture 4.0. Analogous to Industry 4.0, agriculture has witnessed a trend towards comprehensive automation, often marginalizing human involvement. However, this approach has encountered limitations in agricultural contexts for various reasons. While AI’s capacity to assume human tasks is acknowledged, the inclusion of human expertise and experiential knowledge (human-in-the-loop) often proves indispensable, corroborated by the Moravec’s Paradox: tasks simple for humans are complex for AI. Furthermore, social, ethical, and legal imperatives necessitate human oversight of AI, a stance strongly reflected in the European Union’s regulatory framework. Consequently, this paper explores the advancements in human-centred AI focusing on their application in agricultural processes. These technological strides aim to enhance crop yields, minimize labor and resource wastage, and optimize the farm-to-consumer supply chain. The potential of AI to augment human decision-making, thereby fostering a sustainable, efficient, and resilient agri-food sector, is a focal point of this discussion - motivated by the current worldwide extreme weather events. Finally, a framework for Agriculture 5.0 is presented, which balances technological prowess with the needs, capabilities, and contexts of human stakeholders. Such an approach, emphasizing accessible, intuitive AI systems that meaningfully complement human activities, is crucial for the successful realization of future Agriculture 5.0.
Keywords: human-centered AI, smart framing, agriculture 5.0, digital transformation, artificial intelligence
Published in DKUM: 23.04.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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4. Digital transformation reduces costs of the paints and coatings development processTomaž Kern, Eva Krhač Andrašec, Benjamin Urh, Marjan Senegačnik, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: An essential characteristic of the new product development process is to develop a new marketable product in the shortest possible time with the lowest reasonable costs. Therefore, the key factor of the process is efficiency. The paints and coatings industry development process contain numerous laboratory tests to determine the appropriateness of new formulation. It is proven that digital transformation can reduce the number of laboratory tests and consequently shorten the throughput time of the development process. This raised the question of whether the faster development process also reduces the process’ cost, or they even increase due to information and communication technology implementation. Therefore, the research’s purpose was to determine whether reducing the number of laboratory tests, based on the implementation of information and communication technology (ICT), affects reducing costs in the paints and coatings development process. The conventional process and the redesigned process of paints and coatings development were used as the basis of the research. The comparative analysis of the costs incurred during the development process was made. The analysis compares the types and amount of incurred costs. The article proves that digital transformation has a significant impact on up to 48% on reducing costs of the paints and coatings development process.
Keywords: coatings industry, digital transformation, development process, process redesign, technical enabler, implementation cost, rentability threshold
Published in DKUM: 24.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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5. A longitudinal study on the adoption of cloud computing in micro, small, and medium enterprises in MontenegroIvana Ognjanović, Ramo Šendelj, Milica Daković-Tadić, Ines Kožuh, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: cloud adoption, digital transformation, micro, small and medium enterprises, longitudinal study, TOE framework, UTAUT framework
Published in DKUM: 17.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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6. Factors of digital transformation in the maritime transport sectorMarija Jović, Edvard Tijan, Doroteja Vidmar, Andreja Pucihar, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: This paper aims to present the model of factors which influence the digital transformation in maritime transport sector. The preliminary model is based on a literature review and interviews conducted to identify the relevant factors influencing the digital transformation of stakeholders operating in the maritime transport sector. In order to test the model, the survey was conducted on the sample of Croatian administrative (port authorities, ministry, harbormaster’s offices, etc.) and commercial stakeholders (freight forwarders, agents, terminal operators, etc.) operating in maritime transport sector. The collected data was analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The research has shown that organizational, technological, and environmental (TOE) factors affect the digitalization of the organizations in the maritime transport sector. As a result of digitalization, changes in business models are visible: organizations in maritime transport sector generate additional revenue from new sources, provide new services, and introduce new sales channels.
Keywords: digital transformation, maritime transport sector, seaports, TOE factors, PLS-SEM
Published in DKUM: 16.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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7. The role and meaning of the digital transformation as a disruptive innovation on small and medium manufacturing enterprisesVasja Roblek, Maja Meško, Franci Pušavec, Borut Likar, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The research reported in this paper explores the impact of digital transformation as a disruptive innovation on manufacturing SMEs. The research is based on a qualitative Delphi study encompassing 49 experts from eleven EU countries. The paper aims to demonstrate how disruptive innovations affect organizational changes and determine critical factors in organizations that impact the initiating and promoting R&D of disruptive innovation. We discovered that disruptive innovations impact product/process development methods, new production concepts, new materials for products, and new organization plans. Additionally, we identified organizational changes related to the development and use of disruptive innovations in the future. We also indicate how disruptive innovations influence social and technological changes in the organizational environment. The analysis also disclosed three main groups of disruptive innovations and their impact on future smart factory development, namely the following: technological changes, the emergence of innovative products, business models and solutions and organizational culture as one of the crucial key success factors. The analysis also examined the enablers of the successful development/introduction of disruptive innovations, wherein internal and external factors were determined. Additionally, we presented obstacles and the approaches necessary to mitigate them. We can conclude from the findings that in the timeframe of 5–10 years, only the SME that uses/develops disruptive innovations will survive in the market. However, the companies do not always have a clear idea of the meaning of disruptive innovations. Therefore, it is important to set clear goals regarding the achievement of disruptive innovations in companies. It is also necessary to creatively apply presented instruments enabling improvement of organizational changes and apply some additional concepts, which we have suggested.
Keywords: digital transformation, disruptive innovation, Industry 4.0, Delphi study, SME, smart factory
Published in DKUM: 11.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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8. Achieving Environmental sustainability through theadoption of industry 4.0 : an exploratory case study withinthe information technology industryMohamed El Merroun, Istvan Janos Bartók, Osama Alkhlaifat, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: In the present-day competitive business landscape, integrating Industry 4.0 has transitioned from a choice to a necessity for companies striving to maintain their edge. Given the automation functions of IoT, the data management and transformation capabilities of AI, and the traceability benefits provided by Blockchain, this imperative is now more evident than ever. While widespread interest in Industry 4.0 is prevalent, the uncertainties surrounding the implementation process pose notable challenges. For this reason, in this paper, we present a single case study of a firm that operates in the information technology market to showcase the implementation process and how they overcome the challenges of digital transformation. Furthermore, the effect of this implementation on environmental sustainability experienced by the company and three of its customers was discussed.
Keywords: industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, digital transformation
Published in DKUM: 01.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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9. Multi-attribute assessment of digital maturity of SMEsMirjana Kljajić Borštnar, Andreja Pucihar, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to keep pace with large enterprises, thus they need to digitally transform. Since they usually lack resources (budget, knowledge, and time) many countries have their support environment to help SMEs in this endeavor. To be able to ensure the right kinds of support, it is crucial to assess the digital maturity of an enterprise. There are many models and assessment tools for digital maturity, however, they are either theoretical models, partial, vendor oriented, or suited for large enterprises. In this paper, we address the problem of assessing digital maturity for SMEs. For this purpose, we developed a multi-attribute model for assessment of the digital maturity of an SME. We followed the design science research approach, where the multi-attribute model is considered as an IT artifact. Within the design cycle, the decision expert (DEX) methodology of a broader multi-attribute decision making methodologies was applied. The developed model was validated by a group of experts and upgraded according to their feedback and finally evaluated on seven real-life cases. Results show that the model can be used in real business situations.
Keywords: digital transformation, digital maturity assessment, multi-attribute model, small and medium-sized enterprises
Published in DKUM: 07.08.2024; Views: 108; Downloads: 23
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10. Implementation of the digital sales channel in the coatings industryEva Krhač Andrašec, Marjan Senegačnik, Benjamin Urh, Tomaž Kern, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The development process in the coatings industry can be shortened by digital transformation, and its costs can be reduced using a technical enabler. However, formulators need up-to-date and comprehensive data on existing and potential ingredients to develop the formulation. We were curious about how to supply formulators with data. The idea was that suppliers of ingredients provide data using the “common enabling technology”. We hypothesize that direct data entry compensates suppliers because they can shorten the sales process and increase sales. We used a survey to select key sales channels in the industry. Detailed process models were designed using structured interviews. We analyzed models using structural and operational indicators. Finally, we formed a new digital sales process and verified it. The results show that the digitally formatted sales process can be shortened by up to 32%. Simultaneously, more potential customers can be accessed using the common technology. Existing sales channels would not be closed down. Nevertheless, the digital sales channel is expected to prove its worth over time and gradually increase its share. The suppliers of ingredients can thus avoid a radical process transformation and the immediate integration of additional information technology into the company information system in such an evolutionary way.
Keywords: digital sales channel, process analyses and improvement, digital transformation, technical enabler, coatings industry, process simulation
Published in DKUM: 06.08.2024; Views: 103; Downloads: 10
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