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Abstract: Purpose: This study is motivated by the importance of startups in economic growth and the need for methods to evaluate their success, considering risk and uncertainty. The objective is to analyze factors that influence startups, using factor and cluster analysis. The hypothesis that advanced business analytics in startup evaluation can enhance the quality of investment decision-making was tested. Methods: The combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques was used. Statistics about 20 startups from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia over five years were processed to identify success drivers and to group startups by similarity. Machine learning and social media sentiment analysis were applied to assess non-financial indicators. Results: The results showed that indicators such as projected profitability, social media activity, and innovativeness are significant for startup ranking. The share of traditional methods in the Baltic states was 55%, while modern tools were 45%, highlighting the role of digitalization in risk assessment. Startups with high clustering coefficients and positive mention sentiment demonstrated superior performance. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that integrating business analytics and digitalization enhances startup evaluation. The model combines financial metrics with network and sentiment analysis, offering a comprehensive framework for investors. It confirms that data-driven methods improve decision-making, reducing investment risks.
Keywords: startup evaluation, business analytics, digitalization, economic potential, Baltic states, social engagement
Published in DKUM: 14.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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Abstract: The study material provides a comprehensive overview of health tourism as an important and rapidly developing segment of the tourism industry. It begins with a historical perspective, from ancient civilizations and pilgrimages to the democratization of spa culture, the rise of medical tourism, and today’s integrated approaches to health and wellness. The text defines key concepts such as health, illness, quality of life, happiness, well-being, and wellness, introducing models like the Wellness Wheel and PERMA. A central part of the material examines the relationship between well-being and tourism, highlighting how travel contributes to physical, psychological, and social health. Different types of health tourism are presented, particularly the distinction between medical and wellness tourism, supported by comparative models. Detailed chapters cover spas, wellness centres in hospitality, hot springs, and natural therapeutic waters, outlining their definitions, typologies, benefits, and contemporary applications. The material also discusses market segmentation in wellness tourism, identifying motives and profiles of tourists, as well as management aspects, including customer experience, site-level management, and broader geographical considerations. Special emphasis is given to stakeholder structures and their interactions, which shape the functioning of health tourism systems. Trends such as sustainability, digitalization, personalization, and the impact of COVID-19 are analysed as forces transforming the sector. A separate focus is given to health tourism in Slovenia, its natural healing factors, spas, and the role of the Slovenian Spas Association. Altogether, the material combines theory, history, practical examples, and future trends, offering students an in-depth but structured introduction to health and wellness tourism.
Keywords: Health tourism, wellness tourism, medical tourism, well-being, quality of life, happiness, spas, wellness centres, hot springs, natural therapeutic waters, balneotherapy, tourism management, customer segmentation, stakeholders, sustainability, digitalization, Slovenia, Slovenian Spas Association
Published in DKUM: 02.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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Abstract: This research investigates how business model changes induced by digital transformation impact productivity within the maritime transport sector in Croatia. Given the limited existing literature addressing digital transformation’s productivity implications, specifically in maritime contexts, this study aims to identify and analyze key mediating factors. An online survey conducted among Croatian maritime transport stakeholders resulted in 82 valid responses, which were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). The study identifies two primary dimensions of business model changes—innovation and process digitalization—that significantly correlate with increased productivity. Key influencing factors include the digitalization of internal and external business processes, development of new digital revenue streams, introduction of innovative services, and novel pricing models. Results underscore the importance of targeted digital transformation initiatives and serve as a valuable reference for maritime transport stakeholders, aiming to enhance their productivity and competitiveness through digital innovation.
Keywords: digital transformation, maritime transport, productivity, business model innovation, process digitalization, Croatia, principal component analysis
Published in DKUM: 26.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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Abstract: The scientific monograph presents the latest findings in the fields of sustainable development and digitalization and applies them to the management of logistics and supply chains. The theoretical part of the monograph opens with chapters that elucidate fundamental concepts in sustainable development, such as sustainable development goals, environmental policy, sustainable production and consumption, the sharing economy, the concept of degrowth and the economy of wellbeing. Next, it discusses the most recent trends in sustainability and the integration of digitalization, whereby the focus is on what is trending and what younger generations perceive as opportunities for priority development. The theoretical section concludes with the presentation of competency models for sustainability and digitalization and the introduction of lifelong learning as a tool for a faster acquisition of knowledge in the areas of sustainable development and digitalization. The latter has been proposed in response to the perceived lack of sustainability and digital skills among individuals who completed formal education at a time when sustainability and digitalization were peripheral topics inadequately integrated into education and the priorities of logistics and supply chains. The research part of the monograph begins by examining the incorporation of sustainable development into the existing legislative framework. Following this, the results of the analysis of the integration of sustainable and digital competencies into Slovenian higher education programmes are presented, along with the results of the analysis of their overlap. The key research output is information obtained from the results of a quantitative study identifying the essential knowledge, skills and abilities needed for the successful simultaneous green and digital transition to Society 5.0 in logistics and supply chains. Additionally, the perceived differences between the economic sector, students and academics in key priority areas are explored.
Keywords: sustainable development, digitalization, supply chains, lifelong learning, green and digital transition
Published in DKUM: 22.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 16
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Abstract: This study examines the impact of socio-demographic factors on attitudes towards sustainability and digitalization in logistics and supply chain management. Since a significant gap was identified in this field, study explores how company size, industry sector, and workforce diversity influence strategic planning and operational efficiency within these pivotal sectors of global commerce. The main novelty of the research is to set the roles of technological readiness and knowledge-based factors in shaping organizational responses to sustainability challenges and digital transformation opportunities. By analyzing the correlation between socio-demographic profiles and technological adoption behaviors, the paper aims to provide insights that could help organizations tailor their strategic initiatives to better align with diverse stakeholder needs, enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainable practices. This study seeks to fill the gaps in current research by offering a detailed exploration of how sociodemographic diversity impacts the adoption of innovative technologies and sustainability measures within the logistics and supply chain sectors. Results revealed that gender, sector, work position and company size contribute to different understanding and prioritisation of sustainability topics. Managers and team leaders are more focused towards sustainability than the rest of employees and logistics and supply chain sector prefer digitalization over sustainability.
Keywords: socio-demographic profiles, sustainability, digitalization, logistics, supply chain management
Published in DKUM: 17.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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