1. The Economic efficiency of micro biogas plants: ǂa ǂSustainable Energy solution in Slovenia - Case studyPeter Vindiš, Karmen Pažek, Jernej Prišenk, Črtomir Rozman, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents a simulation model for determining the most suitable type of microbiogas plant for small local communities on Slovenian farms, focusing on the efficient processing of organic waste. This model uses various input parameters, including different types and quantities of slurry and corn silage. Four different scenarios were developed to represent potential plant sizes, each evaluated using key economic indicators: net present value, breakthrough price, and internal rate of return. A scenario sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effects of changes in investment costs, fluctuations in energy prices, and the addition of corn silage to the anaerobic digestion process. The results highlight significant differences in economic viability across the scenarios, with some demonstrating positive financial outcomes and shorter payback periods and others indicating potential financial risks and longer recovery times under certain conditions. The analysis suggests that smaller micro biogas plants may struggle to achieve profitability without optimizing input ratios or reducing costs, whereas larger plants show more favorable economic indicators, provided certain conditions are met. Furthermore, the economic efficiency improves when adding maize silage to the fermentor mixture.
Keywords: micro biogas plant, biogas, economic efficiency, simulation
Published in DKUM: 27.11.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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2. Gender differences in work satisfaction, work engagement and work efficiency of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic : the case in SloveniaMaja Rožman, Simona Sternad Zabukovšek, Samo Bobek, Polona Tominc, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown has caused massive economic disruption, leading businesses to make a rapid transition and take a new approach to business strategy. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to examine if there are statistically significant gender differences in work satisfaction, work engagement, and work efficiency among employees who work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the paper aims to identify the importance of individual dimensions of work satisfaction, work engagement, and work efficiency, and gender differences perspective. The research is based on a survey of 785 employees in Slovenian companies. The factor analysis and the t-test for two independent samples were used to test the research hypotheses. Findings: The results show significant gender differences in work satisfaction, work engagement, and work efficiency among employees who work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper provides change management insights and recommendations to assist companies in minimizing the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their employees.
Keywords: work satisfaction, work engagement, work efficiency, employees, COVID-19
Published in DKUM: 14.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 11
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3. Defining a sustainable supply chain for buildings Off-Site envelope thermal insulation solutions : proposal of a methodology to investigate opportunities based on a context analysisMiriam Benedetti, Carlos Herce, Matteo Sforzini, Tiziana Susca, Claudia Toro, 2024, review article Abstract: External wall thermal insulation is one of the most effective solutions on the market to increase energy efficiency in the built environment. Off-Site Construction (OSC), through better control of the various parameters involved, can bring important advantages, such as the reduction of construction time, the improvement of product and process quality, etc. In the last years, the rapidly growing demand for thermal insulation systems, stimulated also by tax incentives, has generated a unique situation in Italy compared to the rest of Europe, also leading to a considerable fragmentation of the supply chain with several players involved (component and system manufacturers, distributors, and installers). The complexity of such context makes Italy an extremely challenging and insightful case study for a supply chain and sustainability study, also considering the fact that the energy efficiency of the Italian building stock represents a crucial challenge to achieve the country's energy saving goals since 40% of final energy consumption derives from buildings and 75% of the building stock presents a low energy performance (energy labels E, F and G). This article presents both an analysis of the Italian market of manufacturers of building envelope thermal insulation solutions, highlighting the different players in the supply chain in terms of number, type, and marketed products and solutions, and a focus on sustainable and recycled materials. The study also aims to define a methodology to investigate the state of play and opportunities for industrialisation of this market and its bottlenecks. In the article, a questionnaire is proposed to collect information and opinions on the spread of OSC and the perception of companies and professionals regarding the advantages and disadvantages of industrializing the sector. A first validation of the survey is presented in the form of industrial focus groups.
Keywords: supply chain sustainability, industrial energy efficiency, off-site construction, construction industrialisation, sustainable building materials, modular buildings
Published in DKUM: 01.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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4. Differences in subject-specific competences between Slovenian and Italian physical education teachersMarjeta Kovač, Bojan Leskošek, Gregor Jurak, Miha Marinšek, Miloš Tul, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This cross-sectional study was designed to analyse the differences between the subject-specific competences of Slovenian and Italian physical education (PE) teachers. The participants, 669 Slovenian and 484 Italian PE teachers, evaluated their professional competences with a self-administered questionnaire on a four-level Likert scale. A t-test for independent samples indicates differences in the self-evaluations of the majority of subject-specific competences between both groups. However, in almost all items, Slovenian PE teachers evaluate their competences higher. A multivariate analysis of variance, used to identify the role of some socio-demographic factors (state, gender, years of service), shows that the state has the highest impact on the differences between self-efficiency of both groups (p<0.001, Eta2=0.531). The greatest differences (Cohen's d > 0.8) are observed on those competences that relate to some of the narrower aspects of PE didactics. The reasons for the perceived differences can be found in some historical and social events, length of education, the different orientation of PE teacher education programmes, and the different responses of both countries to educational policies. The present study outcomes may aid in updating initial PE teacher training and designing a creative system of continuous professional development.
Keywords: physical education, educators, self-efficiency, cross-cultural study
Published in DKUM: 04.09.2024; Views: 41; Downloads: 4
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5. The technical efficiency of Tunisian ports : comparing data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis scoresRabeb Kammoun, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Maritime transportation for Tunisia plays an important role in trade exchange with other countries. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to measure the efficiency scores of 7 seaports in Tunisia by applying the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) with Cobb-Douglas production function and Data envelopment analysis (DEA) with CCR and BCC models. The annual data collected cover the 2007-2017 period for each port. Thus, the sample size for the analysis comprises a total of 77 observations. The empirical result shows that the total average scores of operating efficiency scores were DEA-BCC (0.746)>SFACD (0.536)>DEA-CCR (0.334) from 2007 to 2017. Given these results, the port of Gabes can be considered as the best efficient port in the 3 models (DEA-BCC, DEACCR and SFA-CD).
Keywords: efficiency, data envelopment analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), Tunisian seaports
Published in DKUM: 22.08.2024; Views: 44; Downloads: 4
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6. Appropriately organized work and employees’ concerns related to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic : the case in SloveniaMaja Rožman, Vesna Čančer, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: The main aim of the paper is to establish the effects of appropriately organized work as well as the effects of the employees' concerns related to work during the COVID-19 pandemic on work efficiency and work satisfaction among employees working from home during this period. The empirical research includes 619 employees in Slovenia, who participated in the survey during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach: Structural equation modeling was used in exploring the effects between constructs.
Findings: Based on the results, the authors found that appropriately organized work during the COVID-19 pandemic has a positive effect not only on the work efficiency of employees who work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia but also on their work satisfaction. Also, based on the results, the authors found that the employees' concerns related to work during the COVID-19 pandemic have a negative effect on the work efficiency and on the work satisfaction of employees who work from home during this period in Slovenia.
Originality/value: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the way we live and work; therefore, this paper contributes to the creation of new working conditions and employee management during and also after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, appropriately organized work, work efficiency, work satisfaction, employees` concerns
Published in DKUM: 03.07.2024; Views: 117; Downloads: 9
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7. The interplay of restaurant SMEs' entrepreneurial and environmental characteristics, management of the requisite assets, and operational efficiencyTanja Planinc, Marko Kukanja, Anja Žnidaršič, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Background/Purpose: SMEs are subject to different factors in the business environments that influence their business performance. Considering the importance of restaurants’ environmental characteristics, entrepreneurs can also, through their entrepreneurial characteristics, influence SMEsʼ management of the requisite assets (MRA). Accordingly, this study examines the influence of restaurant SMEs’ entrepreneurial (self-efficacy, orientation, and demographics) and environmental (location, size, and competition) characteristics on MRA and, consequently, on SMEs’ operational efficiency.
Methods: Primary data relating to the environmental (location, size, and competition) and entrepreneurial (self-efficacy, orientation, and demographic) characteristics were obtained using a survey questionnaire, while the secondary data were obtained from SMEs’ official financial reports. The sample consists of 266 restaurant SMEs in the Republic of Slovenia. Efficiency was analysed using data envelopment analysis (DEA), and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the research model.
Results: The results indicate that environmental characteristics have a much more significant impact on MRA than entrepreneurial characteristics. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and most demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, and experience) proved not to influence significantly MRA and, consequently, SMEs’ operational efficiency.
Conclusion: SMEs’ external environment is generally not directly influenced by managerial decisions. Therefore, it is critical to strengthen the influence of the internal environment through an active development of entrepreneurial characteristics, which could result in a more effective MRA and higher efficiency. The conclusion provides suggestions for future research and valuable information for entrepreneurs, academia, and policymakers.
Keywords: SMEs, restaurant industry, Slovenia, efficiency, environmental and entrepreneurial characteristics, requisite assets
Published in DKUM: 28.06.2024; Views: 418; Downloads: 13
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8. 6th International Conference En-Re Energy & Responsibility : Book of Extended Abstracts2024 Abstract: In the context of escalating climate challenges, the EnRe conference is dedicated to exploring pathways to climate neutrality and the sustainable green transition. The conference is focused on the development and implementation of innovations supporting the transformation of energy systems, industrial systems, and living systems, all with the goal of creating a sustainable future with net-zero emissions. The conference brings together experts, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders to share their experiences, research, and visions. The aim of the conference is to foster collaboration and exchange of ideas, and to collectively develop comprehensive approaches and strategies for achieving climate neutrality. This conference is not just a knowledge exchange, but also a platform for encouraging concrete actions that will ensure a greenerand more sustainable future for our next generations to come.
Keywords: alternative energy systems, dynamic tariffing, electrical machines and drives, energy conversions, financing energy projects, nuclear energy, conventional energy systems, climate changes - climate pan, mathematical methods in engineering, micro and nano energy, low-carbon technologies and strategies, renewable energy technologies heating and cooling systems, smart buildings, cities and networks, policies and strategies for renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and the climate
Published in DKUM: 17.05.2024; Views: 332; Downloads: 34
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9. Properties of the fluoroacrylate and methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane applied to a layer of Cu2O on bronze as either single or multi-component coatingsLuka Škrlep, Tadeja Kosec, Matjaž Finšgar, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Erika Švara Fabjan, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: bronze, Cu2O layer on bronze, fluoropolymer coating, protection efficiency, surface spectroscopy
Published in DKUM: 10.05.2024; Views: 183; Downloads: 8
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10. Applying integrated data envelopment analysis and analytic hierarchy process to measuring the efficiency of tourist farms : The Case of SloveniaBoris Prevolšek, Maja Borlinič Gačnik, Črtomir Rozman, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: This paper examines the efficiency of tourist farms in Slovenia by adopting an approach using a framework of non-parametric programming—Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), combining the two because the DEA analysis by itself does not take into account all attributes, especially qualitative ones. The beforementioned two methods rank the farm tourism units with respect to their efficiency. By using the DEA method, an input- and output-oriented BCC and CCR model were introduced to upgrade the criteria by including the additional non-numerical criteria of the AHP. The results of the models showed that there are possible improvements on all levels of efficiency, as well as on the criteria of the additional offer of tourist farms, which were analyzed in the AHP model with additional criteria. According to the estimated efficiency, the ranking of tourist farms differed according to the two methods. Within the group of farms assessed as efficient by DEA, the AHP model allowed a more accurate ranking.
Keywords: farm tourism, tourist farms, efficiency, data envelopment analysis (DEA), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 09.04.2024; Views: 281; Downloads: 19
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