1. Effect of usage of industrial robots on quality, labor productivity, exports and environmentJasna Prester, Iztok Palčič, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Industrial robots are slowly finding their way into manufacturing companies. This paper
examines the impact of robots on productivity, exports, quality, sustainability and labor in European manufacturing companies. There is little research on the use of industrial robots and their
impact in developed countries. Most research relates to Chinese companies, and often, the data are
outdated. The data in this paper come from the European Manufacturing Survey project, which
was conducted in 2022 and includes 476 manufacturing companies. The results of the impact of
industrial robots on quality, labor productivity, exports and green technologies are determined using
a T-test between companies that use industrial robots and those that do not. However, the impact
of higher investment in environmental technologies by industrial robot users was examined by a
two-stage OLS regression analysis with control variables representing the contextual characteristics
of the companies. The results show positive effects on all of the variables. The results show that
the greater use of robots occurs in industries with low-to-medium technology intensity, that robots
contribute to labor productivity and exports and that companies that use robots also tend to use
environmentally friendly technologies. Keywords: industrial robots, productivity, quality, exports, environmental, sustainability, European manufacturing survey Published in DKUM: 09.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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2. Building organisational sustainability during the COVID-19 pandemic with an inspiring work environmentMaja Rožman, Anita Radman Peša, Mladen Rajko, Tjaša Štrukelj, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This article aims to analyse significant differences in four constructs: occupational stress, job satisfaction, work engagement, and work productivity among employees before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the paper is to develop a multidimensional model with these four constructs and analyse the differences in the strength of their effects on the model across two intersectional times: before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was implemented on a sample of 885 employees in Slovenian organisations. During COVID-19, Slovenia had one of the strictest lockdowns. Based on the research, we can confirm significant differences in the four analysed constructs among employees before COVID-19 and during COVID-19. Based on the results, we can confirm that occupational stress had a more negative effect on job satisfaction and work engagement during COVID-19 than before prior to it. Our research and conclusions highlight the measures with which organisations can reduce the problem of occupational stress and with which organisations can increase job satisfaction, work engagement and work productivity among employees during COVID-19. Based on this, organisations may be able to build a more supportive work environment during, and after, COVID-19. Keywords: organisational sustainability, work engagement, work environment, COVID-19, stress, satisfaction, productivity, wellbeing Published in DKUM: 06.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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3. ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION (RPA) IN AUDITINGFilip Tashkovski, 2024, undergraduate thesis Abstract: Auditing, as a form of control (for example over financial management or compliance), has traditionally relied on manual processes that are time-consuming, labor-intensive and prone to human error. With the advent of robotic process automation (RPA), there has been a paradigm shift from manual to automated processes in audit processes as well. Automation dates back to the 1990s, which led to the creation of robotic process automation (RPA) tools. Today we are approaching or we are in the fourth industrial revolution, the era of universal automation. RPA refers to the use of software robots (or "bots") to automate repetitive rule-based activities previously performed by humans. As companies try to keep up with rapid technological improvements, incorporating RPA into audit processes provides a number of benefits that can radically change auditing. RPA has emerged as a transformative technology in auditing, changing established approaches with its ability to improve productivity, accuracy and compliance. One of the most significant benefits of RPA in auditing is its ability to increase efficiency. Traditional audit procedures can sometimes be time-consuming and labor-intensive, as auditors must manually collect and evaluate data from multiple sources. RPA accelerates these activities by automating common tasks such as data entry, coordination and report generation. For example, an RPA robot can be trained to collect financial data from multiple sources (eg from multiple companies) and verify its accuracy using established criteria. This not only reduces the time required to perform audits, but also eliminates the possibility of human error. In addition to efficiency, there is another key advantage: accuracy. RPA enables auditors to take proactive measures to reduce risk, thereby protecting the financial integrity and reputation of the organization. By automating mundane and repetitive activities, RPA allows auditors to focus on more strategic activities that deliver value to the business. Auditors (in the broadest sense) can spend more time evaluating data models, finding areas for improvement, and making strategic suggestions to management. The aim of this bachelor's degree thesis is to explore and demonstrate the application of RPA in audit procedures, highlighting its benefits such as increased productivity, improved quality of rapid processing of large databases, improved risk management, and cost savings. The thesis also discusses the challenges and considerations related to the implementation of RPA in audit practices. The history of RPA is detailed, revealing its use by different industries and their goals. The thesis defines all types of RPA tools and their advantages and weaknesses. It also distinguishes between artificial intelligence (AI) and RPA, as it can confuse the activities of RPA tools with AI. Keywords: robotic process automation, RPA, monitoring, analytics, security, productivity, auditing, audit process. Published in DKUM: 09.09.2024; Views: 25; Downloads: 17
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4. Towards productive and ergonomic order picking : multi-objective modeling approachBrigita Gajšek, Simona Šinko, Tomaž Kramberger, Marcin Butlewski, Eren Özceylan, Goran Đukić, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The logistics sector should strive for sustainability alongside productivity by protecting its order pickers' health and welfare. Existing storage assignment models are mainly based on the criterion of order picking time and, to a lesser extent, the human factor. In the paper, a solution to a storage assignment problem using a multi-objective model based on binary integer linear programing is presented by developing a solution that considers order picking time, energy expenditure and health risk. The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) method was used for health risk assessment. The downside of solely health risk-optimization is that the average order picking time increases by approximately 33 % compared to solely time-optimization. Contrary to this, the developed multi-objective function emphasizing time has proven to be promising in finding a compromise between the optimal order picking time and eliminating work situations with a very-high risk for injuries. Its use increases the time by only 3.8 % compared to solely time-optimization while significantly reducing health risk. Keywords: productivity, energy expenditure, order picking, order picking system, health risk, OWAS, multi-objective modeling, planning, logistics, ergonomics Published in DKUM: 13.08.2024; Views: 109; Downloads: 10
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5. Bi-objective assignment model for lean order picking in a warehouseBrigita Gajšek, Hrvoje Cajner, Tihomir Opetuk, Goran Đukić, Marcin Butlewski, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: With the introduction of Lean Warehousing, we are committed to using lean principles for more efficient warehousing operations, which are performed with quality and safety. Manual order picking, on which the paper is focused, is currently considered the most unfriendly to humans because, in the long run, it contributes to the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders. We record not only the increase in the average age of employees in warehouses but also in the number and duration of sick leave due to back and muscle pain. This paper explores the possibility of productive work while preventing order pickers from Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Using a laboratory experiment, we determine retrieval times for units with different characteristics and study required postures by guidelines of Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation. The final goal is to create a bi-objective assignment model. Keywords: warehousing, order picking, ergonomics, intralogistics, lean logistics, manual order picking, productivity, revised NIOSH lifting equation, warehousing, work-related musculoskeletal disorders Published in DKUM: 13.06.2024; Views: 105; Downloads: 8
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6. Productivity and economic growth in the European Union : impact of investment in research and developmentAndreja Nekrep, Sebastjan Strašek, Darja Boršič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: This paper focuses on investment in research and development as a factor of labour productivity and economic growth. Our analysis confirms the link between expenditure for research and development (expressed in % of GDP) and labour productivity (expressed in the number of hours worked) based on selected data for EU Member States in the period 1995-2013. A causal link between variables of the concave parabola was confirmed, and the value of expenditure for research and development (2.85% of EU GDP) maximising productivity (per hour of work) was determined based on the examined data. In accordance with these findings, EU’s target of reaching 3% of GDP spent on research and development to be achieved by 2020 seems in support of reaching maximum productivity in the EU. Keywords: investment in research and development, productivity, economic growth, correlation, panel analysis Published in DKUM: 03.05.2018; Views: 1991; Downloads: 238
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7. Use of ergonomic principles in manual order picking systemsNina Labus, Brigita Gajšek, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Successful companies are continually striving to streamline costs and optimize processes, enabling them to grow progress, develop and ensure competitiveness on the market. A large part of the costs arises in warehouses, where up to 55% of total costs are generated by order- picking, which makes it important and interesting in terms of research. The paper explores "picker to part" order- picking concept, which enables flexible work and is the optimal choice for most companies. The concept is associated with a high level of work- related injuries and work -related illnesses. Work requires physical efforts resulting from handling heavy goods, performing repetitive movements and using manipulative means. Hum an as the main actor of the concept affects the costs caused by picking and the quality of work done, which depends on technological support, physically and psychologically capable and motivated people. Due to the high costs of service, the focus on time planning and productivity increases. Contrary, the lack of attention is paid to the working conditions and the health status of the pickers. To overcome this gab, a review of scientific and professional literature on ergonomic principles in picking concept "picker to part" was carried out, followed by a quantitative survey of ergonomic properties in warehousing activities. Results revealed that more than 60% of the surveyed order-pickers associate problems with health with the characteristics of work, about 24% of them associate health problems with the use of a particular means of transport, and all agree that provided measures to reduce physical effort and greater support of technologies influence on increased speed of work and better health status of order-pickers. Keywords: injuries, picker-to-part, ergonomics, picking, productivity, costs Published in DKUM: 25.04.2018; Views: 1555; Downloads: 485
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8. Information technology and organizational effectiveness : re-evaluation of the radical transformations 1980-2010Markku Sääksjärvi, 2010, original scientific article Abstract: The idea of this paper is to review and summarize the complex interplay between information technology (IT) and organization in stages that impacted radically both the organizational structure and the evolution of effectiveness and economic performance. We could identify five major stages where the underlying technology, the typical organizational structure, and the criteria of performance or business success changed, increasing the complexity of evaluation models proposed. It seemed that the effectiveness impacts of IT escalated from the individual to the team level, from the organizational to the virtual ecosystem level, and from the corporate to the national or global level. Therefore, the IT productivity paradox could not be refuted until 2003. Keywords: organizational effectiveness, information technology, transformations, productivity paradox Published in DKUM: 30.11.2017; Views: 1126; Downloads: 155
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9. Analyzing the process of patent aubmission with a special emphasis on the phases of the research process : the case of SloveniaMitja Ruzzier, Tine Nagy, Robert Ravnihar, 2009, original scientific article Abstract: This article presents some findings about the process of patenting of Slovenian and foreign researchers in scientific research. Based on the reviewed literature and with help of our conceptual model, we establish that the patenting process can be divided into three separate phases: knowledge detection phase, knowledge dissemination phase and knowledge transfer phase. During the process of researching and patenting, a variety of factors affect the results, which can be divided into two groups: internal and external factors. In Slovenia, patents are statistically significant for researchers working and exploring in the fields of natural science and engineering. Research results in the form of a patent largely depend on financial support and work experiences of individual researchers or research groups. The commercialization of a patent means a successful ending of the research process, as many positive benefits are expected. Keywords: researchers patenting activity, researchers patenting productivity, process of innovation, patenting process, patent driving forces, patent driving areas, academic entrepreneurship Published in DKUM: 28.11.2017; Views: 1406; Downloads: 166
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10. Seaport efficiency and productivity based on Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Productivity IndexJoanna Baran, Aleksandra Górecka, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Seaport efficiency and productivity are the critical factors for handling of goods in the international supply chains and plays an important role in trade exchange with other countries. It is important to evaluate efficiency and productivity of seaports to reflect their status and reveal their position in competitive environment. The main purpose of this article is to use Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Productivity Index to measure the technical efficiency and total factor productivity of container ports. DEA analysis enables one to assess how efficiently a seaports uses the available inputs to generate a set of outputs relative to other units in the data set. This article presents the use CCR and BCC DEA model, to determine overall technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of container ports. The analysis gives a possibility to create a efficiency ranking of seaports. The study also applies the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI), which was used to analyze changes in seaports productivity. The study indicated that technological progress had a greater impact on the change in productivity of container ports than changes in technical efficiency. Keywords: Malmquist Productivity Index, seaports, efficiency, productivity Published in DKUM: 17.11.2017; Views: 1821; Downloads: 567
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