José Luís Abrantes

This study proposes a multidimensional decision-support model for assessing the strategic implications of Digital Transformation (DT) in SMEs under conditions of uncertainty. The study addresses the challenge of measuring the digital impact of DT across value creation, strategic management maturity, and sustainability dimensions. A conceptual framework grounded in strategic management and digital transformation literature is operationalized using the Fuzzy TOPSIS method. A controlled stochastic simulation was conducted to generate a synthetic dataset representing 30 heterogeneous SMEs for computational model-validation purposes. The proposed framework generates three dimension-level performance indices and one aggregated Global Digital Impact Index (GDII). The simulation results illustrate the analytical potential of the framework to support multidimensional digital impact assessment under uncertainty. The study contributes a fuzzy-based evaluation framework capable of integrating value creation, strategic management maturity, and sustainability within a unified digital impact assessment model.

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly integrated into consumers’ daily lives, making it essential to understand the future impact of this relationship. This systematic literature review aims to understand the influence of AI on consumer behavior, identifying future trends for brands. Using Web of Science research, following the PRISMA method, and employing VOSviewer software for cluster and keyword analysis, the results demonstrate that AI impacts consumer behavior and brands’, presenting five clusters that highlight: consumer experience, relationship, online challenges, functionality, and autonomous purchasing. The study contributes to current knowledge by verifying that the AI-consumer relationship is complex, focusing on five key aspects: convenience, effectiveness, trust, security, and personalization, which collectively influence purchase decisions and loyalty. This article also demonstrates that AI can facilitate strategic marketing decisions through segmentation and prediction capabilities, enabling personalization in an increasingly digital and e-commerce world. Marketers must consider AI as a consumer and expand their capabilities.

Strategic fleet renewal represents a fundamental challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public entities seeking to align their operational objectives with sustainable mobility practices. This paper proposes a hybrid decision support model based on fuzzy logic, combining the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method with the Fleet Renewal Priority Index (FRPI). The model evaluates and prioritizes different vehicle alternatives based on multiple economic, environmental, and operational criteria, including total cost of operation, CO₂ emissions, maintenance, autonomy, infrastructure compatibility, and energy independence. The criteria are evaluated by linguistic judgments converted into triangular fuzzy numbers (TFN), allowing uncertainty and subjectivity to be addressed. A simulated case study illustrates the application of the model, identifying the vehicles most aligned with a sustainability and efficiency strategy, as well as those that present a greater urgency for replacement. The results demonstrate the potential of the approach to support rational, transparent and sustainable decisions in fleet modernization.

In an era marked by sustainability challenges and digital transformation, organizations face heightened uncertainty in strategic decision-making. This paper applies a conceptual tool, a fuzzy-based decision model, in the appraisal of the attractiveness of electric vehicle acquisition and navigates the multifaceted complexities of integrating economic, environmental, and infrastructural factors. A concise overview of fuzzy principles highlights their relevance to strategic management in uncertain contexts. The study uses a practical example to demonstrate how fuzzy set-based decision models assess EV attractiveness by synthesizing costs, environmental impact, vehicle depreciation, and energy independence variables. The findings reveal the fuzzy set-based decision model’s potential to enhance decision clarity and efficiency, offering managers a simple but robust framework for navigating complex trade-offs. Implications for sustainable strategic management and suggestions for future research on advanced decision support systems are discussed.

This paper aims to provide small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by families with a simple, achievable technical methodology for the assessment of sustainable mobility alternatives, in particular, the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaic (PV) systems. By adopting a comprehensive comparative analysis approach, this research aims to empower SMEs to make highly informed decisions concerning the choice of vehicles and energy systems that provide strategic and sustainable value. Based on a quantitative analysis linked to the total costs over ten years, and considering the different types of vehicles (electric, hybrid, and combustion) and the integration of PV systems, practical formulas are used to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO), energy consumption, and CO₂ emissions. The results show that adopting electric vehicles, especially those complemented by photovoltaic systems with storage for night-time charging, can significantly reduce operating costs and carbon emissions, generating economic and environmental value. This study provides an accessible and applicable approach to the context of family SMEs, facilitating the analysis and choice of mobility options based on simple and commercially available data. By focusing on value creation through informed and strategic decisions, this work offers a relevant contribution to the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs, promoting the adoption of sustainable mobility technologies in an integrated and effective manner.

Over the past two decades, digital evolution has radically transformed how consumers interact with brands and purchases. Highly informed consumers actively seek news, knowledge, and inspiration and often interact with multiple touchpoints over an extended period before purchasing. Thus, companies face diverse and complex challenges in engaging with and retaining consumers in virtual contexts. This systematic literature review aims to understand what influences consumer behavior, that is, the impact of digital marketing on online shopping. Based on Web of Science database articles, bibliometric analysis was used to verify the state-of-the-art of digital marketing in consumer behavior topics. This study systematizes the existing literature into six themes: (1) Digital Consumer Behavior and E-Commerce Dynamics; (2) Engagement Strategies in a Virtual Environment; (3) Factors Influencing Online Consumer Decisions and Digital Strategies; (4) E-Commerce in the Era of Social and Technological Change; (5) Innovative Approaches to Digital Consumer Engagement; and (6) Digital Transformation and Cross-Channel Shopping Behavior. The results provide insights and help to develop a more profound understanding of this theme. An agenda for further research is presented based on the existing literature.

Digital transformation (DT) directly influences organizational competitiveness, reshaping value creation and necessitating adaptation across industries. This study investigates how DT redefines strategic imperatives and the mechanisms of value creation within organizations, synthesizing findings from five thematic clusters: “Strategic Management in Digital Transformation of Organizations”, “Emerging Trends in Digital Entrepreneurship and Sustainability”, “Digital Capabilities and Business Model Innovation”, “Digitalization and Transformation of SMEs”, and “Value Creation through Innovation and Digital Transformation”. The analysis uncovers crucial insights, including the shift towards business-to-business (B2B) value-oriented sales, the role of big data analytics in collaborative innovation, and the integration of AI-driven business models across retail, logistics, and healthcare. Strategic alignment between technological advances and organizational goals emerges as essential, especially for SMEs facing resources, regulatory compliance, and skills development challenges. Despite these insights, significant gaps remain. Future research should delve into the underexplored area of cross-industry best practices, particularly how SMEs can leverage digital tools to enhance resilience and adaptability in market volatility. Further investigation into the long-term impacts of digital entrepreneurship on sustainability is recommended, including metrics for measuring social and environmental value creation. Additionally, digital leadership roles, such as Chief Digital Officers, warrant more in-depth examinations to identify how these leaders can navigate the complexities of DT and maximize value co-creation. This systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis aim to consolidate current knowledge, address critical gaps, and lay the groundwork for future studies that support resilient and sustainable growth in an increasingly digital economy.

Electric vehicles are an emerging topic in organizations and society. Access to economically and environmentally workable sustainable technologies has become a priority in the face of catastrophic climate change and the discussion surrounding it. This study examines the academic literature to shed light on factors, trends, emerging models, and critical perspectives on electric vehicles and their relationship to value creation, strategic management, and sustainability. This research uses a bibliometric analysis method to explore the dynamic interaction between these essential elements of the literature. The source is the Scopus database. The analysis uses VOSviewer software 1.6.20, focusing on the bibliographic coupling of documents, which was presented as a network visualization map. It emphasizes search terms proving the emerging need for innovation strategies in automotive industry organizations, consumers, and public entities to create value within a global sustainability logic. This study highlights the relationship between the electric vehicle industry and the value creation strategy and sustainability in a digital world.