Zuzana Štofková

Understanding the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and digital transformation is relevant to sustainable development in the European Union (EU). This study maps the inter-relationships among the ESG principles, digitalization, and the sustainability pillars of the Quintuple Helix model for the 27 EU Member States. The Quintuple Helix model incorporates intellectual, social, economic, and natural capital with governance, providing a framework for examining the systemic dimensions of sustainability and digital transformation. Based on standardized macroeconomic data (ESG risk index, DESI index, and GSCI index), this research applies cluster analysis to categorize the EU countries into four performance clusters. The results reveal pronounced structural differences among EU countries. The identified country profiles differ in their levels of digitalization, governance, and performance across the pillars of the Quintuple Helix model. Pearson correlation analysis is used to examine the associations among the investigated variables within a conceptual framework based on the Quintuple Helix model. Statistically significant associations were observed between ESG risk and both intellectual capital and governance. Governance was associated with digitalization. However, no significant association was detected between ESG risk and digitalization.

Population aging increases the demand for different assistive devices enabling independent mobility and safe vehicle boarding. This paper presents the design and development of a universal lifting platform intended to support the legs of people with reduced mobility during vehicle entry. The device was designed to be independent of a specific vehicle and to be powered by vehicle standard 12 Volt current. A CAD model of the proposed device was modeled in SolidWorks 2017 and validated through analytical calculations and finite element simulations. Based on the calculation results, a functional prototype was manufactured and tested under real operating conditions, confirming the feasibility and usability of the proposed solution. The presented platform provides a low-cost, lightweight and vehicle-independent assistive device, supporting controlled and safe leg transfer without the need for vehicle modification or homologation.

This article deals with the attitudes of residents of the border village of Ubľa toward the arrival of foreign nationals in the Slovak Republic, with a particular focus on individuals who left Ukraine because of the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The aim of this research is to assess the impact of this migratory movement on the perceived quality of life of local inhabitants living near the border crossing and to identify potential measures for improvement. This study is based on a review of the current state of the issue in both national and international contexts, serving as a theoretical foundation for the empirical part of this study. This study was conducted using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method to examine residents’ attitudes toward foreign nationals in general, toward arrivals from Ukraine specifically, and toward the management of the crisis declared in 2022 in response to their arrival. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The results indicate significant differences in respondents’ attitudes depending on their level of education, with university-educated respondents being approximately twice as likely to express more positive attitudes toward the arrival of foreign nationals and refugees from Ukraine compared to respondents with secondary education, who tended to hold more negative views.

Nowadays information logistics and its integration with information systems is a competitive advantage for a company. The focus is on theoretical knowledge gained from e-maintenance environments, security measures, and objectives. In companies, it is important to conduct a risk analysis and subsequently to specify security measures. Risk analysis focuses on the creation of a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) matrix, taking into account customer requirements, with the outcome being the determination of the importance of these requirements. The result of the regression and correlation analyses confirm the research hypothesis, demonstrating a strong positive relationship (r = 0.849) between flexibility in problem solving and the implementation of security measures. The Mann–Kendall test was used to verify the trend of specified solved problems. When performed on the current data set, the test provided a variance of S = 31 and a standardized test statistic of Z_s = 2.0669. The outcomes of this article may guide organizations in refining their security strategies using customer-driven methodologies such as QFD. The field of information logistics and its integration with information systems can be beneficial for companies.

Digitization and innovation supported by various innovation systems have become key factors in the sustainable development of companies, countries (including UE countries), and the economy as a whole. The primary objective of this study is to explore the interconnections between the perspectives of the Quintuple Helix model and digitalization as a comprehensive innovation system supporting digitalization in EU countries. The study is grounded in the innovation systems theory, specifically employing the Quintuple Helix Model as a comprehensive framework, and addresses the challenge of digital divide across the EU. The research was conducted using K-means cluster analysis to identify homogeneous groups of countries within the EU. Subsequently, correlation analysis was applied to identify statistically significant relationships between the individual variables examined within the Quintuple Helix model and digitization within EU countries. Based on the results, we identified four distinct clusters of EU countries characterized by different degrees of digitization, governance, and intellectual Capital. It was found that countries with the highest level of digitization are also characterized by the highest levels of governance and intellectual Capital. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong interconnection between the examined perspectives of the Quintuple Helix model and their relationship with digitization.

The article evaluates the relationships between the individual actors of the Quintuple Helix model and sustainability across EU countries. The model is based on the idea that innovation arises from the collaboration of five key subsystems: government, industry (economy), academia, civil society, and natural capital. Various studies have been conducted to assess the development of the EU’s sustainability goals based on the Triple Helix approach from different perspectives and from the view of the Quintuple Helix. However, we see a gap in the research in that key aspects of the success of these models in the EU have not been examined in terms of their mutual relationships. Therefore, this paper focuses on examining Quintuple Helix systems in the EU, eco-innovation, and sustainability using cluster and correlation analysis. Based on the results, we can infer that Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Luxembourg are among the leading EU countries in applying the Quintuple Helix model and promoting sustainability through collaborative innovation processes. The most significant contributions to sustainability within this model come primarily from ecological innovations, intellectual capital, and governance.

Currently, much attention is paid to digital transformation in all areas, including the public sphere. The latest studies show that it is necessary for the public sector to monitor the efficiency and satisfaction with the services provided. However, there are significant gaps in research in this area, including in Slovakia. This research proposes and applies the measurement of efficiency using the DEA method in the context of e-Government, provides a comparison of the roles of states in the use of public electronic services in the EU, and applies the method of measuring satisfaction using the American Customer Satisfaction Index, focused on the central state portal in Slovakia. The main methods that were used to fulfil the objectives of the work were data envelopment analysis, “DEA”, and the American Customer Satisfaction Index, “ACSI”. Other methods used include the Mann–Whitney U test, the chi-squared test, and Sperm correlation analysis. From the results of the work, it is possible to conclude that ACSI can be applied within Slovakia. Furthermore, the results show a strong correlation between perceived quality and satisfaction, which is 0.855. Overall satisfaction with the central state portal of public electronic services reached 61.7%. We conclude that it would be appropriate and possible to use ACSI as part of DEA measurement.