<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Nanotechnology is a very vast field which includes a range of technologies at the nano scale, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, genomics, neuroscience, robotics and information technologies. Nanotechnology is the latest technological innovation in global debates on risk regulation and international cooperation. Regulatory bodies have started dealing with the potential risks posed by nanoparticles. Since 2004 the UE has been developing a regulatory policy to tighten control and to improve regulatory adequacy and knowledge of nanotechnology risks. Currently, specific provisions on nanomaterials have been introduced for biocides, cosmetics, food additives, food labelling and materials in contact with foodstuff. The statement that nanotechnologies do inevitably imply ethical questions. The main problems are public trust, potential risks, issues of environmental impact, transparency of information, responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research. The aim of this article is to analysis the main problems regulating nanotechnology and some aspects of ethics.</abstract>

Nanotechnology: legal and ethical issues

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This paper exposes the difficulties in integrating “Industry 4.0 Practices” and “World-Class Manufacturing” due to the rapid expansion of production systems and the increasingly complex data monitoring. The applied methodology was to study multiple cases with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis comprised responses of 15 large companies with different expertise from five countries and three continents. The results show that when a company’s strategy is linked to Industry 4.0 practices and the World-Class Manufacturing method, they boost productivity by monitoring the shop floor, applying analytical tools, and spreading the organisational culture aimed at improving processes. The results also indicate that human resources are essential in this integration. The conclusion indicates robust barriers to the increasing progress of these procedures, such as the costs associated with the use of technologies, the lack of knowledge of the applied methods and tools, the lack of trained and qualified human resources, and the resistance of people to the use and application of the newly adopted practices. The continuous improvement practices do not keep up with the speed of development that the Industry 4.0 practices propose, requiring studies directed to “World-Class Manufacturing” and “Industry 4.0 practices”. Although there is a coexistence of improvement and innovation in world-class manufacturers, the literature has not yet provided a complete understanding of how this coexistence can be achieved at the manufacturing level. Therefore, the paper presents the main actions to overcome these barriers.
</abstract>

Challenges and barriers to connecting World Class Manufacturing and continuous improvement processes to Industry 4.0 paradigms

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Robotic process automation (RPA) is a recent technology that has recently become increasingly adopted by companies as a solution for employees to focus on higher complexity and more valuable tasks while delegating routine, monotonous and rule-based tasks to their digital colleagues. The increased interest, reflected in the increasing number of articles regarding approaches and test cases, has triggered the necessity for a summary that could extract the more generalisable ideas and concepts about these software robots. This paper used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to find and synthesise information from articles obtained on this subject. This research identified the most general implementation approaches of successful RPA adoption cases, observed benefits, challenges commonly faced by organisations, characteristics that make processes more suitable for RPA, and research gaps in the current literature. The findings presented in this paper have two purposes. The first is to provide a way for companies and organisations to become more familiar with good practices regarding the adoption of robotic process automation. The second is to foster further research on the subject by complementing the current knowledge and proposing new paths for research.
</abstract>

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Adoption: A Systematic Literature Review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The article contains theory-cognitive and empirical parts which aim at diagnosing the organisational reasons of burnout detected by managers in. The group of 45 managers who are the students of Executive MBA in the Institute of Economics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw took part in the research. The managers’ opinions about organisational risk factors of burnout which occur in their work environment were the research subject. Survrey was the main research tool used in the study. The following research problem was formulated: What organisational factors raiseing the risk of burnout are detected by managerial staff in their work environment?The analysis of respondents’ statements enable to identify of the following categories of burnout risk factors: pressure (of time, responsibility, expectations), lack of possibilities to develop occupational abilities and of prospects, the reasons entrenched in wrong interpersonal relations, lack of basic employees’ need, deficiencies of the motivational system and work organisation, failure to meet the making decisions. Indirectly, the research results indicate senior staff individualistic inertia. The respondents are conscious of burnout risk factors but they do not take enough effective action to build friendly organisational environment and promote healthy lifestyle. They estimate that the impact of these factors on the mental hygiene improvement in the enterprises is little. They are prone to detect potential sources of burnout in factors which they do not have direct influence on, for instance in the rules enforced by the high level managers, in law of tough market competition etc. There are no statistically significant differences between the responses of men and women. The article develops knowledge in the area of organisational behavior.</abstract>

Organisational reasons of job burnout

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in smart cities has resulted in enhanced efficiency, accessibility, and improved quality of life. However, this integration has brought forth new challenges, particularly concerning data security and privacy due to the widespread use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The article aims to provide a classification of scientific research relating to artificial intelligence in smart city issues and to identify emerging directions of future research. A systematic literature review based on bibliometric analysis of Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted for the study. Research query included TITLE-ABS-KEY (“smart city” AND “artificial intelligence”) in the case of Scopus and TS = (“smart city” AND “artificial intelligence”) in the case of the Web of Sciences database. For the purpose of the analysis, 3101 publication records were qualified. Based on bibliometric analysis, seven research areas were identified: safety, living, energy, mobility, health, pollution, and industry. Urban mobility has seen significant innovations through AI applications, such as autonomous vehicles (AVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), yet security concerns persist, necessitating further research in this area. AI’s impact extends to energy management and sustainability practices, demanding standardised regulations to guide future research in renewable energy adoption and developing integrated local energy systems. Additionally, AI’s applications in health, environmental management, and the industrial sector require further investigation to address data handling, privacy, security, and societal implications, ensuring responsible and sustainable digitisation in smart cities.
</abstract>

Artificial Intelligence in the Smart City — A Literature Review

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Cement is an important construction material in concrete production; however, it is expensive and unaffordable for many low-income and rural communities in developing countries. Rice husk is a by-product from the rice mill process, with an approximate ratio of 200 kg rice husk per one tonne of rice produced. This experimental study aimed to investigate the integrity of concrete produced in Zambia using rice husk ash (RHA) to partially replace cement. The primary goal was to carry out a cost–benefit analysis on the use of RHA in concrete. RHA was used to partially replace cement with ratios of 10 %, 20 % and 30 %. The 20 % cement replacement mix produced the optimum 18 MPa concrete strength results at a 0.5 water/binder ratio. This translated in cost reduction of concrete by 12.5 %, which is particularly significant for higher concrete volumes. The produced concrete is suitable for lightly loaded structures, such as foundation footings, surface beds and walkways to benefit low-income communities. The study further concluded that the RHA based concrete was more cost-efficient in structures that were close to areas of rice production due to reduced RHA transportation costs.
</abstract>

Partial replacement of cement with rice husk ash in concrete production: an exploratory cost-benefit analysis for low-income communities

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The study aims to determine the implementation degree of Digital Era Governance (DEG) in selected local government units (LGU) of Małopolskie Voivodeship and to show differences in the effectiveness of digitalisation in LGUs depending on the level of local government, i.e., the county and the municipality. The study employs a model of digital maturity intended specifically for public administration. This model assesses six dimensions of digital maturity, namely, digitalisation-focused management, openness to stakeholders’ (partners’) needs, digital competencies of employees, digitalisation of processes, digital technologies, and e-innovativeness. The study results indicate that the examined local government units in the Małopolska region suffer from a low level of digital maturity. In particular, the results show that the implementation of digital technologies and the digital competencies of staff are the most developed dimensions of digitalisation in the examined local government units. In turn, e-innovation and process digitalisation are the least developed areas and require further improvement. Additionally, digital maturity is lower at the municipal than county level. These findings confirm the thesis that New Public Management affects the development of local government and highlights the increasing role played by Digital Era Governance. In contrast to most studies on public administrations, this study focuses on the local government level. It employs the original model of digital maturity in the field of public administration. This study intends to contribute to the concept of Digital Era Governance by focusing on the digitalisation of LGUs.
</abstract>

Evaluating the current state of Digital Era Governance application in local government units in the Małopolska region

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Population ageing is a major challenge affecting the future of science and technology policy and governance in industrialised societies. In this context, a key element is ensuring adequate protection, safety and care for older people when needed. The solution to enable active and healthy ageing is innovative technologies called gerontechnologies, which support older people. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the systematic analysis and evaluation of gerontechnologies, which requires research in theoretical and empirical aspects. There is a need to focus on developing and supporting gerontechnologies to help older people reach their full potential in different spheres of life. Research should focus on analysing these technologies, their effectiveness and their impact on the quality of life of older people. This paper evaluates, analyses and builds a ranking of several selected technologies: (1) the wheelchair based on artificial intelligence Wheelie7, (2) the humanoid Rudy Robot, and (3) the wristband/watch VitalBand. The research was conducted in Poland. Based on a literature review, the authors identified relevant technologies to improve the quality of life of older people. These technologies were then assessed by people over 40 against various criteria. This age group was chosen because the issues of gerontechnology concern these people now in the context of their parents using the technology and being potential users of gerontechnology in 20–30 years. The study answered the following research questions: (1) What are the criteria for evaluating technologies that enhance the quality of life for older individuals? (2) How were the selected gerontechnologies evaluated? (3) How should the TOPSIS method be applied to build a ranking of gerontechnologies? (4) Which of the selected gerontechnologies was rated the highest by potential users?
</abstract>

Gerontechnology ranking using the TOPSIS methods

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The article mainly aims to try and create a new concept for developing logistics and supply chains in the era of Industry 4.0. Analyses of development trends in logistics and production management were used to create the new logistics and supply chain concept. Conclusions were used from the analyses of how the modern concepts of Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, Supply Chain 4.0, and 5.0 work. Analyses of the benefits of applying modern management concepts in these areas were carried out and criticised because of their inadequacies, which became apparent during the recent crises in the world. Although the sources of the crises were different, they could be eliminated by reconfiguring logistics systems and supply chains. The results aim to answer three questions: (1) Has the time come to change the current way of looking at logistics and supply chains? (2) What could Supply Chain 4.0 look like using Industry 4.0 tools? (3) How should Supply Chain 4.0 address the logistics and supply chain challenges? The presented answers do not exhaust the topic but rather open up a discussion on logistics and supply chains of the future. The presented concept allows for a completely new global and local view of logistics chains. The structure of the presented model can be subjected to scenario analysis using agent-based simulation modelling due to the structure’s emergent nature. The new approach can significantly benefit the development of local production centres and global supply networks. The benefits mainly come from reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing and logistics processes from the moment the new product idea is conceived.
</abstract>

Supply Chain 4.0: what the supply chains of the future might look like

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The commercial performance of a construction company (CC) largely depends on the planned work programme. The annual CC work programme is a set of objects of a specific purpose and structure (a building system). The programme has the following characteristics: first, the number of objects; second, the construction technologies provided for in the projects (fully prefabricated, monolithic, brick, etc.); third, the variation of work scopes among objects; and fourth, the construction technology. These CC work programme features are interrelated, i.e., aligned with each other, forming the technological structure (TS) of the CC work programme. Once these attributes were formalised, four partial indicators were obtained: the first assesses the variation in construction objects’ sizes; the second — their number; the third — the number of applied technologies; and the fourth — the technologies. The importance of these indicators was assessed to combine them into an indicator of the technological structure of the annual CC work programme. Its quantitative assessment has scientific and practical importance, providing an opportunity to analyse its impact on the results of commercial activities, to improve the organisational management structure of the company, etc.
</abstract>

Evaluation of the technological structure of the work programme of construction companies

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The article aims (1) to evaluate material flows in the manufacturing process reflecting the level of circular manufacturing of European Union countries and (2) to estimate the relationship between the level of circular manufacturing and the volume of e-waste put on the market, illustrating the implementation effect of Industry 5.0 technologies. A systematic country classification was created according to development conditions for environmentally sustainable enterprises and trends in e-waste volumes. Multidimensional data analysis and the linear ordering method were used to achieve the research objectives. The dynamics of changes in the identified variables were analysed using dynamics indexes and the average annual rate of change. Relationships were estimated using Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient. The main research result is the estimated synthetic development measure illustrating the level of circular manufacturing in the context of material flows. Significant differences were observed between the synthetic development measure values representing the level of circular manufacturing in European Union countries. This means countries’ circular manufacturing levels are significantly higher than others. Moreover, the values of correlation coefficients were estimated between the level of circular manufacturing and the volume of e-waste put on the market and between the average annual rate of change of the synthetic development measure and the average annual rate of change of the e-waste volume. The coefficient values do not confirm a statistically significant relationship between the indicated variables. Most countries have average conditions for developing environmentally sustainable businesses, but at the same time, they show negative trends in the volume of e-waste generated.
</abstract>

Circular manufacturing and Industry 5.0. assessing material flows in the manufacturing process in relation to e-waste streams

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This research aims to propose an evaluation and monitoring method with the Six Sigma performance metrics, the main component quality indicator, and the geometric capacity indicator to control service quality dimensions. The research was quantitative and evaluative. It was developed using primary historical information on the quality criteria of hotel service in twelve periods of 2019. It was possible to demonstrate that the geometric indicator was the most demanding capacity with a value of 0.91163, followed by the multivariate main components’ indicator with a value of 0.9559, establishing as a relevant finding the integrality of the three performance criteria to evaluate a service. Topics of service quality, Six Sigma metrics, multivariate main component and geometric capacity indicators were addressed as a theoretical foundation. The research provides a unique contribution in the form of an innovative and efficient continuous improvement method, which makes services more reliable and accurate. Univariate and multivariate statistics were intensively used to evaluate and improve the dimensions of a service from different perspectives. This method has not been considered from the same approach despite its great usefulness in quality control.
</abstract>

Performance evaluation method of the service quality dimensions using Six Sigma metrics, the main components’ quality indicator and the geometric capacity indicator

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Nowadays, the transformations of metropolises into smart cities is a crucial factor in improving the living conditions of the inhabitants. The goal of the smart city concept is modern urban management using technical tools that offer state-of-the-art technologies, considering the applicable ecological standards while saving resources and achieving the expected results. The purpose of this article is to identify the areas of research analysed in the international literature in the field of smart cities. The bibliometric analysis was carried out to achieve the purpose. The analysis covered publications on smart cities published in Scopus and Web of Science databases from January 2009 to May 2019. Based on the bibliometric analysis, a bibliometric map was developed using the mapping technique VOS — the visualisation of similarities. Original clusters were created using the VOSviewer software. The bibliometric map visualises the results of the analysis that targeted the word coexistence.</abstract>

Smart city concept in the light of the literature review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This paper introduces cloud manufacturing (CMfg) as a new manufacturing paradigm that joins the emerging technologies – such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and service-oriented technologies – for solving complex problems in manufacturing applications and performing large-scale collaborative manufacturing. Using scientific publications indexed in Scopus database during the period 2012–2017, the concept and fundamentals of CMfg are presented and discussed given the results of the most recent research. While focusing on the current state of the art, the recent research trends within CMfg concept were also identified. The review involved the methods of bibliometric analysis and network analysis. A prototype of CMfg and the existing related work conducted by various researchers are presented, and the map of co-occurrence is introduced to indicate the most commonly occurring issues related to the “cloud manufacturing” term. The VOSviewer software was used for this purpose. Finally, cloud-based manufacturing areas for further research are identified.</abstract>

Cloud manufacturing: a service-oriented manufacturing paradigm. A review paper

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The paper introduces Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which is an emerging and cutting-edge conception of business processes automation, based on the notion of software robots or artificial intelligence workers. The paper is conceptual as it discusses the fundamentals behind this idea, synthesises the knowledge of technology, and presents it in a new context. It is based on the author's considerations and the literature review, which contributes to the insight into the basic understanding of RPA technology as well as systematises and clarifies RPA definitions, identifies market trends, formulates a set of predictions for further development of this technology, and highlights directions for future inquiry. Additionally, logical arguments are proposed for considering RPA as a technology that enables and advances digital transformation. Moreover, criteria are indicated for business processes suitable for RPA. Nowadays, the robotisation of business processes a s innovative technology is more often practically implemented than it is investigated by research. Published papers outline real examples of implemented cases of RPA technology in organisations that mainly represent service industries. These case studies allow identifying possible advantages and risks derived from RPA implementation. Recent studies also report benefits of the RPA application in terms of productivity, costs, service quality, and error reduction. Some authors propose the criteria for selecting processes suitable for automation and robotisation. This paper constitutes a foundation for new research aimed at filling knowledge gaps in this area. Responding to the call by van der Aalst, academic discourse on RPA must be initiated.</abstract>

Robotic Process Automation — a driver of digital transformation?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This article aims at identification of the main trends in scientific literature characterising urban smart mobility, on the basis of bibliometric analysis of articles published in the ISI Web of Science and Scopus databases. The study period was set from 2000 to 2017. Authors used a basic technique of the bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature characterising urban smart mobility with the support of the VOSviewer software. The analysis included the number of publications, citation analysis, research area analysis and the most frequent keywords. The analysis led to taking notice of current research trends dealing with the urban smart mobility. The core of the paper is a theoretical framework of research trends, which was developed through a review of scientific literature. The result of this paper is a map showing the existing relationships between key terms, research areas characterising publications dealing with the urban smart mobility and intelligent transport system (ITS). “Smart city” is probably the most “in vogue”, debated and analysed concept among researchers and administrative/ governmental representatives from all over the world. This multidimensional concept is mainly based on smart technology structured around few major components: smart mobility, smart environment, smart governance, smart living, and everything that targets the people’s wellbeing. This work focuses on a hot topic – mobility because of its significant impact on the environment by pollution as well as living by requiring intelligent transport systems.</abstract>

Urban smart mobility in the scientific literature — bibliometric analysis

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The aim of this paper is to examine the role and scope of the influence of leadership on the sustainable development of SMEs. Research methods included the theoretical analysis of scientific literature and a direct survey. The quantitative sample for analysis contained 138 managers, the representatives of companies (SMEs) located in Poland. The data was collected in November and December 2015.The obtained results show that leadership is one of the key aspects that enable sustainability. It is more important than employee approval, beliefs of employees from individual departments and teams, a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of the company, approval by external stakeholders, and substantial financial resources. There is a statistically significant relationship between taking action related to sustainable business in the company and manager’s conviction (awareness) regarding the concept of sustainable business development as well as the influence of the manager on employees and the stimulation of their behaviour, including their development, decent treatment, communication with the manager, and the system of rewards and promotions. Managers undertake some action aimed at developing their employees. They also establish relationships with external stakeholders. The paper presents theoretical reflections on the relationship between the sustainable business development of SMEs and leadership, also verified by the empirical study conducted among managers of private companies. The findings of the study contribute to the understanding of the connections between these constructs. The relationship between the creation of sustainable business development is analysed in depth with reference to SMEs. Entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs can benefit from the study in order to build an organisation capable of achieving effective and sustainable development.</abstract>

Department of Management, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Dąbrowa Górnicza,

Department of Production Management, Non-local Faculty in Cieszyn, University of Dabrowa Górnicza,

Sustainable Business Development Through Leadership in SMEs

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The article presents identification of problems during the implementation of Lean concept in small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland. Although the Lean methodology is recognized all over the world as one of the best and most effective ways to improve the functioning of enterprises, in Polish conditions exist serious problems with its implementation. Development of small and medium-sized enterprises is regarded as one of the measures of economic growth and a sign of healthy competition. The needs of the economy and the limited resources characterizing this enterprise sector imply the need to adjust its capacities to the requirements of the turbulent environment. In the analysis of problems there were used the results of questionnaire surveys conducted among representatives of the companies participating in the largest Lean conference in Central Europe.</abstract>

Identification of problems of implementation of Lean concept in the SME sector

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Engineering Management in Production and Services

Engineering Management in Production and Services scientific journal is a quarterly published by the <A...