Valackienė, Asta

Purpose . This paper investigates how strategic decision-making; structured project management methodologies and technology complexity jointly influence competitive advantage in the logistics sector. Design/methodology/approach . Data were collected through a bilingual (English.Lithuanian) expert survey of 60 logistics professionals involved in technology implementation projects. The study reports bivariate correlations and estimates separate ordinal logistic regression models to test five theory-derived hypotheses grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) and the dynamic capabilities perspective; an additional reverse competitive advantage and strategic goals (CA Ø SG) specification is reported only as a supplementary exploratory feedback analysis. Findings . The results indicate positive associations between (1) decision-making quality and competitive advantage, (2) strategic goal alignment and competitive advantage, (3) project management methodology and decision-making quality, (4) implementation speed and project management methodology, and (5) strategic decision-making quality and greater consideration of technology complexity. Across surveyed firms, digital technologies appear to be used primarily to support cost-based competitive advantage, while differentiationoriented benefits are rated lower. Given the cross-sectional design, findings are interpreted as evidence of association rather than definitive causal confirmation. Research limitations/implications . Future research should test the model across diverse regions, industries, and technological contexts to enhance generalizability and uncover additional moderating factors influencing competitive advantage. Practical implications . Practically, it provides guidance for phased digital transformation in logistics, emphasizing the need for structured decision-making, strategic alignment, and project management to navigate complex technologies. Social implications . The study showed that effective strategic decision-making increases competitive advantage, especially when it is aligned with clearly defined strategic goals and structured project management practices. The complexity of technology influences decision-making and project implementation, so adaptive, data-driven approaches are needed for successful digital technology adoption. Originality/value . This study empirically tests an integrated, theory-derived (RBV/dynamic capabilities) capability-to-outcome framework for digital technology implementation in logistics. Based on the empirical estimates, the framework offers scholars and practitioners a structured basis for planning phased digital transformation, aligning technology portfolios with strategic objectives, and managing risks in complex logistics initiatives.

This study aims to explore the links between the efficiency of public sector e-services and sustainable competitive advantage. In line with the emerging approach, the instrumental case study design and the mixed research strategy were used as the most appropriate methodology to answer the general research question that was raised for this study. In this context, we present the positive experience that we have discovered via the Lithuanian case study. A unified model of evaluation of the e-services development system in the public sector was developed. The model explains the application of various e-services development systems methodologies and methods in the public sector and underpins the platform for the interaction of efficiency and sustainable competitive advantage processes. The model developed helps to make the assessment of e-services more effective and demonstrates a personalised outcome that can be applied by other public sector organisations. The paper discusses the efficiency trends in the development of e-services in the public sector in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, as well as distinguishes and highlights procedural steps that help to improve the development of e-services and sustainable competitive advantage.

The present study explores the process of agile transformation and the implementation of agile work practices in industrial companies, outlining an appropriate theoretical conceptual framework for the agile transformation of organizations. The purpose of this research is to discuss theoretical approaches explaining agile transformation and agile work practices in industrial companies, to present a conceptual framework, and to assess the effectiveness of the framework on the example of selected German industrial companies. For the research, a descriptive research design was chosen to substantiate the structural perspective of agile transformation and agile work practices in industrial companies and to reveal the interaction between these dimensions, while seeking to present the conceptual framework. A qualitative research strategy with semi-structured interviews was applied. This article proposes a concept of agile transformation of industrial companies, encompassing new insights. Agile transformation is referred to as the ability of companies to remain stable by employing agile work practices, preparing for and adapting to changes in the new environment while stressing the importance of the selected leadership style within the context of the organizational culture, and finally, using the experience gained to strengthen the agile transformation competencies and emphasizing the leadership of the managers as they perform a decisive role in implementing agile transformation in the company, managing the agile work practices and uncertainty. At the end of the article, a conceptual framework is presented that reflects the key structural parts. The conceptual framework was validated on the example of selected five strongest German industrial companies. Expert assessments revealed the choice of the leader as trainer (as the most suitable leadership type) and its effect on the implementation of agile transformation in the company, seeking to navigate to an agile way of working (when the manager helps identify the areas of improvement in agile work methods and processes). The experts also highlighted the effectiveness of agile work practice implementation (allowing to suggest expansion opportunities for industrial companies, enabling the effectiveness and sustainable competitiveness in the sector) and noted the interaction between the two dimensions.

The paper has empirically investigated the security impact of cyber security management on the digital economy across sub-Saharan African countries using Nigeria and Cameroon as a case study. To achieve these goals, the study considered three specific objectives such as examining the past and current trend of cyber-crimes perpetrated in the digital economy of the selected sub-Saharan African countries, examining the nature and types of cyber security protocols and already established laws in combating cyber-crimes in the digital economy; and also evaluating the roles of economy stakeholders in the repositioning and enforcement of cyber security protocols in effectively combating cyber-crimes in the digital economy. Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive design. The research is constructed using a mixed research strategy (quantitative and qualitative methods; primary and secondary data collection and analysis) to highlight the main findings (three hypothesized research questions are tested about respondents’ views using content analysis of semi-structured interviews and triangulation of the results) and draw a valid and reliable conclusion. Findings: The analysis revealed three main findings: it highlighted the key link between understanding the digital economy and cyber security management to provide the main framework; it examined the nature of cyber security protocols and laws in combating cybercrimes in the digital economy; and it evaluated the roles of economic stakeholders in the repositioning and enforcement of cyber security protocols in effectively combating cybercrimes. Originality: This study’s results, findings, and discussions/recommendations will have future positive consequences in the fight against cyber insecurity in the private and public global digital space.

Reflecting on the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, which emphasises that progress in sustainable development depends on ensuring prosperity, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to promote the well-being of all age groups, including children, this study aims to examine the childís legitimate right to communicate with both parents in the context of divorce and support arrangements. Filling the gaps in previous research, our research problem is focused on analysing the impact on sustainability, the childís emotional well-being and the protection of the childís rights in the situation of parental divorce. Following the emergent approach, an instrumental case study design and a qualitative research strategy were employed using methods such as content analysis of legal documents and semi-structured interviews. The research questions addressed two dimensions of the analysis: the factors contributing to the exercise of the childís right to communicate with the separated parent; and violations of the childís rights where the childís right to communicate with both parents is not properly ensured or not at all ensured. The results of this study reveal that the parent living with the child after the divorce acts contrary to the best interests of the child, denying the childís inherent right to be raised and educated by both parents.

In this paper, we have considered that ranked set sampling is able to estimate the parameters of exponentiated Pareto distribution. The method with which the maximum likelihood estimators for the parameters of exponentiated Pareto distribution is studied is numerical since there is no presence or possibility of a closed-form at the hands of estimators or any other intellectual. The numerical approach is a well-suited one for this study as there has been struggles in achieving it with any other technique. In order to compare the different sampling methods, simulation studies are performed as the main technique. As for the illustrative purposes, analysis of a simulated dataset is desired for the objective of the presentation. The conclusion that we can reach based on these is that the estimators based on the ranked set sample have far better efficiency than the simple random sample at the same sample size.

The low quality of public transport services, the inconvenience of routes, the long duration of trips and several other problems encourage Kyiv residents to increasingly choose a car for everyday correspondence, which, in turn, increases delays, travel time and leads to environmental pollution of territories. These problems are especially acute in large cities, where numerous industrial, labour, and cultural and household connections are within the city. There is a need to create a single efficient transport system that serves as a city and implement effective traffic flow management approaches. First of all, the article defines the concepts of "traffic flow management", "urban mobility" and "urban mobility regime". Four groups of problems of urban transport systems were identified and two ways of solving them were formed: extensive and intensive. Using the instrumental case of Kyiv, the level of implementation of systems for monitoring and managing traffic flows in Ukrainian cities was evaluated. The levels of the legal framework regulating the urban mobility of the population in Ukraine are described. The characteristics of intelligent transport systems and their key subject areas have been studied. Commonly accepted services for users of intelligent transport systems (ITS) are distinguished and segmented according to the needs of these system users. Features, methods of application and technologies of intelligent transport systems are presented. Services that are a priority for potential users of intelligent transport systems in Ukrainian cities are highlighted. The world experience of the formation and development of intelligent transport systems, as well as European programs for their implementation, is characterized. A SWOT analysis of the implementation of intelligent transport systems in Kyiv was carried out and recommendations were made for the creation of an ITS implementation program in Kyiv.The information base of the article consists of publications by prominent Ukrainian and foreign researchers, data from the Tom Tom transport analytics service, the current legal framework of Ukraine, which regulates urban transport systems, and urban development strategies. The following methods of scientific research are used in the research process: dialectical method; method of scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis; method of induction and deduction; comparative method; method of systematization and graphic method.