International Journal for Quality Research

10

Authors: Magdah Ezat Gharieb

This paper aims to investigate the current knowledge management (KM) practices and models proposed, strategies and frameworks used in different countries and sectors, and the impact and results of using KM on the organizations working towards effectively activating knowledge management. Using the term "knowledge management in the public sector", a search for available works is done in Google Scholar. In the main stage, the quest for writing distributed under whenever decision was done in the initial ten pages of the web search tool. Then, at that point, one more nine page of Goggle Scholar were looked for later works distributed, setting the time as 2014 to 2018. The quest yielded 84 usable works for this audit. This writing searches and survey results showed that out of the 47 works looked into, simply three works were identified with Saudi Arabia. A few works from Sub-Saharan Africa and African countries may also contain findings relevant to Saudi Arabia. Findings related to specific country contexts were maximum in numbers. There were also several papers specifically dealing with specific public sectors like health care. KM modeling itself is not easy as only very few papers on KM modeling were available. This study applies to Saudi Arabian public sector organizations. There is a strong opportunity for research in Saudi Arabia mainly because of the country's growth and progress.

12

Authors: Fumiko Ogawa, Hironobu Kawamura, Ken Nishina

Generally, the geometrical characteristics are calculated in a composed way, as the normal distribution cannot be assumed in many cases. Various methods have been proposed to determine how the process capability index should be calculated in such cases. In this paper, using the data from the machining process, several methods presented in the ISO 22614 series and those presented thus far in Japan are examined and compared. Additionally, this paper analyzes what methods should be used in a certain case depending on the purpose and the status of the process (start-up or improvement of the process, assurance of the post-process).

12

Authors: Dmytro Kabachenko, Olena Churikanova, Svitlana Oneshko, Ruslan Avhustyn, Valeria Slatvinska

The objective of the article lies in determining the place of information technologies in the process of making management decisions, as well as determining the current level of their implementation with the formation of forecasts for the near-term prospect. Methodology. The assessment of the level of information technology development has been carried out on the basis of Statista (2021) and Gagliodi (2020) data by applying deduction methods, graphical and comparative methods. Results. The analysis of statistical data has revealed that the growth rate of the use of information technology in management decision making has slowed down in 2020-2021. The data obtained show that the IT market is currently focused on the supply of devices and software for remote working. Services on supporting decision-making are used less often, although in the current unstable environment, they should be the ones to pull the focus of leaders onto themselves.

14

Authors: Anastasiya Yu. Ladogina, Anna V. Kukushkina, Araz O. Mursaliev, Valery I. Salygin

This paper considers the extra component of quality, which goes beyond the limits of government norms and standards, as well as general market requirements to the quality of products that are dictated by competition. It includes ethical aspects of quality, which are connected to companies' manifesting corporate social and ecological responsibility. We determine the influence of three factors - buyer sophistication, market competition freedom, and entrepreneurs' non - commercial initiatives - on the ethical aspects of quality in the concept of corporate social responsibility. The purpose of this research is to study the international experience and specifics of developed and developing countries in the selected factors' influence on the ethical aspects of quality of products. The authors determine the key factor (combination of factors), which determines the ethical aspects of quality in the concept of corporate social responsibility - separately for developed and developing countries. To study corporate social responsibility, we use the materials of the dataset "Social entrepreneurship in the world economy: from virtual scores to big data - 2020" (https://iscvolga.ru/dataset-social-predprinim). To study corporate ecological responsibility, we use the materials of the dataset "Corporate social responsibility, sustainable development and fight against climate change: imitation modelling and neural network analysis in regions of the world - 2020" (https://iscvolga.ru/dataset-climate-change). We determined that the change of the existing model of conducting entrepreneurial activities in the modern conditions creates challenges for economic companies; one of these challenges is the provision of quality of products based on the observation of ethical norms in the concept of corporate social responsibility of company employees.

14

Authors: Wajdi Aljedaibi, Afnan Talal Agal

Due to complexity of software and its related development activities, it has become difficult for software organizations to deliver high-quality products under low-cost budget constraints. Many software developments firms around the world have resorted to The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) to establish continually improving standard software development processes. Aligning software development practices with state-of-the-art standards in software development will consequently improve the quality of the resulting products and place the organization at a higher level of software development maturity. In this research, we assess the extent of applying CMMI at a Saudi organization and analyze provide an analysis based on a survey study.

14

Authors: Olha Kosenchuk, Marianna Kokhan, Inna Ninyuk, Solomiya Kudyn, Nataliia Bordiug, Razina Tetiana

The objective of the research is conducted to empirically prove the importance of education in the country's technological potential under the conditions of global development. Methodology. The study is based on the hypothesis that education quality affects economic growth. To substantiate the integrated quality culture management improving proposals, educational quality dynamics, and structure indicators, an empirical analysis was carried out; the relationship of the rate is determined using regression analysis, in particular the definition of the Pearson coefficient. Results. It is empirically proved that education has a high association with the technical level of economic development. The main issues of education quality management include the dependence of universities on the regulator, the criteria for assessing the learning and teaching quality. The development methods of quality culture management in HEIs are built to solve these problems.

16

Authors: Beata Starzyńska, Agnieszka Kujawińska, Filip Górski, Paweł Buń

The article features the quality tools presentation and selection system for solving problems in production processes using the Virtual Reality (VR) technique. The main goal of the Authors' application is to facilitate the acquisition and assimilation of knowledge related to the use of quality tools in SMEs' everyday industrial practice. The solution is dedicated to production workers - including unskilled workers and those who resume education after a long break. The study carried out as part of the project has shown that one of the barriers in employee training is an inaccessible form of knowledge (text descriptions written in a language incomprehensible to production workers, no visual examples, complicated instructions and no practical guidelines for selecting a problem-solving tool). This obstacle was overcome by using in the developed prototype system immersive virtual reality techniques and the three-dimensional visualization of selected quality tools.

16

Authors: Nebojša Zakić, Nikola Ćurčić, Ksenija Leković

The subject of the paper is the importance of investment in the implementation of new technologies in the digital transformation of hotels within the marketing and business development objectives. For this paper, empirical research was conducted in over 30% of the total number of 4 and 5-star hotels in Serbia (41 hotels) in 2021 on the use of modern technologies in the digitalization of hotel business, related to the hotel characteristics. The implementation of cloud technology, energy management, automation, and technologies of sophisticated machine learning was considered. The difference in statistical significance was shown in the revenue level and investments of the hotels in the last three years in the technologies of sophisticated machine learning, which also affected the achieved level of digitalization of the aforementioned hospitality operations. Undoubtedly, it is a positive finding that hotels with a high and medium level of digitalization together make up over 80% of the surveyed hotels, which indicates a high level of awareness of hoteliers about the importance of digital technologies for customer relationship marketing and business development objectives, as well as broader sustainable development goals.

18

Authors: Ewa Kubińska-Jabcoń, Mariusz Niekurzak, Bartłomiej Sroka

In the face of constant changes in the service sector, companies must adapt their offer to the needs and requirements of customers in order to gain and maintain their trust. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the quality of the services provided, since it makes it possible to meet customers' expectations. Methods aimed at researching or measuring the quality of services achieved are of great importance. There are many methods, which have been developed both in theoretical and practical applications, and allow for effective measurement of the quality of the non-material area of services. The article presents the application of the SERVQUAL method to assess the quality of services for a company providing automotive services. Familiarization with this method will allow a given company to properly adjust it to the research needs, and thus to properly interpret the collected data and draw conclusions influencing its future decisions. Based on the originality and scientific value of a given article, as demonstrated by the conducted research, the proposed method allows to learn about the actual attitudes and expectations of the client, and therefore it is a universal and very useful tool for measuring the quality of service in business practice. The obtained results prove the cognitive and practical value of the implemented research method.

18

Authors: Gilberto Santos, Maria D. Magalhães, Sandro Carvalho, Ricardo Jorge Pinto, Maria João Félix, Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka

Developing Countries will continue being Developing Countries for a long time, if they are unable to conceive and design new products with their own technology in their own companies. Technological Development based companies are necessary and technical universities can contribute to these activities if a good technological policy, complementary to the research policy, is implemented by their governments. Scientific researchers and engineers must work together to develop new products able to enrich the economy of their own countries. Achieving Innovation is very difficult, or even impossible, without Technological Development, even if a country does a lot of scientific research; it is imperative for Developing Countries, to achieve economic value from scientific knowledge to improve its own living standard. Presently, we are on the threshold of the 4th Industrial Revolution, where digitalization is essential. However, the value created in wealthy countries that design products will tend to increase therefore, the worth of labour in production processes will tend to decrease. Thus, digitalization and the 4th industrial revolution will tend to widen the gap between developed and Developing Countries. If nothing it's done to counter these trends, Digital Transformation will make poor countries poorer and rich countries richer. The already enormous gap in inequality will worsen.

30

Authors: Gonzalo Díaz-Ruiz, Mariana Trujillo-Gallego

In today's globalized and dynamic world, companies face pressures related to high-quality product offerings that meet customer expectations, with minimum variability. Likewise, they deal with complex systems, such as industrial processes. The objective of this article was to design a five-phase model of the DMAIC cycle by integrating the six sigma and system dynamics approaches for variability reduction in critical quality characteristics. Model validation was carried out via a case study in the electrolytic tin plating process, in a Colombian metal- mechanics company. Thus, the current process was simulated and various scenarios were analyzed, that which would benefit the company the most was selected. The results show significant quality improvement by way of the reduction of variability in the coating thickness, and profit increases achieved through poor quality and reprocessing cost reductions. The proposed model serves as a financial viability tool, given the implementation of a six-sigma project, by guiding management to determine the best scenario for investments in the process, so as to obtain results that benefit companies, in terms of both profits and product quality.

12

Authors: Vyacheslav Shebanin, Olena Shebanina, Yuri Kormyshkin, Alona Kliuchnyk, Valentina Umanska, Georgy Reshetilov

The European Cohesion Policy is probably the largest of all development programs, aiming to promote the development of lagging regions and, hence, long-term convergence. However, the effectiveness of the policy has been increasingly scrutinized in the literature, and the findings point to a heterogeneous impact on economic growth. This article aimed to assess cohesion policies on the quality of local economic and regional development of European Union (EU) countries. The research methodology was built on correlation and regression analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) techniques to analyze unique data across different EU countries that received funding for regional development projects during 2014-2020 from The Cohesion Fund (ESIF, 2014-2020). This research analyzed the impact of Cohesion Policy on economic growth in the member states of Gross domestic product (GDP) less than 90% of the GDP of the EU 27, finding heterogeneity in terms of economic structure as well as the development strategy adopted by regional governments. The heterogeneity in the financing of projects within the Cohesion Policy and regional economic development is determined by the structure of the economy and the growth potential of the country. It was found that the amount of funding from the Cohesion Fund is directly related to GDP and gross value added of the countries, with a 1% increase in investment GDP will increase by 0.4228%, the unit labor cost will decrease by -0.0457%, and gross value added will increase by 0.4258%. This heterogeneity is also a consequence of the smart specialization approach to regional development policy, which is now being discussed in the European Commission. Smart specialization of countries is extremely important in the context of the strategic role of sectors and economic growth.

12

Authors: Saso Krstovski, Daw Alwerfalli

A This paper focuses on using Lean Six Sigma principles incorporated with TRIZ to develop a strategic approach to establish the level of empowerment. Leadership decisions can either overly empower individuals beyond acceptable levels or under empower them and do not provide any benefits. The latest trend within all organizations is to invert the organizational triangle. All organizational leadership seeks to leverage the workforce to make decisions and prevent bureaucracy by empowering individuals closest to the process. One area that gets a lot of focus and attention is the Inventory Management department, where goods are purchased for the services. Researching historical spending via the Six Sigma DMAIC program structure and fundamentals of the TRIZ principles were exploited to develop the optimal value ensuring there is significant satisfaction of the customer.

14

Authors: Rudi Čop, Tadeja Jere Jakulin

The paper first introduces the sunspot cycles and discusses the relationship between the solar cycles and the 12?year Chinese calendar. The latter has a significant impact on the lives and thinking of some East Asian countries and the emigrants from those countries. Western civilization considers solar cycles and their impact on human life only as solar astronomy and geomagnetism. Through the established effects on life on Earth, the life span of an individual is the starting point through which the paper represents the long-term influence of the Sun on us.

14

Authors: Andrey Balakin, Alexey Roslyakov, Yury Klochkov

The aim of this research is the study of negative physical processes in diesel engines, which are induced by the low value of cetane number of ethanol that characterizes the efficiency of the ignition process. The authors present the calculation assessment of thermodynamic state of methanol and diesel fuel mix combustion products in various proportions and calculations of the thermal state of injector elements by analytical and computational methods. Analytical dependencies are taken from traditional branches of science such as heat engine theory, heat transmission. As a technical solution to compensate the low value of the cetane number the authors use diesel fuel as an ignition dose and ethanol as the main fuel. The paper shows that having other conditions equal the power of a diesel engine slightly increases due to raise of water vapor in combustion products. The authors present the methods and calculation of fuel heating in the boundary layer of the injector nozzle channel during the injection cycle of the D240 diesel engine. With the decrease of the fuel priming in the boundary layer the temperature rises, and that is the reason of the gumming which leads to the needle jamming.

14

Authors: Maria Radkevich, Kamila Shipilova, Oleg Pochuzhevskyi, Abdusamin Gapirov

Oxygen content is one of the most important indices of the atmospheric air quality, on which the health and working capacity of the population depend. Many researchers do not consider a constant decrease in oxygen concentration to be dangerous for human health. Nevertheless, a local drop in the oxygen content in the air near the highways can cause negative consequences for human health. Undoubtedly, the constant growth of motorization in Tashkent leads to intensive oxygen absorption from the urban atmosphere to realize the fuel combustion processes. The purpose of this study is to assess the decrease in oxygen concentration in the air of Tashkent city near the highways due to the motor transport traffic. As was experimentally determined, a decrease in the oxygen concentration in the atmospheric air was observed near the highways; and the intensity of the decrease was related to the intensity of vehicle traffic. During rush hours, oxygen concentration near the highways could reach the values that are hazardous to humans, up to 19.6 - 19.5% O2. A modified Kitsenko equation was proposed to perform an express assessment of the oxygen concentration; the authors have introduced the coefficients of irregularity of movement into this equation. The proposed method will make it possible to assess the oxygen content by an indirect indicator (traffic intensity) and timely inform the population about the air quality.

14

Authors: Maciej Urbaniak, Dominik Zimon

The aim of the article is to identify, on the basis of the analysis of the literature and the results of empirical research, the expectations of enterprises towards suppliers regarding the improvement of their operational processes. It can be noticed that manufacturing companies, while improving their processes, also require actions in this area from suppliers. The article presents the results of empirical research conducted using the computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) technique in medium and large manufacturing companies operating in Poland. The results of these studies show that manufacturing companies focus their expectations towards suppliers mainly on the improvement of quality control processes (deliveries, semi-finished products, as well as the finished products). The research results presented in the article have several important implications for representatives of science and business.

16

Authors: Tatyana V. Kokoreva

The article aims to determine the prospects for improving the service quality management of bank financing based on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the digital economy in the interests of sustainable development. The results of economic and mathematical modeling of the impact of the service quality management bank financing based on corporate social responsibility in the digital economy on sustainable development results, using the method of regression analysis, showed that standard corporate social responsibility in the digital economy does not have a positive effect on sustainable development. The novelty of the article lies in the development of a digital approach to the service quality managing of bank financing based on corporate social responsibility for sustainable development. All three areas of the service quality management of bank financing in a new approach - the manifestation of CSR, FinTech development and SDG support - are systemically interconnected and support each other. This ensures a constant improvement in the service quality of bank financing. Improving the security of banking (it is recommended to increase it by 97.28%) and development of Internet banking (it is recommended to increase it by 96.81%) are proposed as measures for the practical implementation of the new approach. Due to the practical implementation of the proposed author's recommendations, the level of sustainable development will become the maximum (reach 1st place), that is, increase by 96.64%. The results obtained underline the prospects of implementing new measures of the service quality management of bank financing based on corporate social responsibility in the digital economy.

16

Authors: Anastasia A. Sozinova, Nadezhda K. Saveleva, Aleksei V. Bogoviz, Elena G. Popkova

The purpose of this paper is to study and reconsider the order of implementing temporary government regulation of commodity prices in the EAEU from the positions of quality and to develop recommendations for improving this order for the comprehensive fight against poverty and support for the middle class amid economic crises. This paper is based on the scientific provisions of the systems approach. The authors perform economic and mathematical modelling of the influence of implementing temporary government regulation of commodity prices on their quality in the EAEU based on the method of regression analysis. For the qualitative research of the practical experience of implementing temporary government regulation of commodity prices in the EAEU amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the method of case study is used. The scientific novelty of this paper consists in the fact that it is for the first time that the order of implementing temporary government regulation of commodity prices in the EAEU is treated from the positions of quality. The originality of this paper consists in the systemic view at the quality of life and the well-balanced consideration - during the determination of its level - of not only the inflation factor (price affordability of commodities) but also the factor of quality of commodities (level of satisfying population's needs during consumption of goods).

20

Authors: Syed Ali Raza Shah, Khairur Rijal Jamaludin, Hayati Habibah Abdul Talib, Jalal Shah, Shari M. Yusof, Abdul Qadeer

SMEs are well-known as the economic backbone of any country. Similarly, in Pakistan, they play a vital role in socio-economic development and income generation. However, some of Pakistan's Food Processing SMEs are reportedly less involved in the country's exports due to their inability to meet the quality of produce required for global markets. Pakistan's food industry is transforming from a traditional food processing system to higher-value-added products due to the demand from lifestyle - and health-conscious customers. This study aims to identify the critical success factors of quality management and analyze their impact on operational performance amongst food-processing SMEs in Pakistan. Previous studies demonstrated that critical Success Factors provide an effective way of focusing strategic direction, and enable management to focus on critical areas. Toward that end a questionnaire was developed and employed for data collection from respondents selected using a snowball sampling technique. A total of 302 food processing SMEs responded the survey. SPSS- Version 23 and Smart-PLS 3 were used for data analysis. It is believed that this study will help food manufacturers in Pakistan to improve their operational performance and product quality by practicing certain critical factors.

22

Authors: Edvaldo de Farias, Luis Mendes, Maria Nascimento, Eva Morais

A survey focused on 34 specific attributes of service quality in fitness centres was applied to 657 fitness centre clients in the city of Rio de Janeiro, following a stratified sampling process. The article aims to identify the most relevant attributes of service quality, from clients' perspective, necessary for potential future excellence-based classification schemes of fitness centres in Rio de Janeiro. A quartile analysis determined that the most critical attributes, i.e., with greatest average relevance, are related to the following aspects: (i) fitness centre environment, (ii) location and access, (iii) instructors' qualifications and (iv) results of training plans, while the items considered less relevant on average concern the following aspects: (i) additional services provided by the fitness centre, (ii) social interaction promoted by the centre and (iii) administrative employees. There is no similar research on the evaluation of service quality, from users' perspective, in fitness centers in Rio de Janeiro, and there is still no consensus in literature concerning instruments for such purpose and concerning what are the most relevant attributes to customers, when assessing service quality. In accordance, this research is relevant through providing data which are necessary to construct a hierarchical classification of fitness centres in relation to the quality of services provided.

12

Authors: Predrag Mitic, Bogdan Nedic

The purpose of this paper is to present new approach in drilling path optimization based on genetic algorithm and to present a practically applicable software solution in every day practice. It deals with multi-hole drilling problem with precedence constraints which is common case in metalworking industry. The starting point is the assumption that the geometry of the workpiece is already recognized, then the mathematical model is presented and genetic algorithm is used to generate and to optimize tool path. Proposed concept greatly reduced the costs of part production through improved machining efficiency and it is very suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which have limited resources. Proposed concept is realised through software solution implemented in object-oriented programming language Delphi, and can be used for automatic generation of NC code.

12

Authors: Dragan Pamucar, Ibrahim Badi, Zeljko Stevic

The present paper aims at suggesting a multi-criteria decision-making model that would help in making the appropriate decision regarding the selection of the best gateway port for landlocked countries. There are 44 landlocked countries around the world, which do not have a seaport directly linked to the rest of the world. Sixteen of these countries are located in Africa, making it weak to compete in the global market, in addition to the high costs of its imports. The model proposed in this paper was applied to two landlocked countries in the African continent: Chad and Niger. The paper proposed 8 evaluation criteria related to evaluating the ports themselves in terms of infrastructure and services tariffs, as well as to the level of safety and the transport infrastructure from the transit country to the landlocked one. The Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) was used for the purpose of evaluating such criteria, and the number of navigation lines was the most important one. Ranking of Alternatives through Functional mapping of criterion sub-intervals into a Single Interval (RAFSI) method was used for the purpose of comparing 6 ports to conclude that the Misurata seaport is the best alternative.

14

Authors: Andrey G. Paptsov, Karolina Yu. Popova

The goal of this paper is to justify the prospects and develop recommendations for consistent management of the quality of water resources for sustainable development based on industrial and manufacturing engineering, while taking into account the specific features of developed and developing countries. The originality of the research is that water resources are considered in terms of quality, and a consistent scientific view of the quality of water resources is formed for the first time in the unity of all its signs. It is suggested to use the methodology of comprehensive quality measurement which is being tested using the example of developed and developing countries in 2020. The uniqueness of the paper consists in the development of a new, non-financial approach to managing the quality of water resources, one that would involve reliance on industrial and manufacturing engineering in the digital economy. The novel nature of the research consists in examining the experience of developed and developing countries in order to identify and take into account their specific features and to develop specific highly-refined application-specific recommendations to ensure high efficiency management of the quality of water resources. In order to improve the quality of water resources in developed countries, it is recommended that e-government is developed by 95.74 per cent, and the active use of Big Data and analytics is increased by 96 per cent. In developing countries, it is recommended that the degree of robots distribution is increased by 96.02 per cent.

18

Authors: Ivana Martincevic

Globalization and internationalization create new opportunities but also new challenges for companies to operate on the market. Due to globalization we are witnessing new trends and new technologies where digitalization and digital transformation drastically affect and change the way organizations operate. Digital transformation of business is inevitable and is a key element of further development of the organization in today's modern environment and market. Being competitive, achieving and ensuring long-term competitiveness is impossible today without new digital technologies that create a precondition for achieving it. A systematic literature review was undertaken to provide an overview of digitalization and digital competitiveness, as well as the digital technologies that support them. The terms ("digitalization" OR "digital transformation") and ("digital competitiveness" OR "digital technology") were used to collect data. The papers were reviewed in order to determine correlation between digital technologies and digital competitiveness and impact of digital technology on digital competitiveness. Results indicate that digital technology ensures the creation of sustainable competitive advantage and leads to digital competitiveness.

18

Authors: Alexander N. Alekseev, Aleksei V. Bogoviz, Svetlana V. Lobova

The purpose of this paper is to substantiate the perspectives and to develop recommendations for the optimization of labor in the interests of employees and employers from the positions of efficiency and quality for the scientific support for implementing SDG 8. To determine the sustainability of human resources management in the interests of employees and employers from the positions of efficiency and quality, a proprietary methodology has been developed. It is based on the hierarchy process, which allows taking into account the significance of each factor. It has been determined that human resources management in countries of BRICS is relatively sustainable (53.19 points). In countries of G7, human resources management is sustainable (65.55 points). The recommendations for systemic optimization of labor in the interests of employees and employers from the positions of efficiency and quality in the period until 2030 are offered. The implementation of the authors' recommendations allows for the growth of quality by 85.72% and the growth of labor efficiency by 152.76%. As a result, the level of satisfaction of employees' interests grows by 8.99%, and the level of satisfaction of employers' interests grows by 50.16%. The novelty of this research consists in the determination and substantiation of universal milestones that allow balancing the interests of employees and employers - these include labor quality and efficiency. A comprehensive vision of the sustainable management of human resources, which stimulates - for the first time - the simultaneous increase of quality and labor efficiency, is offered.

18

Authors: Ekaterina Kozlova, Nikolai Didenko

Modern society has to deal with the influence that technological progress has on all aspects of life. The article presents an analysis of the impact that technological development has on the quality of life. The quality of life is assessed by numerous indicators that allow to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality of life in different countries of the world. In the article, the main indicators that assess the quality of life and four indicators of technological development that affect the quality of life are selected. To analyze the impact of technological development on the quality of life, a system of interdependent econometric equations is constructed. Based on the obtained model, the forecast values of quality of life indicators are calculated and their comparison is made for the groups of G7 and E7 countries.

20

Authors: Mate Damic

This paper aims to explore the moderating role of national culture on the understudied relationship between ISO 9001 and organizational innovativeness. To achieve the goals of this paper the moderating role of power distance, individualism vs. collectivism and uncertainty avoidance on the relationship between ISO 9001 internalization and organizational innovativeness was analyzed using moderated multiple regression in two hundred and fourty seven ISO 9001 certified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from four European countries (Austria, Croatia, Italy and Romania). Power distance and individualism vs. collectivism were not significant in the model, while uncertainty avoidance had a negative moderating effect. The study findings are promising and future research should broaden the research by including more organizations and countries in the research sample. The analysis of the effect other institutional factors have on the relationships proposed in this research is another possible avenue for future research.

20

Authors: Davor Grgurevic, Gabrijela Budimir Sosko, Kresimir Buntak, Fitim Kurti

Digital literacy has become a key work ability and skill in modern public administrations, while digitalisation and the green economy are development priorities in the European Union. The hypotheses are focused on the necessity of a satisfactory level of digital literacy among local government employees, as a prerequisite for launching and implementing sustainable mobility projects that are often mostly funded by EU funds. Digital literacy was assessed through a survey that was conducted among employees of local self-government units in Croatia. Desktop analysis methods were used, i.e. a comprehensive literature re-view and case studies in combination with the survey method. The results of the research confirm the hypothesis that the majority of employees of local self-government units in Croatia have a satisfactory level of digital literacy, which is related to the introduction and monitoring of sustainable mobility in local self-government units.

22

Authors: Yana S. Matkovskaya, Ksenia V. Ekimova, Nikolay V. Kuznetsov

The goal of this article is to assess the quality of the current stage of the digitals economy development, as well as is to investigate whether the development of digitalization processes will solve the problem of regional asymmetry in the development of the World Economy, and the hypothesis for this paper was the assumption that the economic relations implemented in the digital space affect the overall quality of the digitalization of the economy and can contribute to solving the problem of uneven regional development and will also reduce the gap between developed and developing countries. The methodology of work is based on a combination of methods of statistical, logical, graphical and regional analysis, it is also due to the application of general scientific methods and a comparative approach. The result of this paper is the conclusion that the Digital Economy creates the conditions for the quality development of regions.

26

Authors: Mugdim Pasic, Ketrina Cabiri Mijo, Branko Vucijak, Jelena Sakovic Jovanovic, Marko Milojkovic, Belma Ramic-Brkic, Aleksandar Vujovic, Branko Boskovic, Altin Idrizi, Mirza Pasic, Ajdin Vatres, Dukagjin Leka

This paper presents research on service related competences in South East Europe. This research was conducted as part of Erasmus+ CBHE project named Enhancing and validating service related competences in versatile learning environments in Western Balkan universities (e-Viva). Innovations and development of new technologies including automation of manufacturing processes cause paradigm shift in business models in manufacturing sector while service sector emerges as potential for economic growth by absorbing more labour and offering diverse services. Thus, development of service related competences is important factor for overall development of service sector. Stocktaking of service related competences in South East Europe aimed at the identification, analysis and description of current education programmes and practices relating to service orientation with focus on the interface between formal and informal learning in the higher education sector and possible connections to validation practices in relation to EQF, NQFs and the related instruments (ECTS, ECVET and EUROPASS).Results of desk research, analysis of results of the online questionnaire results and interviews with stakeholders (one-to-one or focus group) as well as interpretation of needs analysis in South East Europe are presented in this paper.

8

Authors: Aleksey Rogachev, Elena Melikhova, Tatiana Pleschenko

Assessing and ensuring food security (FS) taking into account the quality of life (QL) of the population is one of the most important problems of economic security. The problem of integral estimation of the FS level can be solved by developing a family of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM). The purpose of the article is to build such models. The FCM algorithmic core is consistently supplemented with new concepts, such as generalized QL. At each iteration, the values of the weights corresponding to the new configuration of the modified FCM graph are revised. The conceptual model of cognitive modeling FS is constructed in accordance with the identified criteria of food security, including production; consumption, QL, level of infrastructure provision and import. The constructed model allows us to evaluate the impact of additional concepts, including QL, on the evolution of the integral FS level.

12

Authors: Fauzi Ahmad, Norhadilah Abdul Hamid, Ahmad Nur Aizat Ahmad, Mohd Nasrun Mohd Nawi, Nor Aida Abdul Abdul Rahman, Nor Aziati Abdul Hamid

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a tool to involve employees in the continuous improvement. SMEs are a well-known as the vital sector to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, SMEs still face issues of their performances. Most of SMEs have issue in TQM implementation due to the lack of awareness and accepting of TQM. The objective of this paper is to examine the TQM implementation amongst SMEs, in order to enhance their performance by using Balanced Scorecard (BSC). 130 respondents from Malaysia SMEs in manufacturing sector have been sent in this survey. Finally, 64 respondents have responded, representing 49.2 of response rate. The result shows that TQM practices have positive and significant relationship towards the BSC with r=0.64 at P<0.05. Hence, TQM practices also have significant relationship with all of the four BSC perspective with p<0.05. This study demonstrated that TQM is important tool for improving BSC performance.

14

Authors: Badr Aqeel Alshrari, Hassan Hussain Nafea, Mohammed Ahmed Alzahrani

The aim of this paper was a systematic review of quality improvement in paramedic care. Only very few reviews on some aspects of this have appeared so far. Hence a more comprehensive review including many aspects of paramedic care quality and its improvement was considered necessary. A Google Scholar search using the topic itself as the search term yielded 41 usable papers for this review. Both qualitative and quantitative papers were included to cover all possible aspects. The selected papers have been described under different sections. The papers on paramedic impact, roles, QI programmes and strategies, training and education and communication and collaboration were dominant. Much less research was observed on mobile enhanced healthcare, feedback to paramedics on their performance and research in developing countries. So, the recommendation is to increase research on these topics in future.

14

Authors: Piotr Kafel, Piotr Rogala

The purpose of the study was to verify whether different methods of management systems auditing are perceived by the audited organizations as equally beneficial. On-site audits were compared with remote audits, as well as audits related to voluntary management systems with audits related to mandatory management systems. The survey on organizations from the food sector with the use of CATI/CAWI mix methodology was carried out. The analysis carried out has shown that remote and on-site audits are perceived as equally beneficial. The degree of credibility,) usefulness in improving the organization and financial usefulness of these two audits methods were assessed at the same level. Statistically, significant differences have been identified between audits related to voluntary management systems and mandatory management systems. It was found that usefulness in improving the organization and financial usefulness of voluntary management systems audits are assessed higher than in the case of mandatory management systems.

16

Authors: V. Starodubov, F. Kadyrov, A. Chililov

The current situation in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 has demonstrated that the most affected category of citizens (in terms of morbidity and mortality) around the world are healthcare workers. High workloads, the risk of infection and death from coronavirus against the background of sometimes insufficient protection, both physically and socially, leads to the fact that the risks of an increase in the outflow of medical workers from the industry and an increase in the personnel shortage. Most of the states agreed to provide medical workers with a wide range of benefits, guarantees and compensations. At the same time, measures to support medical workers are important not only in themselves, but also as a tool for managing personnel in the industry. This publication examines the experience of the Russian Federation in state support for persons associated with the treatment of coronavirus infection, including in comparison with the experience of some other countries. An assessment of the effectiveness and feasibility of using various measures to support medical workers is given and the conclusion is substantiated that in order to improve the staffing of health care to improve the quality of provided medical services, it is necessary, if possible, to "monetize" benefits and guarantees. Extensive opportunities for this are opened on the basis of industrial and manufacturing engineering of digital healthcare.

16

Authors: Abdulrhman Samman Al-Asmari

The aim of this paper is only to provide a systematic review of important research undertaken thus far in Deep Learning (DL) applications in healthcare and biomedicine. A total of 47 papers were shortlisted for this review. The review revealed that DL can be and has been applied in a number of healthcare contexts to improve outcomes. The two most important ones among them, indicated by the number of available papers, are cancer and medical imaging. A good number of papers on drugs and their development were also available. However, it must be highlighted that such categorisations may be somewhat arbitrary. It may be possible to categorise one paper in more than one category. The primary implication of this research for the academia is that there is a large deficit of papers on many of the chronic and lifestyle related illnesses such as diabetes as well as some diseases caused by immunodeficiency. There is also a complete deficit of literature on most of the acute health problems. This may be indicative of the need for more intensified research in the deficit areas. The primary implication of this research for health practitioners is that there is a plethora of substantial research that is currently available and accessible regarding the applications of DL to cancer and medical imaging which may be utilised for their practice.

16

Authors: Djordje Mijailovic, Yury Klochkov, Milan Misic, Aleksandar Djordjevic, Bojan Stojcetovic, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Marija Zahar Djordjevic

Different aspects of development and implementation of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) have been analysed in previous period dominantly from the viewpoint of theory and practice related to information systems (IS), management information systems (MIS), information technology (IT), as well as management, teamwork, quality and many different approaches, methods, techniques, and tools. These researches missed analysis of leadership process related to developing and using an ICT covered by term ICT leadership in organisations. On the other sides, previously researches regarding leadership are concerned with the role and benefits of applying ICT in organisations, dominantly based on leadership traits. This paper is based on the process approach. An ICT leadership is treated as a subprocess, as ICT management and other processes and subprocesses, based on organisations' process map. By integrating ICT leadership and other business processes, it is possible to assess the quality of processes and the quality of ICT and their impact on the net benefits of ICT. It is the primary purpose of the paper. The research's primary goal is to model ICT leadership with other business processes and use multi regression analysis to find relationships among them. The statistical analysis results proved the primary hypothesis about ICT leadership and ICT management's impact on business performances.

18

Authors: Nor Ratna Masrom, Badru At Tamam Daut, Raja Zuraidah Rasi, Lo Wei Keong

This paper is aimed to explore the role of innovation as mediating role in relationship between TQM and competitive advantage within manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Quantitative method was used to find out the answer and questionnaires have been distributed to the management level in electrical and electronic (E&E) manufacturers in Malaysia. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and ADANCO were the software used to analyze the data gathering from respondents. The result of analysis shown that total quality management (TQM) and innovation gave significant positive impact on competitive advantage. In addition, the innovation is mediate positively for the relationship between TQM and competitive advantage. Therefore, this research is expected to provide deep understanding regarding TQM, innovation, and competitive advantage for the manufacturing industry within Malaysia and acts as reference to future researchers.

20

Authors: Elena V. Sofiina, Valery P. Dyachkov

This paper aims at a quantitative and qualitative study of the advantages of digitalization for quality management by agricultural land users in view of the directions of modernization considering the specifics (favorability) of the conditions for agriculture. Originality and novelty of this research consists in its providing precise quantitative data on digitalization and analyzing its influence on agricultural products' quality with application of the mathematical tools. Detailed data on digitalization of agriculture and the components of quality of food products are used, which ensures the most precise, correct, and informative data. Also, differences between countries with unfavorable farming conditions and countries with favorable farming conditions are taken into account. This allows obtaining the fullest conclusions and compiling practice-oriented recommendations. It is proved that favorable conditions of the environment (positive influence of the natural and climate factors) reduce the value and need for digitalization. It is of the largest interest for countries with unfavorable conditions for farming and countries that have a deficit of food products - digitalization open for this countries a possibility of development of their own highly-efficient agricultural production.

22

Authors: Pooyan Sedarati, Francisco Manuel Dionísio Serra, Tadeja Jere Jakulin

The tourism industry is inherently complex and a key player in sustainable development. This paper intends to discuss the path towards building a sustainable smart tourism ecosystem model by delving deep into the pivotal topics with interesting speculations on smart cities' perspectives that lay a broader foundation of smart tourism destinations. First, it discusses the interconnections and foundation of smart tourism ecosystems by proposing a general conceptual model describing traditional tourism transformation through ICTs. Second, by explicating each building block of smart tourism ecosystems and using systems methodology (systems thinking method and qualitative modeling in a frame of system dynamics) to break down the complex system of smart tourism's roles and components. Such methods are widely utilized in different fields of study to facilitate the decision-making process by furnishing a holistic view of the problem. For that matter, Causal Loop Diagramming (CLDs) was used as one of the powerful tools of systems thinking to depict smart tourism ecosystems. The proposed causal loop diagram considers sustainability as one of the main concerns and trying to shed some light on intricate networks of businesses, socio-economic, and environmental subsystems in smart tourism destinations that are performing distinctively yet interdependent. This study is an ongoing process employing System Dynamics (SD) methodology for model testing and validation.

10

Authors: Alina-Andreea Dragoescu Urlica, Sandra Stefanovic, Lulzime Kamberi, Marta Boguslawska-Tafelska

This paper aims to examine language learning and communication modalities in the emerging digital educational spaces used by undergraduate students from Banat's University "King Michael I of Romania" from Timisoara, Romania, University of Tetovo, North Macedonia, and Lomza University in Poland during the academic year 2021-2022. Particularly, the use of digital platforms provided for online schooling during the pandemic is analysed based on feedback from students participating in online English classes. The purpose of the study is to reveal the specific modalities available for collaborative learning communities, as well as the challenges faced by both learners and educators and the viability of maintaining ecological multimodal dialogues. The paper explores how online classes are able to mobilize students in digital spaces to enable the development of language learning, as well as soft skills promoting communicative competence, while also maintaining the need for visibility within distance education. The analysis uses a multimethod approach, on the one hand theoretically grounded in ecolinguistics and ecosemiotics (evolving from semiosphere theory) by investigating digital practices and, on the other hand, experimental-based qualitative analysis examining the feedback collected from students through surveys conducted anonymously. Ultimately, the discussion aims at enhancing genuine interactive openness and plurivocal dialogue which valorizes identity formation, from a quality-based and ethical perspective.

12

Authors: Andrijana Rogošić

Quality Costing is one of contemporary accounting methods that can provide the most relevant information for the decision-making in quality management. This strategic management accounting method brings many benefits yet many companies hesitate to implement it. Those quality-oriented companies that use Quality Costing often do not deploy it properly. Some companies are at the first stage of collecting and measuring quality costs when the problem with cost identification occurs. During the time and depending on the knowledge of quality managers and accountants the quality costs become better followed-up. Thus, the scope of quality cost recording and the usage level of Quality Costing determines its maturity level. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the frequency of quality cost reporting on the level of Quality Costing maturity. Among the observed companies only 44.3% prepare quality cost reports. Findings indicate that if quality managers use accounting information more often, the more developed (matured) Quality Costing becomes.

14

Authors: Robert Szydło, Małgorzata Ćwiek, Sylwia Wiśniewska, Marek Koczyński

Most of the questionnaires used to measure quality of life are not covering most important areas for young people' in emerging adulthood stage. The aim of this paper is to present the creation procedure of a shortened version of the questionnaire for multidimensional examination of students' quality of life (MIS-QOL-S), its structural and theoretical validity as well as reliability. Within a three step quantitative approach, the MIS-QOL-S revealed a high reliability of 0.94 as measured by Cronbach's alfa, and 0.972 when measured by the split-half coefficient. The theoretical validity of a tool measured by a Pearson's coefficient revealed the results of 0,97 with MIS-QOL; 0,62 with SWLS and 0,693 with QOLS which proves reliability and validity of a crated tool. Based on its properties MIS-QOL-S may be used for research and diagnostic purposes in the fields of social sciences such as management, psychology or sociology as well as in medical science.

14

Authors: Nadiya Shkromyda, Vitaliy Shkromyda, Taras Gnatiuk, Iryna Franchuk, Svitlana Viter

The study analyzes the state of social entrepreneurship, quality of accounting in the EU and its state regulation. The social entrepreneurship development intensity was calculated by taking into account the level of GDP per capita of the country, which revealed certain patterns: countries with a high level of social protection form a lower level of social entrepreneurship development. For countries that have a high level of economic development is characterized by high intensity of social entrepreneurship; territorially limited countries. The systems of indicators that allow assessing the social effect of the country through the macroeconomic indicator of GDP per capita with the specification of social groups are described. It is proved that the effectiveness of social entrepreneurship depends on the level of income of social groups. That's why in Eastern Europe countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania), the intensity of social entrepreneurship is much lower than in Western EU countries (Germany, France).

16

Authors: Alona Kliuchnyk, Vyacheslav Shebanin, Olena Shebanina, Yuri Kormyshkin, Volodymyr Rybachuk, Zoriana Buryk

As a result of the study, it has been found that the role of public administration in the regional development of EU member states is the highest in less developed countries, forasmuch as after joining the EU these countries have adapted their national legislation and the legal system as a whole to much higher standards than national ones. As a result, investors' confidence is growing, the investment climate and business activity are improving. It has been proved that the basic strategic factors of public administration in less developed EU countries will be the factors related to improving the quality of regulatory and legal support of the social-economic environment and ensuring the rule of law. The factors outlined and policies towards achieving high level can be used by developing countries as a positive experience in reforming national legal systems and public governance.

18

Authors: Hugo de Oliveira Guimarães da Silva, Mariana Cristina Magalhães Costa, Maria Victoria Cabrera Aguilera, Maria da Glória Diniz de Almeida, Bernardo Bastos da Fonseca, José Salvador da Motta Reis, Luís César Ferreira Motta Barbosa, Gilberto Santos, Nilo Antonio de Souza Sampaio

This abstract presents a case study approach based on qualitative methods and data that aimed a detailed examination of an environment, a particular subject or situation. The objective of this work is to improve the painting process of an automotive company through the application of Statistical Process Control for the optimization of performance indicators quality and productivity. Statistical Process Control is applied to the monitoring of manufacturing industry processes, including automotive manufacturing. The implementation of the SPC in production environments is to improve and control real-time product and process characteristics, quality and productivity is an accepted manufacturing event.

20

Authors: Ljudevit Krpan, Krešimir Buntak, Predrag Brlek, Ivan Cvitković

The protection of market competition is one of the fundamental concepts of the Community acquis. It is implemented through strict supervision and regulation of subsidized economic activities. The aforementioned acquis must also be accordingly implemented in the field of transport, i.e. the field of providing transport services. The provision of public passenger transport services is characterized as an activity of general economic interest, for which public service contracts must be concluded. With that in mind, the paper presents one of the possible models for defining the minimum standard for the accessibility of public passenger transport. The model is based on the available statistical data and it can be used in the preparation and implementation of tenders for the conclusion of public service contracts to which all interested carriers can apply under the same conditions. The proposed methodology is simple to apply and it is based on generating the needs for movement depending on the structure and complexity of life functions correlated with the size of the settlement. Research results confirm the possibility of applying the mentioned method as referential in defining the minimum scope of the public passenger transport service at all levels.

20

Authors: Andrey A. Polukhin, Veronika I. Panarina, Svetlana P. Klimova

This article is aimed at substantiating the prospects and developing recommendations for quality management in the food market in favor of sustainable development based on industrial and manufacturing engineering in the digital economy. Taking into account the influence of factors and using the capabilities of industrial and manufacturing engineering in the age of digital economy when studying quality management in the food market on the basis of industrial and manufacturing engineering determines the originality and uniqueness of this study. The benefits of digitalization are substantiated in it for the first time, not from the standpoint of enterprises (productivity growth) or the state (growth of transparency and accountability), but from the standpoint of consumers through the lens of quality. The novelty of the research also consists in the development and application of a new scientific and methodological approach to measuring quality in the food market, based on a broad interpretation of quality in the unity of consumer properties, sufficiency and availability of food products. The new approach opens up opportunities for learning and managing the quality in the food market for sustainable development that were not available previously. The authors developed a scientific and methodological approach to the quality management in the food market for sustainable development based on industrial and manufacturing engineering in the digital economy, proposed policy implications for its practical application, and conducted a case study, and tested a new approach on the example of the soybean seed market in Russia.

22

Authors: Agnessa O. Inshakova, Ekaterina P. Rusakova

The purpose of this paper is to study the contribution of the factors of industrial and manufacturing engineering to quality of digital legal proceedings in the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) and BRICS and to develop recommendations for managing these factors for increasing the quality of services' provision in the form of digital evidence, Internet courts, and E-court. Originality of this research is ensured by the following competitive advantages as compared to the existing literature sources. Firstly, we specify the "wide" treatment of quality of digital legal proceedings' services and select the indicators, form statistical basis and offer a methodological approach to complex indicative evaluation of quality of digital legal proceedings' services. This provides a scientific basis for protecting business's interests in the court in the interaction with the state. This also forms a comprehensive scientific idea on creation of favorable conditions for doing business with the help of increasing the quality of digital legal proceedings' services. Secondly, we take into account the influence of the factors of industrial and manufacturing engineering on quality of digital legal proceedings' services. This allows developing detailed and precise applied recommendations for state management of quality of digital legal proceedings' services in the interests of their increase. Thirdly, we study the experience of countries of the EAEU and BRICS, which allows determining the differences in quality and influence of the factors of industrial and manufacturing engineering on digital legal proceedings' services among developing countries and the consequences for favorability of doing business.

22

Authors: Gilyan V. Fedotova, Roman R. Chugumbaev, Nina N. Chugumbaeva, Irina S. Larionova, Gulnara K. Dzhancharova

This purpose of the article is to assess the quality of life of the population of Russia in the conditions of the ongoing crisis caused by the current global challenges provoked by the current epidemiological situation. The originality and novelty of this article consists of the following aspects. First, the authors characterize the concept of quality of life from the positions of different authors and consider the main factors influencing on this indicator. In addition, the main approaches to assessing this standard of living of society are considered in the article. Secondly, the authors analyze of the main statistical indicators reflecting the quality of life of the population in the certain country using the example of Russia and for this purpose select digital material on such parameters as economic, social, demographic, ecological living conditions. Special attention is paid to the ongoing processes in the public administration system and the provision of public services to the population. Thirdly, the authors carry out a regression-correlation analysis of statistical data on the main parameters of the socio-economic standard of living was and determine the projected figures of the future development of the main spheres of public life. The main conclusions are made about the relationship between the basic indicators of the quality of life of the population and their influence on the general level of socio-economic development of the country in modern economic conditions. The main scientific contribution of the study is lying in the identification of the degree of the correlation between various indicators of the socio-economic development of the country in the context of the current crisis state of the public sector on the example of Russia. Recommendations for the future development and adjustment of the public administration system under the influence of the current crisis are developed.