Early Access

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    Digital payments as an indicator of financial inclusion in Euro Area countries
    (2024-01-23) Petrikova, Tamara; Kocisova, Kristina
    The process of digitisation in the financial sector is developing through the systematic introduction of computer systems, the establishment of Internet connectivity and the use and ownership of various information and communication devices. Information and communication technologies can increase the desired degree of financial inclusion in a country by increasing the availability of various financial services. This study examines the individual attributes that can affect financial inclusion in the Euro Area countries in 2021. Our analysis applies a probit model to data from the World Bank Global Findex database, focusing on digital payments as a proxy for financial inclusion. The main finding highlights that higher income, higher education, female gender, and younger age groups are associated with an increased propensity to engage in digital payments. Notably, our expectation of a non-linear relationship between age and digital payments is confirmed, as evidenced by the application of the Robin Hood algorithm. Specifically, we observe a positive correlation between age and digital payment usage. However, this trend reverses beyond a specific breakpoint, approximately around the age of 40, leading to a subsequent decline in digital payment activity. Furthermore, our research shows that individuals who utilised alternative payment methods alongside cash before the COVID-19 pandemic are likelier to engage in higher digital payments. Additionally, a tendency for higher adoption of digital payments coincides with countries that achieved a higher Digital Access Index (DAI), an indicator assessing the degree of digitalisation in a country. Furthermore, it is associated with countries among the Euro Area’s founding members.
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    Navigating urban logistics challenges: An optimized approach to parcel distribution in the Prague city center
    (2024-02-28) Andar, Jakub; Huskova, Katerina; Dyntar, Jakub
    In this paper, we focus on metropolitan transport logistics that has always been difficult due to the need to transport goods through a complex urban infrastructure, heavy traffic, and dense populations. The goal of this paper is to describe a micro hub location in the neighborhood of the historic center of the city of Prague, the Czech Republic in a situation where the municipalities consider prohibiting the entry of trucks with combustion engines that currently provide cargo transportation for B2B partners operating in this area. Micro hubs represent the efficient last mile consolidation and distribution facilities located in or near urban neighborhoods and serving a spatially limited, densely populated delivery area. We propose a solution combining facility location problem, vehicle routing problem and balancing with the horizontal and vertical cooperation in supply chains to locate the micro hub in the area with extremely low availability of suitable space while respecting the necessity to connect this facility to an existing network of regional terminals operated by 3PLs to ensure the distribution of cargo across the board according to the requirements of customers. For the collection and distribution of parcels within the area, we suggest to use of cargo bikes and electric vans to provide environmentally sustainable service and minimize the harmful consequences of excessive traffic for residents. We also discuss the economic implications of adopting such innovative sustainable supply chain solutions for involved horizontal and vertical supply chain partners emphasizing different motivation aspects to convince these partners to cooperate and share scarce resources.
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    Utilization of time-driven activity-based costing and process simulation in cost management of organization
    (2024-04-10) Halaska, Michal; Sperka, Roman
    The deployment of information and communication technologies in organizations is on the rise. Many organizations consider the application of technologies to be a crucial key to improve their processes. However, traditional costing systems are not suitable for cost estimation of business processes due to the use of volume-based cost drivers, which are often not adequate for the structure of today’s organizations. In this research, we present an overview of how the TDABC (time-driven activity-based costing) model can be combined with process mining and business process simulation for cost estimation of such processes. The objective of this paper is to use the cost dimension as a major attribute for the potential implementation of robotic process automation (RPA) in companies. However, information and communication technologies could be considered in general. We demonstrate our approach in a case study that takes advantage of a real-life event log containing transactional data representing the loan application process in an insurance company. The event log is analyzed and processed using process mining techniques. Based on the preprocessing, a simulation model representing the original loan application process is designed. The designed simulation model is then used for simulation of partial and full implementation of RPA through separate scenarios. Then, we add the cost dimension to the simulation by enriching the event log with cost data based on a formalized cost model. We show that even though partial implementation of RPA might not deliver significant increase in efficiency in the process, it might still represent significant cost savings.
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    Navigating the Industry 4.0 frontier: Unveiling perceived risk and cost moderators in technology adoption
    (2024-04-10) Jum’a, Luay; Alkhodary, Dina
    The advent of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) brought about significant transformations within the realm of business management. Industries are increasingly adopting innovative practices and implementing smart supply chain operations through the adoption of I4.0 technologies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of I4.0 in supply chain operations. To accomplish this, an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model was applied, with perceived risk and cost acting as moderators in the context of the manufacturing sector. The study used a quantitative research methodology, with a sample size of 276 participants who held managerial positions at various levels within the sector. The data were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire employing a judgmental sampling technique. The findings of the study revealed that both social influence and facilitating conditions had a significant impact on the adoption of I4.0. However, the relationship between social influence and I4.0 adoption was only moderated by perceived risk and cost. The aforementioned findings indicate that it is imperative that firms give precedence to the establishment of a conducive environment and culture that nurture innovation and promote the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, it is essential for individuals to prioritize the establishment of strong networks and collaborations in order to effectively leverage the advantages offered by the I4.0. The implications of this study offer valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in the field of I4.0 and technology adoption. These insights pertain to the significant factors that influence the decision to adopt I4.0 and the anticipated applications of I4.0 within the supply chain.
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    Till death do us part. Do customers cheat on brands?
    (2024-05-10) Klepek, Martin; Toth, Lukas
    Some companies, based on the beliefs of their managers, aim to obtain solely loyal customers in the hope that these customers will always buy only one brand and never cheat by buying a competitor’s brand. However, a growing body of empirical research suggests that this may be an overly positive expectation and that this marketing strategy can run counter to the nature of the consumer. To scrutinize the sole loyal buyer idea, this study empirically examines the phenomenon of duplication of purchase, which suggests that customers not only buy from repertoire but also that brands share customers in proportion to their market share. Data were drawn from two consumer packaged goods categories: beer (10 brands), soft drinks (6 brands), and eight NUTS2 regions. Using a robust sample of 3,488 customers from a consumer panel and many sets of data approach, the research replicated significant patterns of duplication of purchase in both categories studied and across all regions. The findings support the notion that while consumers are likely to repurchase a brand previously purchased, they also frequently diversify their choices between competing brands. Therefore, the study confirms the generalisability of duplication of purchase behaviour in different categories and geographies, providing critical information for marketing strategy and brand management. It is a strategy that goes against the principles of how buying behaviour works to try to persuade customers to buy from one single brand for the rest of their lives. A great deal of corporate resources will be wasted in the pursuit of sole loyalty.