IDEAS

B2C e-commerce companies are increasing in number due to the significant benefits e-logistics provides, boosting profits and improving customer satisfaction. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for online shopping due to lockdowns and safety concerns. Despite this, several B2C companies entering the field eventually leave due to inefficient handling of returned products and ineffective reverse e-logistics systems. This article identifies recent methods to improve Reverse Logistics performance for B2C e-commerce firms. The methodology is based on literature review, synthesis, DELPHI, and multi-scoring survey methods. The results showed that management, quality management, organisational structure and culture, IT, customer satisfaction and service, employees, and infrastructure are factors with a direct effect on REL's performance, and this study suggests methods to improve these factors.

The increasing reliance on renewable energy sources is essential for achieving global sustainability, with solar and wind energy playing pivotal roles in mitigating climate change and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. This study presents an in-depth comparative analysis of solar and wind energy utilisation in Europe and Africa, examining the key differences in resource availability, adoption rates, technological advancements, economic factors, and policy frameworks. Europe has made significant progress integrating renewable energy into its energy mix through comprehensive policies, substantial financial investments, and cutting-edge technological developments. In contrast, despite possessing immense renewable energy potential, particularly in solar energy, Africa faces considerable challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and inconsistent policy implementation. The findings highlight the barriers and opportunities for both regions and propose strategies to optimise renewable energy deployment, fostering sustainable development across diverse socio-economic contexts.

This paper explores the potential of digitalization to enhance Morocco’s renewable energy sector. The primary objectives are to assess the current state of digitalization within the sector, identify key challenges and opportunities, and propose recommendations for overcoming barriers to digital transformation. The study integrates a literature review with the People, Process, Technology (PPT) and Triple Bottom Line (TBL) frameworks, alongside a case study approach, expert interviews, and document analysis to gather data and draw insights. Key findings highlight the critical role of human capital, robust digital infrastructure, and a supportive regulatory environment. The research underscores that effective change management strategies are essential to overcoming resistance to change, enabling the sector to embrace digital transformation fully. By investing in skills development, building digital infrastructure, creating a supportive regulatory environment, adopting a holistic approach to sustainability, and strengthening stakeholder collaboration, Morocco can successfully navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities presented by digitalization. The study concludes that the successful digitalization of Morocco’s renewable energy sector requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of the transition. Through the lens of Morocco’s experience, this research provides valuable insights into the digital transformation of renewable energy sectors in developing countries, offering practical guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders.

The paper analyses the impact of the application of environmentally friendly technologies on business competitiveness, taking into account the principles of sustainability and the aspects of business competitiveness. The growing awareness of environmental issues encourages companies to introduce innovative, environmentally friendly technologies, which reduce the negative impact on the environment and create the prerequisites for the formation of business competitive advantages. The paper presents a theoretical concept of environmental innovations and an analysis of their benefits for business. It also discusses the key factors influencing the uptake of these technologies, ranging from regulatory policy and financial incentives to consumer expectations and companies' strategic objectives. The empirical part of the study includes an analysis of three production sectors' performance results to assess how environmentally friendly technologies contribute to competitive advantage, digitalisation and sustainability. Following three stages of methodology, the study applies COPRAS method and grouping of countries based on the performance of production sectors (in particular, food, rubber, and furniture). The results reveal that most companies surveyed see the introduction of technology as an investment in long-term business success. The paper provides recommendations for companies seeking to strengthen their market position through sustainable technologies. The results are relevant for both business practice and public policy to create a sustainable and competitive production environment.

The expansion of multinational corporations has a significant impact on such small economies as Lithuania. While structural changes in the economy indicate the shifts in the sectoral composition of employment and production, the transfer from labour-intensive to knowledge-intensive sectors substantially contributes to the economy's growth and, therefore, its economic security. The paper aims to determine the impact of the expansion of Nordic capital companies in different sectors on sectorial employment in Lithuania. The study aims to fill this gap by conducting an empirical analysis to investigate patterns and interactions between MNC expansion and employment. The research applied correlation, the Augmented Dickey–Fuller and Granger causality tests. Further, to evaluate the impact of sectorial FDI on sectorial employment, we have applied the Clark-Fisher three-sector model by classifying sectors into primary, secondary, and tertiary. A particular emphasis was placed on the need to evaluate the effect of the expansion of MNCs in different sectors from the single country on the host economy's sectorial employment. Thus, inward sectorial FDI might have a distinct impact on sectorial employment. Our findings prove that the expansion of Norwegian capital companies in the secondary sector affects employment in the secondary sector. Meanwhile, secondary sector employment affects Danish capital companies' expansion in the secondary sector. Our study integrates the Clarks-Fisher model of structural changes and internationalization theory, which extends and fills the gap in the interaction between these two theories.

Alongside efforts to reduce carbon emissions, energy production and use took on new urgency last year, when Europe and other countries faced harsh realities regarding electricity availability and affordability; therefore, solutions are needed to avoid the consequences of the existing gas monopoly because electricity prices are directly correlated with gas prices. One possible alternative to solving this problem is to purchase sustainable electricity from countries with high potential to produce and sell electricity from renewable sources, such as Morocco. A detailed examination of the current situation and the mentioned potential above is required to find new solutions that can have significant political consequences. Publicly available secondary information and scientific literature were investigated to reflect the current situation; statistical information was collected and analyzed to find out the cases of energy transfer from Morocco to other countries; expert investigation was carried out to identify the specifics of problems related to renewable energy production and transmission to Europe. Actual cases of electricity transmission have been or are currently happening only between neighbouring countries Spain and Algeria. The electricity transmission with Algeria is interrupted due to political disagreements. Three future electricity transmission connections are planned: a substantial long-distance project - "Xlinks" with the UK; second, with Portugal, and discussions are underway regarding Mauritania. Morocco can become an essential actor by exporting electricity to Europe, considering its proximity to Spain and huge potential for solar and wind energy that can fulfil the needs of all of Europe. However, it is essential to pay attention; not only Europe but African countries are on the list of those who want to purchase Moroccan electricity.

The complexity of managing transport and logistics processes is a massive challenge in finding optimal management solutions that meet the requirements of green development. There are questions about management support for transport and logistics processes. In addition, the subtleties of developing solutions for maintaining existing transport and logistics activities highlight the complex nature of transport and logistics management processes. The article focuses on applying advanced solutions for the practical management of transport and logistics processes. In the transport and logistics sector, an increase in new suppliers of telemetry systems is observed every day, which has been going on for 4-5 years, and this is statistically visible in the IAA Transportation 2022 records of one of the largest biennial transport and logistics exhibitions. There is an evident growth in the number of participants of manufacturers and service providers of telemetry systems, which since the exhibition held in 2016 has more than doubled, while around the world, the number of new companies supplying telemetry systems has increased to more than 300 per year. The growth of competitiveness also impacts the development of functions that provide new opportunities for customers to make their business more efficient or to receive services that ensure a comfortable life. Digital information generated by vehicles, which, when systematized, is presented to the end driver, is gradually becoming the future of this area of business and leads to responsible resource utilization, monitoring, control, and utilization of user friendly technologies, leading toward a more sustainable future. An analysis of scientific papers has proven that the theoretical link exists between telemetry systems and their application in the transport sector; however, the judge research gap is in applying different quantitative methods for solving transport problems with the help of telemetry solutions.

The paper aims at measuring the efficiency of the digital economy in EU countries. For that purpose, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used. Sub-dimensions of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) are used as inputs and the Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDGI) as an output. The results revealed that Bulgaria, Italy and Romania are the most efficient digital economies in terms of human capital; Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal in terms of connectivity; Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania in terms of integration of digital technology; and Romania in terms of digital public services. The result of tobit regression analysis showed that not all the indicators of the DESI dimensions positively influence the efficiency of the digital economy.

This paper aims to build a Sustainable Development (SD) model that considers ecological threats. We need to identify and measure those threats to prevent them from hindering sustainable regional development. The authors mine the ecological threats' indicators related to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the World Bank database. They found that the ecological threats affect eight SDGs out of the seventeen SDGs, as well as 43 security indicators that measure ecological threats. The obtained results are used to build a Sustainable Development Ecological Security Model made out of selected ecological indicators. The model is instrumental for further constructing an index, which allowed for estimating a level of security of sustainable development from ecological hazards. The study's novelty lies in considering ecological security issues while measuring SD. The obtained results may be instrumental for measuring countries' secure sustainable development and managing the processes through relevant economic policies.

This article seeks to derive the determinants of labour productivity growth in the Baltic states’ manufacturing sector and comparatively analyse the results. To achieve this, first, the growth rate of value added and its main contributors, namely hours worked and the growth rate of labour productivity, have been determined. Second, the main contributors to the growth rate of labour productivity, namely the contributions of labour composition, capital, and total factor productivity (TFP), have been established. Last, following the results, the relevant comparative analysis of newly derived indicators in the manufacturing sector has been accomplished, and conclusions have been presented. This paper used the growth accounting research methodology. Research limitations: the research was performed through the primary sources of growth approach, that is, only those determinants that remain important are incorporated in the model. Practical implications: the newly derived contributors to the growth rate of labour productivity reveal actual growth sources targeted to derive conclusions. The latter could be relevant for policy recommendations at both the national (e. g. guidelines for governmental policies for the selected economies) and the international (e.g., guidelines for EU policy and acts) levels. Originality and value: the novelty of the present study lies in the fact that the growth accounting method had not previously been applied in the manufacturing sector for the Baltic states.