EconBiz

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.

As countries increasingly rely on foreign direct investment to support economic growth, questions arise about its broader implications for social equity and environmental sustainability. This research aims to investigate the direct and indirect impact of FDI on the sustainable development of developed and developing European countries.

This study evaluates the performance of SoliTek SOLID B.60 bifacial photovoltaic panels in four Lithuanian cities; Vilnius, Klaipėda, Telšiai, and Dotnuva, each representing a distinct climate zone as defined in national classifications. Using the System Advisor Model (SAM) and standardized 2022 weather data from NSRDB, the same technical system and a merchant plant financial model were applied across all cities/ to ensure comparability. Key performance indicators; energy output, capacity factor, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and Net Present Value (NPV) were analyzed. Results show Klaipėda outperforms other cities in both technical and financial metrics, while Vilnius yielded the lowest performance. The study highlights the advantage of using locally manufactured panels and consistent simulation parameters for realistic assessment. Use of interdisciplinary evaluation approach allows to take into account main technical panels’ performace indicators together with economic attractiveness. This approach is especially promising in the context of increasing global competition in the area of photovoltaic industry.

The study examines the role of household energy behavior in the transition to renewable energy, focusing on the comparative cases of Lithuania and Morocco. In both countries, households account for approximately 1/4 of total energy consumption, making them a key area for promoting energy efficiency and sustainability. Lithuania and Morocco have different approaches, driven by their economic, cultural, and political environments. In Lithuania, household energy behavior is being influenced by efforts to promote the use of more energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy sources. Public policy and support are focused on building renovations, small-scale renewable energy production in households, and electrification of the transport sector, all of which are supported by public subsidies. Additionally, the introduction of energy-efficiency measures aims to further reduce energy consumption within households. Morocco, on the other hand, emphasizes large-scale renewable energy projects, such as the Noor Solar Complex, while targeting households with energy efficiency campaigns and providing financing mechanisms to make renewable energy technologies more accessible, thereby encouraging a more passive role in direct energy generation but active participation in energy-saving practices. The study uses a comparative case study approach, drawing on secondary data from sources such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and national reports. The main findings show the importance of economic incentives, public awareness, and tailored policy interventions in shaping energy behavior. Although there is public support for renewable energy in both countries, barriers such as financial costs and information gaps remain. The study provides insight into different ways to involve households in the energy transition, highlighting the need for effective communication and strategic policies.

Environmental issues have grown from marginal concerns to one of the biggest global challenges for economies and societies. The easiest, quickest and most effective way of driving down greenhouse gas emissions and the best chance to stop climate change’s process is by moving to an energy system based on renewables. The development of renewable energy clusters is one of the factors that promote renewable energy production. The primary aim of this paper is to offer valuable insights, catering to the needs of both researchers and practitioners, regarding conditions that supported or hindered the expansion of renewable energy clusters in the leading renewable energy-producing countries, i.e., to present the case study’s research on renewable energy clusters. Using statistics and archival analysis, an overview of leading countries in renewable energy and the experience associated with the performance of renewable energy clusters will be provided. The research results and insights apply to the Moroccan case to boost the development of Moroccan renewable energy clusters and economic and political decision-making.

This paper explores the climate change performance of the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—through the lens of global climate indices, with particular emphasis on the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). As EU member states, the Baltic countries are subject to increasingly ambitious climate and energy policies driven by the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package. Based on analysis of climate performance indicators and other composite indexes, this study assesses the methodological approaches to climate change performance measurement and applies these tools to evaluate the Baltic States. Comparative analysis with indices such as the CCPI, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), the Transition Performance Index (TPI), Climate Risk Index (CRI), and the European Extreme Events Climate Index (E3CI) offers a multidimensional view of both climate change mitigation policy effectiveness and climate vulnerability. The findings highlight the region’s relatively favorable climate policy performance, driven by proactive renewable energy and GHG emissions reduction strategies, while underscoring the need for ongoing adaptation measures.

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 digitisation of cultural heritage (CH) offers significant opportunities for preservation, maintenance, and promotion. However, it also presents challenges in terms of representation and the exhibition of content, particularly for the cultural heritage of minorities. This situation can lead to reduced participation and inclusion of minority groups, creating inequitable representations of diverse values in digitisation efforts and increasing the risk of misuse of digital CH. Existing academic frameworks often inadequately address digitization needs and diverse stakeholder perspectives. There is a need for adaptive frameworks that integrate various values and narratives relevant to digital and multicultural heritage management. The paper emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to cultural heritage digitization. The proposed Quadruple Helix Ecosystem Framework provides a comprehensive model to guide the development of innovative and sustainable digital heritage initiatives where diverse stakeholders work together to preserve, interpret, and present cultural heritage in the digital age.

As industrial organizations use more technology, systems' data production capacities improve. Thus, big data analytics (BDA) is becoming more critical. BDA and supply chain integration (SCI) require IoT technology to gather, transmit, and process enormous amounts of real-time data from multiple sources. Because IoT devices are equipped with sensors and actuators that collect and share data from the physical world, these devices generate large amounts of data regarding product movement within the supply chain, environmental conditions, equipment status, etc. These data serve as a valuable source of information for BDA. Additionally, IoT devices facilitate communication and collaboration between different supply chain components. Suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can share real-time data to coordinate operations and respond quickly and efficiently to changes. This affects SCI positively. In this context, this study investigated the impact of manufacturing companies' use of IoT technology on their BDA capacity and SCI. As a result of the structural equation model analysis, it was found that the use of IoT technology positively affects BDA capacity and SCI. It has been determined that BDA capacity has a significant positive effect on SCI. According to the research results, suggestions were made to companies and researchers.

The authors had the idea to apply the Delphi method to evaluate innovative product development scenarios. For this purpose, questionnaires were prepared, and two rounds of the investigation were carried out, in which 30 experts participated as the respondents to evaluate factors related to innovative product development scenarios. A set of the factors and sub-factors to be assessed was selected for the research. This set was formed as the basis from the paper's authors' collected and summarised data. After analysis of obtained research results, it was found that the successful introduction of an innovative product to the market, strategic agility, and reduction of uncertainty scenario is favourable. Also, it was found that there is a significant difference in the experts' opinions on what parameters should be a priority. The options have to rely on a few experts' opinions to evaluate objectively and select the best innovative product development scenario. Then, using their average evaluation as a basis for possible options selection is good. Based on the research results, a model of innovative product development and implementation using scenarios was created. This model describes a possible scenario development path choice, scenario development, evaluation, selection, adaptation and implementation. In the article, the authors also suggest adopting the concept of green innovation in product development, as green innovation positively impacts the growth of the modern economy.