Pan-European University

ABSTRACT As the circular economy transition gains traction in the healthcare sector, extending the lifespan of complex medical devices has become a key priority, given their high cost and the challenges associated with their technological sophistication. To effectively advance this transition, there is a growing need for a robust tool capable of assessing and enhancing the circularity of complex medical devices. In response, this study introduces the Medical Device Circularity Assessment Tool (MDCATool), a novel tool for identifying circular redesign strategies to improve the circularity performance of complex medical devices. The MDCATool draws on the hybrid “Closing‐Slowing Future‐Past” quadrant model, enriched with a hierarchy of product life extension strategies and associated environmental performance attributes. To demonstrate its applicability, the developed tool is employed to identify redesign strategies for an X‐ray tube, an integral component of a mammography system from a medical technology original equipment manufacturer. In addition, this study presents a circularity data checklist to support automated diagnostics and redesign decisions, forming the basis of a digital application for medical device assessment. The tool, designed for industry practitioners, supports evidence‐based decisions and innovation in circular medical device design, helping to improve the circularity performance of complex medical devices, including magnetic resonance imaging scanners, computed tomography systems, and X‐ray and ultrasound devices.

Purpose Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the study aims to analyze the impact of performance expectancy (PE) and training (TR) on AI adoption (AIA). Moreover, our new conceptual model tests the moderating role of personal innovativeness (PI) as well as the final effect of AIA on innovative work behaviour (IWB). Design/methodology/approach A new theoretical conceptual model has been proposed and empirically validated through a “partial least squares structural equation modelling” (PLS-SEM) technique and using the data gathered from 278 employees and managers of information technology (IT) companies. Findings The results showed a positive impact of performance expectancy and training on AI adoption in the organizations. Training also played a mediating role, while personal innovativeness showed a moderating effect in the relationship. Finally, AI adoption led to innovative work behaviour, overall, empirically validating the proposed conceptual model. Research limitations/implications The present investigation extends the scope of UTAUT framework and examines the role of AI adoption in influencing employees' innovative work behaviours, while highlighting the differences in the adoption of technology by the employees. Additionally, this research is useful to managers who question themselves how to foster innovation by integrating AI efficiently with IT industry. However, the scope of this cross-sectional study is restricted by its geographical limitations. Originality/value The present study fills the existing research gap and found the role of an individuals in influencing AI adoption and IWB within the organization. The outcomes of the study would be beneficial for researchers and practitioners in identifying the key role of training and performance expectancy in increasing AI adoption and IWB at the organizational level.

BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) apps target diverse health behaviors, but engagement may vary by purpose.ObjectiveThis study examined the prevalence, usage patterns, and user characteristics of mHealth apps among Czech adults with internet access, focusing on sociodemographics, digital knowledge and use, and health indicators predicting wellness- and illness-related app use.MethodsOverall, 4775 Czech adults (2365/4775, 49.53% women) aged 18-95 (mean 45.37, SD 16.40) years completed an online survey. Sociodemographic factors included age, gender, education, and income. Digital knowledge and use were measured using the eHealth Literacy Scale and the passive/active use of social networking sites (SNS) for health information. Health indicators covered symptom severity, physical activity, BMI, and eating disorder–related risk propensity (body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and weight/shape overvaluation). Participants reported app use for sports, number of steps, nutrition, vitals, sleep, diagnosed conditions, reproductive health, diagnosis assistance, mood and mental well-being, and emergency care guidance. Multivariate hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis identified characteristics of app users. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) clustered apps into “promoting wellness” and “managing illness” and examined the predictors of frequency of use.ResultsOf 4440 respondents, 2172 (48.92%) used mHealth apps. Users were younger (odds ratio [OR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.98-0.99, P<.001), had a monthly income more than 50,000 CZK (1 CZK=US $0.048; vs ≤20,000 CZK: OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.41-0.7, P<.001; 20,001-35,000 CZK: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.93, P=.006; 35,001-50,000 CZK: OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.7-0.99, P=.03), were more eHealth literate (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.3, P=.003), used SNS passively for health information (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21-1.51, P<.001), and had higher eating disorder risk (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12-1.25, P<.001) and physical activity (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13-1.23, P<.001) than nonusers. Step-counting apps were most common; 65.99% (1430/2167) used them daily or several times a day, followed by apps for sleep (691/2163, 31.95%), vitals (611/2165, 28.22%), and sports (407/2158, 18.86%). ESEM confirmed a 2-factor structure (“promoting wellness” and “managing illness”; χ²26=71.9, comparative fit index=0.99, Tucker-Lewis index=0.99, root-mean-square error of approximation=0.03, and standardized root-mean-square residual=0.03). Frequent use of wellness apps was associated with younger age (standardized β=–0.22, P<.001), higher eHealth literacy (standardized β=0.10, P<.001), and physical activity (standardized β=0.15, P<.001). Illness-management app use was associated with active use of SNS for health information (standardized β=0.62, P<.001) and eating disorder risk (standardized β=0.11, P<.001). Digital knowledge, digital use, and health indicators mediated the association between age and mHealth app use.ConclusionsmHealth app engagement reflects broader social, digital, and psychological inequalities rather than individual preferences alone. Encouraging digital inclusion and addressing body image- and diet-related use may help ensure that mHealth technologies do not exacerbate existing health inequalities across age and user groups.

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of the interdisciplinary literature to explore the interplay between social innovation and the circular economy in advancing global sustainability goals, with an emphasis on waste management and packaging innovation. While these topics are widely recognized as critical for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there remains a lack of integrative reviews that quantitatively map their intersections. This is particularly evident in relation to community-led practices and their role in sustainable packaging solutions. This study addresses this gap by analysing 470 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, using clustering algorithms, citation networks, and thematic mapping. Four major research clusters are identified: waste management and circular economy; urban development and heritage; community and social sustainability; and innovation and knowledge development. The centrality of community-focused sustainability emerges as a key finding, alongside the evidence of geographic specializations and evolving keyword trends. This research contributes to the literature by offering a structured overview of an emerging field, and highlighting strategic directions for future research. It also provides practical implications for policymakers and institutions seeking to integrate technical and social approaches to sustainability.

Research background: A series of crises, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and followed by the Ukraine–Russia war, which caused energy crises, has negatively affected the development of countries. Since these multiple disruptive shocks have created harsh economic conditions, leading to increased uncertainty and ambiguity, they have primarily affected the most vulnerable and disadvantaged entrepreneurs, who may perceive business risk more intensely and exhibit lower levels of entrepreneurial intention. Purpose of the article: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between a more intense perception of business risk and entrepreneurial intention in the con-text of multiple crises. Moreover, this paper examines whether this relationship differs depending on the type of crisis, such as health, political, and energy crises, that are the antecedents of economic recessions. Methods: By situating the paper within the dynamic capabilities of the Resource-Based View and the Theory of Planned Behavior, the researchers collected data from 1367 European enterprises and applied ordinal logistic regression tests for analysis purposes. The researchers also employ a purposive sampling method based on job status. Findings &amp; value added: Contrary to the arguments of many existing studies that confirm individuals’ perceived risk lowers their EI, this paper confirms the positive association between a more intense perception of business risk by entrepreneurs and their EI in the context of multiple crises. This relationship remains constant regardless of the type of crisis. The reasons for the positive relationship might be related to the sectors and institutional quality of countries where the analyzed firms operate. By addressing distinct crises within a single study, the paper contributes to a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship within a risk management context.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to reveal food waste patterns and the economic-environmental impacts of these patterns based on differences between countries at the global level, category-based and country-comparative data were examined using multivariate quantitative analysis techniques. Design/methodology/approach A panel dataset with a total of 4,997 observations was used in the study. The main variables include food waste per capita, total amount of waste, population size, household waste rate, and economic loss. The stationarity of the series was evaluated with the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test; the first difference was applied to the non-stationary series. Granger causality tests were used between the variables whose stationarity was achieved, and directional effects and simultaneous relationships were analyzed. Findings The analysis revealed that food waste per capita significantly affects economic losses. In addition, increases in the total amount of waste also increase economic losses. While population growth significantly affects both total waste and financial loss, changes in household waste rate were found to be determinant of these two variables. Directional causality and simultaneous relationships were significant in all variable pairs. Research limitations/implications There are some limitations to the study. The study focused only on economic variables and excluded social and cultural factors. The data covered eight years, and the dynamics of change beyond this period could not be analyzed. In addition, the number of observations was limited due to a lack of data in some countries. Although the data sources are reliable, unregistered consumption or lack of waste reporting in some countries may have affected the analyses. Although the Granger test applied shows the direction of causality, it does not fully explain the cause of the relationship. The variables used in the model reflect only the quantitative aspect of waste; qualitative dimensions are ignored. In future studies, including demographic, cultural, and governance variables may expand the scope of the analysis. In addition, the effects of individual consumption behaviors and psychological factors should be examined in more detail. Practical implications The model dynamically reveals the relationship between consumption habits and economic losses, creating a strong basis for forward-looking policy interventions. The necessity of developing strategies to reduce food waste, especially in developing countries, with increasing population pressure, has been demonstrated. The main intervention areas suggested for policymakers can be household awareness programs, improvement of waste measurement systems, and tax incentives to reduce unregistered consumption. Social implications The study shows that global food waste should be evaluated as an anti-sustainability trend. This trend is seen to disrupt not only the environment but also economic balances at national and global levels. Originality/value The study offers new perspectives in the context of sustainable consumption theory and the environmental justice approach. Empirical study presents new findings about food waste impact on economic losses. While population growth significantly affects both total waste and financial loss, changes in household waste rate were found to be determinant of these two variables. Directional causality and simultaneous relationships were significant in all variable pairs.

The development, and even the very concept of creating artificial intelligence (AI) for many is terrifying, for some it is fascinating, and there are quite a few who have accepted with great enthusiasm and learned about a completely new aspect, one could even say of everyday life. The incredibly fast progress of artificial intelligence leads to the fact that in certain segments it is no longer possible to recognize with whom one communicates verbally or in writing, especially when it comes to some forms of info support or service provision. The creative possibility of artificial intelligence in e.g. in text, video and photo editing, but also creation based on given parameters. Bearing in mind this extremely accelerated and daily development of artificial intelligence on a global level, one realizes the numerous challenges that have been placed, we will call it, before the legal systems around the world. This issue absolutely requires urgent and very well thought out legislative predictions. Recognizing the previously mentioned, the European Union is a pioneer in the field of normative approach to artificial intelligence, especially with the adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). This act represents the first comprehensive legal framework regulating this area. In this research, the key aspects that preceded the adoption of the Act on Artificial Intelligence will be considered, the said Act will also be discussed, and special attention will be paid to the efforts and needs of the Republic of Serbia to create a legislative platform that will regulate these aspects, with of course harmonization with the regulatory standards of the European Union.

Le Conseil européen, bien qu’existant de manière informelle depuis 1974, a été institutionnalisé par le Traité de Lisbonne de 2007. Le Conseil européen est composé des chefs d’État et de gouvernement des États membres de l’Union européenne. Alors même qu’il ne dispose toujours pas de pouvoirs législatifs, son rôle est très significatif dans la mesure où il détermine les orientations et les priorités politiques générales. Examiné à travers le prisme de la double légitimité sur laquelle repose l’Union européenne – celle qui émane des peuples et celle qui émane des États – cet article analyse le Conseil européen en tant que seconde source de légitimité étatique au sein de l’Union provenant des États membres de l’UE. Désormais, la légitimité étatique est incarnée dans les deux institutions – le Conseil européen et le Conseil des ministres. D’abord l’article examine la nature duale de l’UE. Ensuite, l’institutionnalisation du Conseil européen est analysée, avec une attention particulière portée à son rôle au sein de la structure institutionnelle de l’Union. Enfin, la fonction du président du Conseil européen est étudiée. Une attention spéciale est accordée aux limites de la présidence tournante du Conseil européen, ce qui a conduit à l’instauration de la fonction de président permanent du Conseil européen, élu pour un mandat de deux ans et demi.