Digital tools and smart technologies in marketing: a thematic evolution

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a systematic literature review (SLR) of the relationship between smart and digital technologies and organisations’ reporting processes, proposing a future research agenda. The paper examines the effects of data and digital technology on the corporate reporting process by analysing the various kinds of reports by organisations.Design/methodology/approachA two-decade assessment of studies was analysed to answer research questions. A SLR explored the role of digital and smart technologies for corporate reporting processes. The Scopus database was used as a leading source for access to the articles. Initially, 163 items were collected. After reading the abstract and several refinements, 43 prioritised publications were analysed and categorised to derive significant results.FindingsResults of the analysis highlight the following emerging research streams about the digital transformation of corporate reporting: digital technology for corporate information management and decision-making processes; digital technologies as a tool of stakeholder engagement and sustainable reporting practices; and finally, digital technologies as a way to address earning management, corporate social responsibility, accountability and transparency.Research limitations/implicationsHow digital technology and data analytics may potentially transform the corporate reporting process to make it more effective, resulting in greater transparency for shareholders and all stakeholders.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper derives from connecting, for the first time, smart and digital technologies and corporate reporting processes, drafting the state of the art of this research topic for future research.

Economic transformation and world industrialization are accompanied by developing technologies in all economic sectors. Along with that, its development is driven not only by the use of smart technologies but also by ensuring comfortable working conditions for industrial and office workers at production corporations. The most important factor is the trend in using climate technologies that improve the room climate and reduce the negative impact produced by hazardous production factors on workers’ health. Recently, digital smart technologies have been actively integrated into climate systems that can simplify their control and adapt to the peculiarities of air circulation by using minimum energy. Smart climate technologies are increasingly entering industrial markets, as they can be controlled from a single remote centre, regardless of the equipment location. The advantage of such innovations is the capacity to automatically adjust the equipment settings required depending on air deformations. This reduces the negative impact on indoor worker operation, with no direct assistance required. Technology operation is based on artificial intelligence behaviour, which is also being constantly changed. As a result, the established digital-first is step-by-step replaced with innovative AI-first developments. The key task for this trend is to build the foundation for digitalization in all processes to efficiently collect and analyze data used in managing the specific actions, ensuring healthy airspace in particular. Studying smart climate technologies is actively discussed in the scientific and industrial environment, as evidenced by international forums and conferences. The keynote of these events is to promote a scientific and technological breakthrough in climate technologies, which is undoubtedly associated with the integration of digital smart innovations into such solutions that are capable to meet social needs to ecologize the world and improve working conditions for millions of workers. The article is also aimed to analyze the use of digital innovations in climate equipment at industrial companies. The use of different options to digitize these devices and their impact on business climate conditions was compared. It was concluded that investing in smart climate technologies is justified by green economy goals and a significant increase in labour productivity. The introduction of smart solutions in the climate systems of modern industrial businesses has been proven to be able to adapt to the overall infrastructure of their production sites integrated into a single remote dispatch centre, which includes all elements of digital technologies used in controlling. The given digitalization examples, climate control at large businesses, in particular, have justified the feasibility of their use and a positive impact on all production indicators.KeywordsInnovationSmart technologiesClimate technologyLabour productivityInvestmentEfficiencyJEL ClassificationO32O33L630

In collaboration with European academic partners, this chapter aims at exploring principles of teaching and learning in the context of smart technologies. The chapter addresses the basic question: In what ways are children empowered by the use of smart digital technologies? The research was conducted in the framework of the JRC’s Project ECIT, Empowering Citizens’ Rights in Emerging ICT (project no. 572). The research methodology was co-designed by the project partners and coordinated by the EU Joint Research Centre. The research aims at providing insights how children and parents perceive smart technologies, the pedagogical conditions under which these technologies are used, and the factors influencing children’s digital experiences. This particular research is based on the results of ten family interviews with children aged from 7 to 10, conducted by researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania) in May 2017. The contemporary context of smart pedagogy in Lithuania seems to be insufficient to assure integration and access to smart educational environments to all children. For the effective knowledge gain through digital technologies, the national education program should be updated.

New Digital Technologies Applied to the Management of Geoheritage

Today, digitalization, in particular working with big data, is highly popular and deeply embedded in all economic processes. In the context of our time, it is considered digital technologies that improve business processes in the field of automation, computer computing, and data digitalization. Using these technologies, it is possible to accurately design, manage, control and change processes in the virtual space, which can be carried out with greater speed and efficiency. The article deals with the issues of digitalization of the oil and gas industry. The main levels of the digital economy are given. Statistical data on the business digitalization index by country is provided. The focus is on the revolutionary trends in the oil and gas industry. The “industry 4.0” project for oil and gas companies is presented, which reflects the concepts of smart wells and fields. The analysis of projects on digitalization of oil companies that have been implemented and are planning to be implemented in the near future, as well as the companies studied the level of prospects for the use of digital (smart) technologies. The rating of the most expensive oil and gas companies in terms of capitalization for 2013–2018 is presented. The analysis of data with the use of digital technologies in companies is made. The main issues of digital products that are not widely used in the oil and gas sector are considered. The practical application of digital products in the oil and gas sector of the economy is analyzed. The main results and prospects of digitalization of the oil production complex business are revealed. KeywordsDigital economySmart wellsInternet of thingsSmart fieldsDigital doublesBig dataEconomic transformationInternet technologies in the oil and gas industry

The relevance of the study is determined by the growth of digitalization in education and the need to modernize mathematics teaching in special schools in accordance with the needs of students with special educational needs. Under contemporary conditions, the concept of Mathematics 4.0 emphasizes adaptive, personalized, and data-driven instructional models; however, their methodological implementation in special mathematics education remains insufficiently systematized. This necessitates a comprehensive scientific analysis of digital technologies as instruments for improving accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of mathematical knowledge formation. The aim of the article is to provide scientific substantiation and systematization of approaches to the formation and development of mathematical knowledge of students with special educational needs in grades 5-6 of special education schools through the use of digital technologies within the framework of the Mathematics 4.0 concept. Research methods included analysis and synthesis of scientific literature in mathematics didactics, special pedagogy, and digital education technologies; system-structural and comparative analysis; didactic modeling; and theoretical generalization of practical experience in the application of digital learning tools in special education settings. The study identified the psychological and pedagogical prerequisites for the acquisition of mathematical knowledge by students with special educational needs in a digitalized educational environment. The didactic possibilities of digital technologies for personalizing learning, step-by-step knowledge formation, and formative assessment were established. The feasibility of using adaptive digital tools as an instrument for the controlled development of mathematical skills has been proven. The main scientific and practical problems of implementing digital technologies have been identified, in particular, the formalization of individualization, limited availability of adapted resources, digital inequality, and insufficient methodological readiness of teachers. The conclusions indicate that the implementation of the Mathematics 4.0 concept in a special school is possible provided that digital technologies are integrated into a comprehensive methodological system with the leading role of the teacher and a focus on the individual learning dynamics of students. The use of digital tools contributes to increasing the effectiveness and practical significance of mathematical knowledge. Prospects for further research include empirical evaluation of Mathematics 4.0 models in special education schools, development of criteria for measuring learning dynamics, and creation of standardized adaptive digital resources for mathematics education.

This article aims to investigate the negative effects of smart push technology, which is becoming increasingly popular in digital devices and online services, particularly in smartphone-based applications (apps). Specifically, empirical relationships among the features of the app content delivered by smart push technology, fear of missing out, and smartphone addiction are explored by constructing an integrated model. The proposed relationships were tested by analyzing survey-based data collected from 227 valid samples through partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The analysis confirmed the hypothesized positive relationships among the features of app content delivered by smart push technology (entertainment and timeliness) in smartphone-based apps, fear of missing out, and smartphone addiction. Moreover, fear of missing out served as a mediator between the features of smart push technology and smartphone addiction. This study makes a significant theoretical contribution to the digital communication technology and smartphone addiction literature by revealing the influence mechanism of smart push technology on smartphone addiction. Furthermore, this study has a number of practical implications for policymakers as well as app developers.

The presented article focuses on the issue of integrating digital and intelligent technologies into traditional urban structures. It is noted that this process requires not only technical changes, but also the transformation of management approaches, rethinking the role of the public in decision-making and adapting the legal framework to new realities. The introduction of smart technologies allows not only to increase the efficiency of city services, but also to ensure more transparent and inclusive governance, where residents can actively participate in the development of their city through digital platforms and tools. The aim of the article is to determine the components of the development of an urban region and take into account the impact of digitalization and intellectualization on this process. The main methods used in the study are: analysis, synthesis, generalization, expert method, method of comparison, deduction, induction, logical method, tabular and graphical methods. The applied methods made it possible to conduct a qualitative study of the presented problems and identify the necessary data to substantiate the purpose of the work and the completeness of the study. Thus, in the course of the study, it was found that an important aspect is the environmental sustainability of transformations. The introduction of digital and smart technologies should be accompanied by measures aimed at reducing energy consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the overall ecological condition of cities. This involves a comprehensive approach to the development of urban regions, where technological innovation is combined with environmental and social initiatives aimed at creating a harmonious living environment. Thus, the development of urban regions through digitalization and intellectualization opens up broad prospects for the creation of efficient, inclusive and sustainable urban spaces. However, the success of these processes will largely depend on the ability of society to adapt to new conditions, find a balance between technological progress and social needs, and ensure equitable access to all the benefits that modern technologies have to offer.

Введение. Маркетинговая деятельность на современном этапе развития отраслей и сфер деятельности находится на пике трансформации и интеграции с цифровыми технологиями, что позволяет выделить одну организацию на отраслевом рынке из множества конкурентов. Целью статьи является обоснование того факта, что формирование маркетинговой деятельности предприятия на фармацевтическом рынке за счет активного и целенаправленного использования цифровых коммуникаций может показать наилучшие результаты за заданный промежуток времени при очевидной реакции всех участников рынка независимо от их физического местонахождения. Материалы и методы. Ключевые задачи были основаны на теоретическом анализе маркетинговых коммуникационных стратегий, используемых для продвижения предприятий в фармацевтической отрасли, выявлении текущих факторов, влияющих на формирование маркетинговых стратегий на фоне цифровизации и внедрения инновационных цифровых инструментов и технологий для улучшения внешних и внутренних качественных характеристик региональной фармацевтической отрасли. Результаты исследования. Результаты исследования показали, что фармацевтические компании недостаточно активно используют цифровые технологии в маркетинговой деятельности, инструменты цифровой коммуникации для развития и поддержания конкурентоспособности и клиентоориентированности, что негативно сказывается на экономических показателях и привлечении новой аудитории. Обсуждение и заключение. Практические выводы послужили основой для изучения маркетинговых дисциплин в университете, а также проекта маркетинговой программы по использованию цифровых средств коммуникации на фармацевтическом рынке. Эмпирическое исследование позволило сделать выводы о текущем состоянии фармацевтического рынка региона, специфике используемых маркетинговых стратегий развития и цифровых коммуникационных инструментов при взаимодействии всех субъектов, которые прямо или косвенно влияют на формирование фармацевтического рынка Ростова-на-Дону. Контент-анализ позволил отразить количественные показатели использования инструментов цифровой коммуникации региональными фармацевтическими компаниями, выявить слабые стороны этого стратегического направления и представить вектор развития маркетинговой стратегии в условиях интенсивной цифровизации всех процессов взаимодействия. Introduction. Marketing activities at the current stage of development of industries and fields of activity are at the peak of transformation and integration with digital technologies, which makes it possible to distinguish one organization in the industry market from many competitors. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the fact that the formation of an enterprise's marketing activities in the pharmaceutical market through the active and purposeful use of digital communications can show the best results in a given period with an obvious reaction from all market participants, regardless of their physical location. Materials and methods. The key tasks were based on a theoretical analysis of marketing communication strategies used to promote enterprises in the pharmaceutical industry, identifying current factors influencing the formation of marketing strategies against the background of digitalization and the introduction of innovative digital tools and technologies to improve the external and internal quality characteristics of the regional pharmaceutical industry. Research results. The results of the study showed that pharmaceutical companies are not actively using digital technologies in marketing activities, digital communication tools to develop and maintain competitiveness and customer orientation, which negatively affects economic performance and attracting a new audience. Discussion and conclusion. Practical conclusions served as the basis for marketing disciplines at the university, as well as a marketing program project on the use of digital communication tools in the pharmaceutical market. Empirical research has allowed us to draw conclusions about the current state of the pharmaceutical market in the region, the specifics of the marketing development strategies used and digital communication tools in the interaction of all actors that directly or indirectly influence the formation of the pharmaceutical market in Rostov-on-Don. The content analysis allowed us to reflect the quantitative indicators of the use of digital communication tools by regional pharmaceutical companies identify the weaknesses of this strategic direction and present the vector of development of marketing strategy in the context of intensive digitalization of all interaction processes.

Virtual healthcare services and digital health technologies deployed during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Africa: a systematic review

Increasing age and rurality are associated with decreased care coordination. There is a growing interest in the role of digital tools in improving care across the care continuum for rural and older adult groups. Still, little is known about the best practices of rural older adults and digital health tool usability. Guided by a user-centered design approach, we 1) describe multiple strategies to meaningfully engage rural older adults in the development of a digital health tool to improve telehealth navigation and 2) report best practices assessed from our multi-modal iterative design approach. We engaged key informants, including rural older adults, their caregivers, providers, healthcare administrators, and an advisory board. Our mixed methods user-centered design approach triangulated findings through semi-structured interviews, a systematic literature review, tool usability testing, and a MyChart usability analysis using eye-tracking technology. Lessons learned from our analysis reveal that rural older adults readily engage with digital technology and often sustain use after their introduction. Digital health technologies were most commonly associated with relieving access to care and transportation barriers. Reduced internet access and challenges with using the equipment were common usability barriers. Useful strategies to overcome usability barriers include in-person or telephone tutorials and knowledgeable caregivers. Tools to assist rural older adults with technology barriers were limited. As digital health technologies increasingly integrate into rural care coordination, barriers faced by rural older adults must be considered. Research that aims to elevate the voices of rural older adults in digital health tool design is imperative.

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has significantly transformed various aspects of education, creating new opportunities for coworking between schools and universities. By examining current trends, case studies, and potential challenges, this paper provides insights into how digital technologies can be leveraged to improve educational outcomes and facilitate smoother transitions for students. This article examines the applications of digital tools in facilitating, documenting, and analyzing collaborative efforts between these two educational institutions. By reviewing recent studies and initiatives, we identify key technological advancements, methodologies, and best practices that enhance coworkings. The findings underscore the essential role of digital technologies in promoting effective partnerships and fostering educational innovation.Digital technologies such as cloud-based platforms, virtual communication tools, learning management systems (LMS), and interactive media have revolutionized how educators and institutions work together. These tools provide a seamless flow of information, expand access to educational resources, and enable innovative approaches to both teaching and learning. Coworking between schools and universities has historically been focused on physical meetings, shared projects, and in-person interactions. However, with the advent of digital technologies, new forms of coworking have emerged that transcend geographical and temporal boundaries. This article examines the role that digital tools and technologies play in enhancing and reshaping the collaborative efforts between schools and universities.

The food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by digital technology and automation, revolutionizing service efficiency and customer experience. Despite the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, self-service technologies, and digital payment solutions, there remains a critical gap in understanding their comprehensive impact on operational performance, customer satisfaction, and long-term industry sustainability. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) to synthesize key advancements, challenges, and future opportunities in the digitalization of F&B services. Utilizing an extensive search strategy across Scopus and Web of Science databases, 1,543 studies were initially identified and rigorously filtered using the PRISMA framework, resulting in 32 high-quality primary studies for analysis. The findings are categorized into three themes: (1) Smart Technologies and Automation, (2) Enhancing Customer Experience through Digital Innovation, and (3) Challenges and Future Opportunities in Digital Transformation. They emphasize that AI-powered service robots, automated self-ordering kiosks, and smart kitchen technologies significantly improve service speed, accuracy, and personalization. Furthermore, predictive analytics and big data applications enable businesses to refine customer engagement strategies through personalized recommendations and real-time operational insights. However, several challenges persist, including consumer resistance to automation, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and concerns regarding the depersonalization of service interactions. While automation offers undeniable efficiency gains, achieving an optimal balance between technological innovation and human-centric service delivery remains imperative for sustainable industry growth. This study provides a critical synthesis of digital transformation trends in the F&B sector, offering valuable insights for industry practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. Future research should explore hybrid service models that integrate AI-driven automation with personalized human interactions to ensure a seamless, customer-oriented digital transition.

A necessary condition for a sharp increase in production is the introduction of digital smart technologies. With the use of digital technologies, it is possible to achieve a significant increase in labor productivity and crop yields, reduce energy and material costs. Digital machine technologies should be used in crop production, animal husbandry, power engineering, storage and processing of agricultural products. The effective production development requires a comprehensive system of management of agricultural enterprises, which, based on the obtained data, will ensure timely and correct processing.
 In digital machines and agricultural technologies, four main areas can be identified: monitoring of environment and parameters of processes; transmission and storage of information; artificial intelligence and cloud technologies; implementation of management decisions by robotic technical means. The main objects of monitoring are soils, plants, animals, weather and climatic conditions, technical means, and technological processes. Ground and air monitoring tools receive and transmit real-time data to the cloud platform. Artificial intelligence optimizes technological operations and gives a command to the actuators using the monitoring data.

BackgroundEvaluation of patients with serious mental illness (SMI) relies largely on patient or caregiver self-reported symptoms. New digital technologies are being developed to better quantify the longitudinal symptomology of patients with SMI and facilitate disease management. However, as these new technologies become more widely available, psychiatrists may be uncertain about how to integrate them into daily practice. To better understand how digital tools might be integrated into the treatment of patients with SMI, this study examines a case study of a successful technology adoption by physicians: endocrinologists’ adoption of digital glucometers.ObjectiveThis study aims to understand the key facilitators of and barriers to clinician and patient adoption of digital glucose monitoring technologies to identify lessons that may be applicable across other chronic diseases, including SMIs.MethodsWe conducted focus groups with practicing endocrinologists from 2 large metropolitan areas using a semistructured discussion guide designed to elicit perspectives of and experiences with technology adoption. The thematic analysis identified barriers to and facilitators of integrating digital glucometers into clinical practice. Participants also provided recommendations for integrating digital health technologies into clinical practice more broadly.ResultsA total of 10 endocrinologists were enrolled: 60% (6/10) male; a mean of 18.4 years in practice (SD 5.6); and 80% (8/10) working in a group practice setting. Participants stated that digital glucometers represented a significant change in the treatment paradigm for diabetes care and facilitated more effective care delivery and patient engagement. Barriers to the adoption of digital glucometers included lack of coverage, provider reimbursement, and data management support, as well as patient heterogeneity. Participant recommendations to increase the use of digital health technologies included expanding reimbursement for clinician time, streamlining data management processes, and customizing the technologies to patient needs.ConclusionsDigital glucose monitoring technologies have facilitated more effective, individualized care delivery and have improved patient engagement and health outcomes. However, key challenges faced by the endocrinologists included lack of reimbursement for clinician time and nonstandardized data management across devices. Key recommendations that may be relevant for other diseases include improved data analytics to quickly and accurately synthesize data for patient care management, streamlined software, and standardized metrics.