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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 35090

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jereb Borut

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Mariborska cesta 7, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Interests: logistics; low emissions cars; risk assessment; supply chain
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Dr. Justyna Żywiołek

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Management, Czestochowa University of Technology, ul. Armii Krajowej 19”B”, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Interests: industry 4.0; online management
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Dr. Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Management, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
Interests: digitalization; quality management; Industry 4.0; IoT; AI; renewable energy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The energy sector is developing rapidly and dynamically in the current economic situation. This requires the involvement of management methods in this industry, as well. In the energy sector, the concept of quality, information, and knowledge management has become a popular research topic. The importance of cross-sectional research is related to the increasing complexity of quality solutions, information, and knowledge management tools provided to enterprises. This Special Issue aims to present and discuss the main challenges posed by quality tools, Industry 4.0 technologies and information, and knowledge management, as well as the opportunities they offer for the development of the energy sector. Scientists are invited to submit original research papers and review articles that will stimulate efforts to understand the latest trends in the energy sector. Topics will include but are not limited to modern progress in the various countries, managing energy progress in Industry 4.0, online energy management in Energy 4.0, and industrial management.

Prof. Dr. Jereb Borut
Dr. Justyna Żywiołek
Dr. Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

quality
Industry 4.0
online management

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Safety and Work Organization Management in the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Lignite Mining and Energy Sector in Poland

by Sławomira Kamińska-Berezowska and Małgorzata Suchacka

Energies 2022, 15(12), 4239; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15124239 - 9 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1732

Abstract

The paper presents the results of sociological qualitative research on safety management in work organization. The focus was on how to adapt the workforce to the sanitary regime during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in the lignite mining and energy sector in the Bełchatów poviat (Łódź voivodeship, Poland). The study aimed to identify the dimensions of safety and the work culture created in crisis conditions as perceived by workers. Based on the conducted analysis, the process of adapting employees to the new rules of work organization was reported, including the transition from fear and anxiety to control over threats and negative emotions. The essence of the research was to support institutional memory to consolidate the existing knowledge and use it in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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24 pages, 3207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Customer Satisfaction with the Quality of Energy Market Services in Poland

by Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka, Justyna Żywiołek and Maciej Mrowiec

Energies 2022, 15(10), 3622; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15103622 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5601

Abstract

Environmental protection, sustainable development, quality, and value have become the goals of societal development in the twenty-first century. As the core of environmental protection, the new energy sector has become a widespread trend. In this article, we will look at how well and how satisfied customers are with the energy market’s service. A literature review of energy sector quality and value issues was conducted. The survey was conducted in 2021 in Poland with over 2404 respondents by the CAWI survey. Additionally, it was given a qualitative analysis. In the next step, we applied selected quality management methods and tools. The results of the study clearly show that the respondents expect energy companies to become more involved in building customer–enterprise relationships. Research shows that employees of energy companies should be trained more often in the field of customer service, especially in terms of an individual approach to the customer, which has value for the customer. The authors propose ways to build an arrow diagram to increase customer satisfaction levels. A model of elements determining quality as well as value for clients in the energy market was built. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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20 pages, 3346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Internet of Things as a Sustainable Energy Management Solution at Tourism Destinations in India

by Sunil Tiwari, Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka and Justyna Żywiołek

Energies 2022, 15(7), 2433; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15072433 - 25 Mar 2022

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 4462

Abstract

The development of tourist destinations has been determined by sustainable energy management and the advancement of traditional methods. The rate of development must adapt to technological innovations while also considering future generations. The present study aims to determine to what extent tourism personnel are aware of the skills, knowledge, and methods for sustainable energy management, and also to analyze the Internet of Things as a technological solution for sustainable energy management at tourism destinations in India with the help of the Servqual method. It is important to implement modern technologies such as internal things and develop a sustainable attitude toward tourism. Findings suggested that over each attribute of Servqual model, reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy and responsiveness of IoT as sustainable energy management solutions at tourism destinations in India, tourism stakeholders have higher level of expectations (23.41, 19.86, 18.45, 23.60 and 24.73) and perceptions (18.34, 16.50, 14.97, 18.17 and 19.20) followed by tourists expectations (22.10, 17.36, 16.01, 22.62 and 21.87) and perceptions (19.32, 11.75, 09.46, 15.06 and 17.43) and local residents expectations (20.17, 14.61, 14.87, 19.46 and 18.81) and perceptions (13.48, 08.85, 07.73, 13.54 and 12.94), respectively. Results also showed that older generations and traditional tourism destinations are unable to cope with the modern advanced terminology, tools, and management strategies, which makes the present study the most significant about changing the traditional way of energy management and developing tourism destinations as sustainable and responsible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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16 pages, 7420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Qualitative Analysis of Household Energy Awareness in Poland

by Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka and Justyna Żywiołek

Energies 2022, 15(6), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15062279 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4133

Abstract

Because of disruptive changes in energy businesses and services, as well as changes in people’s lifestyles around the world, energy demand and consumption have risen quickly in recent decades. A household energy awareness literature review was conducted. The survey was conducted in Poland with over 1097 respondents. Additionally, it was given a qualitative analysis. At the same time, in order to consider why energy consumption in households is increasing, a traditional quality management tool was used—the Ishikawa diagram. The Pareto–Lorenz diagram was used to analyze the causes of the increase in energy consumption in households. A model of the causes of increasing energy consumption in households has been built. The researchers calculated the chi-square test, which allows them to determine Pearson’s C coefficient. The C-Pearson coefficient can be calculated using the Chi square value. The results of the study clearly show that the respondents have knowledge of energy and the factors that influence the increase in its consumption but are not aware of why energy should be saved and what it means for the environment. The authors propose ways to build the awareness of household users through a modern quality management tool called the interrelationship diagram. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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14 pages, 936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trust in Renewable Energy as Part of Energy-Saving Knowledge

by Justyna Żywiołek, Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka, Muhammad Asghar Khan and Arshian Sharif

Energies 2022, 15(4), 1566; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041566 - 20 Feb 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5429

Abstract

Managing the consumer’s knowledge is a factor that is difficult to measure and not easy to achieve, but it is the basis for building trust in energy sources, including alternative ones. Social and ecological attitudes, as well as the economic situation, force consumers to acquire knowledge and shape their views and knowledge about household energy management. The aim of this article was to analyze the level of knowledge of household managers and determine the level of trust in alternative energy sources. To achieve this goal, previous research and reports were analyzed, and a proprietary quantitative and qualitative research was carried out. In connection with the conducted research, it was found that a very important factor is trust, influencing the perception of energy sources, and the knowledge gained allows for proper management of household energy, thus reducing costs. Research has shown that the trust of people managing energy in households is influenced by trust in renewable energy sources, which consists of knowledge, i.e., the level of social awareness and the willingness to acquire and expand one’s knowledge in this field. In all of the countries surveyed, the degree of trust is adequate, but it is directly proportional to the amount of knowledge and readiness to learn new things in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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14 pages, 1369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Knowledge Management in Households about Energy Saving as Part of the Awareness of Sustainable Development

by Justyna Żywiołek, Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka and Maciej Mrowiec

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8207; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248207 - 7 Dec 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4084

Abstract

Energy conservation is a popular topic in scientific research today, despite the specific effects of energy conservation awareness still being investigated. Significant research about this topic has been performed in different countries. However, the research conducted so far concerns methods of energy saving, a building’s energy efficiency and new technologies; however, a significant part of society will live in technologically old buildings for a long time, which requires the involvement of consumers to save energy. To explain how energy-saving awareness plays a role in energy-saving behavior, this study will take city dwellers as a research facility and integrate relevant literature and disciplines, such as information and knowledge management, with the mechanistic study of how energy-saving awareness influences behavior that conserves energy and establishes a sensible behavior model. The survey was conducted in Poland, Portugal and Italy with over 18,000 people who declared that they are responsible for managing the household. In addition to the quantitative and qualitative research defining the percentage of behavior, the research group gave answers to the assessment of energy management, both assessing itself and the activities carried out in its own households on the Likert scale. The SERVPERF method was used for this. The results of the study clearly show that not only do economic factors affect energy saving, but also an informed society that cares about resource management. The research carried out presents the measures undertaken to save energy, and also identifies the level of knowledge and behavior that reflect pro-ecological trends and care for the sustainable development of the city, country and one’s own household. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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21 pages, 999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digitalization Business Strategies in Energy Sector: Solving Problems with Uncertainty under Industry 4.0 Conditions

by Rafał Trzaska, Adam Sulich, Michał Organa, Jerzy Niemczyk and Bartosz Jasiński

Energies 2021, 14(23), 7997; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14237997 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 6646

Abstract

Digital transformation is a concept based on the use of digitalization and digitization. Digitalization leads to change of business models and provides a competitive advantage also in the energy sector. The process of change towards a digital business requires a specific strategy type, aimed to solve problems with uncertainty caused by Industry 4.0 implementation. This paper aims to propose a theoretical model combining different digitalization strategies and business models. Their theoretical foundations were discussed in the literature review part and related empirical research questions were attempted to be answered by the reference method analysis. The quantitative method of analysis was based on the secondary data from Eurostat for all EU member states and backed the theoretical part in terms of ICT variables. The novelty of this research is based on Hellwig’s reference method used in management sciences and the presented managerial implications. The discussed challenges of the energy sector are related to the digital strategy implementation, relationships between digital transformation and business models, and solutions for such issues as strategy communication and new roles for managers, who should become digital leaders in the energy sector organizations. The main consequence of the proposed model in this study, for the energy sector companies’ managers, is that uncertainty in modern energy sector organizations is more related to employees and their technical skills than implemented ICT itself. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality, Knowledge and Information Management Tools as a Way to Improve the Energy Sector)

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