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Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Ecology and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 January 2023) | Viewed by 24299

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ieva Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė

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Guest Editor

1. Research Group on Logistics and Defense Technology Management, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Šilo st. 5A, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Business Management, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Sauletekio al. 11, LT-10233 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: logistics; supply chain management; modelling; integrating processes; 3 PL
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Renata Činčikaitė

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Guest Editor

1. Research Group on Logistics and Defense Technology Management, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Šilo st. 5A, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Business Management, Vilnius Gediminas Technical university (VILNIUS TECH), Sauletekio al. 11, LT-10233 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: logistics; sustainable transport development; sustainable urban development; social security; qualitative decision methods; quantitative decision methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of Sustainability entitled: “Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries”.

Developed and developing countries have a significant influence on the economic and social map of the continent or the world and constantly participate in the competitive struggle for attracting human capital, investment, new technologies, tourists, and various projects. Despite their crucial role in global economic activity, developed and developing countries are among the most complex and dynamic economic, social, ecological, political and infrastructural systems, which are open, dependent, and vulnerable. All countries face some social and environmental challenges that need addressing in an integrated way. In the context of globalization and regional integration, for countries that want to be competitive, economically strong, attractive and known, it is essential to use all possible means to ensure their economic and social stability and implement sustainable development principles.

The country's economic and social system is complex, influenced by other economic and social systems, their hierarchies, and the environment. One or more socio-economic factors and the indicators describing them may only partially reflect its competitiveness, so it must assess comprehensively. Thus, integrated assessment becomes a necessary qualitative characteristic of the country's competitiveness assessment process. Therefore, the competitiveness of developed and developing countries has many aspects that need to be considered when analyzing economic, social and sustainable strategic governance issues in sustainable development. That’s why we invite you to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting research articles and empirical studies addressing the alignment of all kinds of competitiveness of developed and developing counties in the context of sustainability and the resulting impacts. The Special Issue is oriented toward (but not limited to) the following topics:

Sustainable development;
Sustainable competitiveness;
Competitiveness of regions (economic, geographical, administrative (political), social regions);
Sustainable regional development;
Resilience of societies and organizations;
Strategic management;
Sustainable economy;
Sustainable approach in business management;
Social responsibility;
Peculiarities of developed counties;
Economic systems;
Social systems;
Region integration.

Prof. Dr. Ieva Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė
Dr. Renata Činčikaitė
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

competitiveness
social resilience
sustainable management
regional development
developed counties
developing counties
systems
integration

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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18 pages, 503 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Urban Competitiveness from a Financial Development Perspective: An Empirical Study of China

by Haojue Zhang, Yifu Sun and Changyu Meng

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054225 - 26 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1642

Abstract

The development of the financial industry directly affects the sustainable competitiveness of a city and even an economic region, and the development of urban finance helps to enhance the sustainable competitiveness of a city. This paper firstly reviews the relevant theories of sustainable urban competitiveness and explains the impact mechanism of financial development on sustainable urban competitiveness in developing regions. It then draws on the data of 17 prefecture-level cities in Central China from 2006 to 2020. It uses quantitative research methods, such as principal component analysis and regression analysis, to analyse and study the factors of financial development that influence sustainable urban competitiveness, thus realising the research purpose of enhancing sustainable urban competitiveness. After an in-depth analysis, the paper draws the following conclusions: (1) financial development is conducive to improving the sustainable competitiveness of a city in developing regions; and (2) the local government should focus not only on expanding the scale of financial development, but also on the quality of financial development, adjusting the financial structure, improving financial efficiency, and actively promoting the opening of financial markets and innovation of financial products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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18 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modernisation of a Country in the Context of Social Environmental Sustainability: Example of Lithuania

by Olga Navickienė, Ieva Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė, Renata Činčikaitė, Mangirdas Morkūnas and Asta Valackienė

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3689; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043689 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2137

Abstract

This paper seeks to encourage deeper scientific discussions about the country’s modernisation in the context of social environmental sustainability. Emphasizing the importance of this study, the research problem was identified in response to the questions of how the country’s modernisation manifests itself in the context of social environment sustainability and what are the consequences for the society. This paper is based on a quantitative empirical study to support the structural perspective of the modernisation of the country, to develop an integrated system of indicators for the formation of a modern country following an analysis of the country’s modernisation trends in terms of the social environment. The scientific value of the study: the present paper investigates the ‘soft’ determinants of social environmental sustainability of the country; provides a methodological framework for the methods used (descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). A three-dimensional research approach, covering the education system and educational culture; socio-economic integration; the legal system and the importance of public administration and citizenship, was utilized. A cross-sectional survey of 1021 respondents and structural equation modelling were selected as the main research tools. Lithuania served as an empirical basis for the research. It was revealed that the most important factors in shaping the modernisation of the country through the lens of social environmental sustainability are the participation of citizens in social communities and social activities. Factors that need improvement are public participation and tolerance for the disabled. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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19 pages, 2097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Knowledge Management on Business Processes: Value-Added and Sustainability Perspectives

by Zenona Ona Atkočiūnienė, Justas Gribovskis and Jurgita Raudeliūnienė

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010068 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2955

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) practice is increasingly less considered as a supportive activity, as knowledge management processes (KMP) are inseparable from critical business processes (BP). Even though some scientific studies underlined that KM integration into BP are expensive and slow due to many organizational barriers, their sustainable value to organizations is undeniable. Although KMPs’ interactions have been studied in the scientific literature, there is still a lack of comprehensive studies related to knowledge-intensive organizations’ practices on the impact of the whole KM cycle—consisting of knowledge creation, sharing, storage, and application—on BP, such as development, production, and sales, for creating value-added (VA) and sustainability. In order to identify interconnections between individual KMP and BP, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of KMP on BP to support the continuous improvement of BP and the creation of VA in knowledge-intensive organizations. A research model was developed to analyze the impact of KMP on BP and VA perspectives. An empirical study was performed in Lithuanian project management companies that used BP in their operations and involved 144 managers from 72 IT organizations. Survey (structured questionnaire) and statistical analysis methods (one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); Pearson’s correlation analysis; multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis; cluster analysis and chi-square analysis) were applied in this study. The research results confirmed that every KMP positively affected individual BP, where knowledge creation had the most significant impact. The hypothesis that every KMP positively affected the VA created in an organization was partially confirmed since knowledge sharing and creation had a strong influence. The study demonstrated that KMP as a whole had a positive effect on the central BP, change (improvement) of BP increased VA created in organizations, and BP acted as a mediator of the positive correlation between KMP and the VA. The effectiveness of individual KMP depended on the size of the organization. As a result, the study confirmed that KMP in organizations could not be performed separately and had to be integrated into BP to maximize the VA. The significance of the research model lay not only in its ability to identify the influence of KMP on the VA created in organizations but also in evaluating each KMP individually. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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17 pages, 1020 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Sustainability of the Prepandemic Impact on Fuzzy Traveling Sellers Problem with a New Fermatean Fuzzy Scoring Function

by Balasundaram Baranidharan, Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, Ghanshaym S. Mahapatra and Renata Činčikaitė

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16560; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416560 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

This article focused on transportation sustainability during the COVID-19 pandemic situation under the Fermatean fuzzy environment. In both developed and developing nations, sustainability has risen to the top of the priority list for transportation policies and planning. We introduce a simplified presentation of the Fermatean fuzzy traveling seller problem solved by using a new computation approach. Several approaches for solving the traveling seller problem using fuzzy parameters have been described in the literature. Even so, all the current strategies use general fuzzy numbers as the parameters for the traveling salesman problems, but his study, focused on the new Fermatean fuzzy number, is more effective for representing real-life incidents. The Fermatean fuzzy scoring functions and numerical conditions in distinct models in the Fermatean fuzzy environment were described to construct the algorithm. New solution methodology developed through scoring functions to find the best solution to fulfill our goal of sustainable transportation for traveling sellers problem. Sustainable cost and the optimal path are obtained by this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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19 pages, 9035 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Security Challenges and Economic-Geographical Metrics for Analyzing Safety to Achieve Sustainable Protection

by Jan Jekl and Jiří Jánský

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15161; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215161 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1277

Abstract

In this article, we aim to develop the theoretical background for the possible application of Economic-Geographical metrics in the field of population protection. We deal with various options for analyzing the availability of “safety” for citizens using studied metrics. Among others, we apply well-known metrics such as the Gini coefficient, Hoover index and even establish their generalizations. We develop a theoretical background and evaluate our findings on generated and actual data. We find that the metrics used can have an opposite interpretation depending on the scenario we are considering. We also discover that some scenarios demand a modification to the usual metric. We conclude that Economic-Geographical metrics give valuable tools to address specific security challenges. Metric’s generalizations could serve as a potent tool for other authors working in the field of population protection. Nevertheless, we must keep in mind that metrics also have drawbacks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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20 pages, 2420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Promotion by Digitalisation to Ensure the Quality of Less-Than-Truck Load Shipping

by Aldona Jarašūnienė, Kristina Čižiūnienė and Artūras Petraška

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12878; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912878 - 9 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2039

Abstract

Freight transport by road is constantly increasing, therefore it is very important to ensure efficient distribution of flows by optimizing/reducing transport costs. With the recent increase in the demand for small loads, less-than-truckload transportation services are becoming increasingly popular among representatives of small and large businesses. This method of cargo transportation is more economically accessible and useful. The increasing competition between companies encourages the search for ways to improve the offered services, thereby reducing costs for customers. Digitization tools are among the most important in order to implement the principles of green logistics, ensure long-term competitive advantages by systematically improving logistics results and reducing costs. Automated service management, services based on customer data and intelligent solutions must help companies create a digital business model. The purpose of this article is the identification of problem areas in the service quality of companies carrying out less-than-truckload transportation on international routes and ways of solving them by applying digitization technologies. Research methods/methodology used: the work was carried out based on the analysis of scientific literature, statistical data analysis and survey methods, an expert survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire. The analysis of scientific literature made it possible to identify that the transportation of less-than-truckload shipments is not considered as a separate element, but included in the process of transportation of general loads. Considering the fact that less-than-truckload cargo transportation is becoming increasingly popular globally, this renders it possible to justify the novelty of the article and for a more detailed study. The result of the work is a conceptual model of service quality improvement based on digitization technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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22 pages, 464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study of the Relationship between Lithuanian International Migration Flows and Transport Sector Performance Indicators

by Galina Ševčenko-Kozlovska and Kristina Čižiūnienė

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 9833; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169833 - 9 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1485

Abstract

Migration, emigration and immigration are processes directly related to transport and have a significant impact on the performance of this field. On the other hand, extensive movement of people inevitably relates to issues of sustainability, their assurance, etc. Migrants settle in large cities where public transport is well developed. Migrants usually commute by means other than driving their own cars (choosing public transport, walking, cycling or car sharing). Many researchers in the USA (United States of America) have linked this to migrants’ choice of a place of residence, which are well served by public transport, as they mainly travel for work. However, with passing time and improving living standards, the need for immigrants to not only use public transport, but to also own their own, becomes similar to that of the locals. This also increases the need for the analysis of sustainable transport issues. The correlation and regression analyses used in the article and the application of the ALM (automatic linear modelling) modelling led to the following results: a significant positive correlation was found between emigration and passenger carriage by all modes of transport|Maritime transport, and a significant negative correlation was found between emigration and passenger carriage by all modes of transport|Rail transport, suggesting that these indicators have a mutually significant relationship with one another. The conducted regression analysis and applied modelling showed that the regression model was insignificant and therefore cannot be used. However, the results suggest that the relationship between immigration and transport indicators can be used as a direction for further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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19 pages, 2628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Assessment of the Competitiveness of a Sustainable City within the Context of the COVID-19 Impact

by Renata Činčikaitė and Ieva Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7575; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137575 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2214

Abstract

It is crucial for a city to ensure economic stability and growth, along with social security and prosperity, not only for the present, but also for future generations. Increasingly, researchers are highlighting the need to apply sustainable urban growth principles to the field of urban development, arguing that this would reduce the negative impacts of urbanization processes (poverty, air pollution, unemployment, and crime). At the same time, cities are competing with one another to maintain their position in the urban hierarchy, not only in the short term, but also in the long term. The COVID-19 pandemic affected many areas of our everyday life: over 5.85 million deaths, increased unemployment, the introduction of restrictions, the closure of national borders, and various other circumstances have all undoubtedly affected to a certain degree those factors which serve to influence competitiveness. The aim of this article is to conduct an integrated competitiveness assessment of the Baltic capitals within the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for the period 2015–2020, according to an integrated assessment model for urban competitiveness (MDK), which is based upon the principles of sustainable development. A systematic and comparative analysis of the concepts published in the scientific literature has been performed, the concepts of sustainable city and sustainable urban competitiveness have been formed, research and methods of urban competitiveness evaluation have been carried out, and a comprehensive competitiveness assessment of the results of the study showed that the evaluation of integrated competitiveness of a sustainable city in the context of the impact of COVID-19 (using the Baltic capitals as an example in the period 2015–2020), in terms of the multi-criteria SAW and TOPSIS evaluation methods, is in the highest position in 2016–2019. Vilnius is in second place during the whole period 2016–2019. Riga takes third place in 2015–2019 (except in 2020, when it exchanges places with Vilnius and takes second place). Meanwhile, the results of the COPRAS multicriteria method differ from those discussed above. In 2016, 2019, and 2020, Tallinn is in the highest position, and in 2015, 2017, and 2018, it is surpassed by Vilnius. Riga remained in third place from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, Vilnius took over this position. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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26 pages, 1206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Economic Sustainability in the Transport Sector on GDP of Neighbouring Countries: Following the Example of the Baltic States

by Galina Ševčenko-Kozlovska and Kristina Čižiūnienė

Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3326; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063326 - 11 Mar 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4500

Abstract

Transport is very important for the economy and the society because good transport infrastructure helps to improve the mobility of citizens and the traffic of goods, thus ensuring economic sustainability. Background: The European Union (hereinafter—EU) plans to maintain support for the development of transport infrastructure in individual member states. Lithuania’s role as a transit country in the EU’s transport network is of great importance; therefore, efficient transport services and appropriate infrastructure can not only support the domestic market and economic and social growth of the country, but also promote positive economic, social, and political processes in other countries and ensure EU’s strategic defence movement channels. Methods: The study was conducted using econometric methods, including correlation analysis and a regression model, to assess the selected parameters of the transport sector of Lithuania as a transit country and their impact on the real gross domestic product (hereinafter—RGDP) of the selected Baltic states (Latvia and Estonia). Results: The study identified a combination of key factors in the Lithuanian transport sector that affect differences in the level of real GDP per capita. Conclusions: The findings revealed differences in the context of relation between RGDP per capita in the three Baltic states and indicators of the Lithuanian transport sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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20 pages, 15953 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Characterizing the Relationship between Growth and Development in the Context of Strategic Management via Systems Thinking: A Systematic Literature Review

by Behnam Pourahmadi and Joanna Kalkowska

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5561; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095561 - 5 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3360

Abstract

The consequence of the complexity of contemporary challenges has a significant impact on the management sphere. Growth and development are two critical stages in the lifecycle of any organization, enterprise, or corporation as a system. The purpose of this study is to conduct an overview of strategic management discourse to characterize the relationship between growth and development processes with the aim of alleviating complexity. In this regard, we conduct a bibliographic analysis in the Web of Science database using a systematic literature review along with a systems thinking approach as a method to synthesize the findings and finally propose a conceptual framework. According to the findings of this study, a lack of attention to the importance of the relationship between growth and development processes is identified. This implies a gap in this research area, emphasizing the importance of more focus on these processes regardless of their attributes. The implications of the findings in this article will provide a holistic perspective for strategic management practitioners, allowing a better understanding of the importance of growth and development convergence. Consequently, this study may provide a path for future research to explore the implications of growth and development process in other disciplines of management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Competitiveness of Strategic Management, Economic and Social Areas: Developed and Developing Countries)

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