Economies are changing – independent from their status, i.e. industrialized, threshold or developing. Technological advancement, e.g. in information or telecommunication, and environmental concerns make people rethink present and future activities. Many challenges can only be tackled internationally or interdisciplinary. The articles of WHZ conferences with DAAD-Alumni and partners from 20 nations take various problems and approaches to solutions into focus. The editors hope some of the ideas to give further thought to similar problems in other regions or areas of science or economy. About the Editors: H.-Ch. Brauweiler, Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c., Prof. of Accounting & Audit, WHZ Zwickau University. Research focus: University management, blended learning, regional development, risk management. V. Kurchenkov, Prof. Dr., Prof. of Public Administration & Management, VSU Volgograd. Research focus: Forecasting & planning, innovation management, municipal administration, economic policy. S. Abilov, Head of Intern. Dep., KAFU Ust Kamenogorsk. Research focus: University management, interdisciplinary & intercultural communication. B. Zirkler, Prof. Dr., Prof. of Accounting/Controlling, WHZ. Research focus: International accounting & controlling, effects of digitization and sustainability on controlling.

This book includes studies on regions, industries and tendencies of industrial change and spatial concentration of competences and industrial potentials. The chapters in this volume provide for discussions concerning a wider understanding of situations related to Industry 4.0 and digitization. It also reaches out further than towards technology and economy because it includes regional and metropolitan societies, workforces and the divergencies of effects and opportunities. Industry 4.0 and digitization are new transformations for regions and metropolises where technologies are applied but regionally can appear as a continuation of innovative processes where it is developed. The divergent presence of competences creates a selectivity process among regions. There are individual industry-location-nexuses formed out of competences of industries, labour force and research which are complemented by public policies providing support towards such adaptation of innovation and change. Regional societies formed from skilled and educated labour become an important basis for participation in innovation and supply chains. Since smart factories widely can be managed remotely, this also shows a concentration of decision making. Simultaneously, it forms a polycentric de-concentration, indicating some more important locations as central within the networks. These systematic changes continue to deepen over time. While public policies may match innovative opportunities at the appropriate moment, they also contribute to a continuation of uneven development and divergent societal tendencies. Industry 4.0 and digitization indicate a wide and selective change of organization associated with new technologies and innovation. While some regions and metropolises can continue to build both innovative competences and innovative societies based on innovative labour force, others will participate because of their position in supply chains. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal, European Planning Studies.

We believe that the world is standing on the very edge of the fastest industrial revolution ever. A revolution which will rapidly increase the efficiency of many production processes. Automation (both mechanical and the one happening with computer processes) will reduce the demand for human work and release a huge amount of time we can use for further development. With this book we try to provide the reader with information about various aspects of life and the socio-economic environment. For this purpose, we have invited authors representing the leading scientific research centers in Poland and specialists from foreign universities. Piotr Buła Bogdan Nogalski The monograph stands out from the publications related to change management in the context of entrepreneurial opportunities and flexibility of the organization. The authors attempt to integrate retrospective and prognostic approaches, so they not only assess the current status, but also point to challenges for management science. The work has been prepared by scholars whose authority in management sciences is undisputed. I positively assess the empirical and methodological layer of individual chapters of the monograph. Discussing the results of their scientific and research work, the authors presented the determinants of management processes described from the perspective of entrepreneurial opportunities and flexibility of the organization. Szymon Cyfert

Industry 4.0 refers to fourth generation of industrial activity characterized by smart systems and internet-based solutions. This book describes the fourth revolution based on instrumented, interconnected and intelligent assets. The different book chapters provide a perspective on technologies and methodologies developed and deployed leading to this concept. With an aim to increase performance, productivity and flexibility, major application area of maintenance through smart system has been discussed in detail. Applicability of 4.0 in transportation, energy and infrastructure is explored, with effects on technology, organisation and operations from a systems perspective.

Digitalization, Sustainable Development, and Industry 5.0 offers cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, with expert insights on the technologies and strategies businesses use in the twin transition process.

Digitalization is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st Century. In Germany, the concept of Industry 4.0 goes back to the high-tech strategy of the Federal Government and describes the interlocking of industrial production with the latest information and communication technology. In the intelligent factory, intelligent and networked machines will operate, decide and optimize largely autonomously in cooperation with humans. For China, the German concept Industry 4.0 is a strategic source of inspiration. Among other things, it was a model for the current Chinese innovation and industrial policy strategy Made in China 2025. This book is looking into different aspects of digitalization. Part 1 presents the concept of Industry 4.0, both, from the German and the Chinese perspective. Part 2 describes the Chinese innovation concept Made in China 2025 within different economic sectors in China and discusses to what extent Industry 4.0 might be considered its role model. Part 3 presents the opportunities and challenges of digitalization and big data from a regional perspective. Part 4 analyses the special aspect of the impacts of digitalization for the banking sector and international trade cooperation. Finally, Part 5 focuses on digitalization and innovation considering small and medium-sized companies in particular.

This volume presents a further training concept on Industry 4.0 for vocational teachers, which was developed for transnational use by the "Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit" (GIZ) together with SEAMEO VOCTECH (Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) for transnational use. In connection with the thematic focus on digitalisation and the accompanying change in the world of work, innovative teaching and learning methods for self-reliant learning and the promotion of communicative and social competences are presented. In the transfer project, the professional and didactical competences of teachers and trainers are promoted. The volume is published in English.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 13th IFIP WG 5.5/SOCOLNET Advanced Doctoral Conference on Computing, Electrical and Industrial Systems, DoCEIS 2022, held in Caparica, Portugal, during June-July 2022. The 22 full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 48 submissions. The papers present selected results produced in engineering doctoral programs and focus on technological innovation for industry and service systems. The papers are organized into the following topical sub-headings: Smart Systems Thinking; Cyber-physical Systems; health-related Digitalization; Electric Systems and Machines; Smart Devices; and Control and Digital Platforms.

Digital era reporting undergoes a seismic shift as automation takes center stage. The transition from manual reporting to real-time automated systems enhances precision and efficiency and reduces errors, empowering decision-makers. However, this era of digital reporting brings forth a new set of challenges, from data security and privacy concerns to the imperative need for robust cybersecurity measures. Impact of Digitalization on Reporting, Tax Avoidance, Accounting, and Green Finance delves into this transformative wave, comprehensively exploring its consequences on these critical domains. The book meticulously dissects both the positive and negative repercussions, encapsulating the challenges and opportunities that arise in this era of digital metamorphosis. Navigating tax avoidance in a digitalized world unveils a complex dynamic. Digitalization, on the one hand, empowers tax authorities to access and analyze vast datasets, making it challenging for businesses to engage in tax evasion. On the other hand, sophisticated digital tools provide fertile ground for corporations to devise intricate tax avoidance schemes. Striking a balance becomes paramount, necessitating regulatory measures and international cooperation while addressing ethical dimensions in leveraging technology for tax strategies. The book offers a nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between digitalization and these critical domains, from business professionals and financial analysts to regulatory bodies and sustainability advocates.

This book contains selected papers from International Symposium for Production Research 2021, held on October 7–9, 2021, online, Turkey. The book reports recent advances in production engineering and operations. It explores topics including production research; production management; operations management; industry 4.0; industrial engineering; mechanical engineering; engineering management; and operational research. Presenting real-life applications, case studies, and mathematical models, this book is of interest to researchers, academics, and practitioners in the field of production and operation engineering. It provides both the results of recent research and practical solutions to real-world problems.