This book explores how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted businesses of all types around the world. It investigates and consolidates the relationships that businesses have with their key stakeholders in order to shed light on the complexity of the challenges and corresponding solutions. The authors identify 12 key stakeholders and, utilizing the stakeholder theory, argue for a Dodecahedron shaped stakeholder model being prevalent wherein each stakeholder group has equal stake in importance and a need for all to cooperate in their relationships. Featuring examples for each type of business relationship (e.g., B2B, consumer, government, stakeholder), this book offers researchers, students, scholars and policy makers a framework for creating resilience in business relationships during current and future crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shocked every part of society. The rise of businesses to the important task of improving sustainability and responsibility has been interrupted by the stress of the pandemic. In its wake, organizational leaders must reassess the best strategies considering the changes made by the “new normal.” The Handbook of Research on Changing Dynamics in Responsible and Sustainable Business in the Post-COVID-19 Era provides valuable insight of the significant changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of defining, characterizing, presenting, and understanding the meaning, challenges, and implications of responsible and sustainable business. Covering topics such as consumerism, supply chain management, and sustainable organizational performance, this major reference work is an excellent resource for academicians, scientists, researchers, students, business specialists, business leaders, consultants, government institutions, and policymakers.

With 140 contributions by authors from 19 different countries, XVIII International Symposium of Organizational Sciences – SymOrg 2022 successfully sets the high level for future conferences. The topic of SymOrg 2020, “Sustainable Business Management and Digital Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Post-COVID Era”, attracted researchers from different institutions, both in Serbia and abroad. This year, more than 300 scholars and practitioners authored and co-authored scientific and research articles that had been accepted for publication in the Book of Abstracts. All the contributions to the Book of Abstracts are classified into the following 13 key topics:  Blockchain Technology in Business and Information Systems  Business Analytics  Creativity, Innovation and Sustainable Management  Digital Operations and Logistics Management  Digital Transformation of Financial Industry  Digital Transformation of Public Administration  E-Business Ecosystems  Evidence-Based Public Policy Making in the Post-COVID Environment  LEAN Business Systems – Structures, Processes and Models  Managing Digital Transformation Projects under Discontinuity  Managing Human Resources in the Post-COVID Era  Rethinking Marketing and Communication in the Post-COVID Era  Quality Management and Standardization in Digital Transformation Era. The participation of numerous domestic and international authors and the diversity of topics justify our efforts to organize the Symposium. As SymOrg is traditionally at the intersection of academy and business, we believe that this year’s meeting will bring about many in-depth discussions, contribute to prospective partnerships, and build stronger business and academic networks. We also believe that meeting will contribute to the exchange of knowledge, research results and experience among industry experts, research institutions and faculties, which all share a common interest in contemporary organizational sciences. We are very grateful to our distinguished keynote and plenary speakers: Ana Draskovic, Aleksander Aristovnik, Manuel Mazzara, Basant Agarwa and Priyanka Harjule. Also, special thanks to moderators for organizing the panels and workshops in the fields of higher education, business, supply chain, doctoral research studies and student engagement and sustainability. The Faculty of Organizational Sciences would like to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and all the partners and individuals who have supported and contributed to the organization of the Symposium. We are particularly grateful to the contributors and reviewers who made this issue possible. But above all, we are especially thankful to the authors and presenters for making SymOrg 2022 a success! Belgrade, June 6, 2022 Marko Mihić, Ph.D. Sandra Jednak, Ph.D. Gordana Savić, Ph.D.

Knowledge and information have significant impacts on individuals’ daily lives and activities, especially when referring to the new economy and the global knowledge societies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive disruptions in the creation of the vital inclusive global information society. Due to this change, further study on the current difficulties and best practices of creating global knowledge societies is required in order to ensure communities can continue to advance and information is shared appropriately. The Handbook of Research on Building Inclusive Global Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development aims at providing an updated view of the newest trends, novel practices, and latest tendencies concerning building inclusive global knowledge societies for sustainable development while focusing on the benefits and the opportunities derived from the new economy and the global knowledge societies. Covering topics such as smart cities, food security, and climate change, this major reference work is ideal for policymakers, government officials, business owners, managers, academicians, scholars, researchers, practitioners, instructors, and students.

This book covers high-quality peer-reviewed research papers presented at the 18th International Symposium of Organizational Sciences (SymOrg 2022) held in Belgrade, Serbia, from 11 to 14 June 2022. The aim of the book is providing stimulative framework for readers to explore viable alternatives and indicate implications for the post-pandemic world. Researchers from academia and industry present their original work focusing on different aspects of sustainable management and digital transformation including blockchain technology, business analytics, e-business, innovation, digital operations and logistics management, financial industry, public administration, lean business systems, digital transformation projects, human resources, marketing and communication, and quality and standardization. The chapters could be useful for industry experts, research institutions, universities, and all others who share a common interest in contemporary organizational sciences.

Covid-19 outbreak has been the biggest health, social and economic emergency the world has ever faced since the Second World War. The pandemic has drastically changed, at least temporarily, the way society, businesses, and infrastructure systems operate. It has forced us to take a closer look at our woefully inadequate health infrastructure. It also led to the closure of educational institutions and turned formal learning into distance learning, posing a daunting challenge of demand for e-learning infrastructure. Social distancing policies (SDPs), encouraging people to stay home and limit gatherings, impacted wide range of services and industries. The telecommunications infrastructure, in particular, became a spotlight in view of its critical importance to keep businesses, governments, and societies connected and running in the period of economic and social disruption. The governments acknowledged a fact that “telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting, cable services, IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS)” are the essential services. Work from Home (WFH) seemed a positive experience, however with some adverse impact on the social, behavioural and physical factors. ICEIM 2022 is a humble contribution of SPM PDEU in terms of presenting a scholarly platform wherein abundance of ideas, answers, right questions, and complementing new learning’s are expected to emerge. The conference aims at discussing and deliberating various contemporary issues and challenge in the management of energy & infrastructure. The conference showcases seven tracks, five of which are Business & Technology, Finance, Human Resource, Marketing, and Project & Operations Management. Then in view of emerging scenario, two more tracks were added namely, Business Analytics and Data Science, Strategies & Entrepreneurship Management. We do expect to receive 80–90 research papers covering various tracks of the conference. We have so far got regular research papers, industry papers, Ph.D. research papers and students’ research articles. New research directions also constitute an agenda of a conference. This conference had three plenary sessions: a) Emerging Electrical Vehicle Ecosystem: Prospects and Impediments, b) Infrastructure Development in India: Policy Perspectives and Innovative Financing Initiatives, c) Energy Sector Management: Challenges and Strategies in Industry 4.0 era. All the plenary sessions of this conference have speakers mostly from the industry. We strongly believe that this International Conference will provide ample opportunities to all participants to disseminate new research ideas with industry professionals as well as the policy-makers. It is also believed that this International Conference will initiate new thought process towards the issues and challenges faced by the energy and infrastructure and will definitely add substantially to the existing domain of knowledge. We are pleased to present this proceeding of the International Conference to the academicians, researchers, industry practitioners and policy-makers who all have joined hands towards building the new knowledge development in the area of energy & infrastructure management.

Technological enhancements are transforming the modern workforce through transhumanism, a movement that explores the integration of advanced technology with human capabilities. By leveraging innovations such as brain-computer interfaces, augmented reality, and AI-driven cognitive tools, organizations can amplify employee potential while redefining productivity and creativity. These technologies also enable workers to enhance cognitive functions and adapt to complex tasks. As transhumanist ideals become prevalent, businesses must use this lens to create a more agile and capable workforce, where human and machine collaboration leads to efficiency and innovation. Enhancing the Modern Workforce Through Transhumanism examines the effects of transhumanism on modern employees and their potential productivity and efficiency. It offers solutions for workplace development using technology like robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmentation, and data analysis. This book covers topics such as digital technology, ethics, and workplace culture, and is a useful resource for computer engineers, human resource professionals, business owners, healthcare workers, economists, academicians, scientists, and researchers.

Research in this book enhances the understanding of small and medium-sized businesses as a result of unprecedented challenges presented to them. It elaborates on how some small and medium-sized businesses not only survive, but also thrive amidst uncertainties, by embracing digital solutions or transformations. To achieve this, the book adopts mixed research methods, with a combination of case studies, secondary data analysis and primary data analysis (survey information and/or interviews). Tables and illustrations are also included to provide the reader with a holistic understanding of small and medium-sized businesses from different cultural contexts.

As the world pivots towards a future defined by technological advancement, the pursuit of sustainable development faces intricate challenges that intertwine governance, management, and finance. The rapid growth of Industry and Society 5.0 necessitate innovative governance frameworks that can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and social equity. Effective management strategies are crucial to integrating sustainable practices within both industry and society, ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of future generations. Sustainable Development in Industry and Society 5.0: Governance, Management, and Financial Implications offers an exploration of the multifaceted challenges and strategies for achieving sustainability in the era of advanced technological and societal transformation. This book delves into innovative governance frameworks that balance economic growth with environmental and social priorities. Covering topics such as financial literacy, policy and law, and sustainable investment, this book is a valuable resource for policymakers, academicians, researchers, government officials, business leaders, managers, financial analysts, technologists and innovators, post-graduate students, and educators.