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Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy

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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 (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 6411

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Peter Markovič

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Guest Editor

Department of Corporate Finance, Faculty of Business Management, University of Economics in Bratislava, Dolnozemská cesta 1/b, 852 35 Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: low-carbon economy; green technologies; sustainable business
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. František Pollák

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Department of Business Finance, Faculty of Business Management, University of Economics in Bratislava, Dolnozemská cesta 1, 852 35 Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: low-carbon economy; green technologies; corporate reputation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide space for the publication of high-quality scientific papers focused on the research of selected important factors of corporate reputation in the context of sustainable industry and the low-carbon economy. At a time of accelerated digitization triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses face a number of significant challenges at the same time. Because of this, effective management of a company’s reputation is more challenging than ever before. Social responsibility and sustainability are given the same weight as economic performance indicators in terms of the future prosperity of companies. Green technologies and a low-carbon economy are also one of today's biggest challenges.

Prof. Dr. Peter Markovič
Prof. Dr. František Pollák
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. Energies 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 2600 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

corporate reputation
sustainable industry
low-carbon economy
digitization
social responsibility
green technologies

Related Special Issue

Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy: 2nd Edition in Energies

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Attitudes of Central European Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises towards Adaptation to the Low-Carbon Economy and Its Implementation Barriers

by Daniela Rybarova, Katarina Remenova, Maria Kmety Bartekova and Helena Majduchova

Energies 2023, 16(22), 7663; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16227663 - 20 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 621

Abstract

As developed regions explore avenues to enhance their industries in order to become climate-neutral, numerous studies have identified distinct factors that may hinder the shift towards a low-carbon economy. The objective of our research was to pinpoint key barriers to adaptation to a low-carbon economy among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Central Europe from the viewpoint of the company’s structure. The aim was to examine whether attitudes towards barriers to adaptation to a low-carbon economy represent a key factor that prevents the faster and more effective uptake of such adaptations by SMEs. Both the industrial and service sectors were considered. A quantitative data collection method, CATI, was employed. Using our methodology, we applied a non-parametric testing procedure, specifically, the Kruskal–Wallis test, to compare more than two independent samples, together with the Mann–Whitney U test. Through this analysis, it was found that companies regard the uncertainty of return on investment and its payback period as the most serious barrier to adaption to a low-carbon economy. Meanwhile, the lack of cooperation with research institutions and universities is perceived as the least important barrier. Companies are critical of existing regulations for adaptation to the low-carbon economy, which do not provide incentives for companies, though sole traders consider this an insignificant barrier. The shift towards a low-carbon economy is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Understanding the initial motivational variables can significantly contribute to the process of transition towards the use of renewable energy sources by companies, regardless of their size or sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy)

18 pages, 2132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Importance of Business Process Quality for Creating Added Value and Raising Reputation of Companies in Low-Carbon Economy

by Jarmila Straková and Yaroslava Kostiuk

Energies 2023, 16(17), 6388; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16176388 - 03 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1039

Abstract

In an era of increasing environmental challenges, the transition to a low-carbon economy is an essential step for the manufacturing and industrial sectors. The quality of business processes plays a key role in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. The objective of the paper was, thus, to analyze the break-even point in core and supporting business processes using the proposed linear model based on regression analysis. The aim was to identify the impact of qualitative processes in the pre-production, production, and post-production phases on reaching the break-even point and how these processes affect profits in engineering companies operating in low-carbon sectors. The results suggest that supporting quality processes would generate the highest profit. Investing in improving the quality of core and supporting business processes has a twofold impact, as it improves the bottom line of enterprises through enhancing their reputation as socially responsible businesses. Corporate reputation based on corporate social responsibility in a low-carbon economy represents a valuable intangible asset that helps industrial companies to develop a sustainable and thriving low-carbon business ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy)

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24 pages, 6398 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Reputation of Electric Vehicles in the Environment of Carbon Reduction and Accelerated Digitization

by František Pollák, Peter Markovič and Helena Majdúchová

Energies 2023, 16(9), 3836; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16093836 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1163

Abstract

The accelerated digitization of the third decade of the twenty-first century poses a challenge both for science and for practice. The study presents partial results of continuous research on online reputation management of entities operating in the environment of low-carbon economy. The aim of the study is the application of a standardized methodology for calculating the Total level of Online Reputation (TOR) to determine the market position of selected Electric Vehicles (EVs) compared to the market position of conventional Vehicles with Internal Combustion Engines (ICEVs) in the online environment. The research sample consists of the ten best-selling Vehicles and the ten best-selling Electric Vehicles in the world by sales in the year 2021. Based on the measurement results and the subsequent analysis of the context, it can be concluded that the EV market shows the parameters of a developing market not only from the point of view of sales but also in terms of the overall level of Online Reputation as such. At the same time, it is possible to point out a high geographical specificity and significant disproportionality of the EV market compared to ICEVs. From the overall market perspective, the future of cars in the EV category is still unclear, as building trust in low-carbon products is limited by historical tradition. The main representatives of the EV industry thus represent the first forays of the onset of the low-carbon era in individual transport. The description of the issue will require the monitoring of status indicators over time. The results of the presented study can thus serve as a baseline and methodological framework for further research of the adoption of low-carbon policies in common practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy)

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14 pages, 697 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Marketing Communication and Reputation Building of Leading European Oil and Gas Companies on Instagram

by Nikola Sagapova, Radim Dušek and Petra Pártlová

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8683; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15228683 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1974

Abstract

The overall transition towards a low-carbon economy is expected to pose a solution for several global problems, including the ongoing climate change while ensuring economic and social development. Large oil and gas companies are aware of the need to transform their business, turn to renewable and clean energy sources to build a positive image and reputation, and have the economic power to do so. This paper aims to evaluate the marketing communication of leading European oil and gas companies on their Instagram accounts in the context of reputation building through using social media and identify to what extent the companies reflect the environmental aspects of corporate social responsibility. Content analysis and the Social Blade tool were used to examine the marketing communication of the five biggest companies by revenue. All the companies are active on Instagram, but it has been found that the Russian companies have remained inactive and have even been losing followers since March 2022, when the war conflict in Ukraine started. Surprisingly, Shell uploaded only a few posts during the reference period but is recognized as the company achieving the highest social media effectiveness. Although all observed oil and gas companies continue their business as usual, they incorporate and communicate efforts to support the development of electromobility, clean and renewable energy projects, as well as ecological projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy)

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13 pages, 2938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Projecting Sustainable Systems of Economy by Means of Ecological Optimization

by Petra Pártlová, Kristína Korená and Jan Váchal

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8538; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15228538 - 15 Nov 2022

Viewed by 870

Abstract

The paper presents an innovated method for territorial zoning and its implementation in the territory of the Zdíkovský stream catchment area. The basis for projecting is ananthropo-ecological approach to the territory and the proposition of determining the new GES (geo-ecological units). Four essential territorial zones differing by anthropo-ecological burden and the degree of protection are suggested. A procedure for determining ecocritical lines (situations) in the territory, their regime, and possible solutions is suggested in the spirit of sustainability for future generations. The formulae and procedure for calculating the CES (coefficient of ecological stability) or ZSES (essential degrees of ecological stability), which divide the tested territory into appropriate zones, are also suggested. A comparison of zoning prior to 1989 and following was carried out, and it was proven that the significant presence of agricultural and forest subsystems in the territory with the extensive form of use resulted in the differentiation of the territory in terms of landscape character. The results point to the usability of the suggested method in the areas of planning, landscape development, protection, and territorial future development prognosis in terms of the natural potential on the local and superregional level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Reputation in Times of Accelerated Digitization and Low-Carbon Economy)

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