Full Citation in the ACM Digital Library
SESSION: 1. eAgriculture I
Vertical Farming Perspective and Challenges: A Comparative Review between China and the EU
- Ina Vîrtosu
- Chen Li
Global population growth, climate change, pandemics, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and the widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides all pose threats to our food supply. With the predicted drastic rise in climate change over the coming decades, we will face more frequent and severe instances of heat stress, droughts, and ecosystem degradation. These challenges will significantly hinder our ability to produce enough food to sustain the world's growing population. Climate change is reshaping where particular crops may be produced, making farming in many locations unattainable, and people are relocating from rural to urban areas. Unpredictable disasters, such as the Covid-19 outbreak, inevitably affect cities’ resilience, particularly in terms of food security. This issue was particularly sensitive in China, where food production and supply were considerably affected. When these trends are combined, vertical farming appears to be an appealing solution to sustainability challenges and food security, resulting in record-breaking investment in this sector. However, despite its advantages and positive future perspectives, vertical farming also faces challenges that need to be addressed. This article provides a comparative review of the current status of vertical farming in China and the EU, policies aimed at encouraging its development, and the challenges and prospects in both jurisdictions. The conclusion emphasizes the potential of vertical farming to enhance sustainability and food security but also highlights the need for addressing challenges such as high investment costs, energy consumption, and technological barriers. Policies and innovations tailored to regional needs are crucial for the successful integration of vertical farming into broader agricultural practices.
Digital Farming: A Framework to Reduce Gender Divides in Agriculture
- Mosa Shrabony Sheikh
- Laszlo Berenyi
Bangladesh is predominantly an agrarian and patriarchal society where women have traditionally been left behind since it came into being. Besides, climate change's effects on agriculture push them far behind due to its negative impact on society. However, several rules, regulations, and programs formulated and implemented by both government and NGOs have helped them significantly reduce the gap. The current study aims to suggest a framework that can help reduce gender divides through digital farming in the agriculture sector of Bangladesh. Half of the population of Bangladesh is comprised of women who are contributing a lot to the economy nowadays in different ways, and this study only focuses on women in the agriculture sector to minimize the gap and empower them through digital farming. The general objective of the study is to configure a framework that can be used in Bangladesh to reduce gender divides through digital farming. The research goal is to address the challenges triggering the gender divide in the field with a spotlight on empowering women. The study follows the desk research methodology. It is expected that the findings of the study may contribute to reducing gender divides and empowering them in agriculture through digital farming.
Study on Collaborative Smart Farming over Digital Platform
- Martin Zagar
- Dua Weraikat
- Kristina Soric
- Mateo Sokac
Collaboration in the supply chain of agriculture has become extremely salient recently due to increased global demand for high crop yields and sustainable farming practices. Limited resources, like soil, are destructible by various agents. Smart farming and the Internet of Things (IoT) provide a solution through precise application and data collection, leading to accurate farm monitoring. Research shows that greater synergy among supply chain members—farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers—enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and improves quality. Despite the necessity for large investments and time, smart collaboration in farming is still not widespread. Collaboration entails sharing equipment, data, and expertise, yet farmers often resist sharing confidential information. This study aims to address these challenges using IoT-based models to make informed decisions over digital platforms and to use digital platforms to their full potential. It involves installing sensors to collect data on a real small family farm from Croatia, in an area known for small family farms producing organic food traditionally, facing issues in enhancing their yields due to limited capacity and entrepreneurial skills.
SESSION: 2. eGovernment I
- Peter Laszlo Sasvari
- Emese Belenyesi
In terms of academic advancement, a crucial factor is “scientific visibility,” the publication of research results in internationally recognized journals related to the specific subject area. However, delineating the subject area of public administration science is not straightforward. On the one hand, it encompasses various disciplines related to public administration or applicable knowledge, while on the other hand, its interdisciplinary nature is also reflected in the research. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to select from available options and strategically publish in journals that best represent the research subfield and are most adequate in terms of international visibility. The aim of this study is twofold: on the one hand to examine the subdivisions of public administration science and on the other hand to classify journals related to its subfields into quartiles (Q1-Q4) in the Scimago database, thereby formulating suggestions for the placement of publications. The subdivision of public administration science was conducted using the Webster-Watson analysis method, and articles published in public administration journals were processed using a data analytics approach by the authors. Based on the research findings, public administration science was divided into 5+1 subfields, and then the 63,144 articles published in 197 journals listed in the Scimago database were classified into quartiles according to these subfields, thus supporting the decision-making of the authors on the placement of publication.
Implementing mandatory e-invoices B2B in Germany - Issues Obstacles and probable Showstoppers
- Robert Mueller-Toeroek
- Christoph Schmidt
According to recent legislation e-invoices will, with some time lag, be mandatory for B2B transactions in Germany from January 1, 2025. Such e-invoices must, above all, fulfill three major requirements: the issuer of the e-invoice must be identified and authenticated, eg. by means of a qualified electronic signature or by uploading it via a trusted (government) portal with an eID of the eIDAS level of assurance of at least substantial, better high (1), the invoice itself must reproducible not have been altered, which can also be assured by a qualified or advanced electronic signature (2) and finally the provisions of the GDPR must be obeyed due during the B2B-invoice transfer from the issuing “B” to the receiving “B” (3). In addition, it would make sense if the financial authorities obtain automatically a machine-readable copy of each invoice issued for purposes of taxation and auditing (4). The paper deals with these three requirements and analyses whether and how they are fulfilled by the intended German legislation and, if applicable, the provided system by the financial authorities.
- Balázs Dr. Bartóki-Gönczy
We enter the new space age characterized by the arms race in outer space, by the emergence of new space powers and by the increasing importance of the private entities in conducting – often dual use – activities on Earth orbits. All countries party to the Outer Space Treaty willing to develop national space activities are obliged authorize and continuously supervise activities undertaken by their national entities. Whilst the international legal regime on space activities is frozen since the end of the 70’s, more than 40 states have adopted national legal regime regulating space activities conducted by their nationals or from their territory. The aim of this study is to present the international and European legal environment related to national space law and to identify the best practices of national space laws from the perspective of a smaller country like Hungary, having ambitions in space activities.
SESSION: 3. Smart Cities I
Smart-optimism. Uncovering the Resilience of Romanian City Halls in Online Service Delivery
- Catalin Vrabie
- Stephan Jarvers
- Christian Schachtner
This study examines how smart city initiatives and core administration digitalization projects can be integrated in municipalities to promote synergy effects. The focus is on the hypothesis that the success of such integration efforts depends largely on the transfer of knowledge and the formation of networks between the actors involved in digitization projects. Through a quantitative online survey of Chief Digital Officers (CDOs) and other leaders in the digital context from 73 municipalities funded by the Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen (BMWSB) "Model Project Smart Cities" (MPSC), the research aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamic relationships between the different levels of decision-making in the course of implementing digital strategies. The results show that the effective integration of digitalization initiatives is largely determined by a supportive organizational culture, political support and networking activities of digital leadership roles, such as the Chief Digital Officer (CDO). In particular, the interaction between the CDO and political bodies proves to be critical for the transfer of knowledge in the context of the digital transformation of municipal administrations. Additional studies are needed that look in particular at coordination and coordination processes with political bodies in municipalities and the establishment of a conducive organizational framework for knowledge transfer.
Facilitating Environmental Monitoring for Sustainable Smart Regions by Enabling Citizen Co-Creation
- Roger Hage
- Gerhard Kormann-Hainzl
- Ruben Ruiz-Torrubiano
In this paper, a conceptual framework designed to transform citizens in sustainable and smart regions from passive users and consumers into active co-creating citizen developers through a Low-Code and No-Code (LCNC) Smart Service Manager is presented. The platform leverages both regional and individual data to underpin the development of smart services on a broad scale. In particular, it advances environmental monitoring and carbon footprint reduction initiatives in accordance with the framework outlined in this paper. By integrating sensor networks and open data sources, the LCNC platform supports the development of personalised smart services, enabling citizens to actively engage in monitoring and visualising their environmental impact. The framework facilitates community collaboration and co-creation, empowering individual citizens and local communities to not only participate in the ideation and development of these services but also to individualise and continuously improve the services by adding new features and contributing data via personal devices such as smart meters and smartphones. The democratisation of technology use is designed to encourage sustainable behavioural changes and to improve the overall quality of life in smart regions. We illustrate the application of this framework through a use case on energy CO2 footprint reduction, demonstrating how co-creative processes can enhance community engagement and accelerate the implementation of sustainability transformations in urban settings.
SESSION: 4. eAgriculture II
- A N M Zakir Hossain
The study examined the insights of female civil servants in the agriculture sector of Bangladesh. It produced an analysis of perceptions and views of women officials on the pros and cons of having female agriculturists in the civil service of Bangladesh; the challenges they face; and the opportunities and strategies, they use to develop their careers and success in their positions. The study was a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods- content analysis, and survey were performed to get authentic information. To get the results, the study analyzed both primary and secondary data. The study found that the majority of women are working in the agriculture sub-sector rather than the livestock and fisheries sub-sector. It is apparent from the study that most of the officials are living in urban areas instead of their job stations. However, it affects their career and personal life but technological advancement and digital intervention in public service made their professional and family life more comfortable than earlier. It also provides an opportunity to monitor their activities to ensure accountability and transparency in public service delivery by the administration. It is also evident that most rural and sub-urban areas do not have adequate facilities for housing, schooling, and medical, affecting their personal and professional lives. The study revealed that their management role is directly challenged by society and their counterparts as well. The critical findings of the study are that women are challenged with dual responsibilities with the profession and household chores and parallelly, the conflict between western-liberal values and typical anticipations of women in society. The study argues for an organizational and social culture that helps to a trade-off between the career and family of the female officials in the civil servant of the agriculture sector of Bangladesh.
Cutting-edge technologies for Water Resource Management in e-Agriculture solutions
- Bogdan Ionut Pahontu
- Diana Andreea Arsene
- Alexandru Predescu
The agricultural sector plays a vital role in a country’s economy, contributing significantly to the national GDP. With advancements in technology and the advent of the Internet, farmers now have access to a lot of information to enhance agricultural workflows. However, the challenge lies in ensuring the integration of modern technologies across all segments of farming communities, from less developed to more developed areas. This integration process, known as e-Agriculture, relies heavily on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to ensure efficiency, monitoring, and control in data collection, storage, and transmission through secure and transparent mechanisms. This paper focuses on presenting the existing research done on e-Agriculture, with a particular emphasis on water resource management, decision support systems, blockchain technologies, and gamification solutions. By integrating these technologies, innovative solutions can be developed to efficiently manage water resources in agriculture, thereby enhancing sustainability and productivity. The paper discusses various applications and studies utilizing emerging technologies in e-Agriculture, as well as their potential impact. It also presents an initial approach for an integrated systems utilizing these technologies to offer innovative solutions with immense potential in the context of e-Agriculture. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions, including the development of detailed architectures and proof of concepts for integrated blockchain, serious gaming, and decision support systems in water management and e-Agriculture ecosystems.
Renewed land and real estate registers through digitalization
- Zsolt Czekmann
- Gergely Cseh-Zelina
- Eszter Czibrik
When we think of certified public registers, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind for many of us is the land register. This is no coincidence, since it is almost inconceivable that a citizen should not come across some form of real estate registration procedure in his or her lifetime. The subject is of broad interest to citizens and its topicality is indisputable, since the new law, which provides for a number of changes, will come into force in October this year. In our study, we focus on the novelties of the new real estate registration law, with particular emphasis on the - technological - expectations and international trends towards the new real estate registration system that will be launched in 2024. In this context, the E-ing project and procedural issues will be highlighted. In addition, we will attempt to show how the land lease register could be integrated into the real estate registration system in the future, thus becoming an integrated register.
FinTech Solutions Supporting Sustainable Agriculture ? Lessons from Africa
- Judit Glavanits
- Tamas Szabo
This paper explores the transformative role of FinTech solutions in enhancing agricultural productivity and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region confronted by myriad challenges including fragmented economies, limited capital, climate adversities, and restricted access to financial services. Drawing upon empirical examples, it delves into the potential of crypto-assets and blockchain technology to address these issues, spotlighting the rapid growth of the FinTech industry as a disruptive force capable of revolutionizing financial accessibility for rural communities. Through a comprehensive literature review and case studies, the study highlights innovative FinTech applications, such as mobile money services, which have significantly contributed to financial inclusion among smallholder farmers, facilitating access to savings, loans, and insurance products. The paper presents two pioneering initiatives from Kenya - the blockchain-based insurance model, Etherisc, and Agri-wallet, a digital wallet solution, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating risks associated with agriculture and enabling efficient financial transactions; and a central information-operator from Ghana, the Esoko. Furthermore, it identifies existing barriers to the wider adoption of FinTech solutions, including infrastructural deficits, legal uncertainties surrounding smart contracts, and the limited penetration of internet services, underscoring the imperative for enhanced digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to maximize the benefits of digital technologies for sustainable agriculture. The findings suggest that, despite challenges, the integration of FinTech in agriculture presents a promising avenue for boosting productivity, ensuring food security, and fostering economic resilience among rural populations in Africa. The paper calls for concerted efforts by stakeholders to address the digital divide and create enabling environments for the deployment of innovative financial technologies, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.
SESSION: 5. eGovernment II
- Nur Syuhaini Abdul Wahi
- Laszlo Berenyi
This study presents an empirical analysis of the relationship between facilitating conditions, social influence, and the adoption of e-government by employees in Malaysian local municipalities. The research model highlights two constructs based on the UTAUT model, and the hypotheses are formulated using the multiple regression technique. The results are based on survey data collected from 609 employees at the Malaysian local authorities. The results indicate a positive and significant impact of facilitating conditions and social influence on e-government adoption. Influencing factors need to be effectively addressed in order to implement e-government properly in the public sector. It is crucial that the government allocate resources, training, enhanced skills, and top management support to achieve the successful implementation of an e-government system.
- Gábor Bozsó
This paper examines the progress of Eastern European countries in digitizing their public sectors between 2016 and 2022. It uses data from the EU eGovernment Benchmark Report and the UN E-Government Development Index to compare convergence across various dimensions of e-government development. The findings show that all the countries studied made progress in closing the gap between their digital government services and the EU average. Hungary achieved the most significant improvement, followed by Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Poland. Romania showed mixed progress but has the most significant gap to close. The study also highlights that countries with lower baseline scores in 2016 exhibited more significant convergence than those already well-developed in e-government. It emphasizes the need for continuous data collection and reliable measurement methods to inform successful public policies in digital governance.
Measuring Impact on Confidence in Institutions by their Use of Software Components
- Alois Paulin
We report on the design of a study to measure how the introduction of middleware software components could impact confidence in an institution. Middleware is software that runs in the background and thus cannot be perceived directly by end-users of software products. We discuss the concept of confidence as a type of trust, outline existing techniques how to measure it, and discuss the applicability of known techniques on measuring changes in trust caused by software that cannot be perceived by its users. We conclude that the methods proposed are relevant to domains such as e-Health, e-Government, and other domains from the public sector that aim to increase trust by citizens, patients, and other forms of customer roles.
SESSION: 6. Smart Cities II/eCulture
Graph theory algorithms in optimizing urban infrastructure in smart cities
- Florentina Pana-Micu
Creating smart cities is an increasingly debated aspiration in our society, as these cities, benefiting from advanced technologies, contribute to improving the quality of life for residents. In this context, graph theory proves to be a particularly important tool in the optimization processes of urban infrastructure networks.
The main objective of the research is to identify key concepts from graph theory that can be applied in the creation of smart cities with the aim of optimizing urban infrastructure networks. Starting from this objective, the research will focus on defining key concepts from graph theory, such as Kruskal's algorithm for determining a minimum-cost spanning tree and Dijkstra's algorithm, which establishes the minimum-cost path from a starting node to any other node in a graph.
Subsequently, the article will include examples illustrating how graph theory can be used to model the urban infrastructure network. Dijkstra's algorithm is applicable to identifying the most efficient transportation routes, reducing congestion and travel time, as well as optimizing pipeline networks and water distribution. On the other hand, Kruskal's algorithm aims to optimize areas of the smart city such as efficient resource management, green space planning, and sustainable connectivity.
Therefore, in this article, we will explore the potential that graph theory can have in optimizing the urban infrastructure of a smart city and increasing the efficiency and sustainability of this type of city. The optimal choice of connections and networks can contribute to creating an urban environment that meets the needs of residents in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Is Smart City model promising for sustainable post-war recovery of Ukraine?
- Karyna Radchenko
In context of the devastating war in Ukraine turning a lot of cities into ruins, there is a strong need to consider the strategies of the post-war recovery that could be applied to build back better and more sustainable to foster the positive economic transformations. The pre-liminary calculations on the cost of recovery have shown that it could take years subject to significant investment input that is multiple times higher than the country GDP. The recovery strategy should therefore be based upon the out-of-the box solutions that could create the multiplying shift effect at the minimum resource input. This paper suggests that the smart city tool may be viewed as an effective mechanism of city operational (before war finishes) and post-war recovery based on the literature review of the applications of smart city for the recovery purposes, analysis of public sources and the interviews conducted with 21 stakeholders from Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Finland who are viewed as experts in local and regional governance and smart city fields. The components of the smart city model integration in the city strategy have been proposed in the format of mosaics recovery strategy for different regions (based on the situation) in addition to highlighting the perception of smart-city model application for recovery purposes together with associated risks, components and overall strategy peculiarities.
- Sieun Park
- Hiroko Kudo
Digital technology utilisation within the public sector has been discussed for its effective and efficient functions in public service provision. Museum sectors have also applied various digital technologies, such as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to provide better public experiences and to improve public value and quality services. This study examines South Korea's national strategies and public expenditures for cultural institutions’ digitalisation, analysing the implementation of policies and the influence of societal factors, such as the pandemic, on digital content development. The paper analyses policy implementations dating back to 2005 to determine how the policy attentions have been formulated within the museum sectors’ digital transformation and how the museum has provided its digital content since 2021. This empirical research aims to examine the impact of digital innovation policies on the digital transformation of cultural institutions with a specific focus on public service provision.
SESSION: 7. Economy and Society I
- Rodica Ciobanu
- Mariana Rosca
Abstract: The article examines the Republic of Moldova's efforts to transition towards European Union (EU) standards of good governance. Despite significant advancements in e-Governance and digital services, Moldova faces ongoing challenges in democratization, rule of law, and security. The study employs the "Integrated Methodology for Determining the Relevance Coefficient of Indicators of Modernization of Governance Mechanisms," providing a robust framework for assessing modernization processes, identifying key indicators, and enhancing institutional efficiency. By integrating traditional and digital tools, the methodology offers an innovative approach to evaluating governance mechanisms comprehensively. The findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to modernization that incorporates socio-political, legal, and technological dimensions to promote good governance and human rights protection. Continuous improvement in legislation quality and legal mechanisms is essential to meet EU standards. The study concludes that while Moldova has made notable progress, further efforts are required to address systemic resistance, enhance public trust, and ensure the effective implementation of reforms.
The Future of Cohesion Policy. How the 9th Cohesion Report was prepared
- Csaba Fasi
The study considers the future of cohesion policy. As a prelude, the main elements of cohesion policy and the related cohesion reports are viewed. Among the Reports, the study focuses on the most recent Eighth Cohesion Report. However, the study is also timely given that a group of high-level experts on the future of cohesion policy, independent of the European Commission, was formally established on 27th January 2023. The study presents the work, minutes and recommendations of this group and the report of the group's final report, which was published in February 2024.
Web 3 Gaming: A Sectoral Analysis and Forecast to 2033
- Adam Bereczk
- Erika Szilagyine Fulop
- Bettina Hodine Hernadi
The Web3 gaming and blockchain gaming landscapes have emerged as dynamic and transformative forces within the entertainment industry. A comprehensive analysis encompassing qualitative and quantitative approaches is essential to grasp these emerging sectors’ potential and trajectory fully. The study delves into the intricacies of Web3 gaming and blockchain gaming, exploring their current market size, growth drivers, prevailing challenges, and anticipated future trends. A thorough analysis of industry reports provided insights into current trends, challenges, and promising startups within the gaming space. As per our results, the Web3 gaming and blockchain gaming markets are experiencing and expecting significant growth, especially in future outlooks. The integration of Web3 into blockchain gaming is expected to accelerate, further enhancing player ownership, control, and monetization opportunities. The capital attraction of Web3 and blockchain gaming is highly correlated with the overall cryptocurrency market, suggesting that investor interest in these projects tends to rise and fall with cryptocurrency prices.
SESSION: 8. eGovernment III
Ranking the importance of personal competencies for public servants
- Laszlo Berenyi
- Gabor Laszlo
Beyond the technical development and digitalization in public administration, considering human needs and characteristics is inescapable. Effective public administration requires specific competencies. The study explores opinions about the expected personal competencies of a public servant among the students at the Ludovika University of Public Service, Budapest. A voluntary online survey was designed for Q-sort ranking. The results show competing opinion patterns about competencies, but a significant level of agreement was found on some items that can be used as initial points for improvement strategies and training programs. Reliability is the most important characteristic of a public servant, while influencing and valuing diversity are ranked among the less important items. A methodological implication of the study is presenting the opportunities of the Q-methodology in organizing complex competency sets.
Civil servants competence frameworks: a necessity for modern and digital public administrations
- Georgiana Madalina Mihaila
The advent of digital technology has transformed public administrations, necessitating a reevaluation of the competence frameworks that govern civil servant skills and behaviors. This paper explores the critical role of competence frameworks in modernizing public administrations to meet the demands of a digital era. Firstly, we discuss the overarching impact of digital transformation on public sector operations, emphasizing how competency frameworks facilitate the integration of new technologies and digital processes. We then analyze the contribution of these frameworks in enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and public engagement of administrations while addressing the specific challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. In particular, the paper delves into the situation of Romanian public administration, illustrating both the current state and the potential for future development through tailored competence frameworks. By comparing Romanian frameworks with international practices, we identify gaps and opportunities for enhancement. The findings suggest that comprehensive and dynamically updated competence frameworks are essential for public administrations to remain relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Communicating crimes with maps to citizens
- Laszlo Boi
- Andrea Podor
- Szabolcs Matyas
- Balint Kis
The scholarly investigation delves into a subject that has garnered limited attention: the dissemination of criminal activities through cartographic representations. Despite the ubiquitous presence of maps in various media outlets such as crime reports, newspapers, television, and online platforms, scholarly inquiry into this matter remains scant. Maps have long served as a conventional method of visual display within the field of criminal sciences, yet divergent viewpoints persist regarding their dissemination. While proponents advocate for the publication of crime maps, contending that they facilitate public awareness, others caution against their dissemination, citing potential misinterpretations. The primary objective of the study is to elucidate strategies for effectively presenting and communicating crime-related information to the general populace. Furthermore, the investigation endeavors to delineate the advantages and drawbacks associated with the publication of crime maps.
SESSION: 9. Cybersecurity I
The relationship between the dark triad personality and cybersecurity
- Peter Banyasz
- Pal Karoly Laska
- Tamas Szadeczky
- Kincso Boroka Vaczi
The current study endeavors to explore the linkages between the Dark Triad personality traits, namely narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, and the attitudes towards cybersecurity among university students who are registered in an information security awareness course. The research involved administering a self-report questionnaire to 29 students that included queries on the Dark Triad personality scale and cybersecurity attitudes. The research will use a mixed-methods approach to analyse the data, including quantitative such as descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis, cluster analysis. The findings of this study may offer insights that could aid in the development of customized information security training programs and the enhancement of cyber threat management.
- Kristof Stoelczer
- Tamas Szadeczky
In the current context of digitalization and globalization, development is an evolving, dynamic process. As with any change, the rise of digitalization and its role in human life can have both positive and negative consequences. The expanded cyber space has brought about a synergistic relationship between computing devices at all levels of life. High-intensity data traffic has actively contributed to the permanent increase in the operational efficiency of companies since the appearance of the Internet of Things and robotics in the majority of industrial processes, as well as Industry 4.0 technology. In 2013, the EU Member States decided to create a common cybersecurity strategy to ensure that the core values and standards of the Union are guaranteed in cyberspace. The strategy is built on three pillars: cybersecurity, cybercrime prevention and resilience, which led to the Digital Operations Resilience Act (DORA), the latest and most comprehensive outcome of the financial sector cybersecurity legislation.
The relationship between generative artificial intelligence and cybersecurity
- Peter Banyasz
- Tamas Szadeczky
- Kincso Boroka Vaczi
This research paper investigates the adoption of generative artificial intelligence by citizens using the Technology Adoption Propensity (TAP) index. The study aims to explore the influence of cybersecurity factors on the acceptance of generative artificial intelligence technologies. The data for the research will be collected through a questionnaire survey that seeks to understand respondents' attitudes, expectations and concerns towards generative artificial intelligence technologies. The research will use a mixed-methods approach to analyse the data, including quantitative such as descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis, cluster analysis. The expected outcomes of this study include a better understanding of the factors that influence the adoption of generative artificial intelligence technologies by citizens and the development of strategies to address any concerns that citizens may have.
SESSION: 10. Economy and Society II
The Digital Work Platforms in Romania: An overview of the current state and possible advancements.
- Mariana Rosca
The rise of digitalization has significantly reshaped the labor market in recent years, a trend further accelerated by COVID-19. The pandemic highlighted the effectiveness of online work in terms of using the resources efficiently, responding to crises, and its relevance across various industries. As a result, there has been a noticeable increase in digital work opportunities in the post-pandemic era in some countries. However, there has been limited focus on understanding how digital work platforms operate within specific national contexts, such as Romania. To fill in this gap, this study draws on insights from sociology and information systems research to examine the landscape of major digital work platforms in Romania. It aims to understand their role in the evolving dynamics between traditional employment models and emerging digital technologies. The analysis suggests that digital work platforms in Romania are still in their early stages of development, offering limited functionalities and opportunities. The study argues that structural and regulatory enhancements are necessary to improve the effectiveness of the platforms. By implementing such measures, there is potential to enhance digital work platforms in Romania, which could, in turn, contribute to broader socio-economic objectives. The study also emphasises the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by Romania's evolving digital work landscape.
From Captured States to Freed States using ICT
- Peter Klotz
Hungary is defined in the literature as a state captured by corruption, although significant differences in the structure, prevalence and anti-corruption measures can be identified among captured states. An important tool for effectively fighting corruption is the intensive use of ICTs to increase transparency, accountability and access to relevant public data. Based on the existing legislation and practical experience of its application, the study describes how Hungary is currently using ICT tools to fight corruption and makes country-specific recommendations on how to improve them to make progress in reducing corruption.
Human-Oriented Economy: Economic Transformation in the European Union and Hungary
- Csaba Fasi
There are many concepts, terms or trends that are fundamental to everyday life. Today, the European Union is facing a double transition: digitalisation and greening. However, these two areas are of somewhat opposite interest: digitalisation is energy-intensive, while greening is based on sustainability and the circular economy (i.e. energy efficiency). Yet, it is necessary to use the potential of digital technologies, for example in agriculture, as it can bring many benefits. The paper aims to present a very timely and important issue from different angles. The research addresses the following research question: How can the circular economy contribute to a human-oriented economy in the EU and Hungary? In order to go deeper into the circular economy, the assessment of the state of the green transition and its context in the EU, it is first of all necessary to clarify the concept. In the following, the related objectives and key guiding documents of the EU are presented. In the second part of the paper, the national side of the issue is discussed, including state objectives, plans, programmes and the domestic institutional framework. The aim of the study is therefore to look at how technology can be used to create a more liveable world, by reviewing the current systems and restoring the balance in which people's interests have priority.
SESSION: 11. Cybersecurity II
- Gregor Eibl
- Christoph Jungbauer
- Olga Litvyak
- Peter Volkl
- Christian Luidold
The landscape of cyber-attacks is rapidly evolving and increasing in variety and frequency. The demand for cyber security expertise, coupled with a shortage of qualified professionals, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive training programs and curriculum development. This paper identifies the resulting needs and describes how they can be translated into a highly adaptive approach to curriculum design that allows cybersecurity education to be more responsive to ever-changing threats and countermeasures through an activity and problem-based paradigm based on micro-credentials and flexible delivery. This approach provides a valuable model for other educational institutions seeking to provide their students with the necessary skills to navigate and succeed in the complex field of cyber security. The SHIFT project is an example of how targeted educational strategies, supported by robust research and industry collaboration, can significantly improve cybersecurity education and illustrates the approach through the current implementation of the concept at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH.
Enhancing Cybersecurity Awareness and Education
- Celina Junghans
- Gerald Quirchmayr
- Thomas Schaberreiter
- Martin Kandlhofer
- Ronald Bieber
- Jerry Andriessen
- Mirjam Pardijs
As the digitization of our life continuously progresses, the associated risks and their impacts on each individual user of digital applications and internet services also continue to increase. Cybercriminals specifically exploit the carelessness or ignorance of users to profit from it. A basic understanding of cybersecurity should therefore be a fundamental requirement for all people. Addressing these challenges, the paper presents a comprehensive, novel approach to enhance cybersecurity awareness and training for workforce and the general public. Based on the globally successful but outdated ICDL Cyber Security syllabus, a new syllabus was derived, comprising nine core modules that cover essential cybersecurity topics. Along these key topics, an e-Learning course was developed through iterative design and implementation. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations were conducted, comprising pre-, post- and self-assessment-tests with 91 participants (University students, employees of a small organisation) as well as expert reviews. Additionally, upcoming use cases for the developed course are outlined, focusing on applications in the public sector and the broader workforce. The work might contribute to a significant advancement in cybersecurity online training and lays the groundwork for future research and innovation in the field of cybersecurity education.
Digital data (protection) Security - a contestable and fair digital market ecosystem
- Norbert Mozsonyi
The topicality of the thesis is given by the new interoperability provisions of the recently enacted legislation on contestable and fair markets. In interpreting the role of interoperability, the study takes as a conceptual starting point the ability of different IT-based systems to work together, bearing in mind that in digital markets interoperability is a direct economic determinant of interoperability between platforms and third-party access. Gatekeepers as digital platforms have become a dominant phenomenon in our world, which may be extremely heterogeneous, but almost without exception they can be identified as having a number of interdependent technological, economic and social dimensions of coordination. It is true that the last few decades have seen the recurrence of legal issues relating to the management of data, but these are primarily constitutional approaches in the context of the individual's right to self-determination. Furthermore, it is a fact that enforcement and regulation have not kept pace with the development of extreme market concentration, nor with the achievement of transparency or accountability. The thesis takes a novel approach in several respects. On the one hand, it takes a power approach to the new world of digital sovereignty that has emerged in the last decade, and on the other hand, it uses the latest findings in systems theory and data science to present a specific approach that, in the current state of technological development, self-determination is no longer necessarily adequate to protect our data. We all have to come to grips with the idea that our data, traces of our behaviour, have become an asset that may be being processed and analysed by someone, somewhere. That does not make privacy 'dead' as many people think - it is simply that the focus may be on the rules for handling personal data rather than protecting it.
SESSION: 12. Economy and Society III
Roles of Social Actors in Creating Responsible Artificial Intelligence
- Oussama Mistar
- Csaba Makó
Our generation is currently living through the Fourth Business Revolution, which is being accelerated by the development of new technologies. These advancements are unquestionably the foundation of our future. This paper explores the role of social actors in reconciliating the impact of Algorithm Management (AM) on efficiency and well-being within work organizations. It tackles the dual role of AM in enhancing operational efficiency while also fostering employee well-being. The study scrutinizes how AM, when effectively implemented, can streamline processes and decision-making, thereby boosting organizational efficiency. Concurrently, it examines the potential of AM to contribute to a healthier work environment by promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability. The paper underscores the need for a balanced approach that harnesses the benefits of AM without compromising employee well-being, advocating for a shared responsibility among stakeholders in shaping a sustainable and ethically sound algorithmic work culture.
Chance or constraint? - A case study of the need for virtual integration of Hungarian companies
- Tamas Faludi
The study focuses on the opportunities offered by digital solutions, explicitly exploring the usefulness of IT tools to support integration in organizational-level collaborations. The scope of the study is the use of these tools to increase the efficiency of supply chains. The key concepts of recent interpretation in supply chain coordination are derived from the literature of Industry 4.0. The analysis is based on a pilot survey about the need for virtual integration among Hungarian companies. The tools under investigation were selected from the Supply Chain Management 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 models. The companies were asked to assess their applicability. The results show that answerers can be grouped according to their willingness to use the tools, which suggests that most of them are still not ready for digitalization.
The Hungarian Parliament in the Shadow of Crisis (2015-2023)
- Fanni Tanacs-Mandak
In the last ten years, there have been widespread and solid debates both in the international public and in political science, as well as in constitutional literature on that Hungary has been systematically undermining the rule of law by introducing a new political system frequently characterised as populist, illiberal, hybrid or semi-authoritarian. It may therefore be of particular interest to see how the extraordinary powers granted by the emergency situations announced so far have affected the already significantly modified legislative process and the (im)balance of power between the government and the parliament. But at the same time, we should also note that the changes regarding the system of separation of powers established at the time of the democratic transition that began well before 2010 and after the revolution in the polling booths significantly accelerated. Because of all these processes, the presentation of the exceptional measures of the recent years and the assessment of their impact cannot be done without explaining the formal and informal changes of the Hungarian parliament from 1990. On the basis of the relevant legislation, parliamentary statistics and parliamentary practice, the paper describes how the congestion of legally and politically overlapping periods of extraordinary legal orders influenced the already altered legislative process and to what extent they affected the already modified executive-legislative relations. It may be of particular interest to see how the extraordinary powers provided by the emergency situations have contributed to (and/or reinforced) the trends that had started previously, such as the reinforcement of the position of the government vis-à-vis the parliament.
SESSION: 13. eGovernment IV/eHealth
- Dalma Lilla Dominek
Fake News and Hate Speech - Evidence from Germany
- Domenica Bagnato
- Thomas Hemker
- Robert Mueller-Toeroek
- Alexander Prosser
- Sven Sroka
Hate crimes against politicians have become a contentious topic in German media and public discussion. At the same time there is little empirical evidence on how big the phenomena are in the digital media and how the digital media and the real world are interlinked. This paper tries to provide some empirical insight into hate speech and fake news in the digital media and how they may spill over into the real world. Also, the effectiveness of counter measures is checked. The analysis is based on a questionnaire among German local and regional politicians and administrative leaders (n=818). In a pilot study, questionnaires from members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (in the following: Congress) were analyzed (n=187). In view of the small sample of the pilot study the – somewhat modified – questionnaire was rolled out in several European countries. This paper reports on the German results.
Smart and Digital Healthcare. Advanced Technologies and Security Issues
- Arina Alexei
- Nicolae Platon
- Ion Bolun
- Anatolie Alexei
Smart and Digital healthcare is governed by ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and uses interconnected devices through communication networks to manage medical data, monitor patient status, manage hospitals and interact with government agencies. Multiple types of network architectures are used to be able to implement Digital Healthcare, some of them use the bottom-up approach, while others use the top-down approach. In Smart Healthcare, in addition to the advanced features of ICT, modern technologies such as IoT and sensors, Big Data and Data Mining, Deep Learning, Cloud Computing, Fog Computing and Edge Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are implemented. However, since the digitization process, the security challenges in Healthcare are also growing exponentially, so critical security threats can cause considerable damage, even threatening the lives of patients. The purpose of the scientific article is to create an overview of e-healthcare and s-healthcare practices and the security challenges they face, as well as to review the security technologies to be implemented, to traditional ones such as: encryption, access control, hashing, redundancy etc.; to advanced security technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, cyber-physical system and quantum cryptography.