Search

Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain have become two of the most trending and disruptive technologies. Blockchain technology can automate payment in cryptocurrency and provide access to a shared ledger of data, transactions, and logs in a decentralized, secure, and trusted manner. In addition, with smart contracts, blockchain has the ability to govern interactions among participants with no intermediary or a trusted third party. AI, on the other hand, offers intelligence and decision-making capabilities to machines similar to humans. This review presents a detailed survey on blockchain and AI basics and features. This paper provides a review of the literature and a brief on the integration of blockchain and AI applications in multiple areas. We also identify some sole cases of blockchain–AI integration in the energy sector with current use cases. Eventually, we discuss research advantages and challenges associated with integrating blockchain with AI in the energy domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the adaptation of language, messages and social media strategies of Iberdrola, Repsol, Endesa and Naturgy focused on CSR after the introduction of Threads in Europe in 2023. Objectives include investigating changes in CSR communication on Threads, examining content strategies in comparison to Instagram and X, analysing interaction with audiences, and assessing the impact of Threads on CSR communication. Through content analysis and analytical tools, aspects such as frequency, reach and interaction will be compared. The study seeks to identify successful tactics and provide recommendations to optimise CSR communication on social networks in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to examine which selected internal factors influence the profitability (ROA) of companies in the energy sector in Poland and how they do so, over the period 2018–2021, taking into account two groups: all types of activities (984 companies) and electricity production (508 companies). This study uses Pearson correlation analysis, Wilcoxon pairwise rank test, descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to build eight ROA econometric models, four for each group. The research shows that in the energy sector, in particular, variables relating to the capital structure (total equity/total assets, long-term liabilities/total assets, short-term liabilities/total assets and long-term liabilities/short-term liabilities ratios) have a statistically significant impact (positive or negative) on the profitability (ROA). The aforementioned ratios appear in various combinations in all eight ROA models. The use of equity to finance the activities of companies in this sector seems to be particularly beneficial, as the total equity/total assets ratio occurs in as many as seven out of eight models and, moreover, it always has a positive impact on the ROA. The remaining analyzed variables relating to the structure of assets (fixed assets/total assets ratio), financial liquidity (current ratio) and the age of the company appear in the models as statistically significant quite rarely, having a different impact on the ROA (positively or negatively). However, variables such as the fixed assets/current assets and total liabilities/total equity ratios do not have a statistically significant impact on the ROA at all in any of the studied groups of enterprises. The research results suggest that managers, in order to shape profitability (measured by ROA), should pay special attention to the capital structure, i.e., the proportions of the use of equity, long-term liabilities and short-term liabilities to finance the operations of energy companies as these independent variables appear most often in ROA models. Other analyzed factors, such as the assets structure (the share of fixed assets in total assets) or financial liquidity, also have an impact on the return on assets; therefore, their use in energy companies should also be considered. Moreover, the research shows a large diversity of factors shaping ROA in econometric models, the way they affect the dependent variable (positive or negative) and the degree of model fit (R2), both in individual years and in the two groups of companies studied. This proves that it is not possible to clearly and finally determine which factors and how (positive or negative) they affect the profitability. This influence can change over time depending on the circumstances, which indicates the need for the continuous involvement of decision makers in the management process and making decisions based on reliable and appropriate-to-the-situation analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates how female CEOs and board gender composition (BGC) influence environmental innovation. Using a panel dataset of 237 energy companies, the study reveals that female CEOs are more committed to the environment than males. Interestingly, the findings also show that the BGC positively moderates the female CEO and environmental innovation nexus. Additionally, it reveals that female CEOs have a more significant influence on promoting environmentally friendly innovation in profitable energy companies than males. The findings remain strong after various robustness tests, contributing to the ongoing debate on gender equality and offering novel insights into the green footprint. Article Highlights: The study reveals that female CEOs significantly drive environmental innovation strategies in energy companies. The presence of women on corporate boards significantly magnifies the effect of female CEOs on environmental innovation. Practical implications for ecological innovation highlight the necessity of female leadership in both positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article estimates the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for the energy sector in Ecuador, a country with a dollarized economy and illiquid stock markets. Thus, reference companies in the region were taken, and at the same time combined with characteristics of national companies, establishing a useful methodology, which makes sense with the acceptable discount rates in the Ecuadorian economy. For the above, four estimation alternatives were used. In method one, the traditional WACC formula was applied using interest rates and risk premiums from the U.S. market, which resulted in an overestimation due to the double penalty of the country risk and the U.S. market premium. Method two adjusted the market risk premium to consider only the Ecuador-specific risk premium, thus avoiding the double penalty. In method three, the credit default swap (CDS) was used to calculate the country risk premium, and the CDS was excluded from the nominal interest rate, avoiding redundancies. Finally, method four combined the U.S. interest rate with the CDS directly to calculate the market risk premium, more accurately reflecting local economic conditions in a dollarized economy. The WACC results range from 12.63% to 29.70%. In addition, a dummy variable was controlled for during the pandemic period. This article highlights the need for methodologies adapted to emerging markets, since traditional approaches would overestimate the WACC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to ascertain how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and digital technologies (DTs) affected the sustainability performance of Jordanian energy corporations, in addition to researching the circular economy's mediating effects. A mixed-stage partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the hypotheses' outcomes in order to accomplish the study's goal. 278 Jordanian energy businesses received surveys via the Internet. The outcomes demonstrated how DTs and ESG initiatives directly benefit the circular economy. The performance of sustainability has improved as a result of the circular economy. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that the circular economy effectively intermediates DTs, ESG principles, and sustainability. The study makes an original contribution by employing the circular economy as a successful medium to support sustainability performance. This research provides valuable insights to policymakers, regulators and government on the degree to which Jordanian energy companies adhere to circular economy principles and how this relates to sustainability performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HMD: Praxis der Wirtschaftsinformatik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The energy industry is experiencing a major change due to fast progress in artificial intelligence (AI). Startup companies in this revolution use AI technologies like Machine Learning (ML), predictive analytics, and optimization algorithms to improve energy efficiency, optimize grid management, and incorporate renewable energy sources. AI-powered solutions allow for a more accurate prediction of demand, immediate monitoring, and automated decision-making processes, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. Through promoting a more effective energy system, these advancements play a vital role in the worldwide battle against climate change and carbon dioxide emissions. Adding to the progress of AI, quantum computing (QC) shows great potential despite being a nascent area. The collaboration of AI and QC is poised to transform the energy industry by offering unmatched computational capabilities. This blend of technologies can tackle intricate energy obstacles like enhancing power grids and enhancing battery storage, which traditional computers cannot currently handle. Combining QC with AI speeds up innovation, providing advanced solutions that improve the resilience and efficiency of energy networks. This paper discusses the latest advancements, possible effects, and upcoming paths of new companies leading in AI and QC innovations within the energy industry. Their joint responsibility is highlighted in advancing a sustainable and intelligent energy future, as well as tackling crucial environmental issues and lessening the impact of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study centers on sustainable operations management within the energy sector, identifying and synthesizing effective strategies for integrating sustainability into business practices. We perform a systematic literature review covering contributions from January 2000 to June 2024 extracted from Web of Science and Scopus databases. The methodology includes an explicit search and selection protocol to ensure relevant and unbiased insights into the evolution of sustainable practices in the energy sector. The results indicate an increase in publications over the years, particularly in areas such as low-carbon economies, environmental management, and innovation, all of which are crucial for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing operational sustainability. This study categorizes existing research into five main streams: Closed Loop Supply Chains (CLSC), Low Carbon Economy (LCE), Environmental Management and Performance (EMP), Innovation (INN), and Social Responsibility (SR). The review underscores the significant gap between current practices and the potential for incorporating renewable energy sources into existing systems. In addition, it highlights the need for robust governmental policies and international cooperation in order to foster a more rapid transition towards sustainable operations on the energy sector. Furthermore, our findings suggest that despite technological advances, significant implementation gaps remain that require focused research and policy adjustments in order to achieve sustainability targets in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil spills occur during different operations in the energy sector, such as crude oil transport, tank filling and cleaning, and fueling. Such spills are one of the major causes of the accumulation of oil derivatives in the environment, requiring the remediation of soil and marine environments. The production of a biosurfactant by Starmerella bombicola ATCC 222214 was maximized by investigating the effect of different carbon/nitrogen sources and culture conditions. The mineral medium selected for its production was supplemented with 2.0% potato peel flour, 5.0% waste canola frying oil, and 0.20% urea. The culture conditions were a 200 rpm shaking speed, a fermentation time of 180 h, and a 4.0% inoculum size. The yield of isolated biosurfactant was 7.72 g/L. The emulsification rates of heavy oil and motor oil were 65.55 and 95.00%, respectively, indicating an affinity for complex hydrocarbons. In stability tests performed at different pH values, temperatures, and NaCl concentrations, the surface tension ranged from 27.14 to 31.08 mN/m. The critical micelle concentration was 2.0 g/L, at which the surface tension was 33.26 mN/m. The biosurfactant was composed of 6,6-dimethoxy-octanoic acid and azelaic acid, and it exhibited low toxicity to Brassica oleracea and Solanum lycopersicum. In the kinetic test, the biosurfactant allowed for the removal of 82.30%, 96.65%, and 98.25% of exhaust motor oil from sand, silty soil, and clay soil, while in the static test in packed columns, the removal yields were 66.62%, 63.03%, and 58.45%, respectively. The biosurfactant produced in this study is promising for environmental remediation applications in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: From the lens of organizational ambidexterity, the energy sector companies in India are confronted with numerous human resources (HR) challenges as they explore new avenues in the renewable sector while exploiting non-renewable (conventional) resources. This study aims to decode these challenges and identifies key competencies to address these. Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered and analysed using a sequential mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative) in three phases. In Phase 1, a focused group discussion with eight senior management employees was carried out to identify the HR challenges and competencies required for meeting those challenges. The themes derived from this were used in designing the questionnaire for use in Phase 2 to capture the perceptual differences between HR and Line managers on these challenges. The identified competencies by senior management were prioritized using the analytical hierarchy process in Phase 3. Findings: The study provides insight into the HR challenges in the pursuit of organizational ambidexterity by energy sector companies in India. Also, key competencies to deal with these challenges have been prescribed. Originality/value: While previous studies have identified generic HR challenges in this domain, the present study is unique in decoding the HR challenges as these organizations are simultaneously exploring and exploiting energy sources for achieving excellence in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The global energy sector draws significant stakeholder attention due to never-ending controversies surrounding its environmental impacts. Investors' response to such controversies causes direct financial implications for these firms. Furthermore, environmental, social and governance (ESG) sensitivity, which is likely to safeguard the energy sector firms from such controversies, is itself conditional to the development stage of a country and its regulatory environment. Therefore, this study aims to investigate if the influence of ESG on the share price volatility (SPV) of energy sector firms is subject to the development stage of the countries. Design/methodology/approach: The study investigates nine years of panel data of 93 global energy sector firms from developing and developed nations. Using dynamic two-way fixed effects estimation and computing robust standard errors to obtain the econometric results. Findings: The main finding reveals that the impact of ESG on SPV is, indeed, subject to the development stage of the nations. Similar results are observed for the effects of the social dimension of ESG on SPV. While ESG impacts the SPV negatively for firms in developing economies, the impact is the opposite for firms in developed nations. In other words, strong ESG propositions induce share price stability for developing countries while destabilizing the firms in developed nations. Practical implications: The policymakers should further streamline the regulations and policies related to ESG adoption and adherence. In practice, the energy sectors should streamline their operations. Firm managers, especially in the energy sector, should devise strategies with ESG as an essential component to safeguard their firms against environmental and market volatility and adversatives. The firms in developing nations should further strengthen their social dimension of ESG to foster social equity and harmony. Originality/value: The study contributes through its niche investigations on the energy sector, which is very important for the world economy. The study is relevant in the current scenario when the world faces a severe energy crisis due to global supply chain issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation by incorporating organizational resources as a mediating factor. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted cross-sectional and correlational research designs using a questionnaire survey of 64 higher educational institutions registered with the National Council for Higher Education of Uganda. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS. Findings: This meant that institutional pressures, particularly mimetic, predict the way organizations chose their energy orientation. Furthermore, partial mediation of organizational resources is evident in the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation. Moreover, resources are a strong factor in ensuring that institutions observe the need for sustainable energy consumption. Research limitations/implications: A study where there is no local empirical support for operationalization, as well as coherent citations on the criterion, is bound by various weaknesses that impose on the findings of this study. The authors nonetheless contend that they have opened gates for further empirical tests of their model findings. Practical implications: The study findings will enable a catalyzed assessment of the energy needs and planning for them in higher institutions of learning in Uganda. It will trigger policy directions on energy needs and usage control. Social implications: Energy supply is important in any academic institution. The study has highlighted a simple model of predictors of energy orientation that will enable institutional planning to ensure social stability with internal stakeholders on energy usage. It will also awaken positive behaviors on energy management by individuals and work groups. Originality/value: This study offers initial evidence on the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation using evidence from a developing context. It is based on original study of higher institutions in Uganda, and no such study has been done before with the same variables. It provides new directions for study in such nascent area of critical national dimension as energy and climate change issues are top global agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of green financing through pollution control bonds (PCBs) on environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a panel of 189 US energy utility firms observed over the period, 2011–2021 ; this study applies Generalized Method of Moments regressions. Findings: This study found that PCBs positively affect environmental performance (aggregate measure, greenhouse emissions, waste landfill, waste incineration and waste recycling). These findings remain robust when this study considers alternative measures of PCBs and environmental performance, the quantile regression method and some firms' attributes such as financial performance and firm age. Practical implications: The results indicate that US energy utility firms have to adopt more PCBs. This study helps researchers, practitioners, shareholders, bondholders, equity analysts and local authorities such as the California Pollution Control Financing Authority, municipalities and investors understand PCBs issuance, usefulness and relevance. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to explore the effectiveness of PCBs in reducing pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of energy-related uncertainty on idiosyncratic volatility (IVOL) in Chinese firms, leveraging data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2007 and 2022. Utilizing the Energy-Related Uncertainty Index (EUI) and the Fama–French five-factor model, we analyze a comprehensive dataset of 20,998 firm-year observations to understand how macroeconomic uncertainties specific to the energy sector influence firm-specific risk. Our findings reveal that a one-unit increase in the EUI is associated with a 5.1% rise in idiosyncratic volatility across all firms, underscoring the significant impact of energy-related uncertainty on firm-specific risks. The effect is more pronounced in energy-related firms, where a one-unit increase in the EUI leads to a 6.4% increase in IVOL, compared to a 3.7% increase in non-energy-related firms. By incorporating industry-wise, heterogeneity, and phase-based analyses, our findings reveal significant variations in the EUI's impact across energy and non-energy sectors. State-owned enterprises, firms with high ownership concentration, and smaller firms are more vulnerable to energy uncertainties. Additionally, the effect of the EUI on IVOL is more pronounced during periods of high uncertainty. These insights have important implications for sustainable investment strategies, risk management, and policymaking, providing a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics of energy markets in fostering sustainable economic growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A symbiotic relationship exists between the state and the energy sector that often leads to conflicting relationships between the two. The best example of this complicated relationship is between the state and free markets is the case of the United States, European Union, and Global Energy Sector. The decline in the gas import—due to sanctions placed on the Russian Federation—to Europe from Russia, along with other counties that import gas from Russia, has negatively affected the economies of European counties. The Russian government has restructured the exporting of gas to other counties in order to continue to sustain companies' growth. This literature review will analyze how sanctions against Russian Federation have affected the energy market and how it will affect entire energy markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This research investigates how female CEOs and board gender composition (BGC) influence environmental innovation. Using a panel dataset of 237 energy companies, the study reveals that female CEOs are more committed to the environment than males. Interestingly, the findings also show that the BGC positively moderates the female CEO and environmental innovation nexus. Additionally, it reveals that female CEOs have a more significant influence on promoting environmentally friendly innovation in profitable energy companies than males. The findings remain strong after various robustness tests, contributing to the ongoing debate on gender equality and offering novel insights into the green footprint.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives in workplaces on both financial performance and environmental considerations (referred to as ecoefficiency, ECO). We focused on the energy sector, a significant environmental contributor, and the research spanned from 2016 to 2022, analyzing a broad global sample of 373 firms from 53 countries. ECO was evaluated by integrating environmental scores and conventional financial metrics using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the collective indicator of diversity, inclusion, people development, and the absence of labor incidents on ECO. Specifically, practices related to workforce diversity, cultural and gender implementation, and investments in employee training and development opportunities were found to be beneficial for ECO. Additionally, we found that these policies impact the environmental component of ECO. However, no significant relationship was observed between practices related to inclusion policies and controversial labors, and ECO. Furthermore, the results suggested that ECO within the energy sector is influenced by factors such as board size, the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects into executive remuneration, the adoption of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, alignment with the United Nations (UN) Environmental Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the implementation of quality management systems. Conversely, CEO-chairman duality and the presence of independent board members do not significantly impact ECO in energy companies. These research findings provide valuable insights and recommendations for industry managers pursuing sustainable business practices, particularly through effective talent management strategies. Additionally, they offer guidance for investors interested in constructing environmentally conscious portfolios.

This study investigates the impact of financial ratios—including leverage, liquidity, operational capacity, and operating cash flow—on financial distress while assessing the moderating influence of ESG disclosure. It focuses on 26 energy sector companies listed on the IDX from 2018 to 2022, employing a quantitative approach and purposive sampling method. Nine hypotheses were formulated and tested using multiple and moderated regression analysis. The study found that leverage has a significant negative effect on reducing financial distress. In contrast, liquidity, operating capacity, and operating cash flow ratios were found to impact reducing financial distress positively. This study also confirmed that ESG disclosure could weaken the relationship between liquidity and potential financial distress reduction. However, ESG disclosure does not mediate the relationship between leverage, operating capacity, and operating cash flow to financial distress reduction. This findings lend credence to the applicability of stakeholders theory in explaining the relationship between financial ratios, ESG disclosure and financial distress. It also provides insight for companies on how to prevent and mitigate financial distress. Companies, especially in the Energy Sector, could reduce the potential financial distress by optimizing both financial and non-financial aspects in their annual and sustainability reports.

A symbiotic relationship exists between the state and the energy sector that often leads to conflicting relationships between the two. The best example of this complicated relationship is between the state and free markets is the case of the United States, European Union, and Global Energy Sector. The decline in the gas import—due to sanctions placed on the Russian Federation—to Europe from Russia, along with other counties that import gas from Russia, has negatively affected the economies of European counties. The Russian government has restructured the exporting of gas to other counties in order to continue to sustain companies’ growth. This literature review will analyze how sanctions against Russian Federation have affected the energy market and how it will affect entire energy markets.

Abstract In pursuit of reducing dependence on oil, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to advance sustainability under the strategic framework known as Saudi Vision. This initiative encompasses a range of activities aimed at promoting sustainability within the energy sector. This paper aims to analyze the existing sustainable practices of companies, employees, and the broader community in the supply chain. The objective is to evaluate current progress toward the sustainability goals of the Kingdom and assess the competitiveness of firms in the energy sector based on the effectiveness of sustainability management in their supply chain. Based on data collected from Saudi energy companies, structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques are utilized to investigate sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and their influence on CP in Saudi Arabian energy companies. This study examines the influence of several practices on competitiveness (CP), including environmental practices (EMPs), social practices for employees (SPEs), social practices for the community (SPCs), operational practices (OPs), and supply chain integration practices (SCIs). The study incorporates five distinct independent variables, namely, EMP, SPE, SPC, OP, and SCI, where the dependent variable under investigation is denoted as CP. The findings from the SEM analysis show that three variables—SPE, SPC, and OP—demonstrate statistical significance, while EMP and SCI do not. These findings enhance the continuing academic discussion about balancing economic growth and environmental preservation through sustainable practices in the energy sector.

The components of free cash flow and a firm’s capital structure affect the value of the firm. A firm with efficient cash management and optimum capital structure tends to have a better firm value. The current study examines the effect of capital structure and free cash flow on energy firms’ efficiency in Saudi Arabia. The data required for analysis were collected from a sample of seven energy companies from 2014 through 2022. The study used Data Envelopment Analysis to measure the efficiency of energy firms. Further, the simple regression and Generalized Linear Model were used to estimate the results. The study reports an average efficiency score of 1.13 for the energy companies, showing an efficiency increase. The results of simple regression are consistent with the results of the Generalized Linear Model. The study findings demonstrate that the association of firms’ capital structure is positive and significant (with a coefficient of 41.60, significant at a p-value of 0.01) to the efficiency of Saudi Arabian energy firms. Further, current research results indicate that firms’ free cash flows negatively affect the efficiency (with a coefficient of –0.79 and insignificant) of Saudi Arabian energy firms with no evidence. Therefore, the study accepts the association of free cash flow and firms’ efficiency as positive and rejects the alternative hypothesis that there is a negative association between free cash flow and efficiency in Saudi Arabian energy firms. AcknowledgmentThe researcher extends appreciation to Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University for funding this research through the project number 2023/02/25856.

Purpose: Considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors is vital in climate change mitigation. Energy companies must incorporate ESG into their business plans, although it unquestionably affects their corporate financial performance (CFP). This paper aims to investigate the effect of ESG on energy companies' profitability through return on assets by analysing the combined score and individual dimensions of ESG. Design/methodology/approach: The study examined a panel data sample of 911 firm-year observations for 85 European energy-sector companies during 1995–2020. Two distinct modelling specifications were applied to explore the impact of ESG components on the CFP of EU energy companies. The financial data and ESG scores were obtained from the Thomson Reuters Eikon database in July 2021. Findings: The empirical findings revealed that energy companies' profitability is marginally and negatively affected by their ESG performance. Whereas independent evaluation of the ESG subcomponents indicated that environmental responsibility has a significant negative effect. In contrast, corporate social and governance responsibilities are positively but not significantly associated with the company's CFP. Originality/value: This study fills a research gap in the ESG–CFP literature in the European energy sector, a pioneer in sustainable development. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study's originality lies in its analysis of ESG factors' role in profitability by considering different EU countries and energy sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The support of actions aimed at reducing levels of pollution emissions into the environment requires popularization of good practices, including those involving solutions in the field of the circular economy. These actions are particularly important in sectors of the economy characterized by a high share of total emissions, as their modernization through economies of scale translates into greater environmental benefits. An example of such a sector is the energy sector. The aim of this paper is to identify and characterize selected processes within the activities of the energy sector, where a circular economy approach can be applied, and to assess the implemented solutions. This analysis was carried out using the largest entity in the Polish power sector as a case study. Process analysis was conducted using the value stream mapping method. The identified circular solutions in the process and product areas constitute an important contribution to promoting the activation of economic entities in actions aimed at improving the state of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article embarks on a crucial exploration of the implementation and integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria within the energy sector of European countries, with the ultimate objective of refining the energy legislation in Ukraine. The research delves into the evolving role of ESG standards as a cornerstone in corporate strategy and investment, transitioned from its roots in socially responsible investing to a comprehensive framework that intertwines ethical, environmental, and governance considerations with financial analysis. The main thrust of the study is the following: firstly, it provides a panoramic overview of ESG applications within European energy projects, underscoring pivotal policies, strategies, and instances of successful ESG standard incorporation. Secondly, it benchmarks and compares ESG practices across Europe's energy sector to distill best practices and their consequential trends and impacts. Lastly, this study converges these European insights to forge pragmatic recommendations for Ukraine's energy legislation, aiming for an elevated integration of ESG standards that are in step with European benchmarks. The anticipated outcomes offer recommendations for enhancing Ukraine's energy sector with robust ESG standards, proposing steps that align with the country's newly adopted Energy Strategy 2050 and international sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the factors that influence millennials' perceptions and preferences in regard to career choices within the state-owned energy sector in Indonesia. The research objective is to understand how to remain competitive in the current disruptive job market by examining a company's recruitment and retention strategies, and analyzing data collected through econometric surveys. Factors significantly affecting the willingness to work at PLN include its past and present reputation, product societal impact, CSR efforts, and the individual's gender, age, and job-seeking status, with positive views on PLN and its CSR activities encouraging the inclination to work there. Income expectations are influenced by similar aspects—PLN's reputation, its product's societal role, and CSR initiatives—alongside gender and education level, particularly for those with undergraduate or Master's degrees. Notably, favorable perceptions of PLN and higher educational attainment are linked to increased salary expectations. The results from the survey indicate that a significant proportion of respondents, over 80%, expressed a desire to work at one of Indonesia's state-owned energy companies (PLN), with a desired monthly salary of IDR 7,466,905. Furthermore, when compared to other state-owned energy companies in Indonesia, PLN holds a strong position, ranking second among this type of companies. This study provides valuable insights for energy companies in Indonesia, by understanding the career preferences of millennials and aligning their employer branding strategies accordingly, in order to remain competitive in the current job market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing measures by the European countries within the framework of the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement should ensure an enlarged share in energy production from alternative energy sources and the introduction of new alternative energy capacities, which would provide an annual decrease in carbon dioxide emissions growth rate, reduce anthropogenic pressure on the natural environment and the use of non-renewable natural resources while preserving biodiversity. This paper aims at forming a system of indicators of sustainable transformation of the energy sector and studying their influence on the policy of environmental-oriented development. The paper applies Ward's method for determining the optimal cluster number and discriminant analysis for checking which variables significantly influence the formation of countries' clusters. The six clusters of countries obtained describe the different features of decarbonisation and climate change mitigation policies. Using discriminant analysis helped to single out the most relevant indicators of the energy sector's transformation in the direction of its decarbonisation and climate change mitigation. The most significant indicators (energy efficiency, electricity production capacities for renewables and wastes, and share of energy from renewable sources) largely determine the pace and features of forming sustainable development strategies for the energy sector. By highlighting the relevant cluster groups in the study, their characteristic features, and ways of transformational processes in the energy sector were discovered. This enabled the authors to form specific directions for strengthening and activating the processes of decarbonisation of the energy sector and climate change mitigation. There outcomes can become the basis for further research and the formation of appropriate strategies for sustainable development and transformation of the energy sector. The results stemming from this study could help scholars and other affiliated persons determine future strategies for research for implementing Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Management in the field of the Green Deal in the European Union (EU) has become a pivotal goal in recent years as the region continues to prioritise sustainability and combat climate change. The EU has established ambitious goals to transition towards a greener and more sustainable energy landscape. This transformation needs strategic management practices that encompass various aspects of the sector. The aim of this article is to analyse the correlation between the variables X – the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption and Y – CO2 emissions. The paper assumes that there is a correlation between the variables studied. The study did not confirm this hypothesis for all EU countries, but only for a selected group. Due to the variables analysed, the countries were grouped using the k-means method, which made it possible to identify the leaders, middle countries and marauders of the Green Transformation.

This paper discusses the use of hydrogen in various industries and energy sectors. It focuses on studying the properties and characteristics of hydrogen, which serves as a key factor in determining its potential in various applications. Such aspects of hydrogen application as environmental friendliness as well as utilization efficiency and safety are considered. The widespread use of hydrogen as a universal environmentally friendly energy carrier, raw material and fuel will successfully solve many significant ecological, energy and technological problems. The most important physical and chemical properties and thermodynamic characteristics of hydrogen described in the paper make it possible to choose among existing technologies or focus on developing new ones that will ensure high efficiency of its utilization not only at present but also in future. The information presented in the paper can be used for reference.