Human Factors, Business Management and Society

AHFE International

Accelerating Open Access Science in Human Factors Engineering and Human-Centered Computing

Human Factors, Business Management and Society

book-cover

Editors: Vesa Salminen

Topics: Management and Leadership

Publication Date: 2024

ISBN: 978-1-964867-11-3

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004924

Articles

Fair Data Economy for Digital Service Development

The rapid growth of explosive amounts of data and the development of new technology are causing radical changes in all industries. With the increase in data volumes and technology, new companies are born that better meet customer expectations, sustainable development goals, etc. The change does not take place only in products and services, but in supply chains and as new business models and as new customer expectations. With the development, many traditional companies lose their competitiveness. Renewal is particularly challenging for SMC companies, which have to rethink their company's operating environment (supply chains, services and business models, customers).The situation highlights the importance of data availability for company renewal. Key challenges are competence-related resources, identifying changing customer expectations, and competence.) According to Sitra's report, only about 1% of data is utilized in new business models.The key building blocks of the change are the economic issues related to the use of data (fair data economy) and the choices related to the use of data (data spaces).

Heikki Ruohomaa, Vesa Salminen

Conference Proceedings

Approaching Cognitive Biases in the Circular Economy through Serious Gaming

The current linear economy model extracts resources at a rate that far exceeds the ability of the planet to regenerate them. Climate change, global warming, and the destruction of natural habits are just a few consequences. They highlight the urgent need for a shift towards a more sustainable economic model, such as the circular economy. Such a paradigm shift would offer novel approaches that aim to uncouple economic development from environmental degradation, however, the adoption of circular economy principles by consumers is often hindered by the human behavior which is influenced by so-called cognitive biases. These effects influence human decision-making leading to a systematic deviation from a rational optimum. Exemplarily the status quo bias shows this connection. Thereby, individuals favor existing conditions over potential changes. Research on circular economy as well as on cognitive biases increases, however, the interplay between these areas remains unexplored. Serious games, defined as games with a primary purpose other than pure entertainment, could be a promising approach to mitigate cognitive biases in the context of the circular economy. Serious games are being increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for education, especially in the context of complex systems (such as circular economy) and behavioral change, as they engage players in an interactive, and immersive environment. This paper explores in an exploratory approach possible ways, prerequisites, and obstacles of the use of serious games enabling circular value creation. Utilizing a structured literature review, the authors examine existing work in this area and identify gaps in the literature, underscoring the need for further research in this emerging field. This study, thus, serves as a starting point for future studies on the role of serious games in shaping sustainable practices.

Anna-kristin Behnert, Julia Arlinghaus, Melanie Kessler, Maria Freese

Conference Proceedings

Strengthening Co-creation Competencies and Engaging Innovation Ecosystem Partners Through Ecosystem Games and Innovation Camps

Since 2014, the EU has recommended Smart Specialisation (RIS3) as a strategic approach to regional development. This place-based approach emphasizes the identification of strategic sectors based on a region's unique strengths and potential, fostering innovation and economic growth. By creating enabling conditions, accelerating research and development, and supporting an entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP) with wide stakeholder involvement, RIS3 aims to enhance the prosperity of European regions. This outward-looking approach embraces open innovation ecosystems supported by effective monitoring mechanisms, enabling regions to actively participate in global innovation networks and harness the opportunities of a knowledge-based economy. In 2023, under the New European Innovation Agenda, the Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) emerged as a flagship initiative to harness the potential of innovation across the EU regions. With a goal of identifying up to 100 RIVs committed to enhancing their research and innovation practices, investment, and policies, the initiative aims to promote a thriving European innovation ecosystem. These RIVs are expected to collaborate on inter-regional innovation projects linked to key EU priorities, fostering knowledge exchange and joint initiatives across borders.This paper presents the findings of two participatory case studies that specifically aimed to enhance stakeholder participation and commitment to working together in innovation ecosystems. Innovation ecosystems, sustainable use of natural resources including forestry are key drivers of economic growth, sustainable development, and prosperity in the Häme Region and in Finland. The first project, "Häme Goes into Ecosystems", explored the effectiveness of participatory innovation ecosystem game sessions in building understanding among participants. These sessions covered a range of topics, including shared vision, stakeholder identification based on the quadruple helix principle (government, academia, business, and civil society), different development needs and rhythms of participants, new roles and responsibilities, and new participatory ways of working and processes required in open innovation ecosystems. Four game sessions were organized with regional development specialists, interested participants, and students, providing an opportunity for hands-on experience and feedback. The second participatory approach, a forest innovation camp, brought together a group of EU decision makers, top executives, and regional and municipal managers from across Europe to Finland. This unique forum facilitated top-level dialogue focused on current forest issues, providing a platform for exchange of knowledge and perspectives. The forest innovation camp strengthened the participants' understanding of the state of forests, carbon sinks, the bioeconomy, and the diverse uses of forests. The camp also highlighted the importance of monitoring the state of forests, the restoration of nature, and the innovative use of wood. By combining research, practical activities, experiences in the forests, and workshop sessions, the camp aimed to foster a shared vision for sustainable forestry in a European context.In conclusion, these case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of participatory approaches in enhancing stakeholder engagement and collaboration in innovation ecosystems. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from different sectors and fostering open dialogue, these approaches can foster a shared vision for the innovation ecosystem and promote the development of sustainable and resilient economies.

Minna Takala, Taina Tukiainen, Vesa Salminen

Conference Proceedings

Revitalizing Technology Governance for the Post-COVID Era: A Strategic Framework

The global landscape of technology governance has shifted significantly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a strategic recalibration of operating models. Unprecedented changes in the technological landscape have prompted a critical examination of existing governance structures. Addressing these challenges, this article proposes a strategic framework for technology governance tailored to the unique demands of the post-COVID era. Acknowledging the accelerated pace of digital transformation, the framework aims to guide organizations and governments in navigating the complexities of this evolving technological landscape. Estonia, renowned for its forward-thinking approach to digital governance, serves as a valuable case study. Despite being one of the most developed e-societies globally, Estonia faces global technology governance challenges that require adoption. The country's continued emphasis on digital solutions underscores the need for a strategic framework aligned with its technological advancements and the evolving global context.

Mihkel Lauk, Janar Linros, Ragner Paevere, Madis Tapupere, Ingrid Pappel

Conference Proceedings

Technology for Social Change: Unpacking the Impact of GovTech solutions on the achievement of SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are unlikely to be achieved without the active role of governments and the effective utilization of modern technologies by public administration. However, the alignment between government technology (GovTech) and SDGs is not well established in academic literature. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is to conduct a literature review of the current state of the art related to the impact of GovTech on achieving SDGs. Following the literature review methodology, the search returned over 140 publications, of which 17 were selected as relevant. Upon further research of the selected publications, several results were discovered. One result is that the existing literature employs different methods and establishes the link between GovTech and SDGs in different ways, sometimes very briefly and sometimes more in depth. There is also unevenness in the research that covers the connection between GovTech and various SDGs. Moreover, a list of the most mentioned technologies that correspond with assorted SDGs has been drafted. The outcomes of the literature review help highlight research gaps and serve as a guideline for public administrators and entrepreneurs regarding what technologies can be incentivized for greater use.

Alena Labanava, Marina Weck

Conference Proceedings

Enhancing Organizational Efficiency and Security in Supermarkets: A Case Study of DMart .

In India, retail chains are rapidly expanding, with both domestic and international players competing. Among all its competitors, DMart stands out as one of the most prominent retailers. DMart Supermarket chain is a one-stop shop for all your home utility needs, with groceries being its main market. It currently operates 341 stores across India and is still growing. It’s revenue as of 2023 is ₹42,968 crore (US$5.4 billion). It faces challenges in maintaining organization in the store and security due to high foot traffic. This study investigates the underlying reasons behind lack of organizational efficiencies in the store and security vulnerabilities using a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative methods, including observation, ethnography, and case studies, are employed to explore customer experiences and security concerns. Additionally, quantitative surveys gather data to quantify the extent of these issues. Findings indicate that these factors contribute to customer dissatisfaction and increase the risk of theft incidents. A redesign of the store's rack layout and improved security systems are proposed to address these challenges and improve organizational efficiency. Through careful analysis, it is evident that even minor adjustments, such as reconfiguring rack layouts, can significantly improve customer satisfaction by saving time and enhancing accessibility. Further, minor security enhancements can boost the organization's efficiency and gain both customers and stakeholders' trust. The research provides valuable insights for the retail industry, DMart , by providing practical solutions to improve customer service and mitigate security risks.

Bhargavi Badve, Khushi Gandhi, Ganesh Jadhav

Conference Proceedings

Team, Unit, and Networked Cohesion in Start-up Entrepreneurship

The success of start-up entrepreneurship is dependent on multidisciplinary, multidimensional (operation-based functions), and business-related human-, team-, unit- and network cohesion building. It is most important in generating results during start-up entrepreneurship. In business development, it is essential to use experience-based best practices and design patterns that have been recognized in team building and start-up case studies. A start-up company can create an impressive idea with value production when the company has committed people with the right competencies. It has to be understood that cohesion is also formed between users and producers, and between all members of the team, unit, and network partners. This research and article have concentrated on cohesion building during the start-up phase of the gaming business entrepreneurship. It introduces as a case study a four-stage framework of cohesion building during the progress of start-up phases of gaming entrepreneurship. As a result, it introduced a four-stage cohesion-creating concept for a dream team to build a distinct game product and support the start-up of a successful entrepreneurship.

Vesa Salminen, Matti Pyykkönen, Carita Salminen, Joonas Pylvinen

Conference Proceedings

Revolutionizing Talent: The Path in 21st Century Workforce Transformation

In a world where progress is driven by people and experience, having the right workforce with a strong HR and Talent strategy is key to business growth and business agility. Building and retaining this talent requires the enterprise to cater to the changing talent landscape with a comprehensive talent agenda to attract, develop and retain the right resources for their workforce. In order to achieve these objectives, it is important for the enterprise to develop and scale new digital and data savvy skills while balancing user-centricity with an industry solution orientation that starts with talent acquisition and continues on through the employee lifecycle. This transformational journey to enhance the employee experience and improve productivity includes elements such as talent acquisition (attraction, recruiting and interviewing, onboarding…), personalized career development, personalized retention practices (motivation, feedback, recognition, opportunities…) and predicting critical events (new technology burst such as Gen AI…) while maintaining a solution that addresses all required regulations. This includes creating tools that assist in evaluating and assessing new legislative texts, identifying overlap with existing regulations, locating any red flags (e.g. executive liability) and preparing recommended output.In this paper we will explain how the use of Large Language Models and Gen AI can create the capabilities in talent transformation utilizing the enterprises base infrastructure to support enhancements in employee experience and productivity throughout the different stages of the employee lifecycle. Implementing this technology in conjunction with human expertise will ensure that these initiatives align with the organization's specific goals and values, ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability that are crucial when deploying AI in HR and talent management.We will share our architectural patterns that we have used as a foundation for building a holistic talent transformation framework, that any enterprise can adapt and combine to suit their specific needs and goals in managing and optimizing their workforce in the 21st century.

Elizabeth Koumpan, Lynda Mcowen

Conference Proceedings

Taxonomy of knowledge management systems in a complex environment

This paper is aimed at exploring the knowledge management system architecture in a complex environment by taxonomy. Knowledge management, an interdisciplinary study, is being developed widely in different research fields. Knowledge management system which is considered as the effective and comprehensive way of enhancing the organizational knowledge. Finally, contribute to the success of running of projects, especially in the complex environment. The current global market enhance communication and contribute to the prosperity of economy, whereas it also increases the competition. Knowledge management system, as the output of knowledge management, plays an indispensable role in a complex environment. Furthermore, the current literature do not offer us the wide viewpoint of the knowledge management in a complex environment from a holistic perspective. The first step of conducting the research in this topic is knowing the background of complex environment and knowledge management system. There are different expressions of definition of complex environment. However, these parameters are vital for complex environment, which are stakeholders, interfaces, approach, disciplines, resources, project environment, strategy. In the meantime, we can also narrow the parameters by axiomatic design theory. They are strategy, political conditions, environmental dimensions, stakeholders. Furthermore, we have to realize that complexity exists in the projects. Not only complex environment but also other complex factors can lead to varying degrees of complexity. By summing up the aforesaid analysis, the complex environment in the project can be defined as a project which has multiple unpredictable stakeholders, high importance, a plenty of disagreement and demand of decision-making process and dimension of change imposed on environment. The complex environment, the environment which is full of uncertainties, is value being studied. Knowledge management system, a systemic solution of knowledge management, is the core competency of an organization. And it makes a great significance on the success of the project. However, we have to realize that knowledge is complex, which is factual, conceptual and procedural. That is why this paper introduces the taxonomy to help us to create the knowledge management system. The second step is building the taxonomy based on knowledge management system in a complex environment. Taxonomy, which comes from the biological field, as a significant method, has been used in many other research fields. The initial conception of taxonomy is referred to classification of living organisms. However, the taxonomy has been broadly used in many other fields for classifications. This paper focuses on the taxonomy application in knowledge management system in a complex environment, which finds the common characteristics of knowledge management system in a complex environment. In terms of the knowledge management system, it shows its high importance in organizations which are in the complex and international market. This paper is to present a taxonomy of knowledge management system in a complex environment to provide a depict of this phenomenon. Then, we use taxonomy to figure out the phenomenon from a holistic perspective, which can reduce the complexity and lower the difficulty of understanding. The taxonomy provides us the useful tool for creating the knowledge management system for the projects in a complex environment. The paper is based on the extensive literature review. The final discussion will contribute to the architecture of knowledge management system in a complex environment. This work is done in a ship-building context. The related project is SEUS , which belongs to EU Horizon.

Pengcheng Ni, Jussi Kantola

Conference Proceedings

Systems Intelligence in an Expert Organization: A Mixed Methods Approach

Systems Intelligence (SI) has a systemic, pragmatic, bottom-up, behavioral, and interactional approach to organization. It correlates positively with organizational learning, performance, and wellbeing. However, previous research has focused on quantitative measurements while context-specific patterns behind the evaluations are understudied. A goal of this case study is to explore SI using a mixed method approach in an expert organization. To study SI, an Organizational Systems Intelligence (OSI) inventory was used and received 46 responses. The results of the OSI showed an overall good level of SI in the organization studied. Four, the most and least positively evaluated, SI factors (attunement, spirited discovery, reflection and effective responsiveness) were further studied to understand the organization-specific underlying themes and practices using semi-structured interview with five participants. The results of thematic analysis are in line with previous research on SI and complements it with context-specific characteristics. This research contributes a new approach to experience-focused and context-dependent SI and supports the bottom-up development of organization.

Jari Kautiala, Satu Jumisko Pyykko, Raimo P Hämäläinen, Esa Saarinen

Conference Proceedings

The Importance and Necessity of Early-stage Financial Support for Startup and Venture Companies in Japan

For startups and venture companies, I conducted research not only on the period before starting a business but also on the early stages of the business from the immediate aftermath of starting. In this study I examined financial support during this period, considering financial assistance from the preparation stage to the early stages of the business in its entirety. The year before last, the government of Japan announced the "Grand Design and Implementation Plan for New Capitalism - Realization of Investment in People, Technology, and Startups." It formulated a "5-years Startup Development Plan" and strengthened its startup support policies, especially those aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, declaring 2022 as the "Year of Startup Creation." Currently, there is an increase in support policies for entrepreneurship, and their content is becoming more advanced. However, it is still said that there are few startups and venture companies that continue to the business stability period.In this context, I conducted the questionnaire survey targeting companies in business incubation facilities nationwide. I have also added questions to evaluate the deliberations on the introduction of the new collateral system, business growth collateral rights. The business incubation facilities targeted 17 (16 prefectures) of the national facilities established as public industrial creation support facilities in Japan. All facilities are currently operated by public interest incorporated foundations of local governments. The questionnaire survey consisted of 22 questions and was conducted by using mail methods. Surprisingly, the results show that funding and fundraising in the early stages of business after starting a business are difficult. Many companies are experiencing a serious lack of operating funds and research and development funds. Specifically, fundraising is an important management issue regardless of industry, and that the evaluation of the past support policies is low regardless of company size, indicating a need for improvement in the future.Although the survey period and target were different from previous studies, the results were found to be similar or more severe. It is also significant that the surveyed companies were in an environment where they could receive sufficient advice from various consultation services and incubators from the startup preparation stage. It also became clear that there is a strong desire for the introduction of theｄ newly planned business growth collateral rights regardless of industry. It was confirmed that fundraising is an important management issue regardless of industry, company size, or founding background. Financial support in the early stages of business is very important for companies in business incubation facilities. It is necessary to improve the situation of insufficient operating funds and research and development funds. The establishment of business growth collateral rights is seen as a policy that is expected to be implemented. It is necessary for companies, incubation facilities, and financial institutions to understand this system and to make it a major means of fundraising in the early stages of business. Considering the utilization of this system, it is becoming increasingly important to enhance corporate value.

Minoru Kobayashi

Conference Proceedings

Supporting Adoption of Circular Business Models in Small and Medium Enterprises: Circular Readiness Assessment Framework

The circular economy (CE) is widely acknowledged as a highly promising and powerful alternative to the linear economy, representing one of the most significant advancements toward sustainability. Accelerating the transition to the CE requires the adoption of new circular business models (CBMs) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), given their central role in sustainable development and global economic growth. Despite extensive research on the CE and CBMs reported in the literature over the past decade, there have been limited publications focusing on the transition of SMEs to the CE through the adoption of CBMs. Specifically, there is a lack of frameworks, models, and practical tools for assessing the CE readiness of SMEs and supporting them in the adoption of CBMs. This paper presents an approach to conceptualizing and subsequently operationalizing the circular readiness assessment framework (CRAF), which provides a conceptual foundation for the development of a tool to assist SMEs, aiming to adopt new CBMs, in evaluating their current readiness to perform business processes and activities following CE principles. The framework consists of five key dimensions: sustainable use of materials, efficient utilization of capacity and resources, extended life cycle of machines and equipment, maximizing product and material value, and leveraging customer relationships. These dimensions represent the identified business process and activity areas essential for the effective adoption of CBMs but are often underperforming. The framework was operationalized by developing and testing the self-assessment tool through interviews with the most knowledgeable members of 19 Finnish SMEs across various manufacturing industry and service sectors. Subsequently, it was refined based on the findings, which complement previous research on challenges SMEs encounter in adopting CBMs. Although the 19 SMEs were already taking significant steps toward implementing CE principles in their processes, particularly in resource-efficient production development, many firms still faced difficulties in identifying a suitable CBM and aligning their processes with it. The findings also revealed that many SMEs, despite lacking in-depth expertise and familiarity with CE principles and related terminology, have integrated these principles into their processes and activities, indicating a strong motivation to renew their businesses with CBMs.

Marina Weck, Meri Jalonen, Heidi Kerkola

Conference Proceedings

Empowering Women in the Public Sector: A Challenge-Based Learning Approach to Achieving Gender Equity

The public sector is under increasing pressure to deliver efficient citizen-centric services, accentuating the significance of innovative GovTech solutions. Gender disparities, however, persist in the public sector, more so in leadership positions, impeding women's capacity to co-design and implement inclusive public services. To address this imbalance, the GovStack Initiative launched the "Women in GovTech Challenge", a pioneering program aimed at supporting a more diverse and inclusive GovTech ecosystem. Drawing on relevant literature, this paper investigates the necessity for the "Women in GovTech Challenge" program. The analysis delves into the theoretical foundations that shaped the program's six-stage development and novel design, with its emphasis on moulding digital transformation leaders through mentorship-enriched, challenge-based learning experiences. The study acknowledges the need for further research, particularly on how to expand the program beyond the pilot, how to sustain it in the future, and the program's influence on participants' professional development and the broader GovTech ecosystem.

Josephine Lusi, Yolanda Martinez, Ingrid Pappel

Conference Proceedings

The cost-effectiveness of the resilient performance of truck drivers in road freight transportation

Truck drivers are crucial actors in supply chains that rely on road freight transportation. Their activity is subjected to a number of expected and unexpected variabilities that demand resilient performance at the individual and organizational level. This paper presents an exploratory analysis of the cost-effectiveness of such resilient performance, adopting a qualitative perspective. Data collection occurred in the context of road freight transportation in Southern Brazil, involving the direct observation of the drivers´ activities, along with semi-structured interviews with drivers, head of the employee´s trade union, and managers of the freight companies. The results indicated a prevalence of resilient practices at the individual level and a number of constraints out of the drivers´ control, with very limited help from supportive work systems. These practices are costly not only to the drivers´ health and safety but also pose hazards to other stakeholders and society at large. At the same time, from a narrow and short-term perspective, resilient practices displayed by the drivers can be regarded by employers and clients as cheap and effective as the cargo is more often than not delivered with little delay and in good condition. From a systems perspective, the burden of resilient performance seems to be unevenly distributed in the supply chain, posing disproportional costs to the truck drivers.

Claudia Medeiros, Tarcisio Abreu Saurin

Conference Proceedings

Designing a Proof of Concept for a Virtual Competence Assistant

This paper addresses the critical gaps within public employment services (PES), with a particular focus on the deficiency in automation and AI-supported intelligent career recommendations. Notably, the advancements in this public sector's domain remain in their early stages, necessitating further exploration and development. The study sheds light on the underutilization and challenges faced in the PES sector, where scarcity of training data poses significant hurdles. Highlighting the potential of ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations) classification, the paper underscores its role in facilitating the alignment of occupations with specific skills through AI-driven approaches. By narrowing the training data to ESCO's research occupations and job posts collected from Estonian labor market, the paper lays down the preliminary foundation for constructing a digital career coach as a Virtual Competence Assistant (VCA). Ultimately, the envisioned proof of concept for an AI-based VCA holds the potential to revolutionize the delivery of PES services in the new era of efficiency and effectiveness.

Markko Liutkevicius, Madis Kõosaar, Sadok Ben Yahia

Conference Proceedings

The Role of Data Intermediaries for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Innovation Ecosystems of the Nordic-Baltic Silver Economy

Data are a strategic asset for organizations in both the private and public sectors that spans multiple domains and sectoral boundaries. For innovation ecosystems, the ability to frictionlessly exchange data across borders between stakeholders for better decision-making, predictive capability, and automation represents a competitive advantage in the market. Data are also inputs for providing and receiving services online. Recent regulations such as the Data Governance Act (DGA) have placed the role of data intermediaries for cross-border data sharing at the forefront. However, the impact of the regulation on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the role of data intermediaries are still uncertain. This exploratory study investigated these dynamics by focusing on the perspective of SMEs in the Nordic-Baltic region through a sense-making policy and regulatory impact analysis. SMEs face significant legal uncertainties under the DGA, which impact cross-border uptake. The silver economy is a prime cross-sectoral market for cross-border data sharing, and established data intermediary solutions in the region could be leveraged to achieve innovation in this area.

Eric Blake Jackson, Marina Weck, Ingrid Pappel

Conference Proceedings

How to set up design skills appropriate for each organization

In recent years, the definition of design has expanded with changes in the social environment. Companies are faced with the challenge of setting up the necessary design skills in accordance with the changes in their business and organization. Against this background, I organize examples of design skills that can be used as references and propose how to set up design skills.

Toshiya Sasaki

Conference Proceedings

The Investigation of Systematic Micro-refresh with Auditory Stimuli on Intellectual Work

Systematic micro-refresh arises as one of the recovery strategies during the intellectual work to preserve a good performance. In this study, controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of auditory stimuli to induce a systematic micro-refresh on intellectual work. In this preliminary experiment, four participants’ data which demonstrated a positive effect in auditory stimuli intervention were analyzed. The average measurement of answering time resulted in a better condition after participants received the micro-refresh auditory stimuli compared to non-auditory stimuli. NASA task load index questionnaire scores show that in a condition without auditory stimuli, the score is higher which implies a higher workload in a condition without auditory stimuli intervention. The subjective symptoms questionnaire indicates that in a condition without auditory stimuli, participants feel sleepier. However, a blurriness and sluggishness score shows a slightly higher score in a condition with auditory stimuli compared to a non-auditory stimuli condition. Subjective feelings of concentration showed that the score is a little bit lower in a condition with auditory stimuli. A higher fatigue level score happened in a condition without auditory stimuli. Participants feel more detached, easily recovered, and more relaxed compared to no auditory stimuli intervention. From the total score of the attention control scale questionnaire, participants were classified as a medium-attentional group and a high-attentional group, which might imply a positive correlation to the good attentional control and micro-refresh auditory stimuli responses. This study portrays the auditory stimuli as a promising micro-refresh medium to promote recovery enhancement strategy for intellectual work.

Orchida Dianita, Takuto Higashimaki, Reika Abe, Kimi Ueda, Hirotake Ishii, Hiroshi Shimoda, Fumiaki Obayashi

Conference Proceedings

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Short-term Airflow on Concentration during Intellectual Work

In today’s information society, the efficiency of intellectual work, referred to as intellectual productivity, is highly valued. There is an observed tendency for intellectual concentration to decrease over time, leading to many studies related to the benefits of short breaks during tasks. Some research defines breaks lasting no longer than 10 minutes as “micro-breaks” and suggests their positive effect on performance [1]. There is also a study on “micro-refresh,” which encourages workers to refresh during 20-second pauses given every 7 minutes and 30 seconds of task time [2].However, in these studies, workers are compelled to take breaks. There is a possibility that these breaks interrupt concentration, especially when they are in a state of high concentration. In addition, taking breaks that are too long or too short than needed can decrease work efficiency. To effectively recover concentration, individuals should take an appropriate length of breaks based on their respective needs.Therefore, in this study, we aimed to encourage self-determined refreshment during tasks to improve intellectual productivity, which few studies have tried to. As a method to induce refreshment spontaneously, we used airflow stimulation. Airflow is known to have a relaxation effect. For example, a study showed simulated natural wind decreases mental stress compared to a windless condition [3]. Thus, airflow stimulation is expected to induce a relaxed state, allowing for a refreshed state when returning to tasks. To confirm the effect of this short-time airflow on intellectual productivity, we conducted an evaluation experiment.In this experiment, a quantitative evaluation was conducted using CTR (Concentration Time Ratio), an intellectual concentration index calculated from response time data for a comparison problem developed by Ueda et al [4]. As for the design of airflow stimulation, a tabletop fan was placed behind the iPad used for the task to expose airflow towards each participant’s hands. The task duration was 45 minutes per set, with a 20-second airflow exposed every 7.5 minutes under conditions with airflow. Each participant performed tasks under both conditions, with and without airflow, in different sets, and the difference in intellectual concentration was measured using CTR. In addition, in each set, we conducted several surveys asking participants about subjective fatigue, mental workload, and so on. Participants were also asked about their impressions of airflow after the experiment.7 university students participated in this experiment, and as a result, 4 participants had a higher CTR, while 3 participants had a lower CTR under conditions with airflow. Each participant’s response time data and descriptive survey suggested a possibility that participants who were distracted by airflow showed a decrease in CTR, while those prompted to refresh showed an improvement. In addition, 6 participants answered they preferred airflow at a higher frequency, and 6 participants answered they preferred airflow with longer exposure times, suggesting that the interval and duration of airflow should be modified in further studies. Reference:[1] Patricia Albulescu et al.; PLOS ONE, 17-8 (2022).[2] Kakeru Kitayama et al.; Proceedings of the 2023 Intelligent Human Systems Integration, AHFE International, USA, 2023.[3] Kenichi Ito et al.; 2023 IEEE Conference Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), Shanghai, China, 2023, pp. 215-225.[4] Kimi Ueda et al.; The Fifth International Conference on Human-Environment System, 2016.

Reika Abe, Takuto Higashimaki, Kento Nomura, Orchida Dianita, Kimi Ueda, Hirotake Ishii, Hiroshi Shimoda, Fumiaki Obayashi

Conference Proceedings

Exploring consultant roles: Analyzing power dynamics through expert and referent power bases

Defining product and service quality in most industries is relatively simple. However, defining service quality in management consulting is sometimes more complex. Management consultants help clients solve challenging issues and productively manage the organization. A significant research gap lies in the need for more clarity regarding the distinguishing factors between successful and unsuccessful consultants in their ability to assist clients in achieving their goals. Furthermore, the essential power consultants need to drive clients to success remains undefined.To bridge the research gap, we used analysis in two phases. The purpose of the first phase, the qualitative research, was to examine the power bases of the consultants. Forty consultants were interviewed, 10 of them from abroad, with the help of a semi-structured interview. The formulated research question was: what are the most common power bases that the consultants have, and how do they affect the relationship with the client? From all the interviews, two themes were found –Knowledge and identity. Furthermore, the most valuable power base from the consultants' view is the Expert power. This finding deviates from the literature, which typically references three power bases for influence and other factors.To examine whether the consultants' perception is relevant and correct, the second phase, quantitative research, examined the effect of power bases on the clients' self-efficacy and managerial stress. The study aimed to answer the question of whether there is a relation between the source of the consultant's main power base, emphasizing Referent or Expert power, and the level of managerial stress and self-efficacy of their client. One hundred clients participated in testing the correlation between the power bases of the consultants, self-efficacy, and management stress of the clients. With the help of regressions and statistical models, it was found that there is a significant correlation between the consultant’s Expert power and the client’s self-efficacy, while managerial stress moderates their correlation.The combination of the two research phases, qualitative and quantitative, reveals that Expert Power is crucial in boosting clients' self-efficacy, except when they're under high managerial stress. This paper provides readers with current insights following Mosonyi et al three different sources of power focusing on the Knowledge aspect. Furthermore, using French& Raven social power taxonomy combined with the Rahim Leader Power Inventory (RLPI). This research contributes to the existing literature by emphasizing a key power base and shedding new light about power dynamics in management consulting, additionally; it offers practical benefits by enhancing consulting outcomes and influencing on both client's and consultants' perspectives.

Rotem Lachmi, Batia Ben-hador, Yael Brender-Ilan

Conference Proceedings

Relationship between Digital Stress and Innovation Capacity

Digital stress poses one of the most significant challenges for organizations because of the emerging digital transformation. Numerous reports have discussed the impact of digital work on employees' perceived physical and mental health. Continuous exposure to digital information flow, multitasking, and constant connectivity may lead to cognitive overload and mental fatigue, affecting attention, memory, concentration, and even one's capacity for innovation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived digital stress, work engagement, and innovation capacity. A large survey was conducted among companies and public organizations in Finland, with 121 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS-28, employing Pearson correlations and descriptive methods. The study revealed an indirect association between digital stress and innovation capacity, with digital load and work engagement acting as mediators. However, a moderate correlation was observed between work engagement and innovation capacity. In summary, it can be suggested that moderate digital workload combined with good digital competence may have a positive association with eustress, work engagement, and innovation capacity.

Kimmo Vanni, Antti Syvanen, Jarmo Viteli

Conference Proceedings

Evolving Anthropometric Traits of Slovak Consumers and Their Impact on Furniture and Furniture Marketing

The current development of anthropometric data in the Slovak population, noticeable in the area of increasing average height and weight, is expected to have an impact on furniture production and furniture marketing. This contribution is based on selected changes in anthropometric characteristics of the Slovak population between 1993 and 2023, recorded on a sample of more than 15,000 respondents—university students in Slovakia. The paper itself directly derives from the identified changes, with the aim of providing an overview of the current consumer demands for furniture industry products and their expectations regarding furniture marketing, primarily in the area of beds, mattresses, and chairs made of wood, based on the results of primary research. The research methodology was based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. The primary quantitative research was conducted through an online questionnaire survey with a sample of 1000 respondents at the turn of 2022 and 2023 (with a follow-up currently underway in late 2023/early 2024), and qualitative research using focus group interviews was conducted in December 2023 with a total of 18 participants.Even though the current results indicate that consumers are generally satisfied with the furniture product portfolio, considering the global trend of increasing obesity in the population, it is meaningful to invest in the development of furniture with higher load capacity. The most significant gap in the market was identified in the product categories of chairs and office chairs. Another product category is represented by beds, which, while available in the desired quality, face challenges with higher prices and a limited range. Additionally, the lack of a range of wooden bed slats that have durability was observed. Also due to the increasing average weight as well as height of consumers, changes in standardised bed sizes and weight limits are required. In the case of mattresses, the market offer fully reflects consumer expectations, considering both the increasing average weight and height. Concerning furniture marketing, increased attention from sellers should focus on enhancing transparency and providing information about the weight capacity of furniture, material structure, durability, and the possibility to try out furniture in person. Negative consumer experiences in furniture purchases have been noted in relation to the knowledge and advisory capabilities of salespersons in assisting with furniture selection. This research was supported by the project APVV-20-0004 The Effect of an Increase in the Anthropometric Measurements of the Slovak Population on the Functional Properties of Furniture and the Business Processes.

Peter Starchon, Milos Hitka, Milos Gejdos, Andrej Miklosik

Conference Proceedings

Creative and Effective Human Artificial Intelligence Co-Evolution -Interactive Front-End Content Generation

Artificial Intelligence, AI, as technology has been already a long time a great innovative opportunity to develop our functions and operations. Recently generative AI (e.g. Open AI, ChatGPT) has been in the focus. Artificial intelligence will change many things in working life and significantly increase the efficiency of knowledge work. The main assumption is that it does not in itself immediately replace humans. Instead, a human who skillfully utilizes artificial intelligence will replace a human who does not use artificial intelligence.This article introduces a study of combining Human Intelligence (HI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into successful outcomes. The main goal of this article is to discover a balance between AI and human intelligence interaction in novel solution generation. The article is constructed in a way to defines human intelligence-related definitions (human intelligence, cognition, and cognitive skills). On the other hand, data is becoming an essential asset for AI, algorithms, and Machine Learning (ML). We consider the pitfalls, limitations, beliefs, and risks of AI. We try to solve an optimal and simultaneous use of working utilizing both AI and human intelligence into solutions for the future. Meaningful individual- and team-level psychological processes are in the focus in creative problem-solving solving, understanding complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty. Social skills play an important role in synergistic communication in finding creative third alternatives which is new for everyone. Finally, we present a formula to organizational performance including IQ (individual intelligence) + CQ (collaborative and cultural) + EQ (emotional) + SQ (social intelligence) and generative AI combined with ML to be able to create an effective Human-Machine (HM) interaction.

Vesa Salminen, Jyrki Peltomaa, Juha Varis

Conference Proceedings

Innovation Automation by AI as an Engine for Value Creation

Artificial intelligence and innovation have shaped the business landscape and brought new opportunities and challenges. Artificial intelligence, AI, provides the computing power needed to analyze and predict a huge amount of data, enabling the identification and creation of new ideas. At the same time, AI can be used to improve business efficiency through automation and intelligent systems, freeing up human capital for more strategic tasks. In this article, we will focus on examining the potential of AI from the perspective of innovation, operational efficiency, and utilization of human capital.Intersections of Artificial Intelligence and InnovationThis article delves into the role of artificial intelligence in innovations and its connection to streamlining operations and optimizing the utilization of human capital. We journey towards the possibilities in the space of knowledge that opens new doors for creating innovations.Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation ProcessWe explore the role of artificial intelligence in the innovation process, examining its potential to generate and identify new ideas and enhance innovation activities. This article answers for research questions: •How to create continuous value by utilizing artificial intelligence as an engine for innovation automation•How to intersect human capital with artificial intelligence in innovation automationResearch ApproachThe collection of data and research approach has been partially constructive, conceptual and analytical, because it introduces a pathway to innovation automation by utilizing AI as an engine for new value creation. It introduces experiences and results of several development activities and thesis works on the Heinola City environment. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Business OptimizationWe scrutinize how artificial intelligence enhances business efficiency through automation and intelligent systems. Liberating human capital for more strategic tasks is a central theme in this section.Synergy Between Human Capital and Artificial IntelligenceWe emphasize the possibilities and efficient role allocation for collaboration between human capital and artificial intelligence. Clear responsibilities among different stakeholders add value.A Perspective from the Public SectorWe consider the unique perspective of the public sector and contemplate the challenges and opportunities of using artificial intelligence in this sector. Key considerations include cybersecurity and ethical issues.Requirements for Artificial Intelligence and Future ProspectsIn the final section, we ponder the technical and organizational requirements for artificial intelligence and its future potential in innovations. Well-planned and appropriately assigned artificial intelligence can be the key to sustainable and efficient value creation.ConclusionsWe summarize the main messages of the article and present conclusions on the shared future of artificial intelligence and innovation. Artificial intelligence can act as a significant engine for value creation, provided its use is strategically integrated, and human capital remains at the center.

Keijo Houhala, Vesa Salminen

Conference Proceedings

Knowledge Management in Sport; Case MyE.Way Knowledge Management System

Tracking performance and development of athletes and teams has been common in sports coaching for long. In the past, training log, stopwatch and measurement tape were easy and commonly available tools, whereas more complicated measurements such as heart rate, oxygen consumption, or power output used to require special equipment and protocols typically applied only in laboratory settings by trained experts. During recent decades, the development of technology has made the collection of data commonplace in everyday sporting contexts. Accordingly, data-driven approach to performance development has become possible. Performance tracking protocols of football teams can include daily data collection of training types and amounts, physical performance, skills and cognitive performance test results, game analysis data, psychosocial characteristics and match results and many other variables. However, mere collection of data does not guarantee the effective use of data. Instead, the amount of data can even be a burden for sports coaches and experts and make it difficult to recognize what is essential and what is not. Data from different sources must be integrated to enable holistic analysis. Furthermore, data must be turned into usable information. It needs to be provided for use in decision making about concrete actions aiming for desired outcomes. To make the data usable in changing decision-making contexts by different users, sophisticated data-analysis methods are needed. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can help in identification of essential variables, personalization, forecasting future development, and generating action recommendations. At best, knowledge management influences the knowledge and actions of human actors by means of technology. However, it is necessary to also develop the processes wherein the knowledge is applied. MyE.Way is a knowledge management system implementing the E.Way framework for holistic performance development. It is developed for and applied in football, futsal and floorball. Together MyE.Way and E.Way constitute a pragmatic knowledge service providing decision support, but also creating a platform for education of the actors engaging in the player development processes.

Elina Kontio, Niina Katajapuu, Jussi Salmi, Juho Metsavuori, Mikko Pohjola

Conference Proceedings

Optimizing Contract Flow: A Simulation-Based Approach to Efficiency Improvement

This paper explores the efficiency and performance of business processes involved in contract flow. We leverage simulation techniques to analyze various parameters that impact contract flow, extending beyond just efficiency. The simulation model encompasses the entire contract lifecycle, allowing us to identify bottlenecks and assess the impact of different process configurations. Our investigation examines a range of performance indicators, including efficiency, cost, and cycle time. The results provide valuable insights for organizations seeking to optimize their contract flow processes and achieve improved performance.

Robert Waszkowski, Tadeusz Nowicki

Conference Proceedings

Bridging Business Challenges: Optimizing Brand Experiences with Experience Strategy-Oriented Design Thinking

This paper explores a new approach to help organizations drive value through experience, by combining experience strategy with design thinking to bridge the gap between experience design and business environment. This new process helps designers take a holistic view of the business experience, solving the problem of human-centered design that does not necessarily solve a business challenge or benefit the brand. The result is more efficient and precise experience strategies and solutions to achieve business goals. We implemented this methodology in the leading Taiwanese home furnishing firm, encountering issues with customer attrition and reduced market presence. The company sought to enhance its competitiveness by optimizing its operations and improving customer experience. The results show that combining design thinking with experience strategy allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the business problem and helps to clarify the goals of experience management and innovation, leading to clearer and more feasible solutions. In addition, this approach can help organizations to continue to innovate in the absence of clear user pain points.

Weng-io Chan, Hsien-Hui Tang

Conference Proceedings

A Data-driven Approach to Identify Feedback Elements for Effective VR Training

Over the past decade Virtual reality (VR) technology has become more readily available. Although VR still suffers from inducing simulation sickness and having cumbersome controllers, industrial companies have embraced the technology as an alternative to overly complex and expensive simulators. A primary pedagogical consideration for effective VR training is feedback. While research has proven the positive training impact of feedback over having no feedback, very few studies explore techniques to help pinpoint the exact training outcomes that require feedback in a VR training simulator. This study illustrates how collecting human interaction metrics data from a VR fire extinguisher training application without a feedback mechanism can identify the areas where feedback for effective training is most required. We conducted a descriptive comparison study with 36 participants. We collected and analysed the participants’ VR interaction data across nine validated metrics and compared the results to their practical fire extinguishing evaluation on the same metrics. Our results show that the interaction data from the VR application presents curious behaviour regarding the distance participants kept between themselves and the fire, and their regard for wind direction when approaching the fire. The same elements surfaced in the practical evaluation. We conclude that collecting and analysing metrics from a VR training application is a suitable technique for identifying training aspects or outcomes that require a feedback mechanism.

Werner Ravyse, Kimmo Tarkkanen, Mika Luimula, Jouni Smed

Conference Proceedings

Virtual technologies and digital twins for logistics hub development

With the development of global trade and the lengthening of supply chains, logistics has new challenges in addition to delivery reliability, cost efficiency, and speed. The importance of sustainable development and the emphasis on environmental values in terms of function and image has increased in the logistics chain. The need for adaptivity to quickly create new, more efficient routes and services has also become a cornerstone of effective management of global supply chains.Central to the efficiency of logistics chains are logistics hubs (nodal points) and their operation and ability to renew themselves in rapidly changing situations. In logistics and supply chain management, data plays the most central role, which is a prerequisite for competitiveness, and which is generally recognized. Similarly, at logistics hubs, the importance of data and new technology is central to controlling material flows.However, the utilization of new technology (AR; VR XR) at logistics nodes has received less attention. and building nodes into digital twins. Modeling logistics hubs with virtual technologies and the digital twin of hubs would enable new effective ways of training personnel, planning logistics centers, and visualizing entities in an easily understandable form and for guidance.The article examines the logistics hub, where virtual technologies and digital twins are used to enhance operations in training and the physical development of the hub and new service development. The article examines issues related to the cooperation of different actors in the collection, ownership, sharing, and utilization of data

Heikki Ruohomaa, Vesa Salminen, Juha-matti Torkkel

Conference Proceedings

Aligning Just-in-Time Learning with Digital Transformation

Digital transformation commonly refers to the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business. This fundamentally means changing how an organization operates and delivers value to customers. It is expected to entail a cultural change that requires organizations to continually challenge the status quo, experiment, and get comfortable with failure.To support the progress of digital transformation, the management will be expecting its employees to be skilled effectively to work in tandem with the transformation journey. However, digital skills are more than just knowing what the technology is about – there are three levels to acquiring digital skills (a) digital awareness (b) digital competency, and (c) digital fluency. It is critical to align digital skills with the progress of digital transformation in an organization, lest to expect skills mismatch can bring about hindrances to the progress of the journey.In order to reduce the apparent gap between learning and performance objectives, employees must be able to easily access an answer or a short piece of learning content while they are working to supplement the role of action and reflection. Workflow learning happens while the employees are performing their job. Employees are completing tasks at the same time as they are learning how to perform said tasks — ideally without a disruption to their workflow. The goal of this article is to identify and analyze the improved methods of corporate learning being adopted by individual learners or learners’ groups and how learning behavior and learning experiences can be aligned to the organization’s motivation to ride the digital transformation journey. This research is partly constructive, conceptual, and analytical because it introduces the concept of competency models and its adoption by organizations when they deal with the dynamic business opportunities in the marketplace.This article will discuss emerging learning thoughts and the digital transformation paradigm. It will also discuss the various issues leading to the shift in learning expectations over the recent years, and in particular aligning with the digital transformation journey. More importantly, it attempts to understand the drivers and human factors which build up an efficient learning environment.

Oliver Tian, Shanlynn Lee, Vesa Salminen

Conference Proceedings

Econometric analysis of the determining factors of default in Chilean companies

Measuring the growth of a country can be affected by different factors, such as services available to the population, political-social stability and financial health of both households and companies, among others. In general, with these indicators, what is sought is to be able to find the phenomena or factors that explain what is happening. A case that is always of public interest is knowing the financial status of a company, given the impact they have on society, whether they are micro, small, medium or large companies. Based on this, and given that today the information inputs are different and extensive, which can come from government entities as well as private ones, this work seeks to establish an explanation of what are the factors that influence whether a company may fall into default. To do this, a multivariate econometric analysis is used, through which it has been established that factors such as the number of partners of a company are not predominant factors in the default of a company, unlike the number of workers or assets. the same.

Hanns De la Fuente-Mella, Nelson Lay, Enyelbert Muñoz Anza

Conference Proceedings

Correlation between students' satisfaction with studies and graduation

Student satisfaction in studies is one of the most interesting types of information for universities in student questionnaires. The attributes that some students are more satisfied in their studies than others are always crucial to know in order to develop organization´s performance. These reasons have been under scrutiny in Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) before. TUAS has studied the attributes earlier as well as the correlation between the staff satisfaction and the student satisfaction. Sometimes the reasons of different satisfaction levels can be explained in an easier way than others and sometimes the reasons are more critical to the organization’s future than others. We have already shown in our last article that student satisfaction is correlating with personnel´s felt justice as well as we have demonstrated in past research that there are different variables that are affecting student satisfaction. The reason why student satisfaction is interesting is that it has been thought to be one of the positive attributes when scrutinizing graduation rates. One of the main reasons why universities of applied sciences exist is to graduate new professionals to society. Therefore, there is tremendous interest to find different variables that are affecting the graduation of students. This research is conducted by utilizing two different questionnaire tools: Student barometer and AVOP questionnaire as well as statistics of graduation levels. Student barometer is a questionnaire for higher education students in Finland. Its objectives are to provide data and information for researchers, research institutes, education developers and decision makers in the institutes. Student barometer handles a variety of different matters from student life by asking students´ opinions from quality of studies to their civil life activities and their expectations of the future. AVOP feedback questionnaire asks graduating students to evaluate and provide feedback on their education. The findings are used locally by institutions to improve their institutional processes and practices and nationally to inform performance-based monitoring and funding. All graduating degree students from universities of applied sciences are requested to fill out the questionnaire. Used data consisted of TUAS´ students data from earlier mentioned sources. Data was analyzed by Excel and SPSS. Samples were taken from the data mass and were composed to a statistical model with an excel spreadsheet. Students were grouped under the schools and degrees and arithmetic averages and standard deviations were calculated to each proposition. After calculating the arithmetic averages, further analysis was done with SPSS statistical analysis program. In SPSS, the propositions’ correlations were analyzed by one-tailed Pearson correlation. The overall research question is: Is there a correlation between student satisfaction and graduation levels? If so, how can these correlations be interpreted and what conclusions can be made? Future research aspects and practical recommendations will also be issued in the paper.

Tero Reunanen, Vesa Taatila, Marjo Joshi

Conference Proceedings

Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst: A Case Study on Adaptive Learning in Programming Education

In the dynamic field of programming education, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools has started to play a significant role in enhancing learning experiences. This paper presents a case study conducted during a foundational programming course for first-year students in higher education, where students were encouraged to utilize generative artificial intelligence programming copilot extensions in their programming IDE and browser-based generative AI tools as supportive AI tools. The primary objective was to observe the impact of AI on the learning curve and the overall educational experience.Key findings suggest that the introduction of AI tools significantly altered the learning experience for students. Many who initially struggled with grasping elementary programming concepts found that AI support made understanding basic programming concepts much easier, enhancing their confidence and skills. This was particularly evident in the reduced levels of anxiety typically associated with early programming learning, as the AI copilot provided a non-judgmental, always-available source for clarifying doubts, including queries that students might hesitate to ask in a traditional classroom setting.Notably, some students leveraged the AI to generate similar exercise problems, reinforcing their understanding and skills. The AI's capability to address basic queries also freed up the instructor's time, allowing for more personalized student guidance in more advanced problems. This shift in the instructional dynamic further contributed to a learning environment where students felt more comfortable engaging with complex topics, thereby reducing the psychological barriers often linked with early-stage programming education.The course's structure, enriched by AI, enabled students to delve into more complex programming constructs earlier than traditional curricula would allow. For instance, students were tasked with simulating basic e-commerce operations, such as user registration, product browsing, and cart functionalities. These practical challenges naturally introduced advanced concepts like external data storage, unit testing, and user interface design, which are typically reserved for more advanced courses. With the help of generative AI programming copilot tools, students at any programming skill level were able to develop nearly functional complex structures. Interestingly, even when their projects were not fully functional, students remained motivated. Instead of feeling discouraged by these imperfect outcomes, they showed resilience and a keen interest in understanding and improving their code. This reaction is a significant shift from traditional learning settings, where unfinished or flawed projects often lead to increased anxiety or a drop in motivation.Furthermore, the AI's proactive suggestions inspired students to explore beyond the curriculum. Advanced learners delved into databases, cryptography libraries in Python, and even more advanced user interface design, ensuring that they remained engaged and challenged. This elementary course, enhanced by generative AI tools, also inspired students to learn other programming languages since they now learned that individual learning is more available with the aid of generative AI.In conclusion, the integration of AI in programming education offers a promising avenue for enhancing both the learning experience and outcomes. This case study underscores the potential of AI to revolutionize traditional teaching methodologies, fostering a more dynamic, responsive, and inclusive learning environment.This paper handles the results, possibilities and challenges of AI empowered education in programming. It also gives practical examples as well as future research perspectives.

Tero Reunanen, Noora Nieminen

Conference Proceedings

Mentoring for Transition: Optimizing Mentorship Through Competency Assessment among Young People

Mentorship provides targeted support for career and personal development, and is crucial for guiding emerging professionals through the transition from academia into the workforce. This paper explores the significance of assessing mentee competencies to optimize mentor-mentee interactions and enhance outcomes. It introduces an innovative competency ontology integrated with the Career 4.0 platform, enabling international mentoring connections. The framework categorizes skills, characteristics, and engagement attributes, facilitating comprehensive assessment using the Evolute system. Grounded in fuzzy logic, Evolute offers nuanced analysis of self-evaluations, capturing subtleties in competency levels. A case study validates the approach, highlighting its practicality and effectiveness in identifying strengths and growth areas. Integration within Career 4.0 enables personalized development planning and regular reassessments to track progress and maximize outcomes, enhancing the impact of mentoring in supporting adolescents in career planning.

Jarno Einolander, Jussi Kantola, Hannu Vanharanta

Conference Proceedings

Experimental research design for investigation of the impact of managerial behavior on employee stress

The paper outlines the experimental research design for investigation of the impact of managerial behavior on employee stress. The proposed experimental research design integrates management, bioengineering, and medical sciences. From a management science perspective, real work situations and scenarios were created to investigate the impact of different managerial behaviors (transformational and transactional leadership styles) on employee stress in different work situations. The implications for bioengineering and medical sciences are revealed through the research of physiological parameters and biomarkers (cortisol, alpha amylase, and immunoglobulin A) to determine objective stress and its dynamics. Experimental research design based on the simulation of real situations face-to-face and the use of physiological parameters and biomarkers in determining the objective level of stress enables obtaining strong evidence of causal relationships by manipulating managerial behavior and different work situations that influence employee stress. The paper argues for the value of experimental research design in leadership and human resource management field and provides the elaborated protocol for deeper understanding of the influence of manager's behavior on employee stress in different work situations.

Asta Savanevičienė, Živilė Stankevičiūtė, Lina Girdauskiene, Vilma Pluščiauskaitė, Daivaras Sokas, Audrys Kukulskis, Andrius Rapalis, Lina Jankauskaitė, Audrys Kukulskis, Rimvydas Eitminavičius

Conference Proceedings

Democracy and Artificial General Intelligence

We may have to soon decide what kind of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) computers we will build and how they will coexist with humans. Many predictions estimate that artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence during this century. This poses a risk to humans: computers may cause harm to humans either intentionally or unintentionally. Here we outline a possible democratic society structure that will allow both humans and artificial general intelligence computers to participate peacefully in a common society.There is a potential for conflict between humans and AGIs. AGIs set their own goals which may or may not be compatible with the human society. In human societies conflicts can be avoided through negotiations: all humans have the about the same world view and there is an accepted set of human rights and a framework of international and national legislation. In the worst case, AGIs harm humans either intentionally or unintentionally, or they can deplete the human society of resources.So far, the discussion has been dominated by the view that the AGIs should contain fail-safe mechanisms which prevent conflicts with humans. However, even though this is a logical way of controlling AGIs we feel that the risks can also be handled by using the existing democratic structures in a way that will make it less appealing to AGIs (and humans) to create conflicts.The view of AGIs that we use in this article follows Kantian autonomy where a device sets goals for itself and has urges or drives like humans. These goals may conflict with other actors’ goals which leads to a competition for resources. The way of acting and reacting to other entities creates a personality which can differ from AGI to AGI. The personality may not be like a human personality but nevertheless, it is an individual way of behaviour.The Kantian view of autonomy can be criticized because it neglects the social aspect. The AGIs’ individual level of autonomy determines how strong is their society and how strongly integrated they would be with the human society. The critic of their Kantian autonomy is valid, and it is here that we wish to intervene.In Kantian tradition, conscious humans have free will which makes them morally responsible. Traditionally we think that computers, like animals lack free will or, perhaps, deep feelings. They do not share human values. They cannot express their internal world like humans. This affects the way that AGIs can be seen as moral actors. Often the problem of constraining AGIs has used a technical approach, placing different checks and designs that will reduce the likelihood of adverse behaviour towards humans. In this article we take another point of view. We will look at the way humans behave towards each other and try to find a way of using the same approaches with AGIs.

Elina Kontio, Jussi Salmi

Conference Proceedings

Understanding Drivers and Barriers to Employment for Individuals with Disabilities

Finding and retaining work seems to be a huge challenge for many people with disabilities worldwide, and this is despite the fact that employing them is crucial from both a social and economic perspective. Addressing the gap in the literature, the paper aims to reveal the drivers and barriers to employment for people with disabilities. In doing this, a qualitative study was conducted having semi-structured interviews with people with disabilities. The core findings revealed that individual, organisational and contextual factors might support or hinder people with disabilities from employment. The paper calls for rethinking how society as a whole might contribute to better life and work quality for people with disabilities as well as entire population.

Živilė Stankevičiūtė, Lina Girdauskiene, Asta Savanevičienė

Conference Proceedings