https://mail.wsb.wroclaw.pl/index.php/WSBRJ <p><strong>The Central European Review of Economics and Management (CEREM)&nbsp;</strong>focuses on state-of-the-art empirical and theoretical studies in the field of economics and management. It aims to create a platform for exchange of knowledge and ideas between research, business, governmental and other actors. Besides more traditional scientific papers, the journal welcomes conceptual papers, opinion papers and policy discussions from academic, corporate, governmental and civil society representatives.</p> <p>An important aim of&nbsp;<strong>CEREM&nbsp;</strong>is to stimulate open-minded discussion of new ideas, new applications of old ideas as well as development of interdisciplinary approaches to current challenges in economics and management. This is of particular importance in the substantial changes that have taken place and are expected to take place in the world, where shocks and surprises rather seem to become the standard. Topical economics and management focus areas are interdisciplinary, non-unified and on the move by nature. They include, but are not limited to issues regarding: sustainable development, emerging economies, European strategies, value chains, financial intermediation and managerial designs.</p> <p>In co-operation with the International Society of Intercommunication of New Ideas (ISINI,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.isini.info/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.isini.info</a>), CEREM also aims „to create or recreate alternative paradigms that can help to formulate adequate policies to solve [current and future] problems.“ It is relevant „[t]o study systematically (using both theoretical and practical reason) the application of new ideas to problems of the real world of today and tomorrow in various existing social regimes“ as well as organizational and governance structures, taking into consideration „the diverse levels of development and historical circumstances.“</p> <p>The principle of double-blind peer review applies. Contributions should meet academic standards (Publish in CEREM and Research and Publication Ethics) and should be original so previously unpublished. Articles submitted to CEREM should not be under consideration for publication elsewhere.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> WSB Merito University in Wroclaw en-US The Central European Review of Economics and Management 2543-9472 <p>The aim of CEREM is to make scientific work available in accordance with the principle of open access. The rules mentioned below are important, as they enable CEREM and its publisher, the WSB Merito University in Wroclaw, to distribute the scientific work to a wide public while complying with specific legal requirements, at the same time protecting the rights of the authors.</p> <p>The author transfers to the WSB Merito University in Wroclaw, free of charge and without territorial limitations, with all proprietary copyrights to the said piece of work in the understanding of the act of 4th February 1994 on copyrights and derivative rights (Journal of Laws of 1994, no. 24, item 83, as amended) on an exclusivity basis, i.e. the rights to:</p> <p>1. Make the piece of work in question available via the Digital Library established by the WSB Merito University in Wroclaw.<br />2. Produce, record and reproduce in multiple copies the piece of work using any techniques whatsoever, including printing, reprography, magnetic recording and digital processing, and particularly its reproduction by recording on CDs and similar data carriers,<br />3. Use fragments of the piece of work for promotional purposes in publications, promotional materials, the Internet and Intranet type networks managed by the WSB Merito University in Wroclaw.<br />4. Store the piece of work into computer databases managed by the WSB Merito University in Wroclaw.<br />5. Copy and reproduce the piece of work using photo-mechanic technologies other than those commonly known at the time of the signature hereof (photocopies, Xerox copies etc.),<br />6. Process the piece of work, transferring it into an electronic form, and distribute it on the Internet without limitations.</p> https://mail.wsb.wroclaw.pl/index.php/WSBRJ/article/view/1019 <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p><strong><br />Abstract:</strong></p> <p><strong>Aim:</strong> This study honors the pioneering work by André Dorsman on energy finance, especially on oil prices and company performance. The objective is to investigate the relationship between the global oil price and the profitability of Dutch companies.</p> <p><strong>Design / Research methods:</strong> In our research, a model is formed which evaluates the relationship between a global oil price index and the profitability of Dutch public companies. Publicly available data from 143 Dutch listed firms during the period 2010 till 2023 has been used to conduct this research. Besides the independent variable (the oil price) and the dependent variables (return on assets and return on equity), a firm’s leverage, market capitalization and degree of internationalization are used as control variables in the conceptual model. The model is evaluated via multiple panel regression analyses.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions / findings:</strong> We reveal a positive relationship between the oil price and the return on assets as well as the return on equity. However, this relationship is dependent upon the presence of oil and energy related companies in the sample. When oil and energy related companies are removed from the sample, no relationship is found between the global oil price and profitability. The control variable market capitalization is found to be significant and positively related to return on equity and return on assets. Contrary, the control variable leverage is found to be negatively related to return on assets. The variable for degree of internationalization of Dutch firms is insignificant for all the regression models, indicating that there is no linear relationship between the degree of internationalization and profitability.</p> <p><strong>Originality / value of the article:</strong> The study confirms a complicated relationship between oil prices and company profitability.</p> <p>JEL: G10, L95</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Wim WESTERMAN Luuk ENSING Copyright (c) 2025 WSB Merito University in Wroclaw https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2025-03-30 2025-03-30 9 1 7 26 10.29015/cerem.1019 https://mail.wsb.wroclaw.pl/index.php/WSBRJ/article/view/1026 <p><strong>Aim:</strong> This study investigates the digital gap in enterprises (particularly SMEs) and introduces the Digital Gap Benchmarking Model as a solution to bridge this gap and enhance their digital transformation processes.</p> <p><strong>Design / Research methods:</strong> The research employs a narrative literature review of studies on enterprise competitiveness within digitalization contexts with predefined inclusion criteria. In addition, based on the concept of the digital gap for SMEs, the authors proposed original concept of a Digital Gap Benchmarking Model as a tool for optimizing the digitalization process in SMEs.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions/findings:</strong> The study identifies the digital gap along three key dimensions: digital potential, digitalization strategy, and position in the digitalization process. Additionally, benchmarking was identified as a key tool to assess and monitor digital transformation progress, helping SMEs close the digital gap and enabling to pinpoint weaknesses and strategically enhance their digital maturity.</p> <p><strong>Originality/value of the article:</strong> While many studies have examined the importance and impact of digital transformation, few have focused on how to assess and bridge the digital gap. This study addresses this gap by identifying the digital gap and proposing the Digital Gap Benchmarking Model as a tool to support SMEs in closing this gap.</p> <p>JEL: L20, L21, M15, M21</p> Marian GORYNIA Joanna KUCZEWSKA Copyright (c) 2025 WSB Merito University in Wroclaw https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2025-03-30 2025-03-30 9 1 10.29015/cerem.1026 https://mail.wsb.wroclaw.pl/index.php/WSBRJ/article/view/1027 <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p><strong><br /></strong><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> <p><strong>Aim:</strong> This paper introduces Sokrates Forms, an innovative survey instrument with advanced functionalities that enhance data accuracy, respondent engagement, and compliance with data protection regulations. The primary objective is to develop and implement a dynamic, secure, and customizable survey tool that supports both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies while offering a feedback mechanism to participants.</p> <p><strong>Design / Research methods:</strong> The study presents the architecture, methodology, and implementation of Sokrates Forms, highlighting its modular and scalable design. The tool integrates adaptive survey paths, rigorous data validation protocols, and a personalized feedback system, which not only improves response quality but also fosters user engagement. Anonymization features ensure compliance with data protection standards, allowing surveys to be conducted either anonymously or through login-based participation for repeated studies. A case study on assessing organizational vulnerabilities in the context of system risk management demonstrates the tool’s application in real-world research scenarios.</p> <p>JEL: C81, D63, D81, D84</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Johannes (Joost) PLATJE Rafał PALAK Krystian WOJTKIEWICZ Copyright (c) 2025 WSB Merito University in Wroclaw https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2025-03-30 2025-03-30 9 1 47 62 10.29015/cerem.1027