The role of Fintech in predicting the spread of COVID-19

In this present age of globalization, the logistics and transportation industry has become an integral part of most businesses/firms as it is aimed at ensuring the effective movement of people, distribution of goods and services from one location to another on time. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the logistics and transportation sectors. The qualitative research approach was adopted using analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, data from news reports, organizational sites, and a case study of data contents. The paper presented the analysis of negative and positive effects of COVID-19 on the logistics and transportation industry. The study also discusses possible strategies and further steps for improvement of the logistics and transportation sector, including the automation and introduction of other technologies, a sustainable and flexible transportation system, cooperation of logistics and transportation business. Findings regarding the positive implications of COVID-19 show noticeable advancements in the logistics and transportation sector, such as the rise of e-commerce businesses with efficient delivery options, and the development of 3rd party logistics services as more companies outsource supply chain operations. The study revealed the importance of strategic planning with a joint effort from the research centers, public sector, private sector, and educational institutions as one of the proposed solutions for the logistics and transportation industry.

Information economy, being the newest type, in the course of formation acquires its distinctive features, which include a significant change in the needs of investors, producers, consumers and other economic relation participants. In order to achieve a competitive information economy, state support for high-tech industries is needed. It is crucial to create a clear legal framework, give boost to the formation of intellectual capital based on other countries' experience. Implementation of the strategy for high-tech industries development in Ukraine is a decisive step in creating a platform for information technology dissemination, creation of new competitive products with high added value. The purpose of the article is to investigate the transformation to the information economy, to analyze the industry competitiveness, to define the opportunities for information sphere improvement. The theoretical aspect of the emergence and formation of the information economy category is studied, the approaches to the defining this economic category and its derivatives have been studied and generalized, essential features of the information type of economic relations have been investigated, and their main components have been determined. In the article, the relationship between the level of information economy development and the competitiveness of domestic enterprises' products has been described, the factors influencing high-tech industries development in Ukraine are considered, and suggestions as for increasing the assistance to the development of knowledge-intensive sectors, including information technology, are proposed.

This paper focuses on the external environmental factors that have an impact on the planning of organizational strategies from car dealerships perspective. The paper argues, that the organization`s failure to consider and analyze external environmental factors could render strategies, particularly, marketing communication strategies and campaigns ineffective. It is pertinent to note that the external environmental factors of consideration during the environmental analysis may vary amongst different industries and sectors of the economy. In effective planning of strategies organizations, including car dealerships, in theory are expected to conduct external environmental analysis with more emphasis on market and macro-environments. The purpose of this paper is to test this theory by exploring on market and macro environmental factors that are of consideration in planning marketing communication strategies and campaigns of car dealerships in practice. In order to achieve the purpose of the paper, a qualitative research approach using semi-structured in-depth interviews with marketing personnel of different car dealerships in Gauteng, South Africa was implemented. The paper utilizes a qualitative content analysis in analyzing primary data using Atlas ti version 7 computer software. The results revealed that the economic, season factors and technological advances that might lead to environmental conservation and the target audiences serve as key factors of consideration in the external environment during the planning of marketing communication strategies and campaigns. The results of this paper can be used as a basis for recommendations to stakeholders in the motor vehicle industry. Finally, future research directions are provided.