Research

On 16 June 2026, the research team from the Department of Management Process at the Krakow University of Economics advanced to the next critical milestone of the "Quality 4.0 Benchmarking Platform" project by conducting a site visit at the Hungarian division of AUMOVIO in Budapest. This visit to the technology giant, recently spun off from Continental AG, provided an unparalleled opportunity to gather comparative data on quality management within the high-volume automotive electronics sector (Automotive EMS).

Whilst the earlier phases of the project explored the agility of the SME sector, the visit to AUMOVIO’s Budapest complex offered a macro-scale perspective. The state-of-the-art production facility at Napmátka utca, combined with the onsite AI Development Centre, serves as an exemplary model of the highest level of digital maturity.

On 21 May 2026, representatives from the Department of Management Process at the Krakow University of Economics participated in an international study visit to the LAKUM - GALMA a.s. production facility in Humpolec, Czechia. The study visit was organised and conducted as part of the international research and development project titled "Quality 4.0 Benchmarking Platform".

LAKUM-GALMA specialises in advanced metal forming and surface treatment processes, including electrophoretic coating (KTL) and galvanisation for the automotive industry. The company serves as an outstanding European example of an SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) successfully implementing the Quality 4.0 paradigm on a major operational scale.

Almost two years after the completion of the Visegrad project "Improving quality management teaching in the era of Industry 4.0," we continue our collaboration with partners from the Czech Republic and Hungary. This time, the project leader is the Department of Quality Management at the Technical University of Ostrava.

The project focuses on the Quality 4.0 Maturity Model development and its practical deployment through a Quality 4.0 Benchmarking Platform in SME in the V4 region. The project promotes cross-border collaboration and networking among quality and IT experts from academia, SMEs, and technological start-ups across the V4 region and fosters knowledge sharing.

More info on the project website: https://www.fmt.vsb.cz/639/q40benchp/en/about-project

We recommend the publication, co-authored by Prof. Czesław Mesjasz. It is available for download free of charge on the publisher's website.

The publication is part of a peer-reviewed scientific series that deals with a long-term and significant process of transformation in which humanity has become both the cause and a potential solution to global challenges. It focuses on the concept of the Anthropocene, an era in Earth's history during which humans have a decisive influence on the Earth system. This book analyzes political, economic, social, and scientific discourses related to achieving sustainable development. Its main goal is to rethink politics, strategies, and governance in the context of the Anthropocene.

This scientific book sheds light on the crucial aspect of quality management in projects, which has been emphasized in standards and publications for years. However, research indicates that the practical implementation of quality management falls short of the declarations made by standards authors. Often, project managers prioritize exceeding budgets, adhering to schedules or dealing with unexpected issues over quality management due to time constraints.

This monograph stems from extensive research that aimed to identify existing solutions and develop a coherent concept of quality management in projects. The research also endeavoured to integrate various quality management schools and project management approaches to isolate good practices, irrespective of their origin.

Together with our partners from Technical University in Kosice (Slovakia) and Thomas Bata University in Zlin (Czechia), we start the international project Improving quality management teaching in the era of Industry 4.0. 

The project provides for scientific research, study visits, seminars, and courses for academic teachers, doctoral students and students. The project will take 18 months to complete. More info is available on the project website.