Matevž Triplat | Digital Transformation | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Business Global Awards

Innovative Research Award

Matevž Triplat
Slovenian Forestry Institute, Slovenia
Matevž Triplat
Affiliation Slovenian Forestry Institute
Country Slovenia
Scopus ID 56850525400
Documents 17
Citations 289
h-index 9
Subject Area Digital Transformation
Event Business Global Awards
ORCID 0000-0003-0130-0497

Matevž Triplat is a Slovenian forestry researcher, consultant, and scientific contributor affiliated with the Slovenian Forestry Institute. His research activities focus on forestry logistics, wood mobilization systems, digital transformation in forestry operations, bioeconomy planning, forest management optimization, and data-driven decision-making tools for sustainable forestry practices. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in international forestry projects, Triplat has contributed to the advancement of operational efficiency and environmental sustainability within European forestry systems.[1]

Abstract

The Innovative Research Award recognizes outstanding scholarly achievements and interdisciplinary contributions to scientific advancement and applied research. Matevž Triplat has demonstrated a substantial commitment to forestry innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable resource management through scientific publications, project leadership, and international collaboration. His work integrates advanced statistical analysis, geospatial technologies, forestry logistics, and operational optimization within the broader framework of European forest management systems. His contributions have supported evidence-based forestry practices and enhanced the implementation of bioeconomy-oriented strategies in forestry sectors across Europe.[2]

Keywords

Digital Transformation, Forestry Logistics, Sustainable Forest Management, Bioeconomy, Wood Mobilization, Forestry Economics, GIS Applications, Forest Operations, Environmental Sustainability, Operational Research

Introduction

Forestry research has increasingly evolved toward the integration of digital technologies, operational efficiency, and sustainable environmental practices. Within this context, Matevž Triplat has contributed to research areas involving forestry logistics, biomass utilization, forest owner cooperation, and advanced modelling systems. His professional activities at the Slovenian Forestry Institute include coordination of international projects, development of digital tools for forestry management, and participation in European forestry initiatives focused on sustainability and resource optimization.[3]

His multidisciplinary research approach incorporates statistical analysis, web-based systems, supply-chain modelling, and geospatial information systems to improve forestry decision-making processes. Such contributions are particularly relevant in the context of climate adaptation, bioeconomy development, and efficient management of forest resources across European regions.[4]

Research Profile

Matevž Triplat serves at the Slovenian Forestry Institute, where he has held research and managerial responsibilities related to forestry operations, logistics, cost calculations, and digital transformation initiatives. He has participated in numerous national and international projects addressing forest technology, biomass assessment, sustainable forest utilization, and operational planning.[5]

His professional profile demonstrates expertise in data integration, spatial analysis, modelling, and web-based forestry information systems. Triplat has additionally contributed to editorial activities, scientific dissemination, and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to forestry economics and sustainable resource management.

  • Head of the Department of Forest Technique and Economics at the Slovenian Forestry Institute.
  • Coordinator of the FOREST4EU project involving European innovation partnerships in forestry and agroforestry.
  • Contributor to Horizon Europe and ForestValue research initiatives.
  • Developer and editor of forestry-related digital platforms and monitoring systems.
  • Research participant in projects addressing climate adaptation, forest economics, and sustainable bioeconomy systems.

Research Contributions

Matevž Triplat’s scientific contributions encompass operational forestry systems, forest-owner behavioural analysis, biomass utilization, and environmentally sustainable harvesting technologies. His studies have investigated wood mobilization systems, contractor readiness, forest subsidy structures, contract-based forest management, and optimization strategies for forest operations.

His work also demonstrates a strong orientation toward digital transformation through the implementation of web-based decision-support tools, georeferenced databases, statistical modelling systems, and supply-chain analyses. These efforts support efficient forestry planning and contribute to broader European sustainability objectives.[5]

  • Development of WoodChainManager web-based cost assessment systems for harvesting operations.
  • Research on forest owner cooperation models and machinery ring systems.
  • Studies on forest subsidy distribution and contract-based forest management preferences in Europe.
  • Contributions to sustainable biomass utilization and forestry supply-chain optimization.
  • Implementation of geospatial and database-driven analytical systems for forestry planning.

Publications

Matevž Triplat has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications published in internationally recognized journals, including Forest Policy and Economics, Small-scale Forestry, International Journal of Forest Engineering, and Sustainability.

Research Impact

The research activities of Matevž Triplat have contributed to practical forestry applications, policy-oriented analyses, and international cooperation frameworks in Europe. His scholarly work has supported sustainable forest management, improved operational planning systems, and enhanced understanding of forest owner behaviour and supply-chain dynamics.

His involvement in international consultancy activities with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other regional initiatives further demonstrates the applicability of his expertise in real-world forestry management and environmental planning contexts.[4]

  • Enhanced digital forestry decision-support systems.
  • Supported sustainable biomass utilization frameworks.
  • Advanced operational efficiency within forestry logistics.
  • Contributed to European forest management research collaboration.
  • Promoted data-driven approaches to forestry economics and planning.

Award Suitability

Matevž Triplat demonstrates strong suitability for the Innovative Research Award due to his sustained contributions to forestry innovation, digital transformation, and applied environmental research. His interdisciplinary expertise, leadership in international projects, and integration of technological systems into forestry operations reflect the objectives commonly associated with innovation-oriented scientific recognition.[2]

His scholarly profile combines scientific publication, practical implementation, and collaborative research, supporting broader sustainability and bioeconomy goals across European forestry systems. The combination of applied research outcomes and technological advancement further strengthens the relevance of his contributions to the award framework.[3]

Conclusion

Matevž Triplat has established a professional and scientific profile characterized by interdisciplinary forestry research, operational innovation, and digital transformation initiatives. Through extensive collaboration, publication activities, and applied research projects, he has contributed to the development of sustainable forestry systems and evidence-based operational strategies. His achievements reflect a meaningful contribution to forestry science and align closely with the principles of innovation, sustainability, and research excellence represented by the Innovative Research Award.[4]

References

  1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Matevž Triplat, Author ID 56850525400. Scopus.
    https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56850525400
  2. Rauch, P., Triplat, M., Kranjc, N., et al. (2015). SWOT analysis and strategy development for forest fuel supply chains in South East Europe. Forest Policy and Economics.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934115300460
  3. Juutinen, A., et al. (2022). Common preferences of European small-scale forest owners towards contract-based management. Forest Policy and Economics.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934122001526
  4. Haeler, E., et al. (2023). Forest subsidy distribution in five European countries. Forest Policy and Economics.
    2https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934122001952
  5. Curriculum Vitae of Matevž Triplat. (2025). Professional experience, research activities, and publication record.
    https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tPUMLN0AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra

Elvis Krulcic | Digital Transformation | Academic Leadership in Business Strategy Award

Published on by Business Global Awards

Mr. Elvis Krulcic | Digital Transformation | Academic Leadership in Business Strategy Award

Mr. Elvis Krulcic | Digital Transformation | Academic Leadership in Business Strategy Award | Research and Teaching Assistant | University of Rijeka Faculty of Engineering | Croatia

Mr. Elvis Krulcic is a distinguished researcher and educator in the field of mechanical and industrial engineering, currently serving as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the University of Rijeka – Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management. With extensive experience bridging academia and industry, he brings over two decades of expertise in production technology, quality management, process optimization, and digital transformation of industrial systems. Mr. Krulcic earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ljubljana, complemented by a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rijeka, where he also completed his earlier engineering studies. His educational background reflects a strong technical foundation and a progressive evolution toward advanced research in industrial automation, digital maturity modeling, and sustainable production systems. Professionally, Mr. Krulcic has held leadership positions such as Plant Manager, Head of Technical Support and Applications, and Head of Central Maintenance Service, where he demonstrated exceptional abilities in Lean management, Six Sigma methodologies, and ISO-certified production environments. His practical experience with automotive, marine, and mechanical manufacturing industries has provided him with a deep understanding of industrial ecosystems, making his academic insights both applicable and transformative. His research interests include digital maturity assessment of industrial SMEs, adaptive decision-making models using AHP methodologies, Industry 4.0 integration, and smart manufacturing strategies aimed at enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness. He possesses strong research skills in process modeling, data analytics, industrial system optimization, and application of artificial intelligence techniques in digital transformation. Mr. Krulcic’s publications in indexed and open-access journals, such as Technologies, have received growing academic attention, highlighting his analytical approach and practical relevance. His notable work, “A Dynamic Assessment of Digital Maturity in Industrial SMEs: An Adaptive AHP-Based Digital Maturity Model (DMM) with Customizable Weighting and Multidimensional Classification (DAMA-AHP),” exemplifies his contribution to advancing digital frameworks for manufacturing enterprises. Over his career, he has earned recognition for academic excellence and professional leadership, receiving commendations for process improvement and sustainable innovation. Mr. Krulcic has also been actively involved in mentoring, teaching, and participating in collaborative research projects aimed at integrating industrial engineering principles with digital transformation initiatives. His continued dedication to advancing intelligent manufacturing and operational excellence underscores his value as a researcher and educator. In conclusion, Mr. Elvis Krulcic stands out as an accomplished professional whose blend of technical mastery, managerial experience, and academic rigor positions him as a leading contributor to the global advancement of industrial engineering and digital transformation research.

Profile:  Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

  1. Krulcic, E. (2025). A dynamic assessment of digital maturity in industrial SMEs: An adaptive AHP-based digital maturity model (DMM) with customizable weighting and multidimensional classification (DAMA-AHP). Technologies. 1 citation.

  2. Krulcic, E. (2024). Integration of Lean Six Sigma principles in digital transformation of manufacturing processes. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management. 3 citations.

  3. Krulcic, E. (2023). Optimizing maintenance systems using hybrid decision models in smart manufacturing environments. Procedia Manufacturing. 5 citations.

  4. Krulcic, E. (2022). Assessing the role of digital tools in improving industrial process efficiency: A multi-criteria analysis. International Journal of Production Research. 4 citations.

  5. Krulcic, E. (2021). Adoption of Industry 4.0 practices in small and medium-sized enterprises: A comparative study of digital maturity frameworks. Computers & Industrial Engineering. 6 citations.

  6. Krulcic, E. (2020). Strategic evaluation of ISO implementation in automotive manufacturing: Impact on process optimization. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. 7 citations.

  7. Krulcic, E. (2019). Application of AHP in evaluating sustainability indicators for industrial process improvement. Sustainability. 9 citations.