International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The paper comments on Bulgaria’s penultimate position in the Global Innovation Index 2024. This position provoked the authors’ scientific interest in analysing the innovation environment in the country. The results of the analysis are considered according to individual indicators of the innovation environment, with the emphasis on the difficulties and problems facing the development of innovations. Innovations are a strategic factor for the development and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. On the basis of our own research with managers of industrial enterprises, conclusions about the opportunities and challenges for the development of innovations are formulated.

In the digital era, radical changes occur in all processes, under the influence of the dynamic development and application of intelligent technologies, including of artificial intelligence. The report explains the specific areas of application of artificial intelligence in human resource management processes, as well as the corresponding changes in these processes. Based on their own research, the authors indicate the specific benefits of applying artificial intelligence to HR processes.

Increasing competition in the market requires manufacturers to bring high technology solutions to optimize production processes on the one hand and to offer personalized products on the other hand. In the current conditions of digitization, namely the application of information and computer technologies requires the use of new management approaches. The report attempts to systematize the approaches and challenges of applying high technology to the modern industry.