Nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive sciences are contributing to the emergence of intelligent computers and robots with elements of artificial intelligence and intelligent machines. This book postulates that these developments are accelerating the technological substitution of jobs and the shift in labor demand towards high qualification levels, putting the jobs of lower-skilled labor at risk. The digital economy is poised to increase the demand for highly qualified specialists in STEM fields (scientific research, innovative technologies, engineering, and...

The modern shipping industry has reached maturity; market demand and landscape shifts force industry agents to find new pathways to successful development. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a new pathway between Europe and Asia brings both opportunities and challenges to global logistics systems. These circumstances make commercial exploitation of the route a subject of intense focus in many countries actively involved in sea transportation.This book identifies specific problems and provides possible solutions to them by calling on the accumulated knowledge of researchers and practitioners with...