Globalization and innovation applying smart solutions

Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovak Republic

^* Corresponding author: parobek@tuzvo.sk

Abstract

The global economic environment is closely connected with the continuous application of innovation reflecting global trends and market changes. Currently, substantial attention is focused on innovations presenting smart solutions. Their purpose rests in efficiency, economy, environmental friendliness, safety (including health). Moreover, they increase consumers´ comfort. The packaging and its functions represents one of possibilities having considerable potential for sustainable development. It is related to the need to ensure that consumers perceive packaging in the context of sustainable development. The paper deals with consumers’ attitudes to innovative (especially smart) packaging aspects. We focused on the attitude of consumers towards innovative packaging functions by using intelligent solutions and their overall perception of intelligent packaging with regard to their education and income in Slovakia. The survey results allow us identifying the main advantages of packaging functions for better understanding and consequently more effective communication in decision-making processes. The results point to the importance of packaging, especially in the protective, environmental, information and economic areas. The survey was applied as part of the global research and pointed out that consumers perceive this issue as unknown and new. This is the main reason why the results point to low consumer interest in smart packaging.