*2.1. EE and its Determinants*

Energy efficiency may be regarded as an integrative strategy for delaying climate change, taking care of energy security, and exerting a positive impact on economic development. EE implies using less energy to perform the same task; that is, eliminating energy waste [12]. In quantitative terms, EE constitutes a ratio between service outputs (result) and the energy input required to provide it [13]. Factors such as habits, attitude, awareness of EE measures, and perceptions of involved individuals have an impact on the EE [14]. On top of that, Chai and Baudelaire linked EE to organizational aspects and measurements [15]. Minimizing waste and reducing time or transport distances between succeeding production processes can improve EE, which is important from both environmental and business points of view since increased energy prices and costs related to emitting greenhouse gases affect the company's competitiveness [16].

Unfortunately, many organizations fail to take up the implementation of efficient EE measures due to financial determinants, insufficient information, and limited in-house skills [17]. That is why the concept of an energy efficiency gap, i.e., the discrepancy between actual and optimal energy use [18], has been introduced. This gap shows a paradox where the adoption of energy-efficient solutions is withheld despite anticipating a positive return on investment [19]. Fresner et al. argued that greater recognition of EE requires identification of what sort of direct and indirect benefits could be gained from adopting energy-efficient technologies [17].

Several factors contribute to the propagation of EE. Those include, but are not limited to:


The necessity to reduce costs were acknowledged as the main driver to EE, whereas corporate social responsibility, regulatory compliance, and available opportunities to implement EE, were found to have no significant effects on EE results [17]. These considerations were confirmed among others by Thollander et al., who noted that information-related determinants, such as the public sector being a role model, municipal membership in an EE program, or pressure from non-government organizations, had the least impact on the behavior of decision-makers [27].
