Innovation, Quality and Sustainability for a Resilient Circular Economy

Digital transformation (DT) is progressively changing the paradigm of agricultural enterprises. The adoption of new digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, cloud, artificial intelligence, and big data aims, at the first moment, to increase productivity and product quality and reduce environmental impacts. Several studies investigate the characteristics and applications of digital technologies in agriculture. However, there are still few works that link economic, safety, and environmental impacts to these drivers of development. Therefore, through a critical review of the literature, this chapter aims to identify factors acting in competitiveness, sustainability, and safety. The articles identified from the literature were selected through a review process using the Scopus database. The search through the keywords “digital agriculture,” “high-tech farming,” “sustainability,” “competitiveness,” “economic,” and “traceability and safety” returned 128 articles. The results made it possible to identify key factors and describe their influence on the reference areas.

The agriculture of our century is undergoing rapid and continuous changes. The new needs appear to be the improvement of agricultural yield to meet future food needs and the framing of agricultural management with a view to environmental sustainability. In this context, the precision agriculture (PA) paradigm turns out to be decisive in meeting the aforementioned needs. This work aims to identify the awareness rate and adoption drivers of PA among Italian farmers. The research methodology is based on an online survey of a sample of 755 farmers (N = 755) in a period between July and November 2020. A regression analysis was subsequently carried out on the data collected. The results showed that Italian farmers do not have all the information necessary for the development of PA techniques (informed farmers: n = 366; 48.48%), with a diffusion rate of approximately 20% (adopting farmers: n = 155; 20.4%). Considering the research results, it seems necessary to undertake training development paths so that farmers can adequately adopt technologies with an orientation toward sustainability. The present research represents the starting point for future studies aimed at investigating the reason why so many differences emerge in the rate of knowledge and in the models of technological adoption.

The agri-food sector is increasingly exposed to multiple internal and external drivers of change, ranging from sudden shocks to long-term stressors, increasing its vulnerability over time. In a world of increasing complexity and future uncertainty, it has become imperative to include contingency as a critical element in sustainable development research. Change, uncertainty, and the adaptive capacity of systems invoke the concept of resilience. There is a growing recognition of how digitalization and so-called 4.0 disruptive technologies can contribute to agri-food resilience. This work aims to carry out a systematic literature review combining technological development in the agri-food sector with the concept of resilience. The main objective is to highlight the state of the art on the role of technological innovation and how it sustains the sector by presenting results of a descriptive conceptual nature. The results show that the contribution of technological innovations to agri-food resilience has become a topic of considerable interest, especially in the last 5 years (2018–2022) as a response, above all, to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Among the main contributions, digital technologies promote new approaches to production efficiency and decision-making in a logic of increased competitiveness, stability, and sustainability of the agri-food sector in the long term.

The literature analysis allowed us to group the main schools of thought on life cycle models into three categories: the marketing dimension (marketing product life cycle), the managerial/engineering dimension (engineering product life cycle), and the technological dimension (technology life cycle). However, the empirical evidence has revealed an overlap of such models, and over time, the technological dimension has taken on an increasingly important role in building successful business models. In particular, the open innovation (OI) concept has found increasing application in the agri-food sector through the construction of models based on specific case studies (OI models). This paper aims to carry out a systematic review of the current literature to underline points of contact and deviations between the most accredited models applied in the agri-food sector to highlight the success variables underlying the application of each model.

Currently, the production of meat appears to be unsustainable due to its environmental impact and because it causes natural resource depletion. Furthermore, in the next few years, the situation will worsen due to the increase in the human population and the lifestyle change of some nations, such as China or India. Moreover, according to scientists, conventional meat production would be insufficient to satisfy the growing demand for this food. To solve these problems, an innovative technology has recently been developed that can produce meat in the laboratory. Thus, the first synthetic meat production started in 2016. To date, there are different methodologies that try to overcome some problems linked to the poor quality and high cost of this new food. In light of these premises, the present study aims to present an overview of synthetic meat production techniques, analysing the advantages and disadvantages that meat production can entail. The results showed that synthetic meat could contribute to reducing environmental pollution and natural resource depletion as well as feed the growing world population. However, some technological problems should be resolved, such as its taste not always appreciated by consumers and the huge energy consumption that its production needs.

Orange byproducts are generated from the production of citrus juice and consist of approximately 45–60% of the fruit. It has been estimated that global orange juice production can generate between 0.8 and 1 million tons of byproducts each year. This waste represents for producers not only an underutilized commodity but also a source of environmental pollution and a heavy cost for its disposal. The most common processes implemented to improve their management are their use as fertilizers or animal feed, as well as other minor uses. Recently, many alternatives have been proposed to add value to these residues. Most of them aim to exploit the higher dietary fibre, phenolic and antioxidant values contained in the peel of orange and pomace compared with the fruit and the presence of characteristic beneficial compounds present only in the peel, such as limonoids, alkaloids, pectin, and essential oils. Starting from this evidence, valuable molecules generated from orange waste can be used in the food, cosmetic, or pharma industries. Other interesting applications reported in the literature involve the production of bioethanol, enzymes, adsorbent materials, food packaging, paper, and fabric. The purpose of this chapter is to examine a variety of different novel products derived from this waste as a key strategy for the application of the circular economy in the orange juice processing industries.

The need to redesign production and consumption models to achieve sustainable development is widely recognized. In this context, the circular economy (CE) model, based on reduction, reuse, and recycling activities, has emerged as a powerful framework to succeed in this global trial. Scholars have highlighted that the engagement of the whole supply chain is essential to successfully shift from the traditional linear economic framework to the CE model, especially in the agri-food (AF) sector. Accordingly, stakeholder engagement plays a crucial role in this process. Recently, scientific literature has demonstrated that companies could use social media (SM) as a disclosure instrument to generate engagement between companies and their stakeholders. Starting from this background, this research aims to explore stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the disclosure of CE practices and performance in the agri-food (AF) sector through SM.

Urban food policies are highly relevant among the governance policies of a city. By putting food at the centre of a system of relations at a territorial level, it is possible to create an integrated system. Modern urban food policies also incorporate the principles of sustainability and the circular economy.This chapter presents the “‘Food in the Circular City” model, developed within the framework of the “Prato Circular City” strategy, promoted by the Municipality of Prato to accelerate the city’s circular transition. This model aims to achieve a balance between supply and demand for agricultural products for the city, which does not necessarily have to achieve self-sufficiency but rather an integrated and harmonized system of relations between city and countryside that optimizes production to meet real needs in terms of quality and quantity. The affirmation of a circular urban agri-food system and of this integrated vision of food production and consumption also requires access to scientific knowledge, technologies, incentives, and financial facilities available to all interested parties. The aim of the “Food in the Circular City” model is the creation of a short and multifunctional supply chain, constituting an overall design for the enhancement of Prato’s agri-food offer.

We contributed to the research project titled ‘Innovations in Organic Farming to Improve the Sustainability of Apulian Farms for Cereals and Industrial Crops’. We aimed to define a new agroecological model based on the crop rotation of some of the main Apulian herbaceous crops (industrial tomatoes, durum wheat, and legumes). We also aimed to improve the competitiveness of organic crops through experimentation with pilot farms to measure sustainability. In 2021, the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2023–2027 introduced a new mechanism of ‘social conditionality’, (SC), relating to the conditions of workers, to which obtaining income support is linked. The application of social conditionality (SC) on a voluntary basis is expected to occur from 2023 to 2025 and then becomes mandatory. The social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) methodology was used in the project to assess social sustainability. The chapter aims to define the S-LCA methodology to be implemented in the project, which includes the requirements of the SC of the new CAP 2023–2027, for the health and safety subcategory and for the new employment relationship subcategory.

To overcome the difficulties of the market and some supply chains’ organic production being more efficient and competitive, we contributed to the research project “Innovations in organic agriculture to improve the sustainability of Apulian farms for cereals and industrial crops.” We aimed to define an agroecological model based on crop rotation of the main Apulian herbaceous crops: industrial tomatoes, durum wheat, and legumes. We used this model to measure organic crop sustainability. We assessed social sustainability using the social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) methodology, which envisages the LCA approach. After the first United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) / Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) guidelines were published in 2009, they were updated in 2020. Furthermore, these guidelines were integrated with methodological sheets in 2013 and 2021. However, these approaches do not include reference scales with specific indicators to assess every subcategory’s impact. We aimed to define the application of the S-LCA methodology to evaluate the new impact subcategory “Smallholders including farmers” (stakeholder “Workers”), introduced in the new 2020 guidelines. We also aimed to elaborate on the relative reference scale to be adopted in the impact assessment.

However, less importance has been given to the management of SOC than to the carbon in living soil cover because of the faster recycling of the latter. Soil can be a source or sink of carbon, depending on its management. Globally, agriculture, forestry, and land use changes account for ca. 21% of the global emissions, with strong regional differences regarding regions and source sectors. The question is whether it is possible to manage soil so that agricultural practices and land use in general become carbon sinks instead of sources. Scientific evidence indicates that increases in SOC are associated with better soil fertility and biodiversity and more resilience against erosion, droughts, and floods, in addition to other positive effects directly related to several sustainable development goals (SDGs). This chapter explores different soil carbon projects, carried out both internationally and nationally, to exploit the enormous potential of soil in mitigating climate change.

The circular economy (CE) aims to close the material cycle with a reduction in resource consumption and emissions released into the environment through the concept of productive metabolism. Indeed, the circular economy could provide tools to improve and optimize sustainability within the food system. The sector could therefore benefit from the development of strategies to promote a more circular approach to its operations. The application of the circular economy and the reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) approach in the agri-food sector is essential to transform society and make production systems and communities more circular. This chapter aims to present a pilot project to analyse the behaviour of Italian companies in the agri-food sector to develop a model that focuses on eco-innovation, digitalization, and ecological transition. This chapter presents the main goals and steps of the pilot project. This chapter presents the main goals and steps of the pilot project. The project goal is to analyse how the principles of the circular economy and climate neutrality can be applied in the agri-food sector through the creation of models for assessing the circularity and sustainability of businesses. To this end, it is planned to carry out an in-depth analysis of the literature that will allow the definition of a reference framework for circular agri-food supply chains and specific circularity KPIs applicable to the entire agri-food sector. Starting from the identification of the main environmental impacts of the sector, this project explores which circularity practices can be implemented. Furthermore, the indicators to measure circular practices in the sector will be identified, tested, and validated through a pilot phase with selected stakeholders.

The application of the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) principle, as foreseen by the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR in Italian), intends to demonstrate that a project intervention does not cause significant harm to the environment and can produce positive impacts. This chapter describes the results of a preliminary analysis of environmental aspects and impacts, in accordance with the DNSH, related to the restoration and reforestation of the historic garden of Villa San Leonardo al Palco in Prato. Alongside the care and restoration of the villa, which already hosts events, conferences, and retreats, the project “Well-being and spirituality: Orto-giardino Laudato Sì” will enhance the garden and preserve biodiversity, with benefits for citizens and tourists. One of the main objectives is the adoption and development of ecosystem functions in the garden, with direct and positive environmental effects. The principles of both circularity and sustainable agriculture inspire the creation of a bioactive garden to cultivate local biodiversity for self-consumption, with the possibility of enhancing sustainable food models, health, and well-being. The garden will become an ecological, economic, and social laboratory capable of strengthening and spreading scientific, technical, botanical, and environmental knowledge.

Attention to the different phases of the life cycle of agri-food products by producers and consumers is an aspect that is growing at the same speed with which the agricultural sector is introducing innovations brought by digital transformation, evolving into agri-tech.Therefore, it becomes necessary to evaluate the sustainability of the entire agri-food chain to understand where and how to intervene to improve its efficiency and quality. This work, through a case study relating to an Italian agricultural company operating in the hazelnut sector, aims to analyse the impacts of the life cycle of this product considering the path from the raw material to the final treatment before the hazelnuts are delivered to the transformation company. The final goal is to assess the potential critical issues concerning hazelnut production, with a view to improving the efficiency of the life cycle stages using innovative information systems set up ad hoc. As a result, our findings describe a best practice of a system able to support the company in the management of its data, which can be updated directly in-house, continuously and in a coordinated manner.

One natural, sustainable extract of Castanea sativa Mill. was tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity against three phytopathogenic Oomycetes of agronomic interest: Pythium dissotocum, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum. The extract is obtained from chestnut culture waste by hot water extraction and membrane fractionation/concentration. The chemical characterization of bioactive secondary metabolites highlighted the presence of gallic and ellagic hydrolysable tannins (26.0% vs weight of powder), with a prevalence of vescalagin and castalagin (4.8% and 9.8%). The extract showed good inhibition of mycelial growth, particularly for P. sylvaticum, for which an inhibition of 79.4% with 0.1% w/V extract was observed. For P. dissotocum and P. ultimum, the inhibition was 57.1% and 56.5%, respectively, at 0.1% extract. Furthermore, in all tests, a different phenotype (laxer mycelium) was observed. This evidence could open perspectives for using sweet chestnut tannins for the contrast of phytopathogenic Pythium, e.g. in sowing substrates or for crop biodefence, or even in substrates for hydroponic crops, given the dependence of Pythium spp. in aquatic environments. This study is in line with the growing interest in eco-sustainable solutions for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture.

The importance of environmental sustainability, together with its economic and social pillar, and circular economy issues permeates more and more any aspect of our daily life through proactive initiatives, tending towards zero-waste and zero-pollutant production processes to the ongoing ecological transition. Hence, there is a need for some industries, such as the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, to innovate their production processes from a circular perspective, trying to ensure the minimum environmental impact, a high level of quality throughout the life cycle assessment (LCA) of its products and services and the maximum expression of the hi-tech–hi-green performance combination. This chapter aims to demonstrate how internationally shared sustainability objectives can guide and bring actual benefits through companies that embrace a circular bioeconomy approach and how this, in turn, can be the basis of a multi-output production process related to markets and bioeconomy sectors. To this end, a case was studied concerning a pilot project dedicated to research and development activities applied to the nutraceutical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and green agriculture sectors, allowing the export of sustainable production models to places other than Sicily.

The project “Italian Life Cycle Inventory Database of Agri-Food Products” (ILCIDAF), funded by the Ministry of University and Research, aims to promote the sustainability of the agri-food sector through the development of an Italian database for some important food chains in our country (bread and pasta, wine, olive oil, and citrus fruits). The research project is being developed by four scientific units: the University of Bari, Chieti-Pescara, Messina, and Reggio Calabria. The database is constructed considering the entire supply chain of the indicated foodstuffs. In particular, in this work, the milling activities of durum and soft wheat are analysed, and the construction of datasets related to the production phase of durum and soft wheat flour is proposed.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly used to assess the potential environmental impacts of agri-food products, but practitioners face many problems in identifying and solving various methodological and data availability issues. One of the main critical issues is linked to the lack of reliable site-specific data representing the specificities of the Italian agri-food production processes. These reliable data are still missing in commercial databases, which generally use approximate data or data related to other countries. To reduce this lack, the project “Promoting Agri-Food Sustainability: Development of an Italian Life Cycle Inventory Database of Agri-Food Products (ILCIDAF)” aims to develop a database of life cycle inventory (LCI) for some Italian agri-food products. This chapter reports preliminary results related to the Italian olive oil supply chain showing two different LCI data collection approaches: (i) combining statistical and secondary data and (ii) using primary data collected through surveys. Although differences in data among the proposed approaches exist, the datasets result in a high level of detail that could be used for representing, from macro (country) to micro (organization) levels, the specificities of Italian olive oil production, showing a higher quality of data compared to existing commercial LCI databases.

School canteens may play an important role in promoting sustainable diets based on the selection of seasonal meals and nutritional values. In this study, the life cycle assessment method was applied to evaluate the environmental performance, in terms of global warming, related to the life cycle of four seasonal menus supplied to school canteens. Furthermore, the aim is also to understand how environmental sustainability may be linked to strategic choices oriented to seasonal menus and nutritional values of ingredients. The functional unit is referred to as “one seasonal menu delivered to a school canteen,” while system boundaries are defined, including three different phases: (1) ingredient production and transport, (2) meal preparation, and (3) meal delivery. The results underscore that, in all the investigated menus, ingredient production (phase 1) causes the main contribution to the impacts, followed by cooking processes (phase 2). Furthermore, high variability is identified when the impacts of ingredients are compared to their nutritional values, and an improvement in global warming performance is identified when seasonal food products are adopted. The study also points out the need for more specific frameworks aimed at helping decision-makers in choices regarding sustainable and nutritionally balanced diets.

According to the United Nations (UN), since the 1980s, the global rate of water use has increased by 1% per year, and by 2050, humanity’s water footprint is projected to exceed 30% of current levels. Water security and resource management issues are particularly evident in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This area (approx. 14,951,232 km2) is generally arid, with more than 355 million people to date. Therefore, the risk of water stress is among the highest in the world. Of great importance to the economies of MENA countries are the exports of agricultural products, which can reach a gross production value per hectare cultivated of $226,000. In 2004, the European Union (EU) launched the European Neighborhood Policy, also with some countries of the MENA region, to promote the stability and economic security of the countries involved, encouraging, in particular, the exchange of agri-food products from and to these countries. Overall, the EU mainly exports beef, cereals, and dairy products and imports fruit, vegetables, and olive oil. Starting from an aggregate analysis of the products most exported from the countries to the EU, the study aims to investigate the water footprint of 1 t of these products. Through an analysis of the literature (Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science), the analysis of data available on the FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database), and the implementation of the SimaPro software, the study assesses a basket’s water footprint of agri-food products. It highlights that the two main impacting productions in terms of water are avocados, whose production has rapidly increased in the last few years, and dates. To progress towards more sustainable agriculture paths and more responsible uses of natural resources, it could be crucial for water-stressed regions to narrow those productions that contribute to a high level of water discharge.

The agri-food sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global climate change. Carbon emissions represent a critical issue in the wine sector. The air indicator of Italian VIVA certification expresses the impact of wine production on climate change. This chapter analyses the impacts of air indicators of VIVA-certified wines in the different stages of production (agricultural production, industrial processing, and bottling) and, furthermore, the data variability. The sample is represented by 45 wines produced by Italian companies (functional unit refers to a bottle of wine of 0.75 L). The results reveal average values of 0.25 kg CO2/bottle in the agricultural phase, while in the industrial processing phase, the values are slightly higher (0.28 kg CO2/bottle). The production of packaging (bottling) represents the most impactful phase (0.58 kg CO2/bottle). The values of the coefficient of variation applied to the impact of the entire production cycle ranged between 0.05 and 1.46 kg CO2/bottle, revealing a very heterogeneous scenario.Monitoring the performance of VIVA-certified companies and implementing eco-sustainable business management strategies are essential issues for reducing climate-altering gas emissions. Strategies for carbon emissions reduction (especially in the bottling phase) are needed, in line with the continuous improvement philosophy.

Packaged water is one of the fastest growing commodities on a global scale, with significant repercussions from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Worldwide, the total annual consumption of water is estimated at approximately 390 billion litres, corresponding to over 155 billion euros. In this context, Italy plays an important role, being the eighth country for total consumption, estimated in 2020 at over 14 billion litres, and second for per capita consumption, equal to 222 L. Under the economic perspective, its value equals approximately 2800 million euros. In Italy, over 82% of the water is packaged in plastic bottles, while 16% is packaged in glass bottles and only 2% is packaged in plastic jugs, cardboard bricks, or aluminium cans. This research applies material flow analysis to the national packaged water sector to measure the material flows associated with the entire packaged water sector in Italy. Although cardboard bricks and aluminium cans could represent a more sustainable solution from an environmental point of view in the long term, plastic packaging guarantees numerous socioeconomic advantages, namely, economic convenience, easy portability, and widespread distribution of the product. The research discusses possible circularization strategies in the packaged water sector, providing useful research directions for practitioners and academics.

The framework developed is based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of recent developments in consumption habits induced by the exogenous shocks of supply and demand caused by the post-pandemic scenarios and the war in Ukraine. The key role of the new processes of globalization has led companies and consumers to change their purchase of food. An emerging market, i.e. food delivery, has become one of the most commonly used channels for food distribution. It is interesting to observe both from the economic and nutritional sides the consequences that these new consumption habits have brought to consumers. In this regard, the research aims to evaluate the correlation between the emerging market of food delivery and its implications on food quality standards by consumers’ willingness to pay.

In Europe, food supplements are classified as foodstuffs and regulated by Directive 2002/46/EC. They are a concentrated source of nutrients (e.g. vitamins, amino acids, minerals, etc.) or bioactive compounds extracted from plants or herbs. The Italian market for food supplements is showing rapid growth, especially through business to consumer (B2C) e-commerce. However, it is highly competitive and fragmented. No single company has an adequate influence to lead the industry in a specific direction, and countless formulations are listed in the “National Register of Food Supplements.” Quality products can therefore be the key to a competitive advantage. In this study, the biological–nutritional quality of 22 product formulations of an Italian start-up, MyLab Nutrition Group, was evaluated by a panel of seven experts recruited through public competition and led by a coordinator. The products were compared with the best seller in the category, or the standard of care used by the participants, using the Likert scale as a quality indicator. The average score given by the panel for the products was 3.8 ± 1.1. This result showed that the start-up’s products are highly comparable with those on the market, confirming their competitiveness with the leading Italian brands.

In recent years, there has been a trend towards more in-depth study of the factors that affect the willingness of wine manufacturers to use quality labels such as protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI). Key issues such as the influence of climate on wine production, authenticity of wine quality, and technological innovations in wine production are subjects of research for PDO indication. The possibility of classifying the chemical composition of wines and the use of PGI as a harmonized strategy for lower production costs and increased consumer interest are the other areas of research. This study aims to test the above-mentioned groups of factors and their ability to improve the quality of wine production in Bulgaria as well as to analyse the existing practices of assessment for Bulgarian wine producers. The study involves wine producers and experts from the National Viticulture Agency, and their perceptions will be analysed through the fuzzy AHP approach.

Veneto is Italy’s leading wine producer, contributing 23.1% to the entire national production. Veneto production mainly concentrates on protected designation of origin (PDO) wines with 1212 million euros as market value. The definition of some typical markers in wines is an excellent tool for the traceability and authenticity of the Veneto wine supply chain. In this context, the profile of 35 elements by High Resolution - Inductively Coupled - Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HR-ICP–MS) was determined in 12 wine samples belonging to different PDOs of the Veneto region. An exploratory data assessment using principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on the results dataset. The red wine samples were well grouped in a score plot area with a strong influence of macroelements such as Na, K, Mg, and P, while the white and sparkling wine samples were not differentiated. Subsequently, a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was carried out, which gave excellent results for classifying all wine categories (75–100% correct classification). In conclusion, it can be stated that multi-element analysis of quality wine samples gave good results for characterizing Venetian PDOs.

In recent years, a growing interest among farmers and chefs has been oriented towards edible flowers, which are now popular in modern cuisine and appreciated by consumers. Their expansion is not limited to the aesthetic value but also to flavour and nutritional aspects that supply food and beverages. The aim of our research is to characterize edible flowers in terms of aromatic profile and nutritional component to provide an objective approach able to discriminate one product from another on the market considering the peculiarities of each variety available. In the first step of the study, reported in this chapter, HS-SPME/GC–MS and ASE/HPLC-UV methods were developed to assess the volatile fingerprint and flavonoid content in edible flowers. The resulting chromatographic profiles of the analysis of a wide set of samples are processed by multivariate statistical analysis to build classification models (next step of research, in progress).

Iris pallida is produced in Tuscany (Italy) in two limited hilly areas. The cultivation of Iris has undergone a progressive contraction, mainly due to the high labour requirements of the crop and to the reduction in the price of dry rhizomes on the international market of the perfume industry. To improve the value of the Iris crop as a resource for the local economy, a key aspect is to improve the quality of Iris in the Tuscan territory. Innovative biocidal and repellent products from arbutus and olive trees containing antimicrobial active ingredients have been developed to improve the critical points that compromise the quality and microbiological safety of Iris rhizomes. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and innovative GCxGC-time-of-flight (TOF) and GC-vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) analyses have been optimized for the exhaustive characterization of irones and volatile compounds in flours with different aging degrees and in the absence or presence of cuticles to obtain an identity card of the aromatic profile of Iris, to monitor the quality of the product and to enhance the biodiversity of Tuscany. High performance liquid chromatography–photodiode-array detection–mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) was also used to characterize the nonaromatic component with antioxidant activity to enhance its possible innovative use in the cosmetic and liqueur sectors of both flour and byproducts of the supply chain.

In Italy, the beekeeping sector is extremely diversified and heterogeneous due to the production conditions, the seasonal production yield influenced by the weather, and the small economic dimension of the operators. The aim of the study is to explore the attention of small Italian honey production companies to the quality of the product and their relationship with markets and consumers, highlighting the main difficulties encountered, the innovations introduced, and the predisposition to preserve the environment. The research method adopted is a mixed method in which qualitative and quantitative data are included. The qualitative data are derived from the analysis of a multiple case study developed by interviewing the owners of six Abruzzo honey production companies. Respondents were also asked to fill out a small questionnaire to quantitatively assess some aspects detailed during the interview. The study shows that interviewed companies are microsized and family-run, and their target market is purely local and regional. They are oriented towards lower and qualitatively higher production with a higher price, covering a niche segment of the market. Companies are open to innovation, and they have had to manage significant changes in the sector over the years. Attention to environmental issues is a fundamental aspect.

Honey is a natural sweetener produced by bees (Apis mellifera) from the nectar of flowers of blossoming plants (blossom honey) or from the secretions of plants or the excretions on plants of plant-sucking insects mostly from the family Aphididae (honeydew honey). Characterized by dark colour and by a slightly bitter taste, honeydew honeys show antibacterial and antioxidant properties and values of several physicochemical variables higher than in blossom honeys. Recently, interest in this rare type of honey has increased due to its peculiar sensorial attributes and therapeutic properties. Research reveals that the medicinal properties of honey are related to the high presence of polyphenols, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, to promote its wide application in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, as well as its use in cosmetology. The aim of this chapter is to determine the antioxidant capacity and phenolic compound content by spectrophotometric assays and the profile of 15 polyphenols by an optimized High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (HPLC/DAD) method in commercial samples of Italian honeydew honey. Quality physicochemical parameters were also examined to evaluate the overall quality of the samples and the correspondence to legal requirements.

Whole products have achieved remarkable success over the years due to the growing attention by consumers for the health effects of these foods. In the present study, a multivariate model was developed to characterize durum wheat pasta and whole wheat pasta based on the carotenoid content and to assess the possible influence of the drying process used in pasta manufacturing on the total carotenoid amount. Ninety-six pasta samples were analysed by HPLC-UV/Vis following an accelerated solvent extraction phase (accelerated solvent extraction, ASE) previously optimized using an experimental design approach (central composite design, CCD). A partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) method was used for data processing. The resulting classification model showed excellent results (100% correct classification for both pasta categories) discriminating the samples based on the semolina used for production (refined durum wheat vs whole wheat). The findings also highlighted that lutein was present in much larger amounts compared to the other bioactive components in all investigated samples, suggesting that it might be used as a product marker of total carotenoids in pasta.

Global warming is a current global concern affecting food safety since rising temperatures can influence microbial ecology, resulting in the growth and activity of certain bacterial strains producing toxic substances. Rising temperatures jeopardize the safety of fermented products such as cheese. During cheese ripening, the amino acids liberated through proteolytic phenomena are substrates for secondary catabolic reactions through bacteria, resulting in the release of substances with a potential negative impact on human health, such as biogenic amines. Therefore, this work considers the content of biogenic amines in a sheep’s milk cheese produced during the winter and spring period to evaluate the effect of the increment of temperature on the production of these toxic compounds and obtain information on the potential impact of global warming on the safety of cheese. The results showed that spring production had a higher content of biogenic amines than winter production. Given that the lengthening of the warm seasons due to the change in climatic conditions is expected, producers should take action to ensure cheese safety and limit the adverse effect of rising temperatures.

In addition to being one of the most important Italian horticultural crops, tomato is also one of the most cultivated in the world. Due to its organoleptic and nutritional qualities, it plays a central role in the Mediterranean diet; therefore, the demand is high both from the fresh market and as a raw material for the processing industry. There is a wide range of industrial derivatives, such as peeled tomatoes, purées, concentrates, juices, and, just from the processing of tomatoes, a sector of extreme importance in the Italian manufacturing scene has arisen, the canning sector. Tomato pulp, purée, and peeled tomatoes represent the main categories of industrial derivatives, of which the commercial importance of exports should be noted, both to Europe (Germany, France, and the United Kingdom) and to other countries (Asia, United States, Japan, and Oceania). According to Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare (ISMEA) data, over 60% of national production is destined abroad, equal to a market share of 13% of world production and 53% of European production. The processed tomato supply chain is controlled, certified, and oriented towards environmental sustainability. Therefore, it is in the interest of companies to enhance both the domestic and foreign markets the quality characteristics of the productions, characteristics linked to a specific territoriality, in order to incentivize the growth of consumption and consolidate the market. Quality productions currently protected include the Pachino Indicazione Geografica protetta (IGP) tomato, a typical fresh variety, as well as the Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio Dop and the San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino Dop tomato, which is well suited for industrial processing. In a logic of safeguarding national peculiarities, the national origin of the product and traceability must represent for the canning companies in the sector, as well as a communication and marketing tool, above all a factor of competitiveness on international markets. For this purpose, control parameters are fundamental to discriminate between different cultivars and to enhance their typicality.

The agricultural sector plays a major role in Nepal’s economy, contributing approximately one third of the country’s gross domestic product. Although subsistence farming still dominates agricultural production, the proportion of farmland used for the production of high-value crops such as spices increased by 24% in this last decade. However, Nepal has not yet been able to establish direct trade relationships with buyers in potential destination markets. This chapter focuses on the project “Spices and sEEDs value chain improvement for rural development in Nepal, enhancing women and youth empowerment,” implemented by the ASIA non-governmental organization (NGO) and funded by AICS. The project aims to support small-scale farmers by improving agricultural production and the sale of seeds and spices of high commercial value. The work focuses on the sustainability of the rural supply chain of Nepali spices, and the actions carried out aim to describe the action research carried out by ARCO PIN-Unifi to introduce upgrading in the processes of selection, preservation, and packaging/labelling of the selected spices. Spectrophotometric analysis is also carried out for the evaluation of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity to enhance the functional value of spices and for the preparation of data sheets, which are also useful for the possible export of the product.

The leaves of two Apulian carob cultivars (Selvatica and Amele) were investigated in terms of their phytochemical profiles. Ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) proved to be effective in the recovery of bioactive compounds in comparison with classical methods. When equal to the solvent, the Selvatica leaf extracts showed higher contents of antioxidants, and among solvents, water was shown to possess the most effective extraction capacity, leading to the highest yield. Liquid chromatography–diode array detection (LC-DAD) analyses revealed remarkable amounts of antioxidants in carob leaf extracts, as confirmed by different colorimetric assays. Myricitrin and 4- hydroxy-benzoic acid (HBA) were shown to be the most abundant compounds in all samples, containing simple phenols, polyphenols, and flavanols. The obtained data demonstrated the suitability of carob leaf extracts as a promising ingredient during functional food formulation.

The aim of this research was to employ the unripped pod of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) as a source of molecules with remarkable health and nutraceutical properties. The extractions were carried out by the ultrasound extraction method, an eco-friendly procedure that, employing low temperatures, preserves bioactive molecules. The optimization of the extraction methods performed on Selvatica cultivar pods allowed the recovery of several fractions with different polyphenolic contents, deeply characterized in terms of antioxidant properties, as well as chemical composition. The extract that provided the best performance was involved in a radical reaction on the gelatin backbone, a natural polymeric matrix widely employed as a food ingredient. The grafting reaction was performed by a totally eco-friendly synthetic methodology involving ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide as initiator systems. The polymeric conjugate, showing remarkable antioxidant features, can potentially be used as a gelling agent in the preparation of jellies and/or candies with an added nutritional value, as well as prolonged shelf life compared to the conventional one, mainly attributable to the bioactive molecules coming from the carob pod extract.

The application of circular economy principles is of particular interest to the agricultural and agri-food sectors, given the large amount of waste matrix of some plant species. In recent decades, attention that has been given to the cultivation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been rediscovered. The saffron produced from dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. has been known since ancient times for its numerous therapeutic properties. The spice is obtained from the stigmas of the flowers, while petals and stamens are 90% waste material.The recovery of the flowers, considering the considerable amount of polyphenols with high antioxidant activity present in this matrix (kaempferol and quercetin glycosides), allows its use for innovative purposes in different product sectors, such as foods, cosmetics, and biomedical applications. In this context, this work evaluated that the polyphenol content in flowers of C. sativus grown in Tuscanyto characterizes this product from a qualitative–quantitative point of view for various product sectors. The quali-quantitative analysis of the extracts was carried out by HPLC/DAD/MS (high performance liquid cromatography coupled with diode array and mass specrometer) analysis. Given the potential of this matrix, another aspect of the research consists of evaluating the possible tumour growth inhibition activity on kidney and bladder cancer cell lines by the extracts of petals.

Sustainability and the circular economy (CE) are issues of increasing interest to governments, investors, industry, and civil society, and for this reason, the implementation of a business model for circularity and/or sustainability is becoming crucial for achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage for various organizations. In this context, consumers play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of business processes through their choices and behaviours (van Bussel et al, J Clean Prod 341:130904, 2022). However, even though sustainability issues and the circular economy have now widely involved consumers, making them seemingly well aware of how their behavior can have a direct impact on the environment, the percentage of people who accompany this awareness with truly sustainable behaviour and who are therefore willing to embrace the goal of “saving the planet” is small (D’Arco, Marino, Transform Gov 16:185–202, 2022). Through an empirical survey, the research aims to understand the actual level of consumer awareness of sustainability issues, with a focus on the environmental dimension, and to analyse the main characteristics that distinguish a genuinely sustainable consumer, through his behaviour, from a less sustainable consumer.

Sustainability and the circular economy are topics of great interest in management, and in recent years, they have assumed considerable prominence in marketing and its strategies. Research interest in the topic is prompted by the presence of questions that are related to “green” marketing and require a more thorough approach to the study of this problem. In addition, one of the most important components of “green marketing,” namely, the phenomenon of “greenwashing,” also remains unexplored. The area of this work is “greenwashing” as one of the phenomena of “green” marketing. The subject of the research is a pilot analysis of consumer awareness of the “greenwashing” phenomenon in Italy. The method used is a survey and expert (in-depth) interviews. This study makes a theoretical contribution to solving one of the pressing problems of environmental marketing – the problem of ignorance about one of the phenomena of unfair marketing – greenwashing.

The study investigates the change in the purchasing practices of agri-food products, analysing whether traditional, health, and environmental aspects influence postpandemic purchasing intention.The empirical study conducted in Italy aims to understand the state of the art and investigate consumer behaviour in the agri-food system after the pandemic. Thereafter, a quantitative analysis was conducted, and the theoretical model was analysed through structural equation modelling techniques.The findings show that health and traditional aspects (culinary traditions, ingredient usage from one’s territory of origin, and product origin attention) are among the main reasons for purchasing agri-food goods after the pandemic. Instead, environmental aspects negatively affect consumers’ purchase intentions.The research provides insights for food companies and governments by highlighting the aspects to be improved to optimize the agri-food sector following a sustainable perspective.

The actual pandemic has made the balance between health, ecosystems, the global supply chain, and resources more evident. Numerous studies have shown that diets based on plant-origin food are less impacted on the environment than those of animal-origin food; therefore, consumer choices can affect the sustainable development of the agri-food sector. In this chapter, the profile of Italian vegan and vegetarian consumers was investigated to understand the role that environmental sustainability and other issues play in the choice of these diets. The data of the Eurispes Italy 2020–2021 report relating to vegan and vegetarian consumers were analysed. From 2018 to 2021, the trend of vegan consumers showed positive values, since it improved from 0.9% to 2.4%; vegetarians showed a discontinuous trend, from 2018 onwards between 5.4% and 6.7%. The results reveal the main reasons that push consumers to adopt these diets, which are inherent to health issues (23.2%) and respect for animals (22.2%). Environmental sustainability is still a minor driver for orienting consumers’ choice towards a vegan/vegetarian diet (only 5.1% of the total sample); however, there is a growth in awareness among young people (18–24 years) in attributing to environmental protection issues a reason for being vegan/vegetarian.

The increasing need for energy and the decarbonization of production activities, as well as the necessity for the sustainable management of the growing amount of waste, have led to the identification of alternative technological solutions that are often strongly contested. For this reason, one of the most important nontechnical factors to consider in project development is opposition from local communities. However, there are cases where such proposals are welcomed. This study aims to identify, through a systematic literature review, the reasons leading communities to accept or reject a proposal for intervention in their territory. The results show that communities do not necessarily perceive the implementation of potentially hazardous projects as undesirable. On the other hand, explaining the support for a project solely based on the related economic benefits would be reductive; indeed, it would not take into account the complexity of a phenomenon in which social and cultural factors, such as the sense of belonging and sharing and the perception of generated progress and prosperity, are decisive and deeply context related.

Italy is a country of great local customs and traditions, and each region has peculiar typical characteristics, which determine different qualitative, sensory, and organoleptic attributes in food products. This allows the promotion of the growth of POD- and PGI-certified brands, transforming it into an important production area of “Made in Italy” food excellence. The quality of food is linked to the sustainability of the “agri-food system,” a term increasingly used in various strategic documents, policies, and development plans at the international, national, and local level: “Agenda 2030” (UN), the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Green Deal, and the “Farm to Fork” strategy that represents the attention and the acquisition of greater awareness of the consumer, who wants to be informed about the origin and the nutritional composition of a food. This work investigates the behaviour of Italian consumers towards certificated products through survey administration. From the observation of the results obtained, it emerges that 90% of respondents recognize certification logos and their main differences, while food safety is chosen by 62% of consumers to represent the concept of quality.

Digital transformation affects company competitiveness mainly in terms of innovation, efficiency, and cost reduction and affects global value chains in specialization, geographic scope, governance, and upgrading (Leão, da Silva, Strateg Change 30:421–441, 2021). In food, digital tools can improve competitive advantage by supporting companies in ensuring food quality and safety by addressing the main issues related to this topic: food fraud, food safety and recall, regulatory compliance, social issues, and consumer information (Burke, Food traceability. In: McEntire J, Kennedy A (eds) Food microbiology and food safety, Springer, Cham, 2019). However, many companies still struggle to respond adequately to digital transformation challenges by adopting new technology concepts as a trend and not a real company imperative, misallocating internal resources and capabilities around technology, and expecting good results (Kane et al, MIT Sloan Manage Rev Deloitte 57181:27, 2015). Moreover, studies on the impact of digitization on companies’ competitiveness are, for the time being, still at an early stage of development (Leão, da Silva, Strateg Change 30:421–441,2021), as are related impact assessment criteria (Lisienkova et al, A model for digital innovation assessment and selection. In: Beskopylny A, Shamtsyan M (eds) XIV international scientific conference “INTERAGROMASH 2021”. Lecture notes in networks and systems, vol 246. Springer, Cham). The objective of this research is to analyse the entire national olive supply chain to understand the level of application of digital technologies by leading companies in the sector and, through consumer research, to understand what consumers’ perceptions are regarding the use of digital technologies in traceability.

In the bioeconomy, beekeeping and honey production are of great importance and contribute to sustainability. Honey is a nutritious, healthy, and flavoured product embodying the biodiversity and culture of the lands of origin and the peculiarities of the production areas through the work of many smallholder farmers providing honey with added value derived from the local environment. The functional properties of honey are largely attributed to minor constituents (polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids), which can function as natural antioxidants in our diet. In addition to the analytical results on the antioxidant activity of Tuscan and Sardinian honeys, this work reports the data of a survey to evaluate the preferences for honey consumption in a group of young adults. In particular, the objectives were (i) to compare local honeys produced by smallholder farmers to industrial honeys and to highlight the added value of local productions; (ii) to analyse the findings of the survey on honey consumption in young adult consumers; and (iii) to evaluate the antioxidant properties of local honey to promote it as a valuable component of a healthy and balanced diet and to disseminate among consumers’ food culture and food functional property awareness.

Food safety is a topic of central importance in the European context. Since the 1960s, the European Union (EU) has established numerous rules to guarantee the hygienic and sanitary protection of food products and, therefore, the health of consumers. In this sense, EU legislation has introduced an integrated approach to food safety, including information on food products and animal welfare, regulating the stages of the food chain, and offering consumers several pieces of information. Over the past few years, however, the European legislature has regulated the breeding of insects for the production of food for human consumption. In this context, the present paper aims to investigate the perception and behavior of consumers on food safety issues in light of the introduction of insects as food for human consumption. A preliminary survey of a sample of consumers was conducted, and the results show that food safety is an important feature in the process of purchasing food products. Moreover, some differences emerge in terms of insect food confidence related to food safety perception.

The rapid development of digital technologies creates digital ecosystems that penetrate into the everyday lives of society. The digital ecosystem is a relatively new phenomenon and has multiple connotations and dimensions in the scientific literature, but it is univocally recognized as a context of the technological execution of both innovation and business ecosystems. The concept of digital innovation ecosystems (DIE) is only partially debated in the scientific literature, so the main objective of this research is to provide a full-fledged definition of the phenomenon under consideration. To reach this goal, an approach based on a broad systematic literature review (SRL) of scholarly studies is adopted. SRL on the definitions and dimensions of DIEs provides evidence of the nature of this rising trend, allowing an in-depth understanding of the dynamics in this domain. The main results of the research are the aggregation and analysis of the various definitions of DIEs, their systematization, and the formulation of comprehensive and shared DIEs.

The aim of the research is the analysis of smart cities as an application of the Internet of Things (IoT): the concept of a smart city/community (SC) can be identified as one of the areas in which IoT technology finds its natural application. According to the Agid, the term SC means the place and/or context where the planned and wise use of human and natural resources, appropriately managed and integrated through the numerous ICT technologies already available, allows the creation of an ecosystem capable of making the best use of resources and providing integrated and increasingly intelligent services (i.e., the value of which is greater than the sum of the values of the parts that compose it). The axes on which the actions of an SC are developed are many: mobility, environment and energy, building quality, economy and ability to attract talent and investments, safety of citizens and city infrastructures, and citizen participation and involvement. Essential conditions are connectivity and the digitization of communications and services. SC is therefore a new conception of urban reality that, through an intelligent direction of the many human activities that take place within it, aims to raise the standards of sustainability, liveability, and economic dynamism of the cities of the future. Specifically, the aim of the research is to analyze the Italian situation and the development prospects of the IoT in SCs, discussing the main present and future applications.

The last 30 years have seen an evolution in the implementation of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in companies. In the first phase, the main use was to support purely operational functions, such as logistics management, inventory organization, and purely administrative tasks. In the second phase, they were used to stimulate the flow of information, making a contribution in the middle management range, up to the third and last phase, which corresponds to the use of technologies as fundamental levers for the definition of strategies in favor of the top management. Therefore, new business models have been developed, and the multisided platform represents the new paradigm for setting business models. In this process of digital transformation in companies, human capital plays a fundamental role. In managing change, it is necessary not only at the team level but also as a single resource. Human resources are a key resource in digital transformation processes, but strategic alignment is necessary to guide the company toward these goals; therefore, e-leadership becomes a key element in the digitalization and innovation processes of companies.This article analyzes the current digital transformation of companies, identifying new models of human resource management and the new skills needed.

In contemporary capitalism, ownership is becoming an economically inefficient and socially unsustainable method of allocation and usage of many market goods. In fact, the digital revolution makes real-time information about resource availability and the preferences of the players involved accessible to market players. This process influences the factors that govern trade, making the provision of services more efficient and socially responsible compared to the sale of products.Technological innovation, mass-spread connected digital devices, and regulatory development in terms of environmental sustainability are some of the main factors that modify the terms of trade on the goods market and therefore influence the transition towards new forms of fruition services that are not based on selling products, particularly for consumer durables. These phenomena fall under the broad concept of “servitization.” The private property of a durable good connected to the Internet, which can be a car or a washing machine, becomes an increasingly inefficient solution compared to its potential use in terms of service, for example, “pay-per-use” mode, provided by the manufacturer or a third party and based on the availability of immediate and timely information on the status of the good itself and the users’ demand. From a microeconomic perspective, the breakeven point between purchase and access is rapidly shifting toward the latter. From a macroeconomic perspective, this development can have a significant impact on the labor market and on the productive and financial structure, in addition to taxation and international trade.

The aim of the paper is to present a circular supply chain 4.0 in the healthcare sector of an Italian hospital through the implementation of Lean and Six Sigma techniques to reduce waiting times and improve processes in the surgical unit. Lean Six Sigma methodology is preliminary to a good implementation of Industry 4.0. Before digitalizing and robotizing, it is necessary to improve efficiency both in terms of Lean waste and in terms of variance and efficiency for Six Sigma to be able to “feed” Industry 4.0 with a product that is already optimized and ready for digitalization. The methodology adopted is based on a literature review and a case study. The results show a dramatic increase in the average number of surgery interventions and that the joint adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, circular economy strategies, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies enables a circular supply chain.

One of the major problems associated with healthcare is protecting patient privacy, as sensitive data can be disclosed carelessly. Implementing a digital healthcare system that uses blockchain (BC) technology could help improve the security of this information. BC can be integrated with other digital tools, such as the Internet of Things, big data, information and communication technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), expanding its fields of application. The present paper provides an overview of the opportunities offered specifically by the combination of BC and AI. To do this, the authors conducted a systematic literature review using the Web of Science and Scopus. The meta-data were reported in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses diagram, showing that among the 168 articles identified, only 21 were effectively included according to the authors’ criteria. The findings revealed growing attention to this topic over the last 2 years, above all among Indian and American scholars, and the opportunity to ensure the security and privacy of patient data and to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. These preliminary results are strategic to fill the gaps in research and to provide useful information to policymakers for supporting the digital transition of this system.

In the last 5 years, there has been accelerated growth in scientific production on the subject of artificial intelligence and healthcare by scholars of the most diverse disciplines. Recently, the scientific corpus has been enriched with considerable literature reviews ranging from the overview of large collections of scientific documents to the recognition of the state of knowledge on specific aspects (e.g., in the medical field, ophthalmology, cardiology, nephrology, etc.). Following a bibliometric analysis of the literature on the subject, conducted on a vast collection of scientific contributions, we also searched for the “latent” themes in the semantic structures of these documents, identified the relationships between them, and recognized those most likely to be investigated in the future. The methodological approach is located in the scientific fields of relational bibliometry and content analysis. The results of the bibliometric analysis are presented in terms of interactive maps of the association of the contributions based on bibliographic coupling and, subsequently, the co-occurrence of author keywords.

The strength of the circular economy (CE) is stakeholder engagement in fostering synergies along different production chains and CE stages to reduce waste, maximize product value, and increase loop closure. The transition to CE requires the participation of various players, in line with the quadruple helix approach, including enterprises, trade associations, institutions, central and local public administration, education, research and innovation institutions, and citizens, but clear governance is needed. Multistakeholder platforms (MSPs) facilitate dialogue and interaction between actors and create an innovation ecosystem where knowledge, ideas, good practices, perspectives, criticalities, and expectations on CE can be shared. Starting from a national case study, the Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ICESP), an analysis of selected platforms with similar characteristics to ICESP has been carried out. The main focus of this study is to understand the role that the platforms have in the reference country, the objectives, the governance, the stakeholders involved, and the main results. Despite similar main goals, platforms can act as hubs for the CE and/or as service providers, with, thus, some differences in the organization, activities, and stakeholders they involve, as well as in the results they achieve.

In recent decades, progressive industrial digitalization has provided companies with an increasing capability to improve the efficiency of processes and quality products. In the recent frameworks of Industry 4.0, the pursuit of greater efficiency in the use of material, energy, and human resources assumes increasing importance in achieving the three goals—environmental, economic, and social—of sustainability. Even if the issue is widely debated, the mechanisms by which these technologies are applied from a life-cycle perspective, how they interact with each other, and how they produce effects on sustainability remain to be explored. The article aims to contribute to filling this gap by investigating the role played by so-called smart technologies in the context of green manufacturing. The study, through a critical analysis of the most recent scientific literature, provides a systematization of the technologies and solutions in the various stages of an ideal product life cycle, highlighting their operating interactions and potential effects in terms of sustainability, toward the future paradigm of Industry 5.0.

Environmental monitoring plays a central role in diagnosing the impacts on the climate and other environmental receptors. Today, most monitoring and data collection systems are based on a combination of ground measurements, surveys made by sensors mounted on manned aerial platforms, and satellite observations. Each of these systems has space-time constraints that could be overcome with the use of drones.In this context, remotely piloted aircraft systems, also called drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), have considerable potential to radically improve environmental monitoring.This paper intends to provide an overview of the various fields of UAS use in the context of environmental monitoring. The recent advances in sensor technology are highlighted by analyzing the different types of instruments on the market and their characteristics, including their use.Then, the various applications in which drones can be used are explored, indicating the strengths and limitations encountered thus far by the use of this technology.

This paper aims to contribute to the debate on sustainable tourism from the perspective of eco-innovation. Focusing on the challenges of sustainability in tourism, both for companies and destinations, this paper provides a critical reading of the literature on eco-innovation in tourism to derive a state-of-the art and depict roots for the future development of the research. As a complex and integrated system of products and services, tourism is an industry with a large impact on the environment and local communities, and for this reason, it is called on to implement sustainable strategies of development and growth. The challenges of sustainability in tourism can benefit from eco-innovation as a driver for reducing its impacts on the environment, thus contributing to the implementation of a circular economy. Framed in these premises, this paper presents the results of a critical review identifying the main trends structured into (1) energy efficiency and smart mobility; (2) governance, key performance indicators, and socioeconomic performances; (3) industrial ecology and eco-certifications; (4) rural development and circular economy; and (5) intangibles and knowledge-based enablers. Implications arise for theory and practice in terms of eco-innovation strategies and enablers, servitization, and digital transformation.

Over the last few decades, tourism has changed profoundly, and at the same time, both the types of travel and the profiles of travelers have changed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was one of the sectors that paid the highest price in economic terms, not only in the lockdown period but also in the following months in which, in correspondence with the first reopening, consumers associated a high perception of risk to travel, many giving up planning their own departures. The entire supply chain of the tourism industry has been affected, from the hoteliers of the largest and most renowned structures to small Bed & Breakfasts, from guest houses to hostels, from restaurateurs to suppliers, and from operators to tour guides and museums. This work aims to investigate new dimensions of post-COVID-19 tourism by including some innovation factors, such as the alternatives offered by smart working to tourists and to the citizens of large cities in which many hotels are placed. The research work highlights how the digitalization of tourism services has thus far changed the information-decision-making process that leads to the choice of travel, its experiential and post-experiential phases, and how in the new post-pandemic normal, it can change the way of living the vacation, traveling, and ancillary services connected to them.

Climate change and global warming are currently among the most important challenges we face. For this reason, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission assessments have become the research topic of many studies. One of the indicators that best allows us to determine the environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities is the measurement of the carbon footprint (CF). The tourism industry, in this context, is the cause of negative environmental impacts and represents approximately 8% of global GHG emissions. Therefore, the purpose of this preliminary study is to provide a framework through ISO 14064-1:2018 standards that aims to: (1) define the main environmental pressure in a Mediterranean micro destination between Monopoli (BA) and Fasano (BR) municipalities in the Apulia region; and (2) enhance and promote the sustainable tourism growth of this area through the assessment, monitoring, and reduction of the CF of the organizations involved. The main results show the difficulty in choosing a suitable functional unit for the tourism industry that combines all the organizations that belong to the micro destination, as well as the obstacle in obtaining accurate data. Future research studies will provide an assessment of the GHG emissions of the tourism organizations involved in the examined area.

From an economic point of view, the tourism sector is one of the most important in the world, with religious tourism, such as pilgrimages, being a growth area. However, tourism activities also make a significant contribution to CO2 emissions (roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions). In this framework, the main objective of this research is to develop an integrated sustainable model by assessing the impact of pilgrimages on Camino Lebaniego in the Cantabrian region, which is one of the most popular routes in northern Spain. To do this, it is necessary to quantify the environmental impacts of this activity realized in 3 days by a pilgrim by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, in which four environmental impact categories are considered. Simapro 9.3 software and the Ecoinvent and Agribalyse databases were used to assess the environmental impacts. The results showed that the electricity consumption of the hostels and the food eaten by the pilgrims at the evening meals were the hotspots of the system under study.

The spread of tourism has generated benefits, both economic and employment related. However, the tourism phenomenon also generates negative impacts, mainly due to the configuration of the tourist offer that follows the linear economic model of production and consumption. For this reason, tourism needs to be well planned and monitored. The circular economy (CE) is considered a possible solution for reducing environmental, social, and economic costs and aims at an increase in benefits with a view to more sustainable tourism. This topic has recently become the object of study in the scientific literature, with contributions to evaluating the implementation of CE principles in the tourism sector. Through semi-structured interviews with sector operators, the aim of this exploratory study is to identify and evaluate the circular practices along the business processes of the hotel industry. The main results show that to meet sustainability requirements, CE practices need to be assessed through quantitative measurement tools since closing the loop does not necessarily lead to mitigation of the impacts.

A tourism destination is defined as a geographical region, an administrative jurisdiction, or a relevant attraction that offers the visitor a range of tourist experiences that are memorable through one or more tourism products, a combination of tangible and intangible elements around the core of the tourism destination. In mountain contexts, a tourism destination cannot be separated from the quality of the natural environment, often representing its main attractor. For this reason, the scientific community started paying attention to defining models for assessing the sustainability of mountain tourism destinations. The present contribution reports the activities carried out in the territory of Alagna Valsesia, Monte Rosa Massif (Piedmont), as part of the Alagna Walser Green Paradise (AWGP) project, within a scientific collaboration with the Piedmont Region and the Municipality of Alagna Valsesia. Through the definition of context analysis, a new tourism product has been defined. The “way of the waters” is a walking route that will link all the municipal fountains, valorizing a natural resource through multiple viewpoints (cultural and historical), and thanks to high technology, the information will be accessible to all.

Community engagement and adaptive management are generally considered excellent techniques for the long-term success of environmental policies; nevertheless, several challenges emerge when faced with practice. In this research study, we analyze the joint governance design introduced in the protected area of Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino (Abruzzo, Italy) through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST). The ECST is a tool that can be likened to process certification, which allows better management of protected areas for the development of sustainable tourism in coherence with the spatial planning tools of the parks. The central element of the ECST is collaboration among all stakeholders to develop a common strategy and an action plan for tourism development based on an in-depth analysis of the local situation and the creation of a permanent forum. The objective is the protection of natural and cultural heritage and the continuous improvement of tourism management in the protected area for the benefit of the environment, the local population, businesses, and visitors. The research, combining in-depth interviews carried out with the main territorial actors with a survey carried out with the tourism actors, shows how the partnership created with ECST has contributed to the emergence of a process of improvement in tourism management in the protected area, encouraging cooperation between the territorial public institutions and private actors.

This contribution focuses on the construction of a model of the quality of life within the research project “Alagna Walser Green Paradise” (AWGP), developed with the Municipality of Alagna Valsesia and the Piedmont Region. Quality of life was measured through gross domestic product (GDP) for decades, but over time, other perspectives have been considered, such as health, education, employment, leisure, social relations, security, environment, landscape, and cultural heritage. Well-being measurement frameworks are applied at international and national levels but unlikely at rural levels. AWGP research activities define an experimental method to identify, together with local stakeholders, a set of indicators to measure rural quality of life. The suggested set considers the following context: Alagna Valsesia is a mountain rural tourist destination. The purpose is to collect useful information that allows local stakeholders to carry out activities of monitoring and improvement. Positive results at the end of this model test would allow reiteration of the same set of indicators in other rural areas.

This contribution describes the activities carried out in the territory of Alagna Valsesia on the slopes of Monte Rosa (north-east of Piedmont) as part of the Alagna Walser Green Paradise (AWGP) project, developed through scientific collaboration with the Piedmont Region and the Municipality of Alagna Valsesia. The project is structured into four research pillars: cultural heritage and creativity, environmental sustainability, digitalization, and accessibility. With reference to the cultural heritage and creativity pillar, the concept of authenticity has been identified as an essential element in the tourism sector since it encourages the link between tourists and destinations. Alagna Valsesia is analyzed as an “authentic” tourist destination through the analysis of three specific areas, that is, food and wine, artifact and products, and landscape. Therefore, the AWGP research group was involved in developing an integrative tourism proposal based on the evaluation of the existing offer. The results show that Alagna Valsesia embodies its authenticity with the tradition of the territorial culture, and they help to highlight some improvement proposals related to (1) the creation of a visual communication system, (2) the enhancement and measurement of the attractions and the tourist offer on the territory with the use of dissemination tools in the various sites of interest, and (3) the introduction of new itineraries (i.e., De.Co.).