Fabio Mazzola, Pietro Pizzuto and Giovanni Ruggieri
The purpose of this paper is to verifying the economic resilience of islands and, in particular, the role of the tourism sector in the reaction to the most recent economic crisis…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to verifying the economic resilience of islands and, in particular, the role of the tourism sector in the reaction to the most recent economic crisis. The analysis concerns insular contexts, such as the greater island regions in the Mediterranean basin.
Design/methodology/approach
Static and dynamic panel data techniques are used for a sample of 13 island economies over a period of 16 years.
Findings
Results show that the growth factors for regional islands are similar to the ones usually considered for other regions, but the tourism-led growth hypothesis is highly supported. Tourism demand more than supply plays a role together with accessibility. The crisis has reduced the importance of tourism supply, while tourism demand and accessibility have remained crucial for growth together with other traditional engines of growth.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, none of the current works has considered territorial determinants and tourism indicators inside the same framework analyzing growth in island economies by considering the changes occurred during the crisis explicitly.
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Giovanni Ruggieri and Patrizia Calò
Local development is becoming increasingly dependent on the tourism industry, especially in fragile contexts such as islands, where tourism makes it possible to overcome, at least…
Abstract
Local development is becoming increasingly dependent on the tourism industry, especially in fragile contexts such as islands, where tourism makes it possible to overcome, at least in part, the obstacles linked to geo-morphological characteristics. The relevance of the sector for the economy is documented by the international literature and underscored in various studies (Balaguer & Cantavella-Jorda, 2002; Croes & Vanegas Sr, 2008; Dritsakis, 2004; Durbarry, 2004; Eugenio-Martin, Martin-Morales, & Sinclair, 2008; Eugenio-Martin, Morales, Scarpa, 2004; Hazari & Sgro, 1995; Maloney & Montes Rojas, 2005; Pigliaru & Lanza, 2000; Sequeira & Maçãs Nunes, 2008), which explain why tourism is attributed a leading role and even recognized as a driving force for the local economy. It is capable of creating new economic opportunities, especially, as mentioned, for island contexts, and even more so for those of modest size, which require special attention given the specific characteristics that distinguish them from the mainland. Islands are, indeed, a unique cluster despite belonging to individual states, and, being located in different regions of the world and featuring different stages of economic development and tourism, they are the beneficiaries of development policies focused on the economy of services and culture. This is essentially due to reasons linked to specific territorial features in terms of morphology and geographical location, primarily associated with the condition of isolation from the mainland. The result is a particular condition that characterizes them both materially, with effects on transport and logistics, and therefore on their economic and production autonomy, and ideally, i.e. in relation to the place that islands have in the collective imagination. They are associated with the desire to escape, to get in touch with nature, to slow down the pace and break patterns, and to attract a large number of visitors who, however, are concentrated mainly during the summer months. This leads to many difficulties and has several implications, in terms of pressure and quality, and requires careful management from very early on, from the stage of discovery of the destination by the first tourists, in order to guide development by limiting the drawbacks.
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Giovanni Lagioia, Vera Amicarelli, Rossana Strippoli, Christian Bux and Teodoro Gallucci
The hotel industry is one of the leading producers of waste worldwide, and more than one-third of that waste is food. The purpose of this study is to investigate hotel managers'…
Abstract
Purpose
The hotel industry is one of the leading producers of waste worldwide, and more than one-third of that waste is food. The purpose of this study is to investigate hotel managers' awareness of sustainable and circular practices, with a focus on their attitude toward and perception of food waste in Apulia, Southern Italy. The region has a tourist vocation, accounts for 3.3 million tourists per year and plays a key role in the Italian tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted using a questionnaire administered to ten hotel managers located in Apulia. In light of the Checkup Tool Speditivo, a sustainability score indicates managers' awareness of and attitude toward sustainability and circularity, distinguishing between “beginner” (0–25 points), “concerned” (26–50 points), “proactivist” (51–75 points) and “sustainable” (76–100 points). The results have been analyzed using descriptive statistic tools.
Findings
The average sustainability score indicating the level of awareness of sustainable and circular practices among hotel managers in Apulia was 84, whereas the average score associated with their attitude toward food waste management strategies was 65. The greater the number of stars, the higher the sustainability scores. However, the greater the number of rooms, the lower the attitude toward food waste management strategies.
Originality/value
The study sheds light on the main opportunities, barriers and trends in the field of food waste management, highlighting the food commodities which are wasted the most and proposing further strategies to improve circularity and sustainability in hotels. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first on such topics in Southern Italy and could represent the basis for future research on the topic.
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Magdalena Saldana-Perez, Giovanni Guzmán, Carolina Palma-Preciado, Amadeo Argüelles-Cruz and Marco Moreno-Ibarra
Climate change is a problem that concerns all of us. Despite the information produced by organizations such as the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices and the…
Abstract
Purpose
Climate change is a problem that concerns all of us. Despite the information produced by organizations such as the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices and the United Nations, only a few cities have been planned taking into account the climate changes indices. This paper aims to study climatic variations, how climate conditions might change in the future and how these changes will affect the activities and living conditions in cities, specifically focusing on Mexico city.
Design/methodology/approach
In this approach, two distinct machine learning regression models, k-Nearest Neighbors and Support Vector Regression, were used to predict variations in climate change indices within select urban areas of Mexico city. The calculated indices are based on maximum, minimum and average temperature data collected from the National Water Commission in Mexico and the Scientific Research Center of Ensenada. The methodology involves pre-processing temperature data to create a training data set for regression algorithms. It then computes predictions for each temperature parameter and ultimately assesses the performance of these algorithms based on precision metrics scores.
Findings
This paper combines a geospatial perspective with computational tools and machine learning algorithms. Among the two regression algorithms used, it was observed that k-Nearest Neighbors produced superior results, achieving an R2 score of 0.99, in contrast to Support Vector Regression, which yielded an R2 score of 0.74.
Originality/value
The full potential of machine learning algorithms has not been fully harnessed for predicting climate indices. This paper also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm and how the generated estimations can then be considered in the decision-making process.
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Olivia McDermott, Jiju Antony, Michael Sony and Vikas Swarnakar
This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the integration of Lean, Industry 4.0 and the supply chain or the Lean Supply Chain (LSC) 4.0. The research…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the integration of Lean, Industry 4.0 and the supply chain or the Lean Supply Chain (LSC) 4.0. The research analyses the current research on the LSC 4.0 concept in an increasingly digitalised world. The authors present the benefits, motivations, critical success factors and challenges of integrating the LSC with Industry 4.0 technologies within this emerging area of research.
Design/methodology/approach
An SLR is carried out on how Lean can be integrated with Supply Chain 4.0. Using the search strings of “Lean Supply Chain 4.0,” “Lean Supply Chain Management 4.0” and “Lean Supply Chain Digitalisation,” a review of published literature was carried out via searches on academic databases.
Findings
Industry 4.0 has a synergistic effect on the LSC and, depending on the technology and sector applied in, can complement and enhance the LSC. Similarly, the LSC is a precursor for digitalisation. There are considerable implications in the LSC 4.0 for green and sustainable processes.
Practical implications
Organisations can use this study to understand what the LSC 4.0 means to industry, the benefits and motivating factors for implementation, the critical success factors (CSFs) to implementation and the challenges for implementation.
Originality/value
This study adds to state of the art around the LSC 4.0 and future directions in this nascent research area. This study will aid organisations in understanding how Lean, supply chain management and Industry 4.0 can be integrated.
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Muhammad Imran Qureshi, Mehwish Iftikhar, Yasmine Muhammad Javaid Iqbal, Chaudry Bilal Ahmad Khan and Jia Liu
Despite the growing interest in closed-loop manufacturing, there is a lack of comprehensive frameworks that integrate product development, production processes, people and…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing interest in closed-loop manufacturing, there is a lack of comprehensive frameworks that integrate product development, production processes, people and policies (4Ps) to optimize sustainable manufacturing performance. This study investigates the influence of the four Ps of closed-loop manufacturing systems (product development, production processes, people and policies) on sustainable manufacturing performance (SMP).
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate the influence of the four Ps on SMP, a hybrid analytical model was employed, combining structural equation modeling (SEM) with artificial neural networks (ANN). Data were collected through a structured survey administered to 353 manufacturing firms in Malaysia. SEM was used to assess the relationships between the variables, while ANN was employed to capture nonlinear relationships and improve prediction accuracy.
Findings
The research findings demonstrate that product development practices, including eco-design, life cycle assessment and resource planning, exert the most significant influence on SMP. Furthermore, implementing green and lean manufacturing techniques, energy modeling and material utilization/toxicity planning significantly enhances sustainability outcomes. While the social setting (employee motivation, turnover and work–life quality) does not directly impact SMP, it plays a pivotal role in facilitating the implementation of internal environmental policies. Moreover, environmental management practices, both mandatory and voluntary, serve as intermediaries between the four Ps and SMP within closed-loop manufacturing systems.
Practical implications
The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders and manufacturing organizations. By prioritizing product development, implementing green and lean manufacturing practices and fostering a positive social setting, organizations can significantly enhance their sustainable performance. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of effective environmental management practices in mediating the relationship between other factors and SMP.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the factors that drive sustainable manufacturing performance. The hybrid SEM-ANN model offers a robust and innovative approach to analyzing the complex relationships between the four Ps and SMP.
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Tiziana Russo-Spena, Marco Tregua, Anna D'Auria and Francesco Bifulco
The paper offers a comprehensive understanding of how digital transformation affects business models and how firms operate and compete effectively and successfully in a digital…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper offers a comprehensive understanding of how digital transformation affects business models and how firms operate and compete effectively and successfully in a digital economy.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopted an abductive approach (Dubois and Gadde, 2002) through constant movement between theory and empirical evidence. A systematic literature review led the first conceptual development and examples of practices from cultural heritage sectors were used in the theorizing process.
Findings
This paper depicts a digital model framework through a set of assumptions about how an organization creates and delivers value in an interconnected way by orchestrating new interactive processes, and providing experience propositions to customers, and about how value is framed in terms of economic, social and cultural outcomes.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the scientific debate by discussing the role of digital business models as enhancements more rather than replacements of traditional business models; it frames a digital business model as consisting of three main pillars: value orchestration, experience propositions and value sharing.
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Simone Sehnem, Ivone Junges, Sandro V. Soares and Alexandre Maganda
To analyze the integration of the circular economy and Industry 4.0 in agtechs through lean integration and people.
Abstract
Purpose
To analyze the integration of the circular economy and Industry 4.0 in agtechs through lean integration and people.
Design/methodology/approach
Following in-depth interviews with key informants, data tabulation was performed via families of viewpoints supported by the primary elements mapped in the investigated context.
Findings
The integration of the circular economy with Industry 4.0, and integrated into lean production, aiming to eliminate waste and maximize customer value, and the valorization of people are fundamental in the context of recycling, reuse and reutilization of materials not only in the agricultural sector but also, since it is the object of study of this research. The use of I4.0 technologies and solutions, such as applications, sensors, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, allows for the collection and analysis of real-time data, facilitating decision-making and monitoring of agricultural operations.
Research limitations/implications
The research limitations may include the limited sample of Agtechs analyzed, which might not cover all innovations and trends existing in the sector; data and information available up to the study date (April 2023), which might not reflect more recent developments in the field of Agtechs and the circular economy.
Practical implications
The circular economy seeks to minimize waste and maximize resource use, promoting recycling, reusing and repurposing of materials. In contrast, Industry 4.0 refers to the application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things and automation to optimize productive processes and make them more efficient. Lean integration, which aims to eliminate waste and maximize customer value, and the appreciation of people are fundamental in this context.
Social implications
The use of technologies and solutions from Industry 4.0, like apps, sensors, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, allows real-time data collection and analysis, facilitating decision-making and monitoring of agricultural operations. In addition, the provision of online consulting and technical assistance services contributes to producer training and the maximization of results.
Originality/value
Significant benefits for the agricultural sector, such as greater efficiency, sustainability, product quality, traceability, cost reduction and productivity increase. The use of advanced technologies and the valorization of people are key elements to drive this integration and promote digital transformation in the field. The integration of the circular economy and Industry 4.0 in agtechs, integrating lean production and people.
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Mohd Javaid, Abid Haleem, Ravi Pratap Singh, Shanay Rab, Rajiv Suman and Shahbaz Khan
Over the past few decades, lean manufacturing has focussed on being customer-centred and now Lean 4.0 technologies have made it possible for manufacturers to have a deeper view of…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past few decades, lean manufacturing has focussed on being customer-centred and now Lean 4.0 technologies have made it possible for manufacturers to have a deeper view of waste reduction. Technologies such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence, three-dimensional printing, robotics, real-time data, cloud computing, predictive analytics and augmented reality, are helpful to achieve Lean 4.0. This study aims to develop the conceptual understanding of Lean 4.0, related tools and linkage with Industry 4.0. Further, it provides the strategies for implementing Lean 4.0, developing lean culture and highlights the Lean 4.0 application in the manufacturing context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relates to Lean 4.0 and its technologies. Prominent research is identified through Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar and studied as per the objective of this study. This lean revolution provides customers desire for personalisation, connectedness, high-quality and valuable products. Lean 4.0 provides valuable information on the value chain and production process. This revolution has significantly impacted refining production processes for a greater level of adaptability and cost reduction.
Findings
This paper is brief about Lean 4.0 and its capabilities for the reduction of waste. The authors discussed different tools used in Lean 4.0 and its relationship with Industry 4.0. The classical strategies and progressive features of Lean 4.0 for overall enhancing the manufacturing sphere are discussed diagrammatically. Finally, it identified and discussed 14 significant applications of Lean 4.0 for manufacturing industries.
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive understanding of Lean 4.0 and related tools and strategies that help the upcoming manufacturing industries.