Marcello Sylos Labini, Arturo Covitti, Giuseppe Delvecchio and Ferrante Neri
Sets out a method for determining the dangerous areas on the soil surface. The touch voltages are calculated by a Maxwell's subareas program. The search for the areas in which the…
Abstract
Sets out a method for determining the dangerous areas on the soil surface. The touch voltages are calculated by a Maxwell's subareas program. The search for the areas in which the touch voltages are dangerous is performed by a suitably modified genetic algorithm. The fitness is redefined so that the genetic algorithm does not lead directly to the only optimum solution, but to a certain number of solutions having pre‐arranged “goodness” characteristics. The algorithm has been called “quasi‐genetic” algorithm and has been successfully applied to various grounding systems.
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Giuseppe Delvecchio, Claudio Lofrumento, Ferrante Neri and Marcello Sylos Labini
This paper aims to design an algorithm able to locate all the possible dangerous areas generated by the leaking of a fault current in a grounding system (i.e. the areas where the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to design an algorithm able to locate all the possible dangerous areas generated by the leaking of a fault current in a grounding system (i.e. the areas where the limits of the technical standards are not respected) and thus locate, inside each area, the point which takes locally the maximum value of touch voltage.
Design/methodology/approach
A fast evolutionary‐deterministic algorithm to solve constrained multimodal optimization problems is proposed. The algorithm is composed by three algorithmic blocks: a Quasi Genetic Algorithm to find a population of feasible solutions, a Fitness Sharing Selection to choose a subpopulation of feasible and fitter solutions having high diversity, a Hooke‐Jeeves Algorithm to find all the global and local feasible maxima.
Findings
The proposed algorithm has been successfully applied to various current field (i.e. to many shapes of grounding grids) problems to find the dangerous values of touch voltages generated by various grounding systems having any shape and it has turned out to be fast and reliable.
Originality/value
For this kind of problems, in fact, there is a lack, in literature, of multimodal optimization methods under safety constraints and the application of classical methods (e.g. genetic algorithms or deterministic methods) would be often inadequate since these methods are made so as to converge towards a single maximum point and so they unavoidably lose the information related to all the other possible maxima. On the contrary, a good application of the proposed allows the overcoming of these limits.
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Domenica Barile, Giustina Secundo and Pasquale Del Vecchio
Within food industry several changes and innovations are affecting the management of the entire supply chain (production, logistics, etc.). As strategy for the survival and…
Abstract
Purpose
Within food industry several changes and innovations are affecting the management of the entire supply chain (production, logistics, etc.). As strategy for the survival and competition, digitalization has assumed a crucial role during the pandemic emergence by causing the reconfiguration of traditional chains and business models. Framed in these premises, the research analyses how digital technologies have innovated the sub-chains of bakery products and pasta within food industry with reference to customers' interactions, delivery and marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic emergence.
Design/methodology/approach
Moving from a critical literature review about the perspectives of digital technologies within the tradition of food industry, action research has been adopted to analyze in deep a case study of the start-up “ArteBianca Delivery” located in South Italy. Through this method, researchers have been deeply involved within the start-up to face the challenge of transforming the marketing and customer care into digital ones due to the COVID-19 restriction.
Findings
Findings provide empirical evidence about the reconfiguration of the traditional business model of a family firm in the food sector into a digital one with the start-up “ArteBianca Delivery”. The marketing, delivery, e-commerce and customer care components of the business models have been supported and enhanced through the adoption of digital tools, such as mobile applications and social technologies useful both for users and for a more urgent digitization of company.
Practical implications
Implications for practice can be identified into the pattern of digital transformation implemented as well as in the opportunity of replication and contextualization of the results to other companies looking for setting up a digital strategy.
Originality/value
Elements of original contribution can be identified into: (1) the exploration of digital transformation in food family firms caused by the pandemic emergence, (2) the contextualization of the digital transformation to the sub-chains of bakery and pasta and (3) the geographical location of the case.
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Piera Centobelli, Roberto Cerchione, Pasquale Del Vecchio, Eugenio Oropallo and Giustina Secundo
This paper aims to design, build and evaluate a blockchain platform in the accounting domain, taking an ecosystem perspective. To achieve this aim, the research provides evidence…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to design, build and evaluate a blockchain platform in the accounting domain, taking an ecosystem perspective. To achieve this aim, the research provides evidence for developing a decentralised architecture rooted on blockchain technology, designing a proof of concept and modelling an accounting blockchain-based system.
Design/methodology/approach
Moving from the analysis of previous literature and leveraging on the design science approach, this paper provides a framework grounded on the main pillars of blockchain and accounting functions, identifying technical and non-technical issues that must be addressed embrace blockchain technology's full potential.
Findings
We propose and discuss a conceptual framework for a blockchain-based accounting context, moving from the identification of a typical accounting scenario. The framework is organised around three scalable levels: the first level is a technological infrastructure based on a distributed database with peer-to-peer storage; second, in the intermediate level, increasing control levels are assured through permissions and validation and third, in the higher level, the system provides the integration of business and security applications. The deployment of this system relies on a private network of nodes that validates transactions.
Practical implications
The proposed conceptual framework about blockchain development in accounting allows closing the knowledge gap between blockchain developers and accounting experts by suggesting technological and strategic issues for practitioners.
Originality/value
We provide practical guidelines to design and adopt blockchain in the accounting domain.
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Pasquale Del Vecchio, Giustina Secundo and Antonello Garzoni
The paper aims to contribute to the advancement of the debate on digital innovation and entrepreneurship from a cross-generational perspective in the context of family businesses…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to contribute to the advancement of the debate on digital innovation and entrepreneurship from a cross-generational perspective in the context of family businesses. Specifically, the paper explores the contribution provided by the young generations of entrepreneurs to the digital transformation and resilience of family businesses during the pandemic emergence of COVID-19. Focusing on the need for a major understanding of digital resilience in the context of family businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises, the paper aims to provide theoretical and empirical contributions in replying to the following research question: How did young entrepreneurs contribute to the resilience and the digital transformation of their family businesses during COVID-19?
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology consisted of a two-stage qualitative investigation including a focus group managed in presence with the involvement of 24 young entrepreneurs and a self-administered online survey involving the family businesses belonging to the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Confindustria Puglia (South Italy) that has allowed to collect 47 replies, with a 32% response rate.
Findings
The paper presents evidence about the resilience of family businesses during the COVID-19 supported by the disruptive role of emerging digital technologies. Our analysis demonstrates that young entrepreneurs adopted different patterns of digital transformations, depending on the firm’s industry and the family firm’s digital maturity. Digital resilience in the context of the observed family businesses produced different benefits in terms of competitiveness, effectiveness of decision-making, visibility and communication and new opportunities for value creation; it occurred in several business areas, including production, logistics, sales and human resources management.
Practical implications
The study highlights the relevant role that younger generations can play in exploring innovation opportunities associated with digitalisation as well as in contributing to reinforce innovation and resilience capability of their family businesses through collaboration with external stakeholders and ecosystems.
Originality/value
The value of the research consists in the attempt to analyse the meaning and implication of digital innovation in the context of family business as a driver for their resilience capability. The Family Businesses Digital Readiness and Young Entrepreneurs Contributions Matrix presented into the study as an original contribution of synthesis of the evidence collected.
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Pasquale Del Vecchio, Giustina Secundo, Gioconda Mele and Giuseppina Passiante
The paper aims to contribute to the Circular Economy debate from the Entrepreneurship Education perspective. Despite scholars' growing interest in both these research streams…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to contribute to the Circular Economy debate from the Entrepreneurship Education perspective. Despite scholars' growing interest in both these research streams, scarce consideration is given to the comprehension of their mutual implications and meaning.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a cross-case analysis. It compares 16 higher education programmes launched by Universities in Europe aimed to create competences and skills for Circular Economy in students with different profiles. The analysis provides a critical view of the emerging trends for the entrepreneurship education skills and competencies needed for the emerging circular entrepreneurship paradigm.
Findings
The paper discusses the main trends of Entrepreneurship Education focused on Circular Economy debate at the European level: rationale and learning objectives (why); contents (what), target students and stakeholders (who) and the learning processes (how). Four thematic areas are identified as common patterns: circular economy business model, green supply chain management, technology entrepreneurship and innovation and public policies and institutional frameworks.
Research limitations/implications
The paper sheds new light on a still under-researched area, suggesting several implications and avenues for future research in Circular Economy and Entrepreneurship Education. Limitations regard the need to analyse education programmes from a larger geographical area, to take into consideration interesting experiences in the rest of the world and to also collect quantitative data.
Practical implications
Practical implications arise for the development of learning initiatives for the Circular Economy: learning objectives and new thematic areas focused on circular, sustainable and innovative rethinking of the process for creating value in the incumbent companies; exploring meaning and benefits of collaborative approaches and participation in the circular economy innovation ecosystem and developing advanced models for soft-skills development in terms of leadership, motivational and creative skills.
Originality/value
The debate on CE can also be rooted in the paradigm of entrepreneurship as a core process to advance knowledge on valuable and sustainable innovation.
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Alessandra Ricciardelli, Pasquale Del Vecchio, Marzia Ventura and Rocco Reina
The objective of this work is to identify the strategies of digitalization embraced by the European Capitals of Culture 2020 (ECoC) in replying to the limitations due to COVID-19…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this work is to identify the strategies of digitalization embraced by the European Capitals of Culture 2020 (ECoC) in replying to the limitations due to COVID-19 emergence and to understand how DT have impacted in terms of resilience and innovation. This study aims to provide a contribution at the understanding of the effects and benefits of the digitalization in supporting the reorganization of the cultural projects of ECoC 2020 in replying to the COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on an exploratory multiple case study methodology. As a suitable investigative tool for the analysis of a contemporary phenomenon in their natural settings, case study methodology allows to integrate evidences resulting from multiple sources (Yin, 2006, 2008; Eisenhardt, 1989). Data collection, monitoring and analysis rely on the combination of Web-based desk analysis and social big data analytics. The integration of such sources has been addressed towards the investigation of the strategies of digitalization undertaken by the two ECoC cities, Galway in Ireland and Rijeka in Croatia, respectively.
Findings
Evidences in terms re-organization of the cultural projects, digitalization of the tourist experiences, commitment of local communities and visitors have been derived from the study while the cross comparison of the two cases has allowed to identify common and specific patterns.
Research limitations/implications
The paper presents some limitations. Firstly, the methodological approach as well as the nature of data collected suggest the need of future investigation with the inclusion of a larger sample of ECoCs and the inclusions of quantitative date related to trends of online cultural experiences and travel data. Secondly, the theoretical perspective of digitalization used in this study can be accompanied by other perspectives such as innovation and resilience capabilities of an ECoC.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the academic literature by providing a better understanding of the level of resilience generated vis-à-vis the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of DT in promoting participation in culture and implementing cultural initiatives of ECoCs. However, despite the relevance of the topic, the attention from the academic literature on the topic of digitalization in cultural and creative industries is still limited. Moreover, even more limited is the knowledge about the effects of DT and if their opportunities are actually transformed in positive outcomes.
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Raffaele Silvestri, Domenico Morrone, Pasquale Del Vecchio and Gioconda Mele
The paper provides a contribution of systematisation to the literature on the blue economy and aquaculture as challenging issues for achieving sustainable growth and a circular…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper provides a contribution of systematisation to the literature on the blue economy and aquaculture as challenging issues for achieving sustainable growth and a circular economy. The growing scientific interest in recent years and the increased attention in political agendas make the blue economy and aquaculture as promising fields for scientific investigation. The latter has been confirmed during a particular period too as the pandemic times. To identify those areas of specialisation emerging from the intersection of such topics, the paper embraces a systematic literature review for inspiring future research.
Design/methodology/approach
The study covers a period of 20 years by including 85 papers extracted from the Scopus database. Through the adoption of VOSviewer, the investigation explores the main descriptive statistics, while content analysis has been embraced to identify thematic areas.
Findings
The main results of this study are about statistics (i.e. publication trends, geographic distribution, most frequent keywords and most influential authors, etc.). Three main thematic areas have been identified in this study: SDGs and policies for sustainable development, food and energy, business models and managerial issues.
Practical implications
Practical implications arise both for firms and policymakers. About the firsts, interesting insights can be derived in terms of business model innovation, collaborative approaches and technological exploration. About policymakers, inspiration in terms of renewal of strategic guidelines, creation of enabling contextual conditions and evidences for new regulations can be noted.
Originality/value
Elements of original contributions can be identified in the adoption of an SLR to verify the advancement of the debate till the recent pandemic.
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Francesco Saverio Massari, Pasquale Del Vecchio and Eva Degl'innocenti
This paper aims to explore how digital technologies can transform the museum into an “interaction platform” able to play a key role in the value co-creation processes of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how digital technologies can transform the museum into an “interaction platform” able to play a key role in the value co-creation processes of the tourism destination.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper applies the “co-creation through interactions” perspective by Ramaswamy and Ozcan. Empirically, the paper is based on the methodology of single case study identified in MArTA, the well-known National Archeological Museum of Taranto (South Italy). Data collection has been implemented through interviews with key informants and secondary data related to online interviews, press release and reports.
Findings
Findings provide empirical evidence about the contribution that a digitalization strategy can create a “museum as a platform” in which the interactions between the museum, its stakeholders and other co-creation elements (interfaces, artifacts and processes) bring benefits in terms of tourism experiences and sustainable development of the destination.
Practical implications
This research highlights the cultural changes and the actions that museum management has to implement to properly benefit from digitalization and to transform the museum into a reference point for reflection and innovation.
Originality/value
Elements of originality can be found in (1) the exploration of the wide spectrum of benefits and innovations that digital technologies can offer to the museum-mediated interactions and (2) the contribution to the understanding of the museum as a digitalized “interaction platform” capable of supporting the processes of co-creation of value in the complex network of actors and objects of a tourism destination.
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Most network research in organizations assumes away the dissociative forces instantiated in negative ties, instead pursuing ties that reflect only associative forces, to the…
Abstract
Most network research in organizations assumes away the dissociative forces instantiated in negative ties, instead pursuing ties that reflect only associative forces, to the detriment of understanding organizational networks. This essay provides a brief history of negative tie research in organizations; discusses different definitions of negative ties, situating them within the tripartite model of interpersonal attitudes; suggests alternative paths to network dynamics when considering negative ties; covers existing and suggested paths to studying personality antecedents of negative ties; and briefly reviews the research on the consequences of negative ties in organizations and suggestions for future work.