Jani Kinnunen, Irina Georgescu and Ionut Nica
The main purpose of this study is to analyze the evolution of economic and environmental factors in Finland during the period 1990–2022, exploring the complex interactions between…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to analyze the evolution of economic and environmental factors in Finland during the period 1990–2022, exploring the complex interactions between Gross Domestic Product (GDP), nuclear energy production, innovation (measured by patents) and the electric grid load capacity factor (LCF).
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the stated purpose, econometric models such as Autoregressive Distributed Lag and cointegration tests were employed to investigate relationships and trends in the available economic and energy data for Finland. For conducting the proposed analyses, EViews was used for econometric approaches, and the Python language was utilized for constructing the Environmental Kuznets Curve.
Findings
Following the conducted analyses, several relevant findings have been observed: 1) a complex relationship between GDP and LCF has been identified, noting a long-term decrease in the electricity grid LCF with GDP growth. This result emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in energy policy to maintain stability and efficiency of the grid amidst economic growth; 2) nuclear energy and innovation have shown a mixed impact on LCF, with both positive and negative effects. This finding highlights the necessity to develop policies that encourage the progressive integration of new technologies to minimize the negative impact on electricity grid efficiency; and 3) to maximize the efficient use of the energy system’s capacity, policymakers should aim to balance economic growth with responsible management of energy resources. The integration of renewable energies and continuous investments in research and development are essential for ensuring a sustainable energy transition in Finland.
Originality/value
The study makes a significant contribution by identifying and analyzing in detail the interdependencies between economic growth, innovation and energy sustainability in Finland, providing new perspectives for the development of public policies and economic strategies in the current context of global climate change and energy transition.
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Inyoung Jung, Jiachen Li, Seongseop (Sam) Kim and Heesup Han
The outdoor event market was devastated during the COVID-19 pandemic because of social distancing measures. Therefore, this study aimed to explore stereotyped tendencies and…
Abstract
Purpose
The outdoor event market was devastated during the COVID-19 pandemic because of social distancing measures. Therefore, this study aimed to explore stereotyped tendencies and behavioral intentions associated with the prosocial and sustainable practices of outdoor event participants to assess shifts in industry paradigms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to relatively examine sequential and combined effects of cognitive (knowledge of COVID-19, awareness of consequences, ascribed responsibility and perceived threat of COVID-19), affective (positive and negative anticipated emotions) and normative drivers (social and moral norms) on intention to practice social distancing requirements. The impact of cultural differences was further explored by comparing attendees from China and USA.
Findings
The SEM results showed that most cognitive drivers significantly affected affective drivers and normative drivers, leading to the intention to practice social distancing requirements. In addition, China and the USA showed significant differences on six paths including the path from moral norm to intention to practice social distancing requirements. Further, fsQCA results revealed the important combination of the factors that affects social distancing intention.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides meaningful theoretical and practical implications for outdoor events scholars and managers. The research suggests a changing direction in event studies and shares ideas on how to manage and make outdoor events a new success after the pandemic.
Originality/value
This is the first study to adopt a mixed method of SEM and fsQCA attempt to explore the driving forces of outdoor participants’ pro-social behavior from cognitive, affective and normative perspectives.
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Rui Augusto Costa, Adriana Fumi Chim-Miki and Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong
This study aims to examine the effects of natural, cultural and urban resources on the city's tourism competitiveness from the residents' perspective and identifies the factors…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of natural, cultural and urban resources on the city's tourism competitiveness from the residents' perspective and identifies the factors that city managers should prioritize.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used multiple methods. The partial least squares structural equation modeling tested our theoretical assumption and the importance–performance map analysis provided an extra interpretation of the results to make them tangible to city managers. Data collection was done with residents of Viseu, Portugal.
Findings
The findings indicated that tourism competitiveness from the residents' perspective depends on the leisure activities they can enjoy as much as tourists, as the limits between tourism activities and everyday life are tenuous. The quality of leisure is part of residents' well-being; however, the results suggested that tourism development fails to engage residents in the destination's leisure offer. The cultural heritage is not attractive to them because it is part of their day-by-day living area or they need to enjoy the cultural offer. To accommodate residents' demands, destination managers need to improve the offer of outdoor activities and urban leisure opportunities.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitations were the sample size and the data collection after a pandemic context, that is, in a period of economic crisis that reduced leisure consumption. The implications point out variables to managers prioritize to improve place management and rethink tourism competitiveness based on a citizen-centered view. It is also a way to understand residents as staycationers.
Practical implications
Our research contributed to urban and city research literature with meaningful findings that can help city managers improve the positive impacts of tourism on residents and enhance the integration of tourism and urban daily life.
Social implications
The authors suggested strategies for integrating residents into cultural activities.
Originality/value
Theoretically, this study is set up in the frontier of rethinking and promoting society-centric tourism development. The research contributed to urban and city research literature with meaningful findings that can help city managers improve the positive impacts of tourism on residents and enhance the integration of tourism and urban daily life. In this direction, the authors suggest strategies for integrating residents into cultural activities.
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Jacob Mhlanga, Theodore C. Haupt and Claudia Loggia
This paper aims to explore the intellectual structure shaping the circular economy (CE) discourse within the built environment in Africa.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the intellectual structure shaping the circular economy (CE) discourse within the built environment in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a bibliometric analysis approach to explore the intellectual structure of CE in the built environment in Africa. The authors collected 31 papers published between 2005 and 2021 from the Scopus database and used VOSviewer for data analysis.
Findings
The findings show that there are six clusters shaping the intellectual structure: demolition, material recovery and reuse; waste as a resource; cellulose and agro-based materials; resilience and low-carbon footprint; recycling materials; and the fourth industrial revolution. The two most cited scholars had three publications each, while the top journal was Resources, Conservation and Recycling. The dominant concepts included CE, sustainability, alternative materials, waste management, lifecycle, demolition and climate change. The study concludes that there is low CE research output in Africa, which implies that the concept is either novel or facing resistance.
Research limitations/implications
The data were drawn from one database, Scopus; hence, adoption of alternative databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar and Dimensions could potentially have yielded a higher number of articles for analysis which potentially would result in different conclusions on the subject understudy.
Originality/value
This study made a significant contribution by articulating the CE intellectual structure in the built environment, identified prominent scholars and academic platforms responsible for promoting circularity in Africa.