Davide Settembre Blundo, Fernando Enrique García Muiña, Martina Pini, Lucrezia Volpi, Cristina Siligardi and Anna Maria Ferrari
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the production cycle of glazed porcelain stoneware, from the extraction of raw materials to the packaging of the finished product, with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the production cycle of glazed porcelain stoneware, from the extraction of raw materials to the packaging of the finished product, with the aim of verifying the effects of integrating an environmental impact assessment into the decision-making process for managing the life cycle, to make it economically and ecologically sustainable, in a holistic approach along the supply-chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is performed using the life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methodologies, to identify environmental impacts and costs, that occur during extraction of raw materials, transportation, ceramic tiles production, material handling, distribution and end-of-life stages within a cradle to grave perspective.
Findings
Through the use of a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact assessment and related externalities, three possible strategic options to improve the environmental performance and costs of ceramic tile production were formulated, leveraging sustainability as a competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
This exploratory research opens future lines of investigation, the first of which is to confirm the technological feasibility and market responsiveness to the three strategic solutions hypothesised thanks to the use of an innovative eco-design technique.
Originality/value
The research has allowed testing and validating the tools of environmental impact assessment (life cycle assessment) and economic impact assessment (life cycle costing as structured methodologies in a life cycle management framework, to help companies implement competitive strategies based on sustainability.
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Davide Settembre Blundo, Fernando Enrique García-Muiña, Martina Pini, Lucrezia Volpi, Cristina Siligardi and Anna Maria Ferrari
The purpose of this paper is to explore how sustainability can become a source of competitive advantage for mature manufacturing sectors where technologies are standardized, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how sustainability can become a source of competitive advantage for mature manufacturing sectors where technologies are standardized, and innovation is mainly generated across the value chain and not by individual companies.
Design/methodology/approach
From the methodological point of view, this research estimates the sustainability status of ceramic production in the Sassuolo district (Italy), using the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) model, and changing the observation point for the analysis, from the enterprise (micro level) to the entire sector (meso level).
Findings
This paper provides an analysis of the environmental, economic and social impacts of the four main types of ceramic tiles manufactured in Italy, both in aggregate terms for the entire sector and per square meter of product.
Practical implications
The methodological approach used in this research is easy to replicate both for companies when designing their sustainability strategies and for public decision makers when assessing the sustainability performance of a sector or supply chain.
Social implications
For the first time, a socio-economic impact assessment is proposed for the ceramic sector, conducted in parallel with the environmental impact assessment through stakeholder mapping and prioritization.
Originality/value
This paper conceptualizes the theme of relations and interdependencies between ceramic producers organized in industrial districts and the territories in which they operate in order to determine empirically the sustainability performance of Italian ceramic sector, using the LCSA model with a territorial extension that presupposes an innovative contribution to current literature and practice.
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Davide Settembre Blundo, Anna Maria Ferrari, Martina Pini, Maria Pia Riccardi, José Francisco García and Alfonso Pedro Fernández del Hoyo
In this paper, of exploratory character, the purpose of this paper is to propose the analysis of the life cycle for assessing the environmental, economic, and social impact in the…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, of exploratory character, the purpose of this paper is to propose the analysis of the life cycle for assessing the environmental, economic, and social impact in the activity of recovery, restoration, and valorization of Cultural Heritage.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis protocol is applied to the case of recovery and restoration processes and then outlining the salient features of what may become a model of Cultural Heritage Life Cycle Management (CH-LCM).
Findings
The authors propose the approach of the life cycle, normally used to assess the impact of materials, processes or products, to the management of cultural heritage as an innovative methodology with great potential.
Originality/value
The methodology for this sector is highly innovative, especially in its interdisciplinary approach, through the use of different technical, historical, and economic skills which can provide the tools for the preparation of a management plan according to the logic of the life cycle.
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Emanuele Dolfi, Margherita Masi, Gizem Yeter, Ernesto S. Marrocco, Giuseppina Olivieri, Martina Magnani, Teresa Del Giudice, Felice Adinolfi and Yari Vecchio
Cell-based meat is currently one of the most debated food sources of recent decades, as it involves cultivating animal-derived biological tissues in controlled environments…
Abstract
Purpose
Cell-based meat is currently one of the most debated food sources of recent decades, as it involves cultivating animal-derived biological tissues in controlled environments. Opinions on this topic vary widely; some see this nutritional source as a strategy to address the sustainability challenges of the agri-food sector, while others perceive it as a potential negative impact on their culture and traditions. In this context, this study aimed to gather the opinions of Italian students engaged in animal production science studies to assess their viewpoints regarding socio-ethical, environmental, and economic dimensions since they represent the future generation of professionals and potential consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the hybrid qualitative-quantitative method of Q-methodology was used. By leveraging the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, Q-methodology provides a systematic method for examining interviewees’ subjectivity by gathering individuals’ points of view into clusters of opinions referred to as factors.
Findings
The analysis of the results revealed the existence of four distinct factors within the analyzed student population, highlighting the different viewpoints among a group of individuals pursuing the same course of study.
Originality/value
The results may provide additional insights into the debate on this topic and offer valuable information for policymakers regarding the discussion on novel foods, particularly cell-based meat, which still lacks a regulatory framework at the European Union level.
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Luca Camanzi, Sina Ahmadi Kaliji, Paolo Prosperi, Laurick Collewet, Reem El Khechen, Anastasios Ch. Michailidis, Chrysanthi Charatsari, Evagelos D. Lioutas, Marcello De Rosa and Martina Francescone
The aim of this study was to investigate consumer preferences and profile their food-related lifestyles, as well as to identify consumer groups with similar attitudes/behaviours…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate consumer preferences and profile their food-related lifestyles, as well as to identify consumer groups with similar attitudes/behaviours in the Euro-Mediterranean fruit and vegetable market.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire was designed drawing from the food related lifestyles instrument and including other factors relevant to fruit and vegetable consumer preferences. The data were collected in an online survey with 925 participants in France, Greece, and Italy. A principal component analysis was conducted to interpret and examine consumers' fruit and vegetable related lifestyles. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed to identify different consumer segments, based on the core dimensions of the food-related lifestyle approach.
Findings
In each country, three primary consumer segments were distinguished. Health-conscious individuals were predominant in France and Greece, while quality-conscious consumers were prevalent in Italy. These classifications were determined considering various factors such as purchase motivation, perception of product quality, health concerns, environmental certifications, and price sensitivity.
Originality/value
The food-related lifestyle approach has been adapted instrument to create a customised survey instrument specifically designed to capture the intricacies of fruit and vegetable consumer preferences and priorities in three Euro-Mediterranean Countries.
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Satabdee Dash, Axel Nordin and Glenn Johansson
Dual design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) takes into account both the opportunities and constraints of AM simultaneously, which research shows is more effective than…
Abstract
Purpose
Dual design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) takes into account both the opportunities and constraints of AM simultaneously, which research shows is more effective than considering them separately. Unlike existing reviews, this paper aims to map DfAM research within the engineering design process, focusing solely on studies adopting dual DfAM. Additionally, it aims to suggest future research directions by analysing prominent research themes and their inter-relationships. Special emphasis is on theme inter-relationships concerning the conceptual, embodiment and detail design phases.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a systematic literature review of 148 publications from January 2000 to February 2024. After screening, prominent research themes were identified and systematically analysed. Theme inter-relationships were explored using quantitative analysis and chord diagrams.
Findings
The findings reveal that studies either span the entire design process, the early design phases or the later design phases. Most research focuses on the later design phases, particularly within themes of design optimisation, design evaluation and AM-specific manufacturing constraints. The most frequent theme inter-relationship occurs between design optimisation and AM-specific manufacturing constraints. Overall, the findings suggest future research directions to advance dual DfAM research, such as development of design rules and guidelines for cellular structures.
Originality/value
This review proposes a model by mapping prominent themes of dual DfAM research in relation to the engineering design process. Another original contribution lies in analysing theme inter-relationships and visualising them using chord diagrams – a novel approach that did not exist before.
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Returnable transport packaging (RTP) solutions have found increasing attention in the recent past. It is not clear, however, under what conditions an RTP system improves a…
Abstract
Purpose
Returnable transport packaging (RTP) solutions have found increasing attention in the recent past. It is not clear, however, under what conditions an RTP system improves a company's financial performance. This paper investigates the operational factors that influence the financial attractiveness of an RTP solution in a manufacturing environment and discusses how these factors are related to each other.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents the results of five empirical RTP use cases and compares the case study findings with the results found in literature in order to develop a taxonomy of RTP cost effects. Drawing on the concept of value-based management (VBM), the operational drivers of these RTP cost effects are systematized and categorized in a value driver model that relates RTP cost effects to overall economic value added (EVA).
Findings
Based on the use case findings, additional cost factors are identified that have not been previously discussed in literature. The amended taxonomy of influence factors is further operationalized in a value driver model.
Originality/value
The present paper is the first one providing a taxonomy of RTP cost effects and putting these effects in a conceptual framework that can be used for decision-making and performance benchmarking.
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Martins Ugonna Obi, Patrick Pradel, Matt Sinclair and Richard Bibb
The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors use a bibliometric approach to analyse publications from January 2010 to December 2020 to explore the subject areas, publication outlets, most active authors, geographical distribution of scholarly outputs, collaboration and co-citations at both institutional and geographical levels and outcomes from keywords analysis.
Findings
The findings reveal that most knowledge has been developed in DfAM methods, rules and guidelines. This may suggest that designers are trying to learn new ways of harnessing the freedom offered by AM. Furthermore, more knowledge is needed to understand how to tackle the inherent limitations of AM processes. Moreover, DfAM knowledge has thus far been developed mostly by authors in a small number of institutional and geographical clusters, potentially limiting diverse perspectives and synergies from international collaboration which are essential for global knowledge development, for improvement of the quality of DfAM research and for its wider dissemination.
Originality/value
A concise structure of DfAM knowledge areas upon which the bibliometric analysis was conducted has been developed. Furthermore, areas where research is concentrated and those that require further knowledge development are revealed.