Italian Case Study Research Articles

A methodological framework for assessing regional climate efforts. Learning from its application in Italy

In multi-level governance systems, regions are key actors in tackling climate change, acting as a bridging authority between the state and municipalities. Regions can provide a common framework and support local action, in particular through ad-hoc or mainstreamed mitigation and adaptation strategies. Despite this, their contribution to multi-level climate planning is still little explored in the scientific literature. This work proposes a methodological framework developed to comprehensively assess the climate efforts of regional governments, based on three dimensions: ambition, robustness, implementation and progress. Ambition qualifies the regions' commitment. Robustness assesses the evidence-based approach of the plan and its link with the regional sustainable development strategy, as well as the regions’ involvement in transnational networks. Implementation and progress, records the availability of indicators to provide evidence of the actions taken, monitor progress, and inform stakeholders. Applying the proposed methodology to the Italian multi-regional case study sheds light on the weaknesses that limit the impact of climate action, while defining the factors that enhance climate performance. The results show that transnational networks can raise the level of ambition for mitigation, but less so for adaptation, where there are no quantitative targets or fixed target years. A science-based approach and a strong link to the regional sustainable development strategy provide a good degree of robustness, while tracking implementation and progress remains the most challenging factor. Good practices were also identified, based on the successful experiences of some Italian regions, which can be profitably transferred between regional authorities, but also to other sub-national governments.

Driving corporate digitization with reliable data through the A3 approach: an Italian case study

PurposePursuing digital transformation is a valuable strategy to attain companies’ operational excellence and sustainable development. However, installing digital technologies and software is insufficient for achieving a successful digital transformation. Equally vital is providing digital solutions with reliable input data, which is a hard task in companies where information is gathered through manual or non-standardized processes. The lack of reliable data prevents technologies and software from operating at their best, hindering their ability to process information and derive correct insights for improvement. To avoid this, companies should embrace structured problem-solving approaches to evaluate current data retrieval processes, identify error sources and formulate countermeasures. This paper aims to provide an empirical study to substantiate A3 as a winning approach for advancing input data acquisition in companies.Design/methodology/approachA case study research is proposed, investigating the application of A3 in an ink manufacturing company, and checking how A3 improves data collection and company performance.FindingsThe case study corroborates A3 as an effective approach, allowing the removal of inefficiencies that previously went unnoticed and reaching a 10% productivity improvement.Practical implicationsPursuing digital transformation is a valuable strategy to attain companies’ operational excellence and sustainable development. However, installing digital technologies and software is insufficient for achieving a successful digital transformation. Equally vital is providing digital solutions with reliable input data, which is a hard task in companies where information is gathered through manual or non-standardized processes.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper lies in the application scope and aim of the A3 approach. A3 is a mature paradigm but often coined for production and still endowed with unexplored potential. This paper proposes the application of A3 for improving companies’ data retrieval processes, focusing for the first time on information reliability and its importance in ensuring the functioning of digital technologies and software.

Terraced landscapes: risk and liability

Terraced landscapes are preserved elements of the human-influenced environment, maintained by ongoing agricultural activities. Farmers are subject to the periodic collapse of terraces, which are repaired by means of traditional techniques. Unless it can be proven that the collapse was accidental, the owner is liable for the damage caused by the collapse of the terraces or landslides. This topic, applied to Minori (Amalfi Coast, Italy), is interesting for two reasons. First, with the advancement of scientific knowledge, the unpredictability of events diminishes and the liability increases. Second, the intensive construction at the base of the terraces and the economic value of the buildings, enhanced by the landscape context, expose the owners to claims for damages from third parties that are disproportionate to the agricultural income, including claims for amnestied illegal constructions. The result has been an increase in the renunciation of property rights by farmers in areas of high hydro-geological risk. However, the State, which becomes the owner, denies the validity of property relinquishments made by owners solely to transfer risk, cost, and liability to the state treasury. This paper discusses these issues, going beyond the Italian case study, and proposes a different risk allocation related to territorial governance. This study reveals a discrepancy in government decision making and suggests that the division of risk into multiple components could be a solution to this inconsistency.

What is the “best” way to measure the relative location variables in the market value assessment? An econometric method applied to an Italian case study

The present research is dedicated to investigating the explanatory power of relative location variables in assessing and forecasting market values. Here, relative location refers to the spatial position (geographical context) of a building or property in relation to a given Point Of Interest (POI). Specifically, a methodological approach is proposed for identifying the most suitable quantification modality based on statistical performance and consistency with the market mechanisms of the specific reference context. For a case study in Northern Italy, we collected data on 615 residential properties and 2673 POIs, including cultural facilities, school and education institutions, commercial services, sports, entertainment, and leisure facilities, health and care services, public transport systems, urban parks, and green areas. The relative location between the collected properties and the POIs is assessed using an automated calculation procedure developed in the Python programming language, in conjunction with Geographic Information Software (GIS). This automatism allows the assessment of relative location in terms of different Units Of Measure (UOM), such as straight-line distance, travel time by car, travel time on foot, travel time by public transport, and the number of POIs in a 400 m/1 km ring buffer. Since 615 residential buildings and 2673 POIs were analysed, with their relative locations measured using six different UOMs, a database of 9'865'215 data was produced. Furthermore, for each category of POI, a feature importance analysis guides the selection of the best UOM, i.e., the most statistically significant one. Considering the chosen UOM, an optimised econometric technique is finally implemented to analyse the functional relationships between the market values of residential properties and the set of identified relative location variables.

Building Information Modelling from Cadastral Plans and Application to an Italian Case Study Building Using Innovative Strategies

This paper explores the applicability of different methods to construct a Building information System Model (BIM) from 2D plans and, more specifically, cadastral plans. The explored procedures use three different approaches to build BIMs: one manual, one semi-automatic based on Rhinoceros/Grasshopper, and one based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). To analyse the performance of the three methods, the case study of a masonry building located in an Italian historic centre is used. The fastest is the AI-based method, although it has some limitations in automatic recognition of some objects. This latter aspect was further explored by analysing a very large dataset of cadastral plans. The results show good recognition of wall elements, but problems arise in the recognition of other elements, such as doors and windows. The manual method, on the other hand, allowed for the construction of a detailed model of the considered structure. However, the method requires strong user interaction and longer time frames than the AI-based method. The semi-automatic based method requires quite a lot of pre-processing but through an algorithm in Grasshopper a fast and detailed modelling of the structure is obtained. The paper also outlines future scenarios for the full exploitation of cadastral data.

Assessing the economic impact of the thermal inertization of asbestos waste with an Italian case study

Assessing the economic impact of the thermal inertization of asbestos waste with an Italian case study

Building Information Modelling from Cadastral Plans and Application to an Italian Case Study Building Using Innovative Strategies

This paper explores the applicability of different methods to construct a Building information System Model (BIM) from 2D plans and, more specifically, cadastral plans. The explored procedures use three different approaches to build BIMs: one manual, one semi-automatic based on Rhinoceros/Grasshopper, and one based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). To analyse the performance of the three methods, the case study of a masonry building located in an Italian historic centre is used. The fastest is the AI-based method, although it has some limitations in automatic recognition of some objects. This latter aspect was further explored by analysing a very large dataset of cadastral plans. The results show good recognition of wall elements, but problems arise in the recognition of other elements, such as doors and windows. The manual method, on the other hand, allowed for the construction of a detailed model of the considered structure. However, the method requires strong user interaction and longer time frames than the AI-based method. The semi-automatic based method requires quite a lot of pre-processing but through an algorithm in Grasshopper a fast and detailed modelling of the structure is obtained. The paper also outlines future scenarios for the full exploitation of cadastral data.

Artificial Intelligence Approach to Business Process Re-Engineering the Information Flow of Warehouse Shipping Orders: An Italian Case Study

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing and significantly shaping the work environment. It not only presents an innovative and unique challenge, but it also creates numerous opportunities in various sectors. This study aims to examine a case of artificial intelligence use in the logistics sector, specifically the implementation of text recognition algorithms that use advanced artificial intelligence technology to perform tasks and activities typically carried out by human operators. The implementation under analysis was carried out at an Italian company in Tolentino, in the province of Macerata. The implementation of this tool focuses on the ability to autonomously read shipping notes, with the aim of simplifying the flow of information in the goods receipt phase and reducing the workload of warehouse staff. As illustrated in the following chapters, when artificial intelligence follows several trainings, technical improvements and structural changes in shipping notes, the flow is greatly simplified, significantly facilitating this logistics phase.

Addressing the complexities of evaluating comprehensive sexuality education: an Italian case study

Abstract Background Existing evaluation methods for assessing sexuality education programs may not be suitable for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) interventions, which are globally indicated as the most effective approach for promoting sexual health and preventing STIs. This holds particular significance in countries, such as Italy, where CSE is not integrated into school curricula. In a pilot project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health since 2019 (EduForIST), we aimed to develop a composite evaluation framework to test the CSE intervention we implemented in lower and upper secondary schools over the past 4 years. Methods Based on the latest available evidence, evaluating a CSE intervention requires addressing various dimensions. These include assessing the quality of programs and their implementation, as well as measuring outcomes and impact. Through iterative consultations with experts and providers, methods, criteria, and metrics were chosen and tested for each dimension. Results Program quality was evaluated by an expert advisory board. Instruments for implementation quality assessment included: satisfaction survey among students; reflective journals and SWOT analysis drawn up by educators delivering intervention, exploring their perceptions, practices, and attitudes; surveys among teachers and parents, measuring knowledge, attitude, and practice on CSE, and observed changes among adolescents. A four-arm, Solomon, cluster design study was designed to evaluate outcomes in terms of changes in students’ knowledge. Clinical and behavioral indicators in the short, medium and long term were selected as measures of the impact of the intervention. Conclusions In the field of CSE implementation research, a multi-component approach to evaluation is needed to provide a solid basis for informing policymakers. The involvement of providers, recipients and contextual adults is essential in evaluating CSE interventions. However, assessing long-term impact requires long time frame. Key messages • Assessing CSE interventions requires a multi-component evaluation approach, considering the impact on the personal and emotional development of individuals in order to sustain behavior changes. • The proposed evaluation framework may inform scientific community, professionals, and decision-makers on effectiveness of interventions in settings where CSE is not yet included in school curricula.

Learning from Two Early Brownfield Redevelopment Projects in Italy: Soil Desealing, Cooling Effects, and Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions Through Traditional Planning Tools

Consideration of the future fate of brownfields in urban environments has driven a complex ‘season’ of decisions, planning, and implementation that has seen the emergence of different approaches and actions for their reuse. Among the various experiences of brownfield redevelopment, some projects have also promoted the partial renaturalisation of areas through soil desealing and demolition of existing buildings. These greening initiatives have provided new public facilities, e.g., parks and green areas, helping to improve the conditions of urban environments both from ecological and social perspectives. This article adopts ex ante and ex post methods to analyse two Italian case studies of brownfield regeneration involving desealing interventions and investigates two key aspects: (i) the planning process and tools that were put in place to implement the projects and (ii) the impacts for human wellbeing that were produced in terms of cooling effects. The analyses conducted show the real effectiveness of renaturation interventions especially related to reforestation measures in terms of temperature reduction. The examination of the two case studies also revealed the importance and potential success of traditional planning and implementation tools in promoting interventions that can now be considered innovative in terms of their actual contribution to current urban challenges. The results therefore allow us to emphasize the fundamental importance of the philosophy and basic principles of a transformation process, even guided by traditional planning tools, for the improvement of the environmental conditions of an urban context and the successful implementation of nature-based solutions.

Sustainable dairy farming and fipronil risk in circular feeds: insights from an Italian case study

Circular feeds, such as grain dry distillers, citrus pulp, cane molasses, and potatoes peels, are co-products of biomass processes. They are currently proposed in animal nutrition to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of the food production chain. In this paper, we report a case study involving fipronil, a pesticide currently not authorized for agriculture within the EU, but used in the Americas, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Fipronil was found at a mean level of 0.49 mg/kg, in a grain dry distiller batch administered to dairy cows. This finding, along with other evidence of potential fipronil presence in feed materials, prompted us to evaluate the risk to food safety and food security from 12 different conventional and sustainable feeding regimens. To this purpose, we considered a fipronil feed-to-milk carry-over rate of 0.52, the tolerance levels in fodders and food from The EU, Codex Alimentarius, and US-EPA, and the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.0002 mg/kg body weight for adverse effects on thyroid function in dairy cows. Under a conservative scenario, fipronil-contaminated potato peels and grain distillers in the feeding regimens may play a pivotal role in exceeding the EU Maximum Residue Level (MRL) in bovine milk and fat (0.005 and 0.030 mg/kg, respectively). Hay-based diets with soybean hulls and cane molasses show negligible risks (Hazard Index ∼ 1). In all cases, the ADI exceedance suggests the need to evaluate thyroid function in dairy cows exposed to fipronil as a food security factor.

Cost analysis of technological vs. conventional upper limb rehabilitation for patients with neurological disorders: an Italian real-world data case study.

Most patients suffering from neurological disorders endure varying degrees of upper limb dysfunction, limiting their everyday activities, with only a limited number regaining full arm use. Robotic and technological rehabilitation has been demonstrated to be a feasible solution to guarantee an effective rehabilitation to recover upper limb performance or to prevent complications of upper limb immobility. However, there is currently a lack of studies which analyze the sustainability of robotic and technological rehabilitation by comparing its costs to conventional rehabilitation pathways. Since technology-based and conventional rehabilitation of the upper limb have been demonstrated to have comparable efficacy when the rehabilitation dose is matched, our study concentrates on a cost minimization analysis. The aim of the study is to compare the costs of a "mixed" rehabilitation cycle, which combines conventional and technology-based treatments (the latter delivered with a single therapist supervising several patients), with a cycle of purely conventional treatments. This has been done by developing a cost model and retrospectively analyzing the costs sustained by an Italian hospital which has adopted such a mixed model. A sensitivity analysis has been done to identify the parameters of the model that have the greatest influence on cost difference and to evaluate their optimal values in terms of efficiency of mixed rehabilitation. Finally, probabilistic simulations have been applied to consider the variability of model parameters around such optimized values and evaluate the probability of achieving a given level of savings. We found a cost difference of 49.60 € per cycle in favor of mixed rehabilitation. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that, in the situation of the hospital under investigation, the parameter having the largest influence on the cost difference is the number of robotic treatments in a mixed rehab cycle. Probabilistic simulations indicate a probability higher than 98% of an optimized mixed rehabilitation cycle being less expensive than a pure conventional one. Through a retrospective cost analysis, we found that the technology-based mixed rehabilitation approach, within a specific organizational model allowing a single physiotherapist to supervise up to four patients concurrently, allowed cost savings compared to the conventional rehabilitation model.

Cattle breeding, associations, and rural development: The Italian case study in the 20th century

Cattle breeding, associations, and rural development: The Italian case study in the 20th century

The Interaction of Sustainability Governance Structure and Sustainability Management Control Systems: An Italian Case Study

This study aims to analyze sustainability governance mechanisms and understand which roles and responsibilities fall under a governance system, as well as the pro-cesses of integrating sustainability into management control systems. Qualitative research focused on the case study analysis of SIT. Interviews were conducted with key figures within the firm regarding roles and responsibilities in sustainability issues to address the peculiarities related to sustainability governance design and implementation and to delve into the role of sustainability management control systems. Several documents were also analyzed: sustainability reports, sustainabil-ity plans, corporate monographs, and questionnaires related to participation in sustainability ratings and awards. Based on a review of the literature on corporate governance and the integration of corporate sustainability into it, including the analysis of previous studies on sus-tainability management control systems, this study found that good sustainability governance and a coherent sustainability management control system play a key role. They provide support in decision-making, enable the implementation of stra-tegic objectives consistent with sustainability targets, identify actions and best practices for effective improvement in sustainability performance, and enable the firm to pursue sustainable success. From a practical point of view, this case study represents a good example of how sustainability can permeate all business pro-cesses, thus providing opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

Social Innovation Management to Support Integrated Care: Insights from an Italian Revelatory Case Study

This research deals with Social Innovation (SI) and integrated and connected care in the hospital care, presenting a successful experience of telemedicine's implementation within the Italian context. Nowadays integrated care and connected care are relevant concepts for delivering people-centered healthcare; though their operationalization is challenging and requires accounting for systems' complexity. In this regard, SI may be a catalyst, since it consists in a kind of innovation motivated by social needs. Extant research on SI in healthcare is scant and fragmentary, overlooking operational features and enabling conditions. Considering these gaps, the paper investigates the potential contribution of SI management to integrated and connected care. For the purpose, it offers a revelatory case study, concerning the pediatric research hospital Gaslini (Genoa, Italy), which is, to our knowledge, the first Italian public hospital to have hired a SI manager. By referring to a telemedicine pilot project, the study analyzes main features of the SI management process and its approach to promote integrated and connected care. Research data are analyzed by combining Gioia methodology and systems thinking. The resulting grounded theory model is causal loops-shaped and highlights virtuous mechanisms of SI unveiling generative voids and existing skills.

Quality Competitions Based on Models of Organizational Excellence: An Italian Quality Award Case Study

Quality Competitions Based on Models of Organizational Excellence: An Italian Quality Award Case Study

Economic Assessment of Small-Scale Mountain Dairy Farms by Using Accounting Data: Evidence from an Italian Case Study

Dairy mountain farms are economically disadvantaged due to small farm sizes and high production costs. This situation was exacerbated firstly by the opening of the market linked to the abolition of milk quotas; secondly by the rising prices due to the energy crisis due to covid 19 and the war in Ukraine. However, these farms are important for the preservation of traditional landscapes, the economy of these areas and the offered ecosystem services, especially when they are managed extensively. The objective of this research is to understand if mountain dairy farms are economically sustainable and competitive through the analysis of a case study. The economic analysis takes into account the production cost of milk, profitability, and some economic indicators using accounting data. The results show that the farm profitability is decreasing, and the costs are unsustainable. As a consequence, more efficient policy support is needed to overcome this crisis.

Electric energy consumption (EEC) in groundwater-based drinking water supply systems: analysis and comparison of seven Italian case studies

ABSTRACT Drinking water and wastewater services depend on energy: electric energy consumption (EEC) of this sector amounts to 2–3% of global EEC. The attention of the scientific community and of water utilities about this topic is focused on energy optimization of wastewater treatment plants and pumping stages in drinking water supply systems (DWSSs). However, because of increasingly stringent regulations and because of more and more extended water-source pollution, the need for ‘unconventional’ drinking water treatment systems, which are very energy-intensive, will bring treatment to be a key factor in this scenario. Analyzing EEC in seven full-scale DWSSs, we wanted to control EEC in every single stage of the DWSS (withdrawal, drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) and distribution) and to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption in DWSS, with a special focus on each drinking water treatment process. The most energy-intensive unconventional treatment turns out to be membrane filtration by reverse osmosis (for which specific consumption per cubic meter of pumped water is equal to 0.243 Wh/m3), whereas the most energy-intensive conventional treatment turns out to be air oxidation (specific EEC from 0.012 to 0.087 kWh/m3). The main strategies for energy conservation can be applied both in management and in the design phase.

Gender Issues, Social Equity, and the Sustainable Management of Urban Transport Networks: An Italian Case Study

The paper contains transport and environmental analyses for the Gallipoli area and presents results from a consultation process involving transport operators, citizens, tourists, public employees, and stakeholders. Through statistical analysis of the data, the paper provides insights into the needs of specific user categories, highlighting gender issues and social equity as key aspects of urban policies. This paper further investigates users’ potential willingness to pay for general improvements in bus service quality and environmental conditions using discrete choice modeling. This study aims to address the challenge of understanding urban travel patterns and the underlying forces influencing user attitudes, which are often found in city surveys. Specifically, a Random Utility Model was used to profile users based on specially collected survey data. The results indicate the potential to meet latent systemic transport demand with more sustainable collective transport modes, particularly among women aged 19-29 who own a car. Simultaneously, there is a willingness to pay higher public transport tariffs for improved service, which is also largely environmentally sustainable. The paper can serve as a valuable resource for professionals in the transport and environmental sectors as well as for policymakers.

Are we going towards an effective integration of air quality and climate planning? A comparative analysis for Italian regions

Climate change mitigation and adaptation along with air pollution are key challenges that require a comprehensive planning approach able to promote win-win strategies and avoid transferring environmental pressures from one sector to another. The joint approach is widely advocated at the policy level while the scientific research investigates the role of co-benefits in planning processes. A methodological framework was developed with the twofold aim of (i) assessing the current integration degree between regional Air Quality Plans and Climate Plans and (ii) providing useful hints for pursuing greater air-climate integration. Its application to the Italian case study provides useful policy implications for strengthening the role of co-benefits as drivers of planning processes. Results show that a greater air-climate integration can be achieved by enhancing the role of regional authorities in supporting the implementation of local-scale plans and actions. This is especially important in contexts where an integrated planning framework is lacking and the mainstreaming within sectoral sub-regional plans turns out to be crucial.