Italian Case Study Research Articles

Consumer Evaluations of and Attitudes towards New Genome Editing Techniques: An Italian Case Study

The ever-increasing development of assisted evolution technologies (AETs) in agriculture has boosted crop improvement. The commercialization of improved biotech crops can be promoted by modern gene editing instead of conventional genetic modification, which is a cheaper and faster approach that can help address future agriculture challenges, such as food security, environmental sustainability, and climate change. However, the use of these technologies is still sensitive and debated in many countries. Each region promotes a different approach, depending on regulatory policies, and adopting these technologies requires knowledge of consumer views and stakeholder acceptance. For this purpose, we conducted a survey of 564 Italians regarding their knowledge of genetic techniques, informational tools, purchase preferences, environmental sustainability, and food safety issues. The research aims are twofold: (a) to assess the level of knowledge and (b) to determine how consumer background, including social and demographic characteristics, affects their level of knowledge. Our findings emphasize the importance of communication and dissemination activities, in which clarity and a broad appeal are key.

Lean and Safety Management in Primary Care Centres: an Italian Case Study

The primary care sector is globally recognised as the pillar of an efficient and patient-centred care model. Despite its importance, many countries fail to ensure equitable access and individualised care. This problem significantly impacts the most vulnerable part of the population, such as chronic and elderly patients. In this context, considering the large number of people affected by multiple diseases, multidisciplinary and multi-organisation teamwork has become fundamental to guarantee high levels of quality, increasing patient satisfaction, and continuity of care. Furthermore, working in a multidisciplinary primary care team can improve information exchange between care providers and patients, positively impacting on clinical performance. Despite these opportunities, the primary care workforce is often overloaded in its daily activities and not adequately organised and coordinated to avoid burnout experiences and inefficient skills deployment. In this context, implementing Lean and Safety Management (L&SM) as a process improvement methodology can increase care pathways performance and integration, patient safety and satisfaction through the reduction of wastes and risks. The current study aims to implement L&SM in a primary care centre in Italy, with the final goal of increasing productivity and effectiveness in daily activities performed by primary care physicians. This project is carried out following the DMAIC cycle; a managerial approach that combines qualitative and quantitative techniques to support process improvement. The implementation roadmap will combine HLM and CRM, planning to achieve the main steps listed as follows: mapping the care demand and the available resources to define the focus of the study; identifying the most representative and critical patients; mapping the target care pathway; identifying wastes and risk and their root causes; identifying critical aspects and improvement events; implementing countermeasures; evaluating and monitoring results. The expected results of the forthcoming months consist of measurable improvements within the healthcare pathway, supporting the optimisation of the primary care centre. Moreover, this initiative may represent a pilot case for other similar projects, contributing to spread L&SM culture throughout primary care centres with benefits for both patients and clinical staff.

Towards the implementation of Positive Energy Districts in industrial districts: an Italian case study

Owing to the opportunity to provide an annual positive energy balance and net-zero carbon emissions, Positive Energy Districts aim at fostering the energy transition of urban city centres. To fully support the decarbonization of cities, it may be interesting to extend their implementation to other energy intensive districts, such as cities’ industrial areas. In this regard, this paper addresses the opportunity to apply the Positive Energy District concept within the industrial area of a city in the South of Italy. A mixed-use building, the industrial wastewater treatment plant and an office building have been involved as users and equipped with a 250 kW wind turbine and multiple photovoltaic plants installed on the roof of the buildings, in parking areas and in an unused land, for a total peak power equal to 466 kW. The renewable-based plants’ generation has been simulated in HOMER Pro® software, on a quarter-hour basis, and an energy and environmental analysis have been performed using users’ real electric load profiles. The proposed configuration allows to save 55% of primary energy and carbon dioxide emissions compared to the baseline case where users’ electric energy demand is fully met by the power grid. In particular, the primary energy saving is equal to 1 GWh/y and the carbon dioxide emissions reduction is equal to 150 tCO2/y.

Green hydrogen for energy storage and natural gas system decarbonization: An Italian case study

The increase of the electricity production from non-programmable and intermittent Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) generates criticalities in the balance between the energy supply and demand, requiring significant energy storage capabilities for the next future. The exploitation of the available NG Transmission Network (NGTN) by implementing the Power to Gas (PtG) technology is particularly promising since it allows a massive energy storage capability and the decarbonization of the NGTN by green hydrogen injection into the grid with growing percentages up to 100%. The objective of this work is to analyse the actual feasibility of distributed green hydrogen generation and its injection into the national NGTN. A mathematical model has been developed to assess the dynamic operation of a PtH2 integrated system to produce green hydrogen using photovoltaic-powered electrolysers and to inject it into the NGTN upstream of a Regulating and Measuring Station (RMS) located in central Italy. Three different surface sizes are considered for the installation of PV panels (100 m2, 300 m2 and 500 m2) and the optimal hydrogen accumulation size has been calculated in order to ensure the uniformity of the supplied mixture throughout the year. Obtained results show that employing the optimal accumulation size, hydrogen percentage in the NG-H2 mixture ranges between 0% and 0.90% by volume. In the best-case scenario (i.e., when considering a surface area of 500 m2), the cost of hydrogen production is 5.10 EUR/kg H2 and the PtH2 plant allows to save 32.348 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

The conflicts of ecological transition on the ground and the role of eco-social policies: Lessons from Italian case studies

This paper analyzes the complexity of social-ecological transition policies and processes, focusing on trade-offs and emerging conflicts engendered by combined environmental-social-technological programmes and innovations. To date, there has been only limited focus in the literature on empirical cases, analyzing the ecological transition, distributive effects, social risks and policies to counter them. To help fill this gap, the paper discusses three qualitative case studies as part of a research project on social cohesion in ecological transitions in Tuscany, Italy. In particular, it examines the ongoing transition strategies and practices, bringing out several aspects that highlight the sources of controversies among actors and the contextual variability and complexity of their ‘playgrounds’, namely: (1) the role of time, space and relational patterns, and ensuing problems of governance, coordination and synchronization; (2) the way in which institutional and technological transformations are embedded in trans-contextual relations and conflicts; (3) the role of different sources and kinds of knowledge in supporting or hampering the ecological transitions; and (4) the shifting balances between top-down strategies and regulation, and bottom-up processes of civic associations and social movements. The paper then analyzes the attempts to provide social security by means of more or less explicitly designed eco-social policies and practices, highlighting some relevant lessons learned and methodological recommendations for future sustainable welfare design.

Historical Memory as an Effective and Useful Tool for Proper Land Use Planning: Lessons Learnt from Some Italian Cases

Many Italian cities and towns have been affected by geological or geohydrological processes. However, due to the loss of historical memory, lessons of the past have been ignored; new urbanized areas have expanded into the same zones where damage and casualties occurred in the past. Despite current practices, researchers are showing how historical data can be among the most valid tools for identifying the most affected and hazardous areas. When the completeness and quality of historical sources are sufficiently high, we can make useful statistical inferences regarding the spatiotemporal variations of natural processes. This information is of great importance for land use planning, as it makes us able to rely not only on the current state of the investigated areas but also on their dynamic evolutionary framework over time. In this article, we present a chronological review of past Italian works describing the occurrence of natural extreme events making use of historical data. Then, we present some Italian case studies in which the awareness of hazards gained by paying attention to past information would have ensured better management of the risk for the benefit of public safety. Finally, the authors stress the need to safeguard, manage, and enhance the large collection of historical data that constitutes Italy’s heritage.

Comparing two different contexts and approaches to P/CVE policies: Italy and Netherlands

ABSTRACT Based on in-depth qualitative research, this paper compares and contrasts two different policy approaches to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) within the European context. On the one hand, the Dutch case relies on a holistic and integrated approach in which a national framework underlies a targeted multi-stakeholder approach to preventing and countering manifestations of violent extremism. On the other hand, while lacking an overarching national policy framework, the Italian case study presents a range of mechanisms and projects aimed at combating violent extremism at the local level. The paper traces the different histories of terrorism and radicalization in the two countries to assess the emergence of these divergent approaches. Subsequently, regional case studies of the Delft and Milan areas are explored in-depth to illustrate how the respective policies are put into action, and to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. The research is based on expert interviews and institutional research involving municipalities, education, social work, and civil society actors.

Impact of energy communities on the distribution network: An Italian case study

Impact of energy communities on the distribution network: An Italian case study

The competition between legal and illegal firms in the market: Theoretical models and empirical evidence

The main aim of this paper is to study the phenomenon of the coexistence of firms with illegal characteristics and firms showing legal behaviour in developed economies by using an evolutionary competition model known as the Lotka-Volterra equations. Enterprises in a ‘legal system’ obey the extant laws, particularly market rules, while enterprises in an ‘illegal system’ disregard them. Illegal enterprises have a competitive advantage over legal enterprises, yet they cannot survive if legal enterprises disappear completely. The numerical solution of the Lotka-Volterra equations are used to show how there can be a situation of coexistence between legal and illegal enterprises and how state intervention can help reduce illegality in an economic system. This paper outlines a new approach to address the problem of coexistence because it uses non-linear and evolutionary tools to define the competition between legal and illegal firms. The research gap presented in this paper is addressed using the predator-prey scheme to model the competition between legal and illegal firms, which is perceived as the competition between two populations with different fitness levels (survival probabilities). This competition gives rise to three different types of possible equilibrium outcomes: survival of only legal firms, survival of only illegal firms and coexistence of these two types of firms. An empirical analysis of an Italian case study confirms the results of this paper's theoretical model.

Sun-Shading Sails in Courtyards: An Italian Case Study with RayMan

Forecasts of a drastic increase in temperatures in the coming decades are driving the adoption of design strategies and solutions to improve the livability of urban environments. Increasing attention is being paid to the thermal comfort of open spaces by both designers and researchers. Nature-based solutions and man-made devices to improve the comfort of outdoor spaces during summer are spreading, but effective, easy simulation and design support tools for this purpose are still lacking, as most of the available software such as ENVI-met or RayMan cannot model such devices. As Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) is one of the most relevant and comprehensive indicators of Outdoor Thermal Comfort (OTC), this study aims to investigate PET variations of different artificial shading systems and propose a simplified methodology for assessing them through analytical simulations with RayMan software. When modeling the shading elements, the trick adopted for this purpose is to associate different cloud densities with the shading provided by the screens, thus overcoming a gap that affects the software. The procedure is digitally tested in a covered courtyard case study in Bologna (Italy). Diverse options proposed by the designers for textile screening materials have been compared, showing that these reduce by at least 1 °C the PET-gauged thermal stress. Beyond specific results, the main outcome of this study is the procedure developed to simulate sun-shading sail effects on OTC by means of RayMan, which can support designers in planning effective solutions for open space livability in summertime.

Changes in energy use profiles derived from electricity smart meter readings of residential buildings in Milan before, during and after the COVID-19 main lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on society, causing changes in various aspects of people's lives, including their energy use habits. This has prompted a need for checking and updating standard energy use profiles, particularly for residential electricity use. To address this topic, a study was conducted on 24 multifamily buildings in Milan, using clustering to extract patterns from a database of quarter-hourly electricity use data from 2019 to 2020. This study found an increase in electricity usage during the COVID-19 lockdown period for residential buildings, likely associated with the imposed restrictions. The research also highlighted a shift in energy usage from the morning peak to the central hours of the day during the working days of the lockdown period, while a gradual increase in electricity usage throughout the day and no morning peak was observed during the Autumn (post-COVID) period. The findings can assist regulators and businesses in weighing the benefits and drawbacks of remote working and provide modellers with a complete set of daily load profiles for an Italian residential case study.

LEADER local action groups and inner areas. An Italian case study

In this study we investigate marginality in European rural areas to understand how EU policies for local development can stimulate novel approaches to social innovation and economic growth. The method applied is a Social Network Analysis (SNA) on the call tenders of an Italian Local Action Group managing the LEADER programme in the Piacentino and Parmense Apennine (Emilia-Romagna). The implementation of the Inner Area Strategy in a part of the LEADER territory (11 out of the 59 municipalities of the LEADER area) allows to verify complementarities, interrelations and overlays between the two development policies.

Towards the development of offshore wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea: a techno-economic analysis on an Italian case study

Towards the development of offshore wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea: a techno-economic analysis on an Italian case study

Environmental certification of woody charcoal: A choice experiments application

The European market of woody charcoal is characterized by low transparency about the origin of the raw material, with negative consequences on forest management and legality. Thus, certifications that guarantee the sustainable management of forests or the chain of custody are fundamental tools for reaching sustainability. However, certification schemes covered a minor share of the market. This work is the first attempt to assess the consumers' preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for certified woody charcoal with guaranteed origin and quality, using an Italian case study and choice experiments. The results show that local origin is an important driver for the choice: regional products are associated with a 2 to 4 times higher WTP than European ones, and the ratio is even higher considering the extra-EU origin. The majority of the choices (80%) included alternatives with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) options, although we found a lower WTP than for the origin. Since a smaller proportion of respondents said they looked at the presence of certifications on the label, it is possible that a lack of knowledge about certifications influenced the results. Moreover, the sample included mostly males, who are usually less willing to pay for sustainability certifications than females. The outcomes highlighted that there is enough space for developing woody charcoal supply chains, using both origin and sustainability certifications. However, educating and informing consumers must be considered a key aspect of the success of such an initiative.

How sustainable is the governance for sustainability in higher education? Insights from an Italian case study

PurposeHigher education (HE) institutions can play a fundamental role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, universities often face various obstacles to sustainability management, leading to a lack of strategies for implementing governance for sustainability (GFS). The purpose of this paper is to propose a model, based on work and organizational psychology (WOP), for the analysis, promotion and implementation of GFS in HE. The model includes five dimensions: culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management.Design/methodology/approachUsing a mixed methods approach, GFS was investigated in four Piedmontese (Northern Italy) universities and in their sustainability network, applying the model proposed in this paper.FindingsThe five dimensions of the model have proven to be fundamental to the development of GFS in HE. Each dimension was filled with experiences from specific contexts through data collection, highlighting specificities and barriers. Furthermore, the mixed methods approach and the WOP perspective proved to be effective in addressing sustainable transitions in HE.Originality/valueA practical proposal for analyzing and improving HE sustainable transitions in a WOP perspective is still missing, as well as a model that identifies organizational dimensions that should be monitored. This study not only provides an example of this transition but also confirms the importance that the literature attributes to the specificities and barriers of dimensions such as culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management in this context.

Does Precision Technologies Adoption Contribute to the Economic and Agri-Environmental Sustainability of Mediterranean Wheat Production? An Italian Case Study

The European Green Deal has set a concrete strategic plan to increase farm sustainability. At the same time, the current global challenges, due to climate change and fuels and commodity market crises, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, affect the need for quality food and necessitate the reduction of negative external effects of agricultural production, with fair remuneration for the farmers. In response, precision agriculture has great potential to contribute to sustainable development. Precision agriculture is a farming management system that provides a holistic approach to managing the spatial and temporal crop and soil variability within a field to improve the farm’s performance and sustainability. However, farmers are still hesitant to adopt it. On these premises, the study aims to evaluate the impacts of precision agriculture technologies on farm economic, agronomic, and environmental management by farmers adopting (or not) these technologies, using the case study method. In detail, the work focuses on the period 2014–2022 for two farms that cultivate durum wheat in central Italy. The results suggest that the implementation of precision technologies can guarantee economic and agri-environmental efficiency. The results could serve as a basis for developing a program to start training in farms as well as to suggest policy strategies.

Sustainable strategies to preserve tangible and intangible values in social housing rehabilitation: an Italian case study.


 
 
 The European social housing stock, built since the early post-war period, now needs major energy, structural and functional upgrading. The owners, almost always public bodies, are therefore called upon to adapt these buildings to the new regulations issued by the European Community. To reduce the costs of intervention, the preferred solution is that of a complete demolition and a subsequent reconstruction by using newly supplied materials, without considering the non-sustainability and social fallout of this choice. The contribution, starting from the hypothesis that more sustainable building rehabilitation interventions are possible, analyses which social and material supply aspects must be considered, and which design strategies can be applied to achieve the objective. First, the characteristics of social buildings in their historical evolution are summarized to understand their value in a broader non-economic sense. Subsequently, the requirements for a sustainable renovation of the existing social dwellings are analysed, and three, out of many other, design strategies are proposed. A case study is then presented and the application of the three strategies done through three Master thesis works is described. In conclusion, the results of the application of the strategies to the case study is analysed to assess whether it is possible to intervene on existing social housing complexes to achieve better results with a more sustainability-oriented perspective.
 
 

Multi-objective planning method for renewable energy communities with economic, environmental and social goals

In this paper we propose an innovative multi-objective methodology to optimally size and operate an Energy Community under social, environmental, and economic considerations, where both user preferences demand side management have been incorporated to manage flexibility that can be provided by appliances and Electric Vehicles using a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming model. The problem is efficiently decomposed using the A-AUGMECON2 technique that has confirmed its efficiency for an Italian case study. Results show that Renewable Energy Communities enable significant savings even beyond 10%–20% while keeping adequate level of user satisfaction, especially when grid prices are high. Demand response and demand side management confirmed to play a relevant role to achieve higher self sufficiency, economic, and social goals, in agreement to the energy transition targets.

Effects of the soil–structure interaction and seismic vertical component on the response of a concrete surge tank

The seismic safety of hydroelectric power plants is of high concern in earthquake-prone regions. Of specific interest to this paper is the seismic performance assessment of a critical item of a typical plant, which is represented by the surge tank, via dynamic analyses both using rigorous and complex models, and both recurring to different assumptions and simplifications. Dynamic time–history analysis, considering non-linearities in the soil but constraining the structure to remain in the elastic uncracked state, is recognized as a suitable analysis method for the problem at hand. In this context, the contribution focuses on a specific Italian case study with the aim of assessing the influence of two main modeling assumptions that engineers could include: (i) considering vs neglecting the soil–structure interaction phenomena; (ii) considering vs ignoring the vertical component of the ground motion. To this aim, 7 seismic inputs have been defined starting from compatibility criteria with a spectrum provided by a site-specific seismic-tectonic study. First, they have been used in a non-linear propagation analysis, to assess the waveform propagation from the bedrock up to the foundation basis. Then, 3D Finite Element (FE) analyses of an empty surge tank have been conducted to assess the effect of the dynamic soil–structure interaction on its seismic response. The effects of the vertical component of the ground motion have been investigated, thus providing some guidance on the modeling choices that should be adopted for a safe assessment of the seismic performance of such kind of structures.

Exploring a new business model for lending processes in the banking sector using Blockchain technology: An Italian case study

Blockchain is a decentralized information technology (IT) architecture that has garnered significant attention across various sectors of the global economy. In the banking sector, blockchain was initially used for cryptocurrency trading and later expanded to encompass smart contracts, peer-to-peer transactions, and other banking services. In recent years, blockchain technology (BT) has been applied to streamline less standardized credit processes and to successfully support mortgage credit through decentralized recording on ledgers. Employing a qualitative research approach, this paper proposes a novel business model for small banks that utilizes new-generation information technologies to enhance loan profitability. While previous research has linked BT to lending processes, this study is the first to propose a BT application for reshaping traditional banking practices, especially for commercial banks. The research findings demonstrate that blockchain implementation offers advantages in containing information asymmetries, managing credit rationing, and driving business innovation.