scholarly journals Social Farming in the Virtuous System of the Circular Economy. An Exploratory Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 989
Author(s):  
Agata Nicolosi ◽  
Valentina Rosa Laganà ◽  
Donatella Di Gregorio ◽  
Donatella Privitera
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Social Farming

Multifunctionality and social farming represent forms of resilience and innovation within urban and rural systems, making use of agricultural, rural, natural, and cultural resources to produce multiple benefits and eco-systemic services. Social farming (SF) introduces innovative activities capable of representing a factor supporting the competitiveness of the production system and represents a tool for responding to the growing needs of urban and rural populations in social, economic, and environmental terms, in relation to the offer of social- health, social-work, recreative and educational services. SF is an innovative model of territorial, participatory, relational, and community service development that looks to an inclusive, sustainable, fair, and supportive society. Its success is linked to the ability to spread within the economic system and become a circular economy model highlighting good practices and as a virtuous example for other companies. The purpose of this work is to examine the role and social impact that Social Farming has in the environmental, social, and cultural changes of the territories where they are located. Case studies in an area of Southern Italy—the Calabria region—were examined with multicriteria methodologies (social network analysis; multiple correspondence analysis) to identify the type of social activity carried out and the propensity to introduce innovations based on services ecosystems on farms. The results show the potential and value of the companies that carry out these social innovation activities. The analysis carried out has drawn some indicative profiles of socially oriented multifunctional companies.

Strengthening social innovation in higher education institutes – an organizational change process involving staff and students

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Prantl ◽  
Susanne Freund ◽  
Elisabeth Kals
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Change ◽  
Change Process ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Third Mission ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities

Purpose In recent decades, higher education institutes (HEIs) have come under pressure to cooperate with society as a whole. This shift towards an increased focus on third mission and social innovation activities implies a substantial organizational change process for many HEIs, as they need to initiate both structural and cultural changes. This paper provides guidance for such change processes by examining the views and attitudes of academic and administrative staff, as well as students within the HEIs over a period in which the HEIs increase their focus on social innovation. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a longitudinal quantitative approach consisting of a survey of administrative and academic staff, as well as students at two German HEIs. The authors studied members’ attitudes towards third mission and social innovation activities (N = 3470). Findings Results suggest that the university members’ attitudes towards third mission and social innovation are positive but change to some extent over time. Different aspects shape the attitudes within the three groups (administrative staff, academic staff and students). Furthermore, attitudes vary among academic employees who are involved in the process and those who are not. Practical implications The findings provide useful information for university managers and anyone aiming to promote social innovation at HEIs. Originality/value The study examines how attitudes of university members change whenever social innovation takes place at HEIs. This study includes data on the participation and empowerment of all HEI members in view of the important role that HEIs can play as supporters of social innovation.

scholarly journals Urban Living Labs, Circular Economy and Nature-Based Solutions: Ideation and Testing of a New Soil in the City of Turin Using a Multi-stakeholder Perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Sveva Ascione ◽  
Federico Cuomo ◽  
Nicole Mariotti ◽  
Laura Corazza
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Urban Living ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Living Labs ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
The City

AbstractIn the attempt to foster circular economy (CE), cities are increasingly adopting urban living labs (ULLs) as sites of co-production aimed at testing alternative solutions based on the reuse of products, reduction of consumption and recycling of materials. Taking this perspective, our study adopts an exploratory research design to discover the pragmatic implications emerging from a case study. The City of Turin joined proGIreg, a European project that entails the regeneration of former industrial districts by means of nature-based solutions (NBS). Ranging from aquaponics to green roofs, seven NBS have been experimented in Turin, which rely on the use of natural systems to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges efficiently and sustainably. Among them, the most promising is related to the production and test of the ‘new soil’, a blend obtained by mixing earth materials coming from construction sites with compost, zeolites and mycorrhizae. The case herein presented is interesting to analyse for the multi-stakeholder management setting used, where public institutions, private companies, research institutions, citizens and associations collaborated in the co-creation and testing phase of the NBS. Consequently, the data collected through participant observation and direct interviews allow researchers to describe multi-stakeholders’ dynamics and how they work. Thus, this paper narrates a micro-contextual experience while providing a critique. Results include an analysis of the unique combination of different stakeholders, which strongly impacted on the management and the effectiveness of the entire project. By consequence, the paper offers both theoretical contributions to the relational branch of stakeholder theory and practical evidence in demonstrating the importance of the relational branch of the theory over a more traditional transactional view.

scholarly journals The implication of the air quality pattern in South Korea after the COVID-19 outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ja-Ho Koo ◽  
Jhoon Kim ◽  
Yun Gon Lee ◽  
Sang Seo Park ◽  
Seoyoung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Satellite Measurements ◽  
Ordinary Life ◽  
The Social ◽  
Regional Air Quality ◽  
Long Lifetime ◽  
Positive Effect

AbstractBy using multiple satellite measurements, the changes of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over South Korea were investigated from January to March 2020 to evaluate the COVID-19 effect on the regional air quality. The NO2 decrease in South Korea was found but not significant, which indicates the effects of spontaneous social distancing under the maintenance of ordinary life. The AODs in 2020 were normally high in January, but they became lower starting from February. Since the atmosphere over Eastern Asia was unusually stagnant in January and February 2020, the AOD decrease in February 2020 clearly reveals the positive effect of the COVID-19. Considering the insignificant NO2 decrease in South Korea and the relatively long lifetime of aerosols, the AOD decrease in South Korea may be more attributed to the improvement of the air quality in neighboring countries. In March, regional atmosphere became well mixed and ventilated over South Korea, contributing to large enhancement of air quality. While the social activity was reduced after the COVID-19 outbreak, the regional meteorology should be also examined significantly to avoid the biased evaluation of the social impact on the change of the regional air quality.

Zero Waste Strategy for a Green Campus

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gislaine Ap. Moreira ◽  
Emilia Wanda Rutkoskwi
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Zero Waste ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Sustainability Issue ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Green Campus

When adopting the zero waste strategy for the implementation of waste management measures at a Higher Education Institution, the commitment in the institution is of fundamental importance, not only with solid waste, but with the sustainability issue under a circular economy perspective, which should gradually be incorporated to the different programs and routine actions from universities. Several directions can be taken in the construction of this path so that universities are managed under the sustainability’s premises. In this article, the zero waste strategy for implementation of a circular economy program will be analyzed as a way to consolidate the process Green Campus. A qualitative and exploratory research was undertaken on green campus and zero waste strategies, mainly in universities. Although there is still a limited number of universities committed to zero waste actions, it was possible to appoint the benefits when implementing institutional programs related to sustainability and the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Challenges and opportunities for social entrepreneurs in civil engineering in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Ferreira Vasconcellos ◽  
Bernardo Henrique Leso ◽  
Marcelo Nogueira Cortimiglia
Keyword(s):  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

Purpose This paper aims to identify challenges and opportunities for social enterprises (SE) in civil engineering in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach Starting from the transformative social innovation theory and inspired by grounded theory principles, this paper conducts three-stage exploratory research. First, this paper mapped the Brazilian SE civil engineering ecosystem. Next, this paper classified the SE initiatives along with an organizing framework. Finally, this paper conducted 11 interviews with key ecosystem actors and analyzed data through iterative, parallel and interrelated content analysis procedures. Findings The 37 SE found were classified along “Sustainability,” “Housing,” “Transportation” and “Sanitation” pillars, which are aligned with the United Nations’ social development goals. This paper found 50 challenges and opportunities, which were aggregated along seven dimensions. Three elements are particularly relevant as opportunities: opportunities for SE with ecosystem supporters, specialized investors and partnership with major companies; while government and early investment are the most relevant challenges. Research limitations/implications Research findings and conclusions cannot be extended to other sectors and countries. Usual limitations associated with exploratory qualitative research must also be highlighted. Practical implications The government should offer financial and technical support for civil engineering in working in partnership with ecosystem supporters. Academy could use SE content and ecosystem for its students and should offer diverse resources for network creation. Originality/value Focusing on civil engineering SE in Brazil, this study sheds light on a high-impact sector that has not been studied yet.

Il ruolo delle Tecnologie Informatiche e di Comunicazione e della logistica distributiva sulla competitivitŕ del comparto ortofrutticolo siciliano

2012 ◽  
pp. 11-40
Author(s):  
Emanuele Schimmenti ◽  
Elli Vassiliadis ◽  
Antonino Galati
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Information And Communication

In recent years, the market globalization process has deeply altered the international competitive scene, leading, inevitably, to a revision of companies' strategies and organization structures. It is now widely accepted that Information and Communication Technology (ict) and supply chain logistics management, have an important role in increasing the competitive potential of each company and in the development of entire economic sectors. The importance of these factors for the business strategies of firms, has generated increasing research attention towards the study of their economic and social impact, concerning both the spread of modern information and communication technologies and logistics. This paper mainly proposes, through a direct survey conducted on a group of firms (production and commercial companies), working in the Sicilian fruit and vegetable sector - a strategic sector in the economic and social field for most of the region - to provide empirical evidence regarding the degree of diffusion of ict and its use, as well as on business relationships with the regional distribution logistics system, as they are two of the determinants that can influence companies' competitive potential. Through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (mca) it was possible to filter down the information from the available data and to identify two factors that describe and summarize how the surveyed firms behave. In particular, the analysis highlighted the close connection between the diffusion and use of ict and logistics distribution organization and the firms' physical and economic size. Specifically, the large-size companies, in this case represented by producer organizations and associations, have a medium-high degree of computerization and an efficient logistics organization, which allows them to interface with competitors both in the national and international market. Agricultural cooperatives and individual companies, on the other hand, though having well-developed infrastructure hardware and software, limit their use to basic functions, but above all have greater needs in terms of logistics structures, which are scantly distributed in the region, and this negatively influences the efficiency of fruit and vegetable produce distribution. In this context, the competitive potential of the fruit and vegetable sector, as regards the issues under investigation, is connected, on the one hand, to companies' recognition of the potential offered by ict and efficient logistics and, on the other, to government intervention aimed at overcoming the region's infrastructure limits which are at the heart of inefficiencies in the distribution system.

University as a vehicle to achieve social innovation and development: repositioning the role of the university in the society

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lwando Mdleleni
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of university in promoting, generating and sustaining social innovation (SI). It aimed to understand how higher education institutions have extended their contribution beyond the traditional function of teaching and research to perform in socio-economic problem-solving. It looks at the kinds of contributions which universities potentially make to SI processes, and the effects that this has on the direction and magnitude of SI, and by implication social development. This was done by drawing lessons from a SI project that the University of the Western Cape has been involved in, i.e. Zenzeleni Networks Project. Design/methodology/approach To address the research question with this framework, the author adopted an exploratory research design using a case study. This research is qualitative, exploratory and descriptive, based on a case study built with secondary data. Findings This paper submits that universities can potentially function as key role players in promoting SI initiatives and fostering social transformations. Universities contribute with different kinds of resources and inputs to foster new SI ideas. Originality/value The paper suggests that socially innovative university projects may contribute to community social sustainability maintaining social cohesion by increasing social capital and providing resources for the empowerment of the marginalised communities. In so doing, they contribute to overcome social exclusion and promote more sustainable forms of development at community level. More research is needed on how universities can build community networks with local community partners, who can use the insights of academic research to replicate interventions and move to scale.

scholarly journals Explorative healthy aging approaches fostering social innovation: thematizing life course narratives of older women participating in a documentary film

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susie Riva-Mossman ◽  
Henk Verloo
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Relational Networks ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Learning Processes

The transformative process of investigating life stories and their impact on healthy aging has only recently been explored. The relationship between hope and individual healthy aging strategies is still an under-researched area. This study contributes to filling the knowledgeability gap. The authors examine senior stories of hope and the experience of self-determination and well-being. The study documents the social learning processes of older people as they narratively search for solutions and imagine a hopeful future of healthy aging. A group of four older women participated in a semi-structured filmed interview, questioned by an academic expert. Healthy aging emerged as an important concern among all participants, confirming the need to actively learn how to age well. This exploratory research brought forth thematic clusters, orienting shared value solutions to demographic change. Qualitative research methods reinforce lifelong, collaborative learning processes that not only produce scientific literature, but also put in place relational networks that can grow and endure over time, generating social innovation. The film documented the role of hope and resilience in healthy aging.

Joining a collaborative space: is it really a better place to work?

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignasi Capdevila
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Collaborative Spaces ◽  
Innovation Modes ◽  
Living Labs ◽  
Collaborative Space ◽  
Coworking Spaces ◽  
Innovation Approach

Purpose Collaborative spaces such as Fab Labs, Living Labs, coworking spaces, hackerspaces, makerspaces, etc. are localized spaces that offer open access to resources. The purpose of this paper is to explain what motivates participants in such spaces, according to different innovation logics. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on qualitative studies of 43 collaborative spaces in Paris and Barcelona. Findings This paper proposes a typology of different collaborative spaces to understand what motivates their participants. The classification is based on the innovation approach of each type of space: methods and techniques of ideation, social innovation, open innovation and user-driven innovation. Research limitations/implications The classification of collaborative spaces clearly identifies different innovation approaches. However, it might result to be too simplistic and may not represent all spaces under the same denomination. Practical implications This paper provides some guidelines for managers who run or intend to open a collaborative space. In bottom-up innovation modes, to increase the commitment of the participants, managers should provide the tools and resources needed to successfully achieve the goals of the members’ projects. In top-down innovation modes, managers should rather focus on designing an attractive and rewarding process of ideation. Originality/value This paper contributes to the understanding of collaborative spaces; it shows that participants’ engagement is related to the nature of the innovation activities that take place in collaborative spaces, and it compares different types of spaces to explain their differences and similarities.

Measuring the circular economy - A Multiple Correspondence Analysis of 63 metrics

2019 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 200-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexej Parchomenko ◽  
Dirk Nelen ◽  
Jeroen Gillabel ◽  
Helmut Rechberger
Keyword(s):  
Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis
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